Chronology of the Apostolic Age

Many false teachings can be refuted by simply considering the historical context of Bible verses, events, etc. For example, Protestants say that St. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:15-17 that the Bible is all that is needed for the Christian life. However, if we look at the date when St. Paul wrote to Timothy (67 AD), it’s clear that most of the books of the New Testament, including the four Gospels, weren’t even written at the time. Thus, 2 Timothy 3 can’t possibly mean what Protestants say it does.

I have assembled to the following chronology of events in the history of the early Church to help dispel false teachings with knowledge of the historical context of events of the Apostolic age:

  1. 4 BC – Birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem
  2. c. AD 7–8 – Jesus in the Temple at age twelve
  3. c. AD 27 – Beginning of the public ministry of Jesus Christ
  4. AD 30 – Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ; Pentecost; beginning of the Church
  5. AD 30–33 – Early preaching of the Apostles in Jerusalem
  6. AD 33 – Martyrdom of St. Stephen; conversion of Saul (St. Paul)
  7. AD 34–36 – Paul’s time in Arabia and Damascus
  8. AD 36 – Paul’s first visit to Jerusalem after conversion
  9. AD 42 – Martyrdom of St. James the Greater
  10. AD 42 – St. Peter arrives in Rome
  11. AD 44 – Martyrdom of St. James the Less; persecution under Herod Agrippa I
  12. AD 46–48 – First missionary journey of St. Paul
  13. AD 48–49 – Council of Jerusalem
  14. AD 49–52 – Second missionary journey of St. Paul
  15. AD 50–51 – First Epistle to the Thessalonians written
  16. AD 51–52 – Second Epistle to the Thessalonians written
  17. AD 53–58 – Third missionary journey of St. Paul
  18. AD 54–57 – Epistle to the Galatians written
  19. AD 55 – First Epistle to the Corinthians written
  20. AD 56 – Second Epistle to the Corinthians written
  21. AD 57 – Epistle to the Romans written
  22. AD 58–60 – Paul imprisoned at Caesarea
  23. c. AD 60 – Dormition (death) and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  24. AD 60–61 – Voyage of Paul to Rome
  25. AD 61–63 – Paul under house arrest in Rome
  26. AD 61–63 – Epistle to the Philippians written
  27. AD 61–63 – Epistle to the Ephesians written
  28. AD 61–63 – Epistle to the Colossians written
  29. AD 61–63 – Epistle to Philemon written
  30. AD 62 – Martyrdom of St. James the Less, Bishop of Jerusalem
  31. AD 63–64 – Epistle to the Hebrews written
  32. AD 64 – Great Fire of Rome; persecution under Nero begins
  33. AD 64–67 – First Epistle of Peter written
  34. AD 66–70 – Jewish War
  35. AD 67 – Second Epistle to Timothy written
  36. AD 67–68 – Martyrdom of St. Peter in Rome
  37. AD 67–68 – Martyrdom of St. Paul in Rome
  38. AD 70 – Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
  39. AD 70 – Gospel according to Mark written
  40. AD 70–80 – Gospel according to Matthew written
  41. AD 70–90 – Epistle of Jude written
  42. AD 80–90 – Gospel according to Luke written
  43. AD 80–90 – Acts of the Apostles written
  44. AD 85–95 – First Epistle of John written
  45. AD 85–95 – Second Epistle of John written
  46. AD 85–95 – Third Epistle of John written
  47. AD 90–100 – Gospel according to John written
  48. AD 90–95 – Book of Revelation written
  49. c. AD 95 – Persecution under Domitian
  50. c. AD 100 – Death of St. John the Apostle; end of the Apostolic Age

Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.
Headmaster
Classical Liberal Arts Academy

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