Sunday, May 28 30 A.D.
Start of the Church
Peter, along with roughly 119 other disciples, are gathered in Jerusalem ten days after Jesus' ascension to God's right hand. On this day of Pentecost God fills those gathered with his Holy Spirit (Acts 2).
The Apostle Peter is then moved by God's spirit to speak to the huge multitude of Jews from many parts of the world (Acts 2:9 - 11) gathered to keep the Holy day. After explaining that what has occurred is a foreshadowing of what will take place at the end time (verses 16 - 21) he convicts the crowd of their role in Jesus' death.
The response to Peter's call for repentance (Acts 2:38), the first mass evangelism in the New Testament, is 3,000 Jews converting to Christianity in one day (verse 41)!
June 30 A.D. to End of 31 A.D.
Healing Leads to Arrest
Peter and John, while entering Jerusalem's temple to pray, encounter a 40+ year old lame man begging for money. Instead of money Peter offers the beggar something far greater!
But Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have; but what I do have, this I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarean, rise up and walk." (Acts 3:6).
The healed man draws a huge crowd to the two apostles. Peter's explanation that it was through Jesus' name the man was healed, and his call for repentance (Acts 3:12 - 26), causes 5,000 Jews to become Christians (4:4)!
The amazing healing of the lame man, through Jesus' name, causes Peter and John to be arrested by the Sadducees. The next day they are brought before the Sanhedrin and asked by what power was the miracle performed.
Peter, inspired by God's Spirit, informs the Jewish religious leaders that it was through Jesus name that the lame man was made whole (Acts 4:8 - 12). The leaders, not wanting Christianity to spread even further among the Jews, warn them to stop teaching and preaching about Christ (Acts 4:13 - 18, 21).
Struck Dead for Lying!
A couple named Ananias and Sapphire sells some property then lies about how much of it they were donating to the church. Peter confronts the couple individually over their sin and they are struck dead by God (Acts 5:1 - 10).
An Unusual Miracle
One of the unique miracles God performed through the apostles was Peter's shadow healing the sick!
(. . . And believers were added all the more to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.)
Insomuch that the people were bringing out the sick into the streets and putting them on beds and stretchers, so that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them (Acts 5:14 - 15).
Apostles Arrested
Jewish religious leaders, angered at the popularity of Christianity, arrest Peter and all the apostles and throw them in prison. An angel, however, frees them to continue preaching the gospel. The men are arrested again and commanded to explain themselves.
But Peter and the apostles answered and said, "We are obligated to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus Whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree . . . And we are His witnesses of these things, as is also the Holy Spirit, which God has given to those who obey Him." (Acts 5:29 - 30, 32).
The penalty the apostles receive for preaching Christ is a warning along with a beating (likely 39 stripes) before being set free (Acts 5:40)
Seven Helpers Chosen
Peter, along with the other 11 apostles, has church brethren select seven men full of wisdom in order to serve the physical needs of the church (Acts 6:1 - 6).
32 A.D.
Confronting Deception
A rise in persecution against Christians, brought on after the martyrdom of Stephen, causes God's word to spread. This leads to Peter and John traveling to Samaria to see for themselves what is happening.
In Samaria the two apostles run into a sorcerer named Simon Magus who thought he could buy the ability to give a person God's Holy Spirit. Peter sternly rebukes Simon Magus for his attempt to buy such a spiritual gift.
"May your money be destroyed with you because you thought that the gift of God might be purchased with money . . . (Acts 8:20).
Spring to Summer 36 A.D.
Meeting Apostle Paul
After the Apostle Paul spends three years in Arabia being taught by Christ he returns to Damascus and then Jerusalem. Paul's conversion is vouched for by Barnabas who personally brings him to the apostles. After meeting the apostles he stays with Peter for fifteen days (Acts 9:26 - 28, Galatians 1:17 - 18).
37 to 38 A.D.
Healing and Raising the Dead
Peter preaches the gospel in Lydda and heals a paralyzed man. He then travels to Joppa where he resurrects a kind and generous lady named Dorcas (Tabitha) (Acts 9).
38 A.D.
Gentiles Become Christians!
God leads Peter, after he gives him a vision symbolizing he is not a respecter of persons, to visit a Gentile named Cornelius (Acts 10). Peter's visit results in Cornelius, his family and even his close friends being baptized and becoming Christians!
Peter's baptism of Gentiles is initially rejected by those in the Jerusalem church who, like him, believed a person should be circumcised to be saved. After explaining the circumstances surrounding the baptisms those in Jerusalem glorify God that he is leading Gentiles to repent and become Christians (Acts 11).
38 to 44 A.D.
A Miraculous Release
The Apostle Peter remains in Jerusalem until 44 A.D. when he is arrested and thrown in prison by Herod Agrippa I. After the church fervently prays for him he is miraculously released by an angel and allowed to continue preaching the gospel (Acts 12).
Autumn of 49 A.D.
The Jerusalem Conference
Paul, Barnabas and others travel from Syrian Antioch to Jerusalem. Their purpose is to settle the question of whether the church should require Gentile converts to Christianity to be circumcised (Acts 15:1 - 2, Galatians 2:1).
When Paul and Barnabas arrive in Jerusalem they have a private meeting with Peter, James and John to discuss Paul's ministry (Galatians 2:2).
But on the contrary, after seeing that I (Paul) had been entrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, exactly as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel of the circumcision . . .
And after recognizing the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas (Peter) and John - those reputed to be pillars - gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, affirming that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision (Galatians 2:7, 9).
The Jerusalem Conference, headed by Jesus' half-brother James, then takes place. Peter, after discussing his experience in baptizing Cornelius, uses what God led him to do to advocate that circumcision not be required for Gentile converts (Acts 15:7 - 11).
Spring 53 A.D.
Paul Rebukes Peter!
Peter comes to Syrian Antioch during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He is strongly rebuked by Apostle Paul for not eating with Gentiles during the Spring Holy Days.
But when Peter came to Antioch, I withstood him to his face because he was to be condemned . . .
But when I saw that they did not walk uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in the presence of them all, "If you, being a Jew, are living like the Gentiles, and not according to Judaism, why do you compel the Gentiles to Judaize? . . ." (Galatians 2:11, 14).
53 A.D. Forward
Unclear Ministry
From 53 A.D. forward it is Biblically unclear how long Peter stayed in Jerusalem. It is also unclear when and where he decided to travel to preach the gospel.
64 to 65 A.D.
The First Epistle
Peter writes 1Peter from Babylon (1Peter 5:13).
65 to 66 A.D.
The Second Epistle
Peter writes 2Peter likely from Babylon.
67 - 68 A.D.
Peter's Death
Peter is martyred, either in 67 A.D. or more likely in 68, by the Roman Empire under Nero.
First Timeline in Series
Peter's Life from
His Calling to Jesus' Last Passover