The Acts of the Apostles is a book about transitions. From Salvation for Jews only to Salvation for Gentiles. From Law to Grace. From the Gospel of the Apostles to the Gospel of Paul. From Temple Sacrifice and Worship to personal sacrifice and church worship. Luke was the author of LUKE and ACTS. For who he is see Colossians 4:10-14, 2 Timothy 4:11. Theophilus (beloved of God) some believe is a real person, others believe this means all believers.
A quick summary covers 29 AD to 68 AD (dates per chapter are best estimate). Paul went to unbelieving Jews and then to the Gentiles during each of his 3 apostolic journeys. His grace assemblies (churches) were comprised of these two groups of new believers. Travel to Asia (13:3-14:28) Greece/Macedonia (15:40-18:22) Asia/Greece/Macedonia (18:23-21:16) finally Rome (28:16-31)
We always think of Bible Prophets as old men, but 2:4 would indicate he was a young man. He prophesied during the time of Haggai the prophet but was much broader in scope, including both conditions of the time and of the coming of the Messiah. 1:1,7 Gives the dates of his visions. Compare Haggai 1:1,15 2:1,10
The Book can be divided into three sections: 1:1-6 Opening Exhortation
Section I A series of eight visions 1:7-17 The man among the Myrtle trees and the drove of horses 1:18-21 The four horns and four artisans (carpent) the work or skill of a carpenter 2 The man with the measuring line 3 The cleansing of the High Priest 4 The Golden Candlestick and the two Olive trees 5:1-4 The Flying Roll 5:5-11 The Ephah and the two women with wings 6:1-8 The four Chariots (6:10-15) crowning of the high priest
Section II Chapters 7 and 8 Their religion, including fastings, were mere forms, with no real meanings…. But God would again restore Israel and Jerusalem.
Section III Chapters 9-14 Predictions concerning the destruction of the Jews, and then a vision of the ultimate triumph of God’s Kingdom
Key passages: 1:3 When we turn to God, He will turn to us. 4:6 God works (has always worked) through His Spirit 6:12 A predication of the coming Kingdom
Prophetic Passages: Predicted – Fulfilled 3:8-9, 13:1 – 1 Corinthians 15:5 9:9 – Matthew 21:1-11 11:12-13 – Matthew 26:14-15, 27:3-7 12:10 – John 19:33-37, Revelation 1:7 13:7 – Matthew 26:31
The Destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. was very important in the early church time period, and that the New Testament shows evidence of being written before that date.
The Apostle Paul wrote letters to the churches he had established during his missionary journeys. He also wrote several personal letters. They were written in many cases to answer questions they had and to remind them of what he had taught them. Remember, these were letters and they did not have chapters and verses. These were added many years later as an aid to study them. Also, Paul never knew he was writing part of the New Testament.
The Apostle Paul’s first letter to a church that was started in Galatia.
They had written to him with several questions. He opens his epistle with praise, extending Grace, Peace and Thanksgiving. Paul was the author of the Galatian letter, however, there is not a consensus as to the date of writing, with estimates running from the late 40s to the late 50s.
Galatians 1-2 is mostly biographical, and to date the book of Galatians it is necessary to fit the events described there into the overall New Testament timeline. Paul describes his stay in Arabia and Damascus after his conversion. (Galatians 1:17Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.), He says that after three years he went to Jerusalem (Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.), an event corresponding to Acts 9:26-29, which was dated to 36 AD. He then returned to Tarsus in Cilicia (Acts 9:30, Galatians 1:21Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;). His next return to Jerusalem was 14 years later, with Barnabas (Acts 11:30, Galatians 2:1Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.), in 49 AD. Paul’s first missionary journey followed, and it was during this journey that he founded the Galatian churches. This was followed by the controversy over requirements for gentile believers that led to the Jerusalem Council of 50 AD.
The letter to the Galatians does not mention the Jerusalem Council, and the omission is telling. Paul is extremely emotional in Galatians in his opposition to the “Judaizers”, Jewish Christians who followed him to Galatia and had been teaching the gentile believers there that they needed to be circumcised and follow the law of Moses. Paul was adamantly opposed to that idea, and it was this controversy that led to the Jerusalem Council of 50 AD., described in Acts 15. The council’s verdict went essentially in Paul’s favor, indicating that gentiles did not need to be circumcised or follow the law of Moses, but requiring them to abstain from food offered to idols, from eating meat with blood, and from sexual immorality (Acts 15:29), restrictions necessary to allow fellowship between Jewish and gentile Christians.
It seems likely that Galatians was written just prior to the Jerusalem Council, when the controversy over gentile believers was white hot. It could hardly have been written afterward, for then Paul would have appealed to the tremendous authority of the council, with a decision backed by James and all the Apostles. Galatians is then dated to 49 AD, and it becomes the earliest surviving letter of Paul.
The Apostle Paul’s first letter to a church he started in Thessalonica.
They had written to him with several questions. He opens his epistle with praise, extending Grace, Peace and Thanksgiving. He reminds them of the Gospel, Death, Burial and Resurrection: (1 Thessalonians1:10) And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1 and 2 Thessalonians are dated primarily based on their greeting from “Paul, Sylvanus, and Timothy” (1 Thessalonians1:1, 2Thessalonians1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians). Sylvanus is another spelling for Silas, who accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey (49-51 AD). Timothy also joined the second missionary journey early on (Acts 16:1). However, Silas apparently did not accompany Paul on the third missionary journey, and this trio (Paul, Silas, Timothy) are not mentioned together again. Therefore, the greeting appears to come from the trio some time during their second missionary journey. This would be after they visited Thessalonica and established a church there (Acts 17:1-4). This allows only a very small-time window for the letters to be written – from 50 to 51 AD. This dating of 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians has been widely accepted by scholars of all persuasions with little dissent.
1 Thessalonians 2:2 “…were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi…” supports the timeline in Acts, stating that Paul arrived in Thessalonica after being badly treated in Philippi (he was beaten and jailed – Acts 16:22-24). The reference to Paul’s stay in Athens (1 Thessalonians 3:1 …we thought it good to be left at Athens alone😉 further backs up the sequence of events described in Acts (17:16-34). Therefore, the sequence of events is clear: Paul, Silas and Timothy established a church in Thessalonica, they then traveled to Berea and on to Athens. At this time, Paul and Silas sent Timothy back to check on things (1 Thessalonians 3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, … to comfort you concerning your faith:), and after Timothy returned with a report, the trio penned this letter.
Primary opposition to the gospel at this time is described as coming from the Jews, and Paul likens the Thessalonian church to the churches in Judea (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16). This, along with the reference in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” to a standing temple, further confirm a date of writing prior to the 70 AD destruction of the temple.
The Apostle Paul’s second letter to a church in Thessalonica.
The traditional view is that the second letter to the Thessalonians was probably written from Corinth shortly after the first letter. Paul opens the letter praising this church for their faithfulness and perseverance in the face of persecution: 2 Thessalonians 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: They visited Thessalonica and established a church there (Acts 17:1-4). This allows only a very small-time window for the letters to be written – from 50 to 52 AD.
Paul, Silas and Timothy established a church in Thessalonica, they then traveled to Berea and on to Athens. At this time, Paul and Silas sent Timothy back to check on things (1 Thessalonians 3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:), and after Timothy returned with a report, the trio penned this letter.
Primary opposition to the gospel at this time is described as coming from the Jews, and Paul likens the Thessalonian church to the churches in Judea. This, along with the reference in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 “so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God,” to a standing temple, further confirm a date of writing prior to the 70 AD destruction of the temple.
The Apostle Paul’s first letter to a church in Corinth.
The letters of 1 and 2 Corinthians were written by Paul during his third missionary journey, which encompassed the years 52-57 A.D. There is sufficient biographical information in both the letters to the Corinthians and in the book of Acts to allow these letters to be dated very accurately. The sequence of events is described below:
Paul visits Corinth for the first time and establishes a church there (Acts 18:1-17). Among his converts were Sosthenes, who is listed as a co-author of 1 Corinthians (1 Corinthians 1:1 … and Sosthenes our brother,).
Paul travels to Ephesus, where he stays for three years. It is here that he writes his first letter to the Corinthians, however, this letter is not our canonical First Corinthians, it is called “the previous letter” (1 Corinthians 5:9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:). We will call this letter “Corinthians A.”
Paul receives news from various sources about trouble at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:11For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 1 Corinthians 7:1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me:… 1 Corinthians 16:17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.). In response he writes the letter we know as 1 Corinthians. This is written from Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.)
Paul apparently visits Corinth for a second time, although we have no record of this visit. We know it occurred because Paul writes 2 Corinthians 12:14Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and that he intends to visit for a third time 2 Corinthians 13:1-2 This is the third time I am coming to you.
Things seem to have worsened in the aftermath of the visit, leading Paul to write the “severe letter”. Paul mentions this letter in 2 Corinthians 2:4 and 2 Corinthians 7:8.
Paul was worried about the severe letter and overall situation. He hurried to meet Titus, who was returning with a response (2 Corinthians 2:13, 7:5, 7:13). Paul was encouraged by the news from Titus, and wrote another letter, the letter of 2 Corinthians. Some scholars believe the other letters of Paul may have been added into our canonical 2 Corinthians. For example the “severe letter” may have been added, now forming 2 Corinthians 10-13, and another portion may have been tucked into 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 seems to say that Passover season is imminent. The time frame for both letters then is quite narrow, with 1 Corinthians being written just before Passover in 55 AD. and 2 Corinthians being written in 56 AD.
The Apostle Paul’s second letter to a church in Corinth.
There is scholarly consensus that the letters of 1 and 2 Corinthians were written by Paul during his third missionary journey, which encompassed the years 52-57 AD. There is sufficient biographical information in both the letters to the Corinthians and in the book of Acts to allow these letters to be dated very accurately.
While there is little doubt among scholars that Paul is the author, there is discussion over whether the letter was originally one letter or composed from two or more of Paul’s letters. Although the New Testament contains only two letters to the Corinthian church, the evidence from the letters themselves is that he wrote at least four and the church replied at least once.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 seems to say that Passover season is imminent. The time frame for both letters then is quite narrow, with 1 Corinthians being written just before Passover in 55 AD and 2 Corinthians being written in 56 AD.
Written about 56-57 AD from Corinth by the Apostle Paul.
There is scholarly consensus that Paul writes the book of Romans near the end of his third missionary journey (56-57 A.D.), probably in 57 A.D.
Paul writes this letter from the home of Gaius (Romans 16:23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you.), who apparently lived in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:14I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;). Paul has been working on his project for collecting an offering for the Christians in Jerusalem (Romans15:25-28). Collecting of this offering is mentioned in several New Testament letters, and Paul’s return to Jerusalem will eventually lead to his arrest there. Paul will eventually get to Rome as a prisoner, but this letter is written before he ever had the opportunity to visit there (Romans1:13“…that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you…”).
Although the Apostle had never been to Rome when he wrote the letter to the Romans, he had clearly expressed his desire to travel there in the near future (Acts 19:21 “…to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” Romans 1:10–11 “…Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;”).
Theme – The whole Gospel of God Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
The Hand book on Faith – Gospel of God – The Whole world Guilty Doctrines of: Salvation, Law, Grace, Jews, Gentiles, Christianity. (Romans Road 3:10,23 5:8, 6:23, 10:9, 8:24)
Note: Romans 16:1-2 Phoebe delivered this letter to the Roman Church
The Apostle Paul’s letter to his ‘son’ in the Lord/ Prison letter? Probably not.
There is no hint in 1 Timothy that Paul is in prison. In other letters, where Paul is in prison, he says so or alludes to it multiple times, so this fact alone tends to date 1 Timothy prior to Paul’s imprisonment in Caesarea in 57 A.D. Paul says he urged Timothy to stay at Ephesus while he went to Macedonia (1 Timothy 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia…). These are events from Paul’s third missionary journey (Acts 20:1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.). This provides the reason for the letter, instructing Timothy in how to manage the church in Paul’s absence. Timothy is still quite young (1 Timothy 4:11-15 …Let no man despise thy youth…). Timothy would have needed this letter toward the beginning of his time in Ephesus, not years later, so it is best to assume that Paul wrote it very shortly after his departure. Since Paul spent three years in Ephesus (Acts 20:31 …remember, that by the space of three years…) and his departure was toward the end of his third missionary journey, the best date for 1 Timothy would be around 56 or early 57 A.D.
