Bible Timeline · Period 9 of 10
Apostles and Early Church
Pentecost, the spread of the church in Acts, Paul's journeys and the setting of the New Testament letters.
Acts follows the church from Jerusalem to Rome. The letters were written into this story; where a letter can be linked to a point in Acts it is noted, and where its date is debated that is said.
Scripture Acts 1–28
Events follow the order Scripture presents. Switch to “Historical setting” to see approximate dates and how they are known.
Events
PentecostActs 2:1–41AD 30 or 33
The Holy Spirit comes on the believers with wind and fire; Peter preaches and about three thousand are baptised.
- Main passage Acts 2:1–41
- Related Joel 2:28–32
People Simon Peter
Places named Jerusalem Acts 2:5
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- AD 30 or 33 Approximate historical setting
Fifty days after the Passover of the crucifixion, so dated with it.
Life together in JerusalemActs 2:42–47Early 30s AD
The believers devote themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer, and share what they have.
- Main passage Acts 2:42–47
- Related Acts 4:32–37
People Barnabas
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Early 30s AD Approximate historical setting
Dates in Acts are reconstructed from its own sequence and a few fixed points, such as Gallio's time in Corinth; they are approximate.
Stories and studies Generosity
Peter and John heal a lame manActs 3:1–4:31Early 30s AD
At the temple gate Peter heals a man lame from birth "in the name of Jesus"; the apostles are arrested and boldly testify.
- Main passage Acts 3:1–4:31
People John the apostleSimon Peter
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- Early 30s AD Approximate historical setting
Dates in Acts are reconstructed from its own sequence and a few fixed points, such as Gallio's time in Corinth; they are approximate.
Stephen's speech and deathActs 6:8–7:60About AD 33-35
Stephen retells Israel's history before the council and is stoned, praying for his killers; Saul approves.
- Main passage Acts 6:8–7:60
- Related Acts 8:1–3
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About AD 33-35 Approximate historical setting
Dates in Acts are reconstructed from its own sequence and a few fixed points, such as Gallio's time in Corinth; they are approximate.
Philip and the Ethiopian officialActs 8:26–40About AD 34-35
Philip explains Isaiah 53 to an Ethiopian court official, who believes and is baptised.
- Main passage Acts 8:26–40
- Related Acts 8:4–25
People Philip the evangelist
Places named The road from Jerusalem to Gaza Acts 8:26
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About AD 34-35 Approximate historical setting
Dates in Acts are reconstructed from its own sequence and a few fixed points, such as Gallio's time in Corinth; they are approximate.
The conversion of SaulActs 9:1–19About AD 33-36
On the road to Damascus the risen Jesus confronts Saul; blinded, he is healed by Ananias and begins to proclaim Jesus.
- Main passage Acts 9:1–19
- Related Acts 22:3–16Acts 26:9–18Galatians 1:13–17
People Paul
Places named Damascus Acts 9:3
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About AD 33-36 Approximate historical setting
Reckoned back from Galatians 1:18 and 2:1 (three and fourteen years); estimates vary by a few years.
Stories and studies The Conversion of Saul
Peter and CorneliusActs 10:1–11:18About AD 37-41
Peter sees a vision and goes to the Roman centurion Cornelius; the Spirit falls on Gentiles and they are baptised.
- Main passage Acts 10:1–11:18
People CorneliusSimon Peter
Places named Joppa Acts 10:5 · Caesarea Acts 10:1
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About AD 37-41 Approximate historical setting
Dates in Acts are reconstructed from its own sequence and a few fixed points, such as Gallio's time in Corinth; they are approximate.
The church in AntiochActs 11:19–30About AD 40-44
Believers scattered by persecution share the message with Greeks in Antioch; Barnabas and Saul teach there, and the disciples are first called Christians.
- Main passage Acts 11:19–30
Places named Antioch Acts 11:26
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About AD 40-44 Approximate historical setting
Dates in Acts are reconstructed from its own sequence and a few fixed points, such as Gallio's time in Corinth; they are approximate.
James killed; Peter freedActs 12:1–24About AD 44
Herod Agrippa kills James and imprisons Peter; an angel leads Peter out while the church prays.
- Main passage Acts 12:1–24
People James, son of ZebedeeSimon Peter
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About AD 44 Approximate historical setting
Herod Agrippa I died in AD 44 (Acts 12:20-23; Josephus).
Paul's first journeyActs 13:1–14:28About AD 46-48
Barnabas and Saul are sent out from Antioch to Cyprus and southern Galatia; many Gentiles believe, and they face fierce opposition.
- Main passage Acts 13:1–14:28
Places named Cyprus Acts 13:4 · Pisidian Antioch Acts 13:14 · Lystra Acts 14:8
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About AD 46-48 Approximate historical setting
Dates in Acts are reconstructed from its own sequence and a few fixed points, such as Gallio's time in Corinth; they are approximate.
The council at JerusalemActs 15:1–35About AD 48-50
The apostles and elders decide that Gentile believers need not be circumcised, and send a letter to the churches.
- Main passage Acts 15:1–35
- Related Galatians 2:1–10
People BarnabasPaulSimon PeterSilas
Places named Jerusalem Acts 15:2
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About AD 48-50 Approximate historical setting
Dates in Acts are reconstructed from its own sequence and a few fixed points, such as Gallio's time in Corinth; they are approximate.
Whether Galatians 2:1-10 describes this meeting or an earlier visit is debated.
Philippi: Lydia and the jailerActs 16:11–40About AD 49-50
In Philippi Lydia believes; Paul and Silas are beaten and jailed, sing hymns at midnight, and the jailer and his household believe.
- Main passage Acts 16:11–40
People LukeLydiaPaulSilasTimothy
Places named Philippi Acts 16:12
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About AD 49-50 Approximate historical setting
Dates in Acts are reconstructed from its own sequence and a few fixed points, such as Gallio's time in Corinth; they are approximate.
Stories and studies Paul and Silas in Prison
Paul in AthensActs 17:16–34About AD 50
Paul speaks at the Areopagus about the "unknown god", the Creator who now calls everyone to repent.
- Main passage Acts 17:16–34
People Paul
Places named Athens Acts 17:16
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About AD 50 Approximate historical setting
Dates in Acts are reconstructed from its own sequence and a few fixed points, such as Gallio's time in Corinth; they are approximate.
Paul in CorinthActs 18:1–17About AD 50-52
Paul works with Aquila and Priscilla, teaches for eighteen months and is brought before the proconsul Gallio.
- Main passage Acts 18:1–17
- Related 1 Thessalonians 3:1–6
People AquilaPaulPriscillaSilasTimothy
Places named Corinth Acts 18:1
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About AD 50-52 Approximate historical setting
An inscription found at Delphi dates Gallio's time as proconsul of Achaia to about AD 51-52, one of the firmest dates in Acts.
Paul in EphesusActs 19:1–41About AD 52-55
Paul teaches in Ephesus for over two years; the message spreads through Asia, and a riot breaks out over the goddess Artemis.
- Main passage Acts 19:1–41
- Related Acts 18:24–281 Corinthians 16:8–9
People ApollosAquilaPaulPriscilla
Places named Ephesus Acts 19:1
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About AD 52-55 Approximate historical setting
Dates in Acts are reconstructed from its own sequence and a few fixed points, such as Gallio's time in Corinth; they are approximate.
Farewell to the Ephesian eldersActs 20:17–38About AD 57
At Miletus Paul tells the elders of Ephesus to shepherd the church, quoting Jesus: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
- Main passage Acts 20:17–38
People Paul
Places named Miletus Acts 20:15
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About AD 57 Approximate historical setting
Dates in Acts are reconstructed from its own sequence and a few fixed points, such as Gallio's time in Corinth; they are approximate.
Paul arrested in JerusalemActs 21:17–22:29About AD 57
A mob seizes Paul at the temple; Roman soldiers rescue him and he tells the crowd how he met Jesus.
- Main passage Acts 21:17–22:29
People Paul
Places named Jerusalem Acts 21:17
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About AD 57 Approximate historical setting
Dates in Acts are reconstructed from its own sequence and a few fixed points, such as Gallio's time in Corinth; they are approximate.
Paul before Felix, Festus and AgrippaActs 24:1–26:32About AD 57-59
Held at Caesarea, Paul defends himself before governors and King Agrippa and appeals to Caesar.
- Main passage Acts 24:1–26:32
People Paul
Places named Caesarea Acts 23:33
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About AD 57-59 Approximate historical setting
Dates in Acts are reconstructed from its own sequence and a few fixed points, such as Gallio's time in Corinth; they are approximate.
Shipwreck on the way to RomeActs 27:1–28:10About AD 59-60
Sailing to Rome as a prisoner, Paul is caught in a storm; the ship is wrecked off Malta and all on board survive.
- Main passage Acts 27:1–28:10
Places named Malta Acts 28:1
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About AD 59-60 Approximate historical setting
Dates in Acts are reconstructed from its own sequence and a few fixed points, such as Gallio's time in Corinth; they are approximate.
Paul in RomeActs 28:11–31About AD 60-62
Paul lives two years in Rome under guard, welcoming all who come and proclaiming the kingdom of God without hindrance.
- Main passage Acts 28:11–31
- Related Philippians 1:12–14
Places named Rome Acts 28:16
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About AD 60-62 Approximate historical setting
Dates in Acts are reconstructed from its own sequence and a few fixed points, such as Gallio's time in Corinth; they are approximate.
Paul's final charge to Timothy2 Timothy 4:1–8Mid-60s AD (proposed)Placement debated
Facing death, Paul writes that he has fought the good fight and urges Timothy to preach the word.
- Main passage 2 Timothy 4:1–8
- Related 2 Timothy 4:9–22
- Place in the order
- Disputed placement Where this belongs in the sequence is debated; the placement here is an editorial choice.
- Historical setting
- Mid-60s AD (proposed) Proposed chronology
Outside the story of Acts. By tradition Paul was executed in Rome under Nero; 2 Timothy's date depends on how its authorship and Paul's later life are understood.
Acts ends before Paul's death; this event is placed after Acts by tradition.
No event matches. Try another word or clear the filters.
How the timeline is built
- Explicit biblical sequence
- Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Strongly supported relative order
- The order is well supported by the text, though not stated outright.
- Disputed placement
- Where this belongs in the sequence is debated; the placement here is an editorial choice.
- Approximate historical setting
- An approximate date with its basis.
- Proposed chronology
- A date proposed by scholars; Scripture gives none.
- Disputed date
- Significant alternatives are shown.
- Unknown date
- No calendar date can responsibly be given.
The order of events is BibleKenya's own reading of Scripture. Dates for the kings follow a widely used reconstruction (based on E. R. Thiele); anchors confirmed by Assyrian, Babylonian or Persian records say so. Visions are shown as visions, not as dated events. The date an event happened is not the same as the date a book was written.