Timeline of Christian History

In some ways, biblical Christianity is the same as it was back when the apostles walked on the earth in the first century. Yet, over time, the Christian Church has been profoundly affected by events that have taken place along with the people who influenced them over the past 2,000 years. In this appendix, I give you the scoop on some of the milestones that helped shape the Christian Church and tell you when they happened.

6-0 B.C. (approximate)

Jesus Christ is born in a stable in the town of Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph. Mary, a virgin, conceived Jesus through the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit. (See Luke 1-2.)

A.D. 27 (approximate)

Jesus begins his public ministry. During a three-year span, he travels around the Palestine area (modern-day Israel) proclaiming the Good News of his coming – that he came to free humanity from sin and make salvation possible for all. He also selects 12 disciples to equip and teach for ministry and to minister alongside him.

30 (approximate)

Jesus Christ is crucified on a hill outside Jerusalem called Golgotha (Luke 23-24). Roman officials seal his body in a tomb, but Jesus rises from the dead three days later. Jesus appears several times to his disciples over the next 40 days and then ascends into heaven (Acts 1). Forty days after Christ’s ascension, the Holy Spirit comes to the apostles at Pentecost (Acts 2), a Jewish festival, empowering them and equipping them for ministry.

30-70

The apostles, who were appointed as Church leaders by Jesus himself, lead the Church in tremendous growth throughout the Mediterranean region. The Apostle Paul goes on missionary journeys to Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), Greece, and Rome. Many of the New Testament books are written during this period, including (dates are approximate): Galatians (A.D. 49), James (49), 1 and 2 Thessalonians (51-52), 1 and 2 Corinthians (55), Romans (57), Gospel of Mark (58-60), Ephesians (60), Colossians (60), Philemon (60), Philippians (61), Gospel of Matthew (61-64), Gospel of Luke (61-64), 1 Timothy (64), Titus (64), 1 Peter (64-65), Jude (65), Acts (66-68), 2 Timothy (66-67), 2 Peter (66-68), and Hebrews (68-70).

64-312

Periodic waves of persecution against Christians occur in the Roman Empire during this time period. The worst period is between 186 and 312. Emperor Maximus Thrax (235-238), for example, seeks to decapitate the Church by arresting and executing its bishops. Emperor Decius (249-251) goes even further, killing everyone even accused of being a Christian. Emperor Diocletian (284-305) of the Eastern Roman Empire caps it off by torturing and executing Christians – including men, women, children, and the elderly. The Christians are executed in a variety of grizzly ways, including being burned, stoned, skinned alive, fed to wild animals, drowned, and crucified.

70-73

After Jewish rebels attempt to overthrow Roman authority, Romans capture Jerusalem and destroy the Jewish Temple in A.D. 70. Jews disperse from Jerusalem and scatter throughout the Roman Empire. In A.D. 73, the Romans defeat the final Jewish resisters at Masada. Because of these events, the Christian Church (which emerged from Judaism) is no longer based in Jerusalem and begins to branch out throughout the Mediterranean region and beyond into parts of Asia and Africa.

85-95

The Apostle John writes the final books of the New Testament. He writes the Gospel of John in approximately A.D. 85, completing 1, 2, and 3 John between 85 and 90. John pens the final book, Revelation, around A.D. 95.