1. The Muratorian Fragment (170 AD)

In about the year 170 we have evidence of a list of the books of Scripture in what is called the Muratorian Fragment. While the list does not mention Hebrews and James, it is clear that very early on in the history of the New Testament church the books that are in the New Testament today were in wide use throughout many churches. The only books in the New Testament about which there was some controversy concerning their inclusion in the word of God were Hebrews, James, Second and Third John, Second Peter, Jude, and Revelation. By the year 367 the influential early church leader Athanasius lists all of the New Testament Books just as we have them today. Our earliest manuscript evidence is a fragment of John's gospel that is dated at 125 AD. By the standards of ancient texts copied by hand, the New Testament is extremely reliable.