How is the Bible organized into the Old Testament and New Testament?

The Christian Bible is organized into two primary divisions: the Old Testament and the New Testament.12

The Old Testament

The Old Testament consists of the Hebrew Bible, which is traditionally divided into three parts: the Torah (Law), the Nevi'im (Prophets), and the Ketuvim (Writings). While these books form the core of the Old Testament, the number of canonical books varies by tradition:123
* Protestants generally recognize 39 books.4
* Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox traditions include additional writings, often referred to as apocryphal, resulting in a larger collection.124

The New Testament

The New Testament is a collection of 27 books that focus on the life, teachings, and ministry of Jesus and the early Christian church. Rather than a chronological arrangement, the books are organized by narrative and theological purpose:15
* The Gospels: Four accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus.15
* The Acts of the Apostles: A historical narrative of the early church.15
* The Epistles: 21 letters providing instruction and guidance to early Christian communities.25
* The Book of Revelation: An apocalyptic work detailing divine intervention.15