The New Testament is made up of twenty-seven books, written over a period of only about sixty years and telling the story of Jesus' life and the establishment of the early Christian churches. This page provides a brief introduction to each of the New Testament books.

The letter to Philemon was written by Paul from prison, having encountered a runaway slave (Onesimus) on his travels. Philemon was probably a member of the church at Colossae, and Paul wrote to him in an attempt to reconcile him with his former slave, who had by that time become a Christian, and encourage Philemon to welcome him back.

John's second letter also warns against false teachers, and encourages people to welcome into their homes only those who are teaching the truth about Jesus. The letter makes it clear that those who are not teaching the truth should not be offered hospitality by Christians.

Written as a personal letter to his friend Gaius, John's third letter expressed joy that Gaius was welcoming travelling Christian evangelists but dismay that another local leader, Diotrephes, was hindering this work through a selfish attitude. The letter encourages Gaius to continue in his work but warns him about the problems being caused by Diotrephes.