Bible Question: What is the first book in the new testament that was inspired by god and who was its author |
Bible Answer: Deaconjohn, Good question! James has been viewed as being written very early (before A.D. 50) since there is no reference made to the controversy over Gentile circumcision and the term 'synagogue' is used to designate the meeting place of the church (2:2). The earliest canonical letter of Paul would probably be 1 Thessalonians (but there is a possibility that Galatians could have been written at an earlier date). The NASB Study Bible dates 1 Thessalonians around A.D. 51-52.. The dates and synoptic questions surrounding the Gospels only adds to the speculation of their dating. I, for one, believe that Matthew was originally written in Hebrew, and therefore, the first Gospel to be written. Also, no one knows just who the author of Hebrews is, and it is clear that it had to have been written sometime before 70 A.D. (the destruction of Jerusalem). Also, we can only 'assume' that Jude was written during the time of 2 Peter, so nothing is known about the date of this letter either. I would say that the 'real' candidates for the 'earliest book written in the NT' are: James, 1 Thessalonians, Galatians and Matthew (and not in any particular order) Blessings! Nolan (Source: Zondervan NASB Study Bible) |