Sacred Scripture: A Catholic Study of Gods Word

Sharing Christ, the Unique Word of God

Classifying and Arranging the New
Testament Books
How to Study the New Testament

Sacred Scripture: A Catholic Study of Gods Word

Part 2 The New Testament

The New Testament

1. A collection of twentyseven books, all written within one
hundred years of Jesus Death
2. The books share a common commitment to Christ
3. All books were inspired by the Holy Spirit and
recognized for that by the Church
4. The books reflect the true life and teaching of
Jesus Christ that had been received and
handed on by the Apostles

Sacred Scripture: A Catholic Study of Gods Word

Part 2 The New Testament

Categories of the New Testament

The Acts of the
Apostles
An account of the very
early Church and of the
missionary work
of St. Paul.
The Gospels
Four narrative
proclamations provide the
key events and teachings
from the life of Jesus.

The Book of
Revelation
This is a visionary
teaching warning
the Church not to
be complacent with
highly symbolic
visions of God,
the risen Lord, and
the future.

The Catholic
Epistles
Extended homily
like writings
addressed to the
universal Church
rather than to a
local community.
Letters
These messages
were written to
specific local
churches,

Sacred Scripture: A Catholic Study of Gods Word

Part 2 The New Testament

Studying the New Testament

The best order to begin studying the New Testament:
First
The Gospels describe
events taken from the
Churchs early preaching
about Jesus, his
teachings, life, Death, and
Resurrection. They help
us to understand all the
other writings in both the
New Testament and the
Old Testament.

Second
The Acts of the
Apostles provides a
context not only to
the beginning of the
Church at Pentecost,
but also to the life
and ministry travels
of St. Paul.

Third
The letters of St.
Paul are the
earliest writings
of the New
Testament and
they presume an
understanding of
Jesus life and
teachings.