Question 28: What is in the New Testament?

Answer:

The New Testament contains 27 books that proclaim the life, death, resurrection, and lordship of Jesus Christ. It includes the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, and the Revelation, revealing God’s fulfillment of His promises and the foundation of the Church. (Matthew 26:28, Luke 24:44–47, John 20:31, Acts 1:8, 2 Timothy 3:15)

Full Scripture References

“This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” — Matthew 26:28 (BSB)

“He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.’ Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations.’” — Luke 24:44–47 (BSB)

“But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” — John 20:31 (BSB)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” — Acts 1:8 (BSB)

“And you from infancy have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” — 2 Timothy 3:15 (BSB)

Expanded Explanation of Catechism Question

The New Testament is the second part of Holy Scripture, made up of 27 inspired books that proclaim the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. It begins with the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—which tell the story of Jesus’ incarnation, life, teaching, death, resurrection, and ascension. These books are the heart of Christian Scripture, presenting the Good News that in Christ, God has come to save sinners.

Following the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles records the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the growth of the early Church, tracing the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. The Epistles, written by apostles such as Paul, Peter, John, James, and Jude, provide teaching, correction, and encouragement for the Church. They apply the truth of Christ’s work to Christian life, worship, and doctrine. The New Testament concludes with Revelation, a prophetic vision of Christ’s final victory and the renewal of all things.

These books are not separate from the Old Testament but are its fulfillment. Jesus declared that the Scriptures—“Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms”—testify to Him (Luke 24:44–47), and the New Testament reveals how these promises are fulfilled. In the words of John’s Gospel, “These are written that you may believe” (John 20:31). The New Testament reveals the full mystery of salvation, inaugurated by Christ and continued in His Body, the Church.

Article VI of the Thirty-Nine Articles affirms that the New Testament, along with the Old, contains “all things necessary to salvation.” The Book of Common Prayer arranges daily readings from the New Testament to nurture Christian discipleship. These Scriptures are not merely historical—they are God’s living Word, teaching, convicting, and equipping the Church for every good work.

As Bishop J.C. Ryle wrote, “The foundation of Christianity is the New Testament—without it, we have no clear revelation of Jesus.” The New Testament reveals the heart of God through the person of Christ, teaches the truth that saves, and prepares believers for faithful living in a fallen world. It is to be read, trusted, proclaimed, and obeyed, for in it we hear the voice of our Savior.

Early Church Fathers on Catechism Question

St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202 AD) affirmed: “We have learned from none others the plan of our salvation than from those through whom the Gospel has come down to us… they later committed it to writing.” — Against Heresies, 3.1.1

Irenaeus saw the Gospels and apostolic writings as the true and trustworthy record of Christ’s work and teaching. St. Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215 AD) wrote: “The teaching of the apostles is preserved in the Scriptures, inspired by the Lord Himself.” — Stromata, 7.16

Clement emphasized the divine inspiration of the apostolic writings as the foundation for Christian knowledge. St. Athanasius (c. 296–373 AD) proclaimed: “The books of the New Testament are: the four Gospels, Acts, the seven Catholic Epistles, the fourteen letters of Paul, and the Revelation of John.” — Festal Letter 39

Athanasius explicitly recognized the 27-book New Testament canon as authoritative and complete. St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) taught: “These Scriptures of the New Testament are the writings of the apostles and their companions, confirmed by the universal Church.” — On Christian Doctrine, 2.8

Augustine saw the canon of the New Testament as apostolic in origin and universally affirmed. St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407 AD) preached: “The Gospels are the first fruits of the Scriptures… In them we hear the very voice of Christ Himself.” — Homily on Matthew 1

Chrysostom honored the Gospels as the direct revelation of Jesus Christ and the source of salvation.