Testament books, as one would expect. Early Christians referred to by name and quoted from every books of the New Testament, and they never referred to any other books as possibly being in the New Testament canon, with only a few exceptions, one of which, Tatian's Diatessaron, was a harmony of the four gospels together in Syriac used until the 5th century. There were many other books out there, of Greek philosophy, paganism, and Gnostic works, but these were considered "poisons" or at the least "foreign food" to avoid.

'Legend of the row colors

red =persecution of Christians

green =heresy

orange =schism (church split)

blue =Bible manuscript

Writer

< Pages

Date A.D.

NT

Gospels

Mt

Mk

Lk

Jn

Ac

Rm

1C

2C

Ga

Ep

Pp

Cl

1Th

2Th

1T

2T

Tt

Pm

He

Jm

1P

2P

1J

2J

3J

Jude

Re

Positive reference to other book after Christ that could be scripture

Writer

Arian heresy spreads, starting in Alexandria

c.318-523

Arians believed that Jesus was God, but not the same substance as the Father, and there was a time when Jesus was not.

Arial heresy spreads, starting in Alexandria

Constantine legalizes Christianity

324

Non-violently closed pagan temples so that his subjects would attend churches instead

Constantine legalizes Christianity

Council of Nicea condemns Arianism

3

325

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

S

-

-

-

-

-

-

A

-

-

-

-

-

-

Council of Nicea condemns Arianism

Vaticanus manuscript (B)

325-350

-

-

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

-

Vaticanus manuscript (B)

In Persia, Shapur II 'persecutes Christians

315-323

Persecution started once Christianity became the official Roman religion. Smaller Christian countries allied with Rome.

In Persia, Shapur II 'persecutes Christians

Eusebius of Caesarea (leader at Nicea)

c.404

318-339/340

W

4G

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

'

W

W

X

W

'

'

'

X

X Hermas

Eusebius of Caesarea (present at Nicea)

Athanasius of Alexandria (leader at Nicea)

455 '

367 (325-373)

W

4G

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

Hermas, Didache, X no others

Athanasius of Alexandria (leader at Nicea)

Arian Roman Emperor Constantius

337-353-361

Orthodox bishops were banished, and Athanasius had to go into hiding.

Arian Roman Emperor Constantius

Sinaiticus manuscript (Aleph)

340-350

-

-

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

Letter of Barnabas, Hermas

Sinaiticus manuscript (Aleph)

Council of Gangra (vs. Eustastius of Sabaste)

1 1/3

325-381

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Council of Gangra (vs. Eustastius of Sabaste)

Synod of Antioch in Encaeniis (97 bishops)

3 '

341

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

S

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Synod of Antioch in Encaeniis

Mild Arian Creed of Antioch

1

c.341-344

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Mild Arian Creed of Antioch

Council of Sardica (Greek) (church discipline)

5

343/344

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Council of Sardica (Greek) (church discipline)

Aphrahat the Syrian, Select Demonstrations

67 '

337-345

-

-

J

J

J

J

A

S

W

S

S

S

A

A

S

-

-

S

-

-

S

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Aphrahat the Syrian, Select Demonstrations

The Macrostitch Creed

2

c.345

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

The Macrostitch Creed

Council of Sirmium (Greek creed)

1 '

351

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Council of Sirmium (Greek creed)

Synod of Seleucia in Isauria

1/5

357/358

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Synod of Seleucia in Isauria

Arian Candidus' Two Letters to Marius

c.4

359-362

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Arian Candidus' Two Letters to Marius

Marius's Reply to Candidus (partial)

c.8

359-362

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Marius's Reply to Candidus (partial)

Ephraim/Ephrem, Syrian hymn-writer (partial)

162

350-378

I

W

W

W

W

W

Q

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

A

Diatessaron, 3 Corinthians

Ephraim, Syrian hymn-writer, commentator

Basil of Cappadocia (unafraid of Arian Emperor)

326

357-378

W

W

J

J

J

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

Q

-

Q

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

Basil of Cappadocia (Origenist)

Cyril of Jerusalem (cross over Jerusalem)

154

c.349-386

W

W

W

I

I

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

I

W

I

W

W

W

W

I

W

W

W

I

W

I

I

I

X

X Gospel of Thomas

Cyril of Jerusalem (fed poor from church funds)

Gregory of Nazianzen (leader at Constantinople)

275

330-391

W

W

S

'

A

'

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

A

Q

-

'

W

'

-

Q

A

'

-

W

-

-

-

W

-

Gregory of Nazianzen (leader at Constant.)

Gregory of Nyssa (Origenist)

495

c.356-397

-

W

W

J

J

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

S

W

S

W

-

W

-

'

-

W

I

I

-

A

-

Gregory of Nyssa (Origenist)

Arian Creed of Nica in Thrace

'

356-361

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Arian Creed of Nica (in Theodoret's History)

Christians killed in Alexandria and Gaza

361-363

Emperor Julian the Apostate reigns for 18 months and shows some toleration, yet permits pagans to persecute Christians.

Christians killed in Alexandria and Gaza

Hilary of Poitiers (taught Martin of Tours)

230

-367

-

W

W

W

W

W

-

W

W

W

S

S

W

S

S

-

S

W

W

'

W

W

W

W

W

-

-

-

W

-

Hilary of Poitiers (taught Martin of Tours)

Synod of Laodicea (in Phrygia)

4 '

343-381

W

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Synod of Laodicea (in Phrygia)

Arian Roman Valens kills C's in east

370

Valens is finally killed in battle by the Goths, who had converted to Arianism, but never gained his favor

Arian Roman Valens kills Christians in east

Athanaric persecutes Orthodox Visigoths

369-376

Athanaric first persecuted all Orthodox & Arians, but after converting to Arianism persecuted only Orthodox Christians.

Athanaric persecutes Orthodox Visigoths

First Council of Constantinople -150 bishops

3 '

381-382

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

A

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

First Council of Constantinople -150 bishops

Ambrose of Milan (Against Arianism)

446 '

370-390

W

-

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

Q

-

W

-

W

A

W

-

-

-

W

-

Ambrose of Milan (Against Arianism)

Pacian of Barcelona

c.23

342-379/392

W

W

W

-

-

J

W

W

W

W

W

-

W

-

-

-

W

W

W

-

-

-

W

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

Pacian of Barcelona

Luciferian schism (Lucifer of Cagliari,Sardinia)

361-c.399

Orthodox beliefs, except would never accept back repentant Arian/Semi-Arian clergy

Luciferian schism (Lucifer of Cagliari, Sardinia)

Rufinus, translator in trouble

469

374-406

-

W

W

-

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

S

S

W

A

-

-

W

-

S

-

-

-

-

-

-

A

-

Rufinus, translator in trouble

Rufinus' Commentary on the Apostles Creed

21

374-406

W

4G

W

W

W

W

W

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

Hermas, Didache, Judgment of Peter

Rufinus' Commentary on the Apostles Creed

Jerome (pupil of Gregory Nazianzen) (partial)

~500

373-420

W

4G

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

Q

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

-

Jerome (pupil of Gregory Nazianzen) (partial)

Sozomen's Ecclesiastical History

89

370/380-425

-

W

S

-

S

S

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

S

-

-

-

-

-

S

-

-

-

-

-

Sozomen's Ecclesiastical History

Freer Gospels (Washingtonensis) (W)

300-450

-

-

W

W

W

W

-

-

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Freer Gospels (Washingtonensis) (W)

Priscillian Heresy

c.385

U

U

U

Priscillian Heresy

Macedonian and Priscillian Heresies

c.383, 385

Macedonians denied person of the Holy Spirit. Priscillian denied divinity of Christ and was executed in 385 A.D..

Macedonian and Priscillian Heresies

Damasus I of Rome (against Nica Creed)

2

c.386-389

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Damasus I of Rome (in Theodoret's History)

Sulpicius/Sulpitius Severus (pupil of Martin)

116 '

363-420

-

W

Q

-

W

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

Sulpicius/Sulpitius Severus (pupil of Martin)

Council of Carthage (218 bishops)

39

393-419

W

4G

I

I

I

I

W

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

X says nothing else

Council of Carthage (218 bishops)

Council of Constantinople, under Nectarius

1

394

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Council of Constantinople, under Nectarius

Epiphanius of Salamis (wrote on 80 heresies)

360-403

W

4G

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

I

W

W

I

I

I

I

W

W

I

I

I

W

W

I

I

I

I

W

W

-

Epiphanius of Salamis (ex-Jew)

John Chrysostom (partial)

~3000

-407

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

Q

-

Q

-

-

-

A

John Chrysostom (partial)

Niceta of Remesianus

c.63

366-c.415

J

Q

J

W

W

S

S

S

S

Niceta of Remesianus

Orosius/Hosius of Braga (against Priscillian)

c.20

414-418

-

W

Q

J

Q

Q

-

W

W

W

-

W

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

W

W

-

W

-

-

-

W

-

Orosius/Hosius of Braga (against Priscillian)

Pelagius (Pelagian heresy man born neutral)

?

c.390

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

'

U

Pelagius (Pelagian heresy man born neutral)

Theodore of Mopsuestia (Pelagian heretic)

?

392-423/429

W

W

W

W

W

W

Wrote commentaries on Paul's letters, but lost

Theodore of Mopsuestia (Pelagian heretic)

Augustine of Hippo (pupil of Ambrose)

~4500

388-8/28/430

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

-

W

W

-

Augustine of Hippo (pupil of Ambrose)

Synesius of Ptolemais (Cyrene)

397-430

Synesius of Ptolemais (Cyrene)

John Cassian (Semi-Pelagian)

422 '

419-430

W

4G

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

S

S

W

A

W

-

-

S

W

-

John Cassian (Semi-Pelagian)

Council of Ephesus vs. Nestorians (200 bish.)

20

Jun-Sep 431

-

-

J

-

-

W

Q

A

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

Q

-

A

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Council of Ephesus vs. Nestorians (200 b)

Vincent of Lerins

26

c.434

W

W

J

-

-

A

W

W

W

W

W

-

-

-

-

-

W

W

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

Vincent of Lerins

Socrates' Ecclesiastical History

178

c.400-439

W

W

W

-

-

W

W

W

W

A

W

S

-

W

S

-

W

Q

S

-

W

S

S

-

A

W

-

-

-

1 extra-Biblical phrase of Jesus

Socrates' Ecclesiastical History

Persians fight Armenians and Georgians

449

Armenians and Georgians revolt after Yazdirg II tries to impose Zoroastrianism.

Persians fight Armenians and Georgians

Ephraemi Rescriptus [C] manuscript

375 or400-450

-

-

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

-

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

-

W

W

W

-

Ephraemi Rescriptus [C] manuscript

Nestorius' Bazaar of Heracleides

c.128

451/452

-

'

'

-

-

Q

W

-

Q

-

Q

-

S

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

S

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Nestorius' Bazaar of Heracleides

Euthalius of Sulca -put most of NT in sections

?

ca.450

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

Euthalius of Sulca -put most of NT in sections

Theodoret of Cyrus (bishop and historian)

320

423-458

W

-

W

J

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

-

W

-

W

-

W

-

-

-

W

~Hermas

Theodoret of Cyrus (bishop and historian)

Many Christians killed in Persia, Armenia

420-460

Bishop Abdas burned a Zoroastrian temple. After he refused to rebuild it with his own money, Christian churches burned.

Many Christians killed in Persia, Armenia

Patrick of Ireland (English missionary to Irish)

15

420-461

-

-

-

-

Q

-

A

S

A

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

''

-

Patrick of Ireland (English missionary to Irish)

Pope Leo I of Rome (turned back Attila)

204

440-461

W

W

W

S

W

W

W

W

S

W

S

S

S

S

S

'

W

S

S

-

'

W

W

-

W

-

-

-

Q

-

Pope Leo I of Rome (against Monophysites)

Prosper of Aquitaine (foe of Cassian) 'partial

c.12

426-465

-

-

S

-

J

J

W

A

'

-

W

S

S

S

-

'

-

W

W

-

'

W

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

Prosper of Aquitaine (Augustinian)

Alexandrinus manuscript (A)

c.450

-

-

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

1 Clement, 2 Clement

Alexandrinus manuscript (A)

Council of Chalcedon vs. Monophysites

18

451

W

-

W

-

Q

Q

W

W

S

-

Q

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

Council of Chalcedon vs. Monophysites

Writer

Pages

Date A.D.

NT

Gospels

Mt

Mk

Lk

Jn

Ac

Rm

1C

2C

Ga

Ep

Pp

Cl

1Th

2Th

1Tm

2Tm

Tt

Pm

He

Jm

1P

2P

1J

2J

3J

Jude

Re

Positive reference to other books after Christ that could be scripture

Writer