The New Testament is a collection of twenty-seven documents with the following characteristics:
- They are classified as "scripture," a term suggesting a divine writing (1 Tim. 5:18; 2 Pet. 3:16).
- Eight known writers — Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James, and Jude — produced these books.
- The time of composition covered approximately fifty years. The final book, Revelation, was completed about A.D. 96.
- The first four books are biographical in design, providing select details of the life of Christ. Acts is a history of the early church's growth. Romans through Jude are letters of instruction to churches and individual Christians. Revelation is prophetic in content, showing the ultimate victory of truth over error.
- The value of the New Testament lies in its showing that the promised Messiah was manifested in Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Son of God.
The New Testament reveals the establishment of his church and its explosive growth in the first-century world. It provides instructions on how to become a Christian and how to remain faithful in one's service to God. It bestows confidence in the final triumph of God's plan over the evil forces of the world.
