Before the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, many early Christian writings were circulating among believers, and some of these writings were later included in the New Testament. However, the full New Testament canon was not formally established until later, though much of it was already widely recognized and used by early Christian communities. Several of the books of the New Testament can indeed be compiled or at least partially reconstructed from early letters and documents exchanged between believers prior to Nicaea.
A large portion of the New Testament (some scholars say as much as 90%)—especially the Gospels and Pauline Epistles—could be compiled from the early letters exchanged between believers and writings before Nicaea, though the formal process of canonization continued afterward.
A large portion of the New Testament (some scholars say as much as 90%)—especially the Gospels and Pauline Epistles—could be compiled from the early letters exchanged between believers and writings before Nicaea, though the formal process of canonization continued afterward.