Tag: Apostolic Age

103

5.4.5.
Peter and James, founders of the churches of Peter and James

Jerusalem, Dome of the Rock (Mosque of Omar)
Jerusalem, Dome of the Rock (Mosque of Omar)

(explanations to follow) died in 46 AD: Ant. 20.5.2.

5.4.6.
Paul was converted to Peter’s version of Christianity between 48 and 50 AD. As I will show, Paul lived at the court of the Roman governor Paulus before his conversion; however the latter took up the position of governor of Cyprus in 48 AD at the earliest.

5.4.7.
The Apostolic Council took place between 62 and 64 AD, 14 years after Paul’s conversion (Gal. 2:1) that can be dated at about 49 AD.

5.4.8.
The Apostolic Age ended in 70 AD when Jerusalem and Herod’s temple were destroyed.

102

V  4  The chronicles of the Apostolic Age

5.4.1.
The dominant master narrative of the Apostolic Age states the following: the Gallio episode in Acts 18:12ff fixes

Jerusalem, Dome of the Rock (Mosque of Omar)
Jerusalem, Dome of the Rock (Mosque of Omar)

the date for Paul’s visit to Corinth at 51/52 AD. Paul’s missionary journeys can be reconstructed on the basis of the information in the Acts of the Apostles and in Paul’s letters, and the date of the Apostolic Council set at 48/49 AD. The other events can also be dated from this basis.

5.4.2.
These are my theses on this subject:

The Gallio episode in Acts 18:12ff is a literary construction by Luke; it is not based on any historical event and does not offer a reference point for the chronology of early Christianity.

5.4.3.
The Apostolic Age begins with Jesus’ death in 36 AD: Ant. 18.4.1.

5.4.4.
John the Baptist, the founder of the church of John (see below), died in 37 AD: Ant 18.5.2.