The early church had some very specific criteria in order for books to be considered as part of the New Testament. These included: Was the book written by someone who was an eyewitness of Jesus Christ? Did the book pass the “truth test”? (i.e., did it concur with other, already agreed-upon Scripture?).
Kanisa la kwanza lilikuwa na baadhi ya vigezo maalum sana ili vitabu kuchukuliwa kama sehemu ya Agano Jipya. Hii ni pamoja na: Je, kitabu kiliandikwa na mtu ambaye alikuwa shahidi wa Yesu Kristo? Je, kitabu kilipita "mtihani wa ile kweli"? (mfano, kilikubaliana na wengine, tayari vilishakubaliwa kuwa katika maandiko?).