In the main I have followed that of Dean Howson. The dates for the period after Paul's labors began are reasonably certain, and most critics are substantially agreed. Those of the period from the Ascension to the time when Paul began his labors at Antioch are somewhat uncertain. The Ascension and the founding of the Church on Pentecost must, I think he placed as early as A.D. 30, and this gives a longer interval for the events recorded in the first eleven chapters of Acts. As modified the following are the outlines:

      A.D. 30. The Resurrection, the Ascension, the Gospel First Preached on Pentecost, Holy Spirit Sent, the Church Founded, and the Events Embraced from Acts 1 to Acts 6:8.
      A.D. 37. Conversion of Paul of Tarsus. Acts 9:1-19.
      A.D. 38-40. Period of Paul's Retirement in Arabia
      A.D. 41-43. The Labors of Peter and the Conversion of the Gentiles Recorded in Acts 9-11.
      A.D. 44. Martyrdom of James, and Death of Herod. Acts 12.
      A.D. 45-47. Paul's First Missionary Journey. Acts 13-14.
      A.D. 49 or 50. Council at Jerusalem. Acts 15.
      A.D. 51-53. Paul on His Second Missionary Journey. Acts 15-18.
      A.D. 54-56. Paul at Ephesus, nearly three Years. Acts 19.
      A.D. 57. Paul a Second Time at Corinth.
      A.D. 58. Paul Goes to Jerusalem, is seized, Imprisoned. Acts 20-23.
      A.D. 59-60. Paul Imprisoned at Cæsarea. His Defense before Festus and Agrippa. Acts 23-26.
      A.D. 61. Paul sent to Rome. Shipwrecked. Acts 27-28.
      A.D. 62. Imprisoned at Rome. The End of Acts.

      To this I may add that there is reason to believe that Paul was acquitted and released in A.D. 63, preached in Spain, Greece and Asia, until A.D. 67 or 68, was again seized in Nicopolis in Epirus, taken to Rome a second time, and put to death in A.D. 68. [415]

[PNTA 415]