Christian Canon Collection of 27 books called Christian Testament –Approved at the end of the 4 th century Collection of letters, stories of Jesus’ life, death and Resurrection, accounts of beginnings of church

Paul’s Epistles 1 st epistle (letter) was to Christian community in Thessalonica Addressed his letters to the churches in the locations –Church-assembly People coming together to celebrate belief in Good News of Jesus Christ –Dealt with issues each church had Read during community prayers and Eucharist Message summarized on p. 57

Treasures Passed On Letters from Paul, Peter, James, John, Jude –Circulated through Christian communities Copied by hand Paul’s letters –Dictated word for word or –Recorded by secretary and later written –Perhaps written after his death by followers

Gospels Means “good news” –Written down from about 65 C.E.-100 C.E. A few who knew Jesus personally were still alive Would reach more throughout Roman empire if written down Had been recited-oral tradition

Gospels Gospel of Mark –Composed in Rome between C.E. –Directed to Gentiles who became Christian Gospel of Matthew –Written between C.E. –For a Jewish and Christian community, in Antioch Gospel of Luke –Gentile Christians understand Jesus came to save ALL Gospel of John –Followers wrote after John’s death –Help people believe in Jesus as divine, God-made flesh

Other Writings Acts of Apostles –Luke’s account of early Christian community Companion to Luke’s Gospel Epistles written by authors other than Paul make up 8 books Book of Revelation –Inspiration to Christians under Roman persecution