Evolution of the New Testament Canon
140 CE Until Today
There were a lot of "Christian" books (scrolls) in circulation but they were viewed as separate texts. Decisions about which books would be included or rejected were often made by local bishops in the beginning and later Church Councils of the Roman Catholic Church.
| Catholic & Protestant | Syrian Church | 140 - Marcion | 180 - Irenaeus | 200 - Muratorian | 230 - Origen | 325 - Eusebius |
Present Matthew Revelation of John | 464 to Present Matthew Philemon | The Gospel Galatians Corinthians Romans Thessalonians Laodiceans Colossians Philippians Philemon | Mark Luke Matthew John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus James (?) 1 Peter 1 John Revelation of John Shepherd Hermas | Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus 1 John 2 John Jude Revelation of John Wisdom of Solomon Revelation of Peter | Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon 1 Peter 1 John Revelation of John Disputed Books Hebrews II Peter II John III John James Jude Epistle of Barnabas Shepherd of Hermas Didache Gospel (according to the Hebrews) | Accepted Books Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus 1 Peter 1 John 1 Clement Disputed Books Hebrews James 2 Peter 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation of John Rejected Books Gospel of Peter Acts of Peter Preaching of Peter Revelation of Peter Acts of Paul Shepherd of Hermas Second Epistle of Clement Epistle of Barnabas Teachings of the Apostles Gospel of Thomas Gospel of Matthias Gospel of the Hebrews Acts of Andrew Acts of John |
| 360 - Momsen List | 363 - C. of Laodicea | 367 - Athanasius | 390 - G. of Nazianzus | 400 - Syrian | 400 - Epiphanius | 430 - Augustine |
Matthew | Matthew Mark Luke John Acts of the Apostles James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians Hebrews 1Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon | Matthew Mark Luke John Acts James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians Hebrews 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Revelation of John | Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude | Matthew | Matthew Sirach | Matthew Revelation of John |