Chronology of the New Testament

Chronology of the New Testament
EVENTS / BOOKS	YR	OVERVIEW CONTENT
Acts Chapters 1-12	32-45	• Beginning of the church in Jerusalem (Ac. 1-2) • Pentecost (Ac.2) • Power of God demonstrated in the church (Ac. 3) • Peter’s leadership (Ac. 4-5) • Stephen’s ministry and martyrdom (Ac. 7) • Philip’s ministry (Ac. 8) • Paul converted on the road to Damascus (Ac. 9-12) • Paul traveled to Arabia and returned to Damascus. • From Paul’s conversion until his departure from Damascus was 3 years (Ga.1:17-18). • Martyrdom of James the brother of John by Herod (Ac.12:1-2) • Peter in prison and delivered (Ac. 12:3-19) • Death of Herod (Ac. 12:20-23)
Book of James	45	• Differences between intellectual knowledge of truth and practical application of truth in one’s life. • It is not enough to properly define faith; faith must be expressed in our lives, otherwise it is worthless.
Paul’s 1^st Missionary Journey (AD 50—52)	50-52	Paul’s 1^st Missionary Journey with Barnabas (Ac.13:1—15:35)
		• Paul in Antioch (Ac.13:1-3) AD 50 • Paul in Cyprus (Ac.13:4-12) • Paul in Galatian cities (Ac.13:13-14:20) • Paul returning to Antioch (Ac.14:21-28) • The Jerusalem council with James (brother of Jesus) as leader (Ac.15:1-35). AD 52
Book of Galatians	52	• From Corinth, Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians. • Paul established the Galatian church during his first missionary journey around AD 50. Paul intended to pass through Galatia to get to Philippi, but had to stay in Galatia due to illness. While there, he preached the gospel, and was received warmly. • After Paul left Galatia false teachers convinced some believers to follow ritual laws of Judaism supposing to add this to the gospel.
Paul’s 2^nd Missionary Journey (AD 52—53)	52-53	Paul’s 2^nd Missionary Journey (Ac.15:36—18:22)
		• The John Mark issue; contention Paul vs Barnabas (Ac.15:36-40) • Churches revisited (Ac.15:41-16:5) • Paul’s work in Europe (Ac.16:6-18:22)
Book of 1 Thessalonians	52	• Paul’s first epistle written from Corinth (Ac. 18:7-11) • Paul established the church in Corinth around AD 52 during his 2^nd missionary journey. •The Jews of Thessalonica oppose Paul, while many Gentiles receive the Gospel message. • Theme of 1 Thessalonians is the imminent return of Christ. This is important to a believer’s spiritual well-being. Other themes include their attitude during persecution, not returning to paganism, and what happens to those who die before Christ returns.
Book of 2 Thessalonians	53	• While Paul is still in Corinth (he stayed for 18 months) he wrote 2 Thessalonians. • The content of 2 Thessalonians closely parallels 1 Thessalonians. • Paul exhorts steadfastness in the midst of persecution. He describes events preceding the return of Christ; and encourages believers to reject worldliness and live by the principles of Christ.
Paul’s 3^rd Missionary Journey (AD 57—59)	57-59	Paul’s 3^rd Missionary Journey (Ac.18:23—21:26)
		• Paul in Ephesus (Ac.18:23-19:41) Paul spent over 2 years in Ephesus, during which he wrote 1 Corinthians. • Paul in Greece (Ac.20:1-6); he travels from Ephesus for Macedonia (Ac.20:1), then from Macedonia back to Corinth (Ac.20:2-3). • Paul travels from Miletus to Caesarea (Ac.21:1-14) • Paul and the Jerusalem church (Ac.21:15-26)
Book of 1 Corinthians	57	• Paul spent over 2 years in Ephesus, during which he wrote 1 Corinthians. • Paul received reports of factions in the church. Also there was sexual misconduct, abuse of spiritual gifts, perverted observance of the Lord’s Supper, and confusion regarding the resurrection. Paul’s letter aims at providing balance in the church.
Book of 2 Corinthians	57	• In Macedonia, Paul wrote 2 Corinthians. • Paul reinforced the authenticity of his apostleship. • Paul expressed his love for the Corinthians though he wrote his first letter in what must have seen so harsh. He taught about financial support for the church of Jerusalem who was undergoing a severe famine. • Paul referred to his “thorn in the flesh” (2Co.12:7).
Book of Romans	58	• Paul did not establish the church in Rome. • Paul did not write to correct problems in the church. He wrote to introduce himself, expressing his desire to visit them. • Romans is a well-organized and systematic presentation of doctrinal truths. He discusses major themes like grace, faith, righteousness, and justification. The book demonstrates that Christ is not just for the Jews only.
Ac.21:15-26	58-60	• Paul returns to Jerusalem (Ac.21:15-26) • In Jerusalem, Paul is arrested and put on trial • Acts 20:4 through chapter 26 cover over 2 years.
Book of Luke	60	• Luke is the only Gentile writer of New Testament scripture. He was not an eyewitness of the events in his books (Luke and Acts). Luke wrote to convince Greeks that the claims of Christ are true.
Book of Matthew	60	• Matthew was one of the 12 disciples and wrote his book to show Jews proof from the Old Testament that their long-awaited Messiah has come.
	61	• Paul travels to Rome and is placed in prison upon arrival (Ac.27:1-28:16)
Book of Philemon	61	• Paul wrote Philemon while in prison in Rome. • Paul pleas with Philemon to forgive a runaway slave named Onesimus. • Philemon, it appears, was a convert of Paul in Colosse • Onesimus somehow came to Paul in Rome and was converted to Christ.
Book of Colossians	61	• The Colosse church was established by Epaphras, who was a citizen of the city, and a disciple of Paul. • Paul wrote this letter at the request of Epaphras to establish his apostleship and deal with some Judaizers in the church. • Paul deals with angel worship and so-called spiritual knowledge mixed in with legalism. That is, the error that sanctification is obtained by accumulating knowledge. Sanctification is based on our relationship with God.
Book of Ephesians	61-62	• While in prison in Rome Paul wrote the epistle to the Ephesians. • This may be the book referred to in Colossians 4:16. If so, the letter may actually be addressed to the region of Laodicea and may be for general circulation. The letter does not contain a personal salutation, nor mention any specific places or events. Also Paul does not address any specific church problem. • In this letter Paul taught the importance of unity in the church, the redemptive work of Christ, and a God-honoring home-life.
Book of Mark	63	• John Mark wrote this book while in Rome to Gentile readers. These believers were undergoing intense persecution. • The book of Mark emphasizes the miracles of Jesus, and presents Him as the God-man of power, and action. The Roman would admire these characteristics. • Some see this book as coordination between John Mark and Peter since they spent time together in Rome (1Pe.5:13). If this is the case, then Peter was the eyewitness, and Mark presented the material in a way to impress the Roman mind.
Book of Philippians	63	•This is the last epistle written by Paul during his first imprisonment. • Paul thanks the Philippians for sending support to help with living expenses while waiting for trial in Rome. Paul taught the importance of being faithful to Christ and follow his example of humility. • Fanatical Jews have James (brother of Jesus) killed in Jerusalem.
Ac.28:17-31	64	• Paul is released from prison and remains in Rome teaching and ministering.
Book of Acts	64	• Acts covers from AD32 to AD64. It does not include the martyrdom of Peter and Paul in AD67. • The purpose for writing the book of Acts is said to be (a) historical; (b) to show the universal growth of Christianity; (c) it is a written defense of Christianity to Roman authorities demonstrating the law-abiding character of Christianity. • Persecution in Acts is always religious except in Philippi (Ac.16) and Ephesus (Ac.19) where the opposition is due to their vested interest.
Book of 1 Timothy	64	• This is Paul’s first letter written since being freed from house arrest in Rome. • Timothy is in Ephesus. Paul offers practical advice on dealing with false teachers, and provides the qualifications for leaders.
Book of Titus	64	• Titus was a disciple of Paul, on the island of Crete, who was trying to help a troubled church. • Paul includes teaching on qualifications for leaders, and guidelines for a Godly life. Faith is seen as overcoming divisions among believers. Paul also instructs how to deal with heresy.
Book of 1 Peter	64	• Peter was also in Rome when he wrote 1 Peter. This letter was written to believers throughout Asia Minor. • Persecution under Rome was getting worse, and believers were beginning to feel abandoned. Peter wrote to encourage them in the midst of persecution.
Book of Hebrews	65	• The authorship of Hebrews is often debated, but it seems reasonable to accept Paul as its author. If Paul wrote this epistle, then he wrote it from Rome to Jews living in Rome at the time (Ac.28:16-31) soon after being released from prison. • The vivid contrast between the Old Covenant ritual law and New Testament faith are abundant. The writer appeals to go forward to the New Covenant instead of reverting back to the Old. The writer also emphasizes the superiority of Jesus over the Old Covenant.
Book of 2 Peter	67	• Peter addresses the same believers in Turkey as his first letter. • Peter exhorts spiritual growth, the importance of holding on to truth, warning against false teachers, and living in view of our Lord’s return.
Book of Jude	67	• Jude, another brother of Jesus, wrote this open circulated letter to warn about false teaching. • Some were saying that since we are saved by grace, then it does not matter if we sin because it will be forgiven anyway.
	67	Paul imprisoned in Rome (Ac.28:16)
Book of 2 Timothy	67	•This is Paul’s last letter which is addressed to Timothy in Ephesus. • Paul realizes his life is about to end. He challenges Timothy to be faithful in his ministry for Christ. • Paul makes mention of the coming apostasy, and to keep to the things taught in Scripture.
Paul and Peter Martyred	67	• Both Paul and Peter are martyred in Rome under persecution of Nero.
The Temple in Jerusalem is destroyed	70	The Roman general Titus destroys the Temple so that not one stone is left upon another (Mt.24).
Book of John	85	• This book was written by John, one of the original 12 disciples, from Ephesus. • The purpose of the book is to convince its readers that Jesus is the Son of God (Jn.20:31), and that salvation comes through faith in Christ.
Books of 1,2,3 John	86-87	• John wrote these epistles to deal with false teachers. • John encourages believers to maintain truth by maintaining their relationship with Christ.
Book of Revelation	95	• This was the last book of the New Testament, and was written by John. • The book is addressed to seven churches in the Roman province of Asia (Turkey) to warn them not to fall away from the faith. • In this book, we see that good will triumph over evil, and Christ will setup His kingdom on earth.