WHAT IS THE OLDEST BOOK IN THE NEW TESTAMENT?

Probably the book of James, written as early as A.D. 45.

Via kingdomnewtestament.wordpress.com

"James is best known for the strong argument in the second half of chapter two that faith is only real if it is active."

-An Introduction to James

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Jason Knight

Acts 15: The Council at Jerusalem

Via bibleencyclopedia.com

"Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.' And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue" (Acts 15:1-2, NASB).

It was James, Jesus' half-brother and leader of the Jerusalem Church, who gave the judgment of the council.

“It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.” -Acts 15:19-21 (NIV)