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New Testament Timeline
Eight eras from Jesus' birth to the early church — with key events, books, and cross references
The New Testament follows Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, then the spread of the gospel through the early church. These eight eras place the Gospels, Acts, and letters in context. Dates are approximate; the dating of some events and books is debated, and the letters overlap several eras.
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Era 1
The Birth and Early Life of Jesus · c. 6–4 BC to AD 26
- Books: Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2; John 1 introduces Jesus as the eternal Word.
- Key events: the announcements to Mary and Joseph, Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, the flight to Egypt, and His childhood in Nazareth.
- Jesus enters Israel's story as the promised descendant of Abraham and David.
Cross References
Era 2
Baptism and Public Ministry · c. AD 27–30
- Books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John offer complementary accounts of Jesus' ministry.
- Key events: John the Baptist prepares the way, Jesus is baptized and tempted, and the disciples are called.
- Jesus announces God's kingdom through teaching, parables, healings, and signs in Galilee and Judea.
Cross References
Era 3
The Cross, Resurrection, and Ascension · c. AD 30 or 33
- Books: the closing chapters of all four Gospels and Acts 1.
- Key events: Jesus enters Jerusalem, shares the Last Supper, is crucified, rises from the dead, and appears to His followers.
- The risen Jesus commissions His disciples and ascends, promising the Holy Spirit.
Cross References
Era 4
Pentecost and the Jerusalem Church · c. AD 30–35
- Books: Acts 2–7 describes the church's earliest life in Jerusalem.
- Key events: the Spirit comes at Pentecost, Peter preaches, believers share their lives, and opposition grows.
- Stephen's death and persecution mark a turning point as believers begin to scatter beyond Jerusalem.
Cross References
Era 5
The Gospel Reaches Beyond Jerusalem · c. AD 35–48
- Books: Acts 8–12 follows the gospel into Samaria and toward the wider Gentile world.
- Key events: Philip meets the Ethiopian official, Saul encounters Jesus, and Peter visits Cornelius.
- The church at Antioch becomes a center for mission, and believers there are called Christians.
Cross References
Era 6
Missionary Journeys and the Jerusalem Council · c. AD 46–57
- Books: Acts 13–21; letters such as Galatians, 1–2 Thessalonians, 1–2 Corinthians, and Romans address churches during this broad period.
- Key events: Paul and his companions plant churches across Asia Minor and Greece; the Jerusalem Council addresses Gentile believers and the law.
- Philippi, Athens, Corinth, and Ephesus show the gospel meeting different cultures and challenges.
Cross References
Era 7
Paul's Imprisonment and Witness in Rome · c. AD 57–62
- Books: Acts 21–28; Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon are traditionally associated with Paul's imprisonment, though the location and dates are debated.
- Key events: Paul is arrested in Jerusalem, appeals to Caesar, survives a shipwreck, and reaches Rome.
- Acts closes with Paul proclaiming God's kingdom in Rome despite confinement.
Cross References
Era 8
The Later Church and the Hope of New Creation · c. AD 60–100
- Books: the pastoral and general letters, including Hebrews, James, Peter's and John's letters, and Jude, strengthen the churches; their dates vary and some may be earlier.
- Key themes: faithful leadership, sound teaching, endurance through suffering, love, and hope in Christ's return.
- Revelation addresses seven churches and ends with God's victory and new creation. Its visions are not a dated continuation of Acts; its composition is often placed in the AD 90s, though an earlier date is also proposed.