Bible Overview
The Early Church
As told in the Acts of the Apostles
The beginnings of the church
When
all
the
disciples
are
gathered
together,
about
one
hundred
and
twenty
in
all,
Peter
recalls
the
fate
of
Judas
and
the
need
to
replace
him
to
restore
the
number
of
apostles
to
twelve.
Through
prayerful
casting
of
lots,
Matthias
is
chosen
and
becomes
the
twelfth
apostle.
On
the
day
of
Pentecost
all
the
disciples
are
gathered
together,
are
filled
with
the
Holy
Spirit
and
begin
to
speak.
All
the
crowd
were
confounded,
because
that
every
man
heard
them
speak
in
his
own
language.
Peter
addresses
the
crowd,
telling
them
how
Joel
prophesied
the
event
they
are
witnessing,
then
preaches
Jesus
as
the
true
Messiah,
after
which
about
three
thousand
souls
become
believers.
The
apostles
go
on
to
preach
daily,
healing
the
sick,
casting
out
demons
and
converting
many.
The
fellowship
of
believers
begins
to
grow and many of them sell their possessions, sharing what they have with the needy amongst them.
One
day,
when
Peter
and
John
go
to
the
temple
to
pray,
they
are
confronted
by
a
man
who
has
been
lame
from
birth
and
heal
him.
Peter
explains
to
onlookers
how
the
man
was
healed
through
the
power
of
Jesus,
and
calls
them
to
repentance.
Many
are
converted,
making
the
number
of
believers
now
around
five
thousand.
Because
they
are
preaching
the
resurrection,
which
the
Sadducees
do
not
believe
in,
Peter
and
John
are
arrested.
Next
day
they
appear
before
the
Sanhedrin
to
whom
they
answer
defiantly
and
are
threatened
by
them.
Returning
to
the
brethren,
they
give
thanks
to
God
and
are
again
filled
with
the
Holy
Spirit,
enabling
them
all
to
continue
to
witness with boldness.
Among
those
selling
their
possessions
for
the
needy
are
Ananias
and
his
wife
Sapphira,
but
they
are
deceitful
in
their
giving,
which
is
considered
to
be
an
offence
against
God.
They
are
separately
rebuked
by
Peter
then
struck
dead
by
the
Holy
Spirit,
bringing
fear
to
the whole church.
The
apostles’
working
of
many
miracles
angers
the
Jewish
rulers
-
primarily
Sadducees
-
who
imprison
them,
only
to
be
later
freed
by
an
angel.
After
being
rearrested
the
next
morning,
they
are
then
released
on
the
advice
of
Gamaliel,
but
are
first
beaten
and
warned against further preaching. They leave, rejoicing in their persecution and continue to preach in defiance.
Stephen and his martyrdom
The
church
has
now
grown
so
much
that
it
becomes
necessary
to
appoint
seven
deacons
to
assist
the
apostles.
One
of
these
is
Stephen,
a
man
full
of
faith
and
the
Holy
Spirit.
Stephen
preaches
in
the
synagogue
where
none
are
able
to
overcome
his
wisdom
and
teaching.
He
is
falsely
accused
of
blaspheming
and
is
brought
before
the
Sanhedrin.
During
his
lengthy
defence
he
is
interrupted,
taken
outside and stoned while a young man named Saul looks on.
A
great
persecution
of
the
church
follows
in
which
Saul
plays
a
major
roll.
With
the
exception
of
the
apostles,
the
church
is
scattered
abroad.
Philip’s ministry
Philip,
another
of
the
chosen
seven,
preaches
in
Samaria,
healing
the
sick
and
casting
out
demons.
Among
those
baptised
is
Simon,
a
sorcerer.
Peter
and
John
are
sent
to
Samaria
by
the
apostles
at
Jerusalem
to
investigate.
They
confirm
the
converted
with
prayer
and
the
laying
on
of
hands,
and
the
Holy
Spirit
comes
upon
them.
Simon
the
sorcerer
offers
money
for
the
ability
to
confer
the
Holy
Spirit,
but
is rebuked by Peter and repents.
Peter and John continue to preach in the villages of Samaria a while before returning to Jerusalem.
Instructed
by
an
angel,
Philip
then
travels
towards
Gaza
where
he
preaches
the
Gospel
to
an
Ethiopian
eunuch,
then
baptises
him
in
nearby water.
The Spirit of God then carries Philip to Azotus where he preaches there and in all the cities until he comes to Caesarea.
Saul’s conversion
During
his
zealous
persecution
of
the
church,
Saul,
the
notable
witness
at
Stephen’s
stoning,
is
challenged
by
Jesus
on
the
way
to
Damascus
and
converted.
He
loses
his
sight
and
spends
three
days
without
food
or
drink
before
his
sight
is
restored
by
Ananias,
who
was sent by God to lay hands on him. Saul is then filled with the Holy Spirit.
Saul
now
preaches
Christ,
but
his
life
is
threatened
by
the
Jews
and
he
escapes
and
goes
to
Jerusalem.
After
initial
concerns
because
of
Saul’s
reputation,
the
disciples’
minds
are
put
to
rest
when
Barnabas
confirms
his
conversion.
However,
the
Hellenistic
Jews
are unconvinced and plan to kill him, so he flees and returns to his home at Tarsus.
Peter’s ministry
The churches, now being freed from persecution, were edified, walked in fear of the Lord and multiplied.
Peter
goes
to
Lydda
where
he
heals
a
man
of
the
palsy,
an
act
which
brought
about
the
conversion
of
all
at
Lydda
and
the
district
of
Saron.
Farther on at Joppa, Peter raises Tabitha from death, bringing about the conversion of many at Joppa.
Peter
stays
at
Joppa
for
many
days,
during
which
time
an
angel
tells
a
centurion
at
Ceasarea,
called
Cornelius,
to
send
men
to
Joppa
to
fetch
Peter.
The
next
morning,
while
they
are
travelling,
Peter
has
a
dream
of
a
sheet
being
lowered
with
all
kinds
of
animals
in
it,
both
clean
and
unclean,
which
he
is
instructed
to
kill
and
eat.
This
happens
three
times
before
the
men
sent
by
Cornelius
arrive
to
deliver
their
message.
Next
morning
they
return
to
Ceasarea,
accompanied
by
Peter
who
takes
six
men
with
him
as
witnesses.
There,
inspired
by
his
dream,
Peter
preaches
Christ
to
Cornelius
and
his
friends.
The
Holy
Spirit
descends
on
them
all,
after
which
they
speak
in
tongues
and
praise
God
to
the
astonishment
of
the
witnessing
Jews.
Peter
has
them
baptised
and
agrees
to
stay
with
them
for
a
few
days.
When
Peter
returns
to
Jerusalem,
he
gives
an
account
to
the
brethren
of
all
that
happened.
They
then
glorify
God
for
having
granted
repentance and eternal life to the Gentiles.
Paul’s Ministry
The church at Antioch
Hearing
that
the
Gospel
is
preached
to
the
Gentiles
at
Antioch,
the
Jerusalem
church
send
Barnabas
who,
confirming
their
faith,
decides
to
fetch
Saul
from
Tarsus.
The
two
spend
a
year
together
in
Antioch
teaching
people
about
Christ.
It
is
here
that
converts
are
first called Christians.
A
prophet
from
Jerusalem
foretells
a
great
famine
in
Judea.
In
response,
a
collection
is
made
for
the
brethren
there
and
delivered
by
Barnabas and Saul.
Herod
Agrippa
begins
to
persecute
the
church
and
kills
John’s
brother,
James.
He
then
imprisons
Peter,
but
he
is
later
freed
by
an
angel.
Herod
makes
a
speech
to
the
people
in
his
royal
apparel
and
receives
praise
as
if
he
is
a
god.
He
is
consequently
smitten
by
the
angel of the Lord and dies a miserable death.
Having
delivered
the
offerings
raised
by
the
church
at
Antioch,
Barnabas
and
Saul
return
from
Jerusalem,
bringing
with
them
John
Mark, Barnabas’ nephew.
Paul’s first missionary journey
Through
prayer
and
fasting,
the
Holy
Spirit
appoints
Saul
and
Barnabas
from
among
the
teachers
at
Antioch
to
go
and
preach
to
the
Gentiles.
They
leave
Antioch,
taking
John
Mark
with
them,
and
travel
to
Cyprus.
Elymas,
a
Jewish
sorcerer,
opposes
them
and
is
struck
blind by Saul, now called Paul, bringing about the conversion of Sergius the deputy.
Paul
and
his
company
leave
Paphos
and
sail
north
to
Perga
in
Pamphylia.
At
this
point,
John
Mark
decides
to
leave
them
and
Paul
and
Barnabas
continue
north
to
Antioch
in
Pisidia
without
him.
Here
Paul
preaches
that
Jesus
is
the
Christ,
as
he
does
in
Iconium,
Lystra,
and
Derbe,
all
the
while
meeting
with
opposition
from
the
Jews,
including
inciting
the
stoning
of
Paul
at
Lystra.
They
then
retrace
their
steps
through
Lystra,
Iconium
and
Antioch,
confirming
the
disciples
and
ordaining
elders
in
every
church.
They
also
preach
the word in Perga, returning to Antioch where they now remain for a long time.
A
dispute
arises
because
some
Jewish
preachers
are
insisting
that
converts
should
be
circumcised
and
follow
Moses’
law.
Paul
and
Barnabas
refer
the
problem
to
the
elders
at
Jerusalem
with
James,
Jesus’
brother,
now
a
leader
at
Jerusalem,
responding
with
a
requirement
that
the
only
burden
to
be
placed
on
the
Gentiles
is
that
they
abstain
from
meats
offered
to
idols,
and
from
blood,
and
from things strangled, and from fornication
. A letter is written to be dispersed among the churches informing them of the decision
.
Paul’s second missionary journey
Paul
now
chooses
to
revisit
the
churches
planted
during
his
first
missionary
journey.
However,
he
refuses
to
take
Mark
with
him,
taking
Silas
in
his
place
and
leaving
Barnabas
and
Mark
to
go
their
own
way.
He
first
travels
to
the
churches
at
Derbe
and
Lystra,
and
then
Iconium
where
Timothy,
respected
amongst
the
churches,
is
invited
to
join
them.
After
travelling
on
through
Asia
Minor
to
Troas,
Paul
is
directed
by
a
vision
to
cross
the
sea
to
Macedonia.
It’s
at
Troas
that
Paul
is
joined
by
Luke
before
making
the
crossing.
Paul
preaches
at
Philippi
where
Lydia
is
converted
and
offers
them
her
hospitality.
A
sorceress,
who
had
been
bringing
her
masters
much
gain
by
soothsaying,
is
cleansed
of
an
evil
spirit
by
Paul.
Her
masters'
loss
results
in
Paul
and
Silas
being
beaten
and
thrown
in
prison,
only
to
be
liberated
by
divine
intervention.
Their
release
leads
to
the
conversion
and
baptism
of
the
prison
keeper
and
his
household.
Having
declared
he
is
a
Roman
citizen,
and
unlawfully
treated,
the
magistrates
are
forced
to
personally
oversee
their
release,
but
they
then
have to leave the area, taking Timothy with them but leaving Luke in Philippi.
Churches
are
planted
at
Thessalonica
and
Berea,
although
not
without
opposition
from
the
Jews
who
incite
a
mob
at
both
locations.
Paul
has
to
leave
and
travels
to
Athens
accompanied
by
some
brethren,
but
without
Silas
and
Timothy
who
stay
at
Berea.
The
brethren
return to Berea with a message for Silas and Timothy to join Paul as soon as possible.
Paul
opposes
idolatry
at
Athens
and
gains
some
converts
before
moving
on
to
Corinth.
Here
he
meets
Aquila
and
Priscilla
who
invite
him
to
stay
with
them.
Encouraged
by
Silas
and
Timothy
now
joining
him,
he
teaches
to
the
Jews
that
Jesus
is
the
Christ,
but
is
opposed
and
so
turns
his
attention
to
the
Gentiles.
Paul
has
a
dream
one
night
in
which
he
is
greatly
encouraged
by
God,
and
consequently
remains
in
Corinth
for
eighteen
months.
It
is
during
his
time
at
Corinth
that
Paul
writes
his
epistles
to
the
Thessalonians,
and perhaps the Galatians.
The
Jews
rise
against
Paul
and
take
him
before
the
deputy
Gallio,
accusing
him
of
persuading
men
to
worship
God
contrary
to
the
law. This attempt to have him convicted fails when Gallio dismisses it as solely a Jewish concern.
Some
time
after
this,
Paul
takes
his
leave
of
the
brethren
at
Corinth
and
sails
to
Syria,
accompanied
by
Priscilla
and
Aquila
as
far
as
Ephesus. From Ephesus he goes to Jerusalem for Passover before returning to Antioch
.
Paul’s third missionary journey
After spending some time back at Antioch, Paul again leaves and travels through Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
Meantime,
Apollos
goes
to
the
church
at
Corinth
where
they
receive
letters
of
commendation
concerning
him
from
Ephesus.
Here
at
Corinth, Apollos teaches in the synagogue, converting many Jews to Christ.
While
Apollos
is
at
Corinth,
Paul
arrives
at
Ephesus
where
he
preaches
in
the
synagogues
for
three
months,
but
many
oppose
him
and
he
leaves
the
synagogue,
spending
the
next
two
years
preaching
daily
in
the
school
of
one
Tyrannus
.
From
here,
the
news
of
the
gospel spreads to both Jews and Gentiles throughout Asia.
Demetrius,
a
silversmith
and
maker
of
silver
shrines
for
the
goddess
Diana,
his
livelihood
now
under
threat,
incites
a
demonstration
against Paul, but the town clerk intervenes and the crowd is appeased.
It is at Ephesus that Paul writes his epistles to the Corinthians.
Paul
then
travels
through
Macedonia,
preaching
along
the
way,
and
on
to
Greece
where
he
spends
three
months
before
intending
to
sail
to
Syria.
It
is
probably
during
this
time
in
Greece
that
Paul
writes
to
the
Romans.
Hearing
that
Jews
would
be
laying
in
wait
for
him,
he
returns
back
through
Macedonia
accompanied
by
several
companions.
They
then
go
ahead
of
him
to
Troas
while
Paul
waits
until
he
is joined by Luke. Paul and Luke then sail from Philippi and catch up with the brethren at Troas where they stay for seven days.
Paul
then
leaves
for
Athos
by
land
while
Luke
and
his
companions
go
by
sea,
meeting
with
Paul
at
Athos
from
where
they
all
travel
together
to
Mitylene,
eventually
arriving
at
Miletus.
Here
Paul
sends
for
the
Ephesian
church
elders
to
say
his
last
farewell
to
them
before
a
sorrowful
departure
by
ship
to
Caesarea.
Travelling
with
his
companions,
and
heading
for
Jerusalem,
they
stay
at
Tyre,
Ptolemais
and
Caesarea
along
the
way.
Paul
is
warned
twice
not
to
travel
on
to
Jerusalem
where
trouble
lays
ahead
for
him,
but
he
insists he must go, saying he is prepared to die there for the name of the Lord Jesus.
They eventually arrive at Jerusalem where they lodge with a disciple Mnason.
Paul’s arrest and trial in Jerusalem & Caesarea
In
Jerusalem,
Paul
is
encouraged
to
go
with
four
men
in
a
purification
process
to
show
he
is
compliant
with
Moses’
law,
but
is
later
accused
of
taking
Gentiles
into
the
temple.
In
the
tumult
that
follows,
Paul
escapes
a
scourging
ordered
by
the
chief
captain
when
he
announces he is a Roman citizen.
To
avoid
a
conspiracy
to
have
Paul
killed,
the
chief
captain
sends
him
to
Caesarea
where
he
is
imprisoned
by
Felix
the
governor
of
Judea, although allowed access to his companions..
After
two
years,
Festus
replaces
Felix
who
asks
Paul
if
he
would
be
willing
to
go
to
Jerusalem
to
be
tried.
He
refuses
and
appeals
to
Caesar
as
is
his
right
as
a
Roman
citizen.
Following
later
hearings
before
Agrippa,
Festus
and
Agrippa
agree
that
Paul
could
have
been
set free, but having appealed to Caesar, then to Caesar he must go.
To Rome and house arrest
Following
a
perilous
voyage,
Paul
and
his
company
are
shipwrecked
on
the
Isle
of
Melita
(Malta)
where
Paul,
having
healed
the
governor’s
sick
father,
stays
for
three
months.
They
then
set
off
again
and
Paul
finally
arrives
at
Rome
where
he
is
delivered
to
the
captain of the guard.
Paul
is
placed
under
house
arrest
where
he
remains
for
two
years.
During
this
time
he
is
able
to
preach
the
Gospel
unhindered
to
all
who come to him. He also writes his epistles to the Ephesians, Colossians and Philippians, and possibly his letter to Philemon.
From
his
pastoral
letters
to
Timothy
and
Titus,
we
learn
that
Paul
was
released
from
prison.
He
was
later
imprisoned
again
and
wrote his second, and final letter, to Timothy.