The first book in the New Testament is the Gospel of Matthew. It's author was a tax collector until he was called by Jesus to be one of His 12 disciples.
Matthew's Gospel was written about 20-30 years after Jesus had ascended to heaven. During that time the good news had spread throughout the Roman Empire, but Christians were starting to be persecuted. The aim of Matthew's Gospel was to strengthen the faith of Jesus' followers during these hard times, and also to give them a tool to help them spread their faith to others.
Matthew 27:24-26
"When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified"