Bible Roadmap

Age 13 of 14

The Early Church

c. AD 30 – c. 96

Dating: Approximate; AD 70 fixed

Relevance

The risen Lord commissioned His disciples to be witnesses unto the uttermost part of the earth (). The gospel went from Jerusalem to Rome (). The apostles wrote letters to the churches.

Key events

  1. AD 30 or 33

    Pentecost

    The Holy Ghost comes upon the disciples; about three thousand souls are added (; ).

  2. Date not stated

    Stephen martyred

    Stephen is stoned, calling upon God ().

  3. c. AD 33–35

    Saul converted on the Damascus road

    A light from heaven; "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" ().

  4. Date not stated

    The gospel to the Gentiles

    The Holy Ghost falls on Cornelius and his household ().

  5. AD 44 · fixed by historical record

    James killed; Herod Agrippa I dies

    Herod kills James the brother of John and is later smitten by the angel of the Lord (; ). Josephus records Agrippa's death.

  6. c. AD 46–48

    Paul's first missionary journey

    Barnabas and Saul are separated for the work ().

  7. c. AD 49

    The Jerusalem council

    The apostles and elders consider the question of the Gentiles ().

  8. c. AD 49

    Claudius expels Jews from Rome

    Aquila and Priscilla come from Italy because Claudius commanded all Jews to depart from Rome (). Suetonius records the expulsion.

  9. c. AD 51–52

    Paul before Gallio at Corinth

    The Jews bring Paul to the judgment seat of Gallio (). The Delphi inscription dates Gallio's proconsulship.

  10. c. AD 57

    Paul arrested in Jerusalem

    Paul is seized in the temple and bound by the chief captain ().

  11. c. AD 59

    Paul appeals unto Caesar

    "I appeal unto Caesar" ().

  12. c. AD 60–62

    Paul in Rome

    Paul dwells two whole years in his own hired house, preaching the kingdom of God ().

  13. AD 64 · fixed by historical record

    Fire of Rome; Nero's persecution

    Tacitus records that Nero blamed the Christians for the fire of Rome. Not recorded in Scripture.

  14. AD 70 · fixed by historical record

    Destruction of the Temple

    Roman forces under Titus capture Jerusalem and burn the Temple, as recorded by Josephus.

Rulers and empires

AD 41–44

Herod Agrippa I

AD 41–54

Claudius Caesar

c. AD 51–52

Gallio

c. AD 52–59

Felix

AD 54–68

Nero

c. AD 59–62

Porcius Festus

c. AD 50 – c. 100

Herod Agrippa II

AD 70 (later emperor 79–81)

Titus

Key people

Apostle to the Gentiles

Paul (Saul of Tarsus)

"A chosen vessel unto me" (; ).

Apostle

Barnabas

A good man, full of the Holy Ghost ().

Deacon, first martyr

Stephen

Full of faith and power ().

Leader in Jerusalem

James, the Lord's brother

Spoke at the council (; ). Josephus records his death.

Companion of Paul

Timothy

"My own son in the faith" ().

The beloved physician

Luke

Companion of Paul (; ).

Tentmakers

Priscilla and Aquila

Expounded the way of God to Apollos (; ).

Apostle

John

The disciple whom Jesus loved ().

Prophets

  • AgabusThe church

    Signified a great dearth () and Paul's binding ().

Books written during or about this period

Acts · Romans · 1 and 2 Corinthians · Galatians · Ephesians · Philippians · Colossians · 1 and 2 Thessalonians · 1 and 2 Timothy · Titus · Philemon · Hebrews · James · 1 and 2 Peter · 1, 2 and 3 John · Jude