Biblical Timeline
Key events from Creation to the Early Church
The Early Church
~30-70 CE
Day of Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descended on the gathered believers "like a rushing mighty wind" with "cloven tongues like as of fire." Peter preached to the crowd in Jerusalem and about 3,000 people were baptized — the birth of the Christian church.
Stoning of Stephen
Stephen, one of the first seven deacons, became the first Christian martyr after delivering a speech before the Sanhedrin recounting Israel's history of rejecting God's messengers. Saul of Tarsus (later Paul) was present and "consenting unto his death."
Conversion of Paul
Saul of Tarsus, while traveling to Damascus to arrest Christians, was struck down by a blinding light and heard the voice of Jesus: "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" This conversion transformed Christianity's greatest persecutor into its greatest missionary.
Martyrdom of James son of Zebedee
Herod Agrippa I "killed James the brother of John with the sword" — making James the first of the twelve apostles to be martyred. Peter was arrested next but miraculously escaped prison.
Paul's First Missionary Journey
Paul and Barnabas traveled through Cyprus and southern Asia Minor (modern Turkey), preaching in synagogues and establishing churches in Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. This journey established the pattern of bringing the gospel to Gentiles.
Jerusalem Council
The apostles and elders gathered in Jerusalem to resolve whether Gentile converts must follow the Jewish law. Peter, Paul, and James spoke, and the council decided that Gentiles need not be circumcised — a defining moment for Christianity's identity as distinct from Judaism.
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple
The Roman general Titus besieged and destroyed Jerusalem after the Jewish revolt that began in 66 AD. The Temple was burned and demolished, fulfilling Jesus's prophecy that "there shall not be left here one stone upon another." The Arch of Titus in Rome depicts soldiers carrying the Temple menorah.
Healing at the Temple Gate
Peter and John healed a man who had been lame from birth at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. Peter declared: 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.' The man entered the Temple walking and leaping. This led to Peter's second major sermon and their first arrest by the Sanhedrin.
Ananias and Sapphira
Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold property but kept back part of the proceeds while claiming to give the full amount. Peter confronted each separately saying they had lied not to men but to God. Each fell dead immediately. This event is described as causing great fear throughout the church and beyond.
Deacons Appointed
As the Jerusalem church grew a dispute arose over the daily distribution of food to Hellenistic Jewish widows. The apostles proposed appointing seven men of good repute to oversee this practical ministry. Seven were chosen including Stephen and Philip. This is widely regarded as the institution of the diaconate.
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
An angel directed Philip to the road from Jerusalem to Gaza where he encountered an Ethiopian official reading Isaiah 53. Philip asked: 'Do you understand what you are reading?' and explained that the passage described Jesus. The official believed and was baptized. He then went on his way rejoicing — carrying the gospel to Africa. Philip was then transported by the Spirit to Azotus.
Cornelius — Gospel Comes to the Gentiles
A Roman centurion named Cornelius had a vision directing him to send for Peter. Peter simultaneously received a vision of clean and unclean animals with the command: 'What God has made clean, do not call common.' Peter went to Cornelius's house and preached. The Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles as Peter spoke, and they were baptized. This event opened the church formally to Gentile believers.
Paul's Letter to the Romans Written
Paul wrote his letter to the Roman church from Corinth during his third missionary journey, likely ~57 AD — one of the most precisely dateable Pauline letters because of references to Gallio's proconsulship in Acts 18. Romans is Paul's most systematic theological statement, addressing justification by faith, Israel's place in God's plan, and Christian ethics. It became foundational to Reformation theology.
Paul's Arrest in Jerusalem
Paul went to Jerusalem despite warnings from the prophet Agabus that he would be bound there. He was arrested in the Temple when a mob accused him of bringing Gentiles past the Court of Gentiles. Roman soldiers rescued him from the crowd. He was held in Caesarea for two years under Felix and Festus before appealing to Caesar and being sent to Rome.
Paul Arrives in Rome
After surviving a shipwreck on Malta, Paul arrived in Rome under house arrest. Acts records he lived there two full years at his own expense, welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about Jesus Christ. Acts ends here — whether Paul was released and continued ministry (suggested by the Pastoral Epistles) or was executed is not recorded in Acts.
John Writes Revelation from Patmos
The apostle John received and recorded the visions of Revelation while exiled on the island of Patmos 'on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.' Early church tradition (Irenaeus, Eusebius) dates this to the reign of Emperor Domitian (~81-96 AD). John addresses seven churches in Asia Minor before recording the visions.
16 events · Sources: Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel, Jeremiah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts