New Testament Chronology

Gospel Era

Approx. Era	Anchor Notes	Summary
Birth and childhood	Birth of Jesus, Presentation of Jesus, Boy Jesus in the Temple	Jesus is born, presented in the temple, and later appears there at age twelve.
Beginning of ministry	Baptism of Jesus, Temptation of Jesus	Jesus is baptized, tested, and begins public ministry.
Galilean and Judean ministry	Sermon on the Mount, Miracles, Water to Wine, Samaritan Woman, Lazarus Raised	Jesus teaches, heals, reveals his identity, and calls for faith.
Passion and resurrection	Passion Week, Last Supper, Crucifixion, Resurrection	Jesus is betrayed, crucified, buried, and raised.

Acts Era

Approx. Era	Anchor Notes	Summary
Jerusalem church	Pentecost and the Birth of the Church, Stephen’s Martyrdom	The Spirit is given and persecution scatters witness.
Gentile inclusion	Cornelius’s Vision, Jerusalem Council	Gentiles are received without becoming Jews.
Paul’s mission	Conversion of Saul, Paul’s First Missionary Journey, Paul’s Second Missionary Journey, Paul’s Third Missionary Journey	Paul carries the gospel through the eastern Mediterranean.
Rome	Paul in Rome	Acts ends with Paul preaching in Rome under guard.

Epistles and Revelation

Cluster	Books	Orientation
Early general instruction	James	Practical wisdom for scattered believers.
Pauline mission letters	Galatians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Romans	Gospel, churches, justification, resurrection, and hope.
Prison and pastoral letters	Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus	Church, Christ’s supremacy, pastoral order, endurance.
General epistles and apocalypse	Hebrews, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation	Perseverance, truth, false teaching, suffering, and final victory.

Notes

The New Testament moves from the ministry of Christ to the mission of the Spirit-empowered church, then to epistolary instruction for communities awaiting Christ’s return.