New Testament Historical Events Timeline By joelawood1 4 BCE Birth of Jesus 30 The Baptism of Jesus & The Beginning of His Public Ministry 33 The Crucifixion, Resurrection, & Ascension of Jesus 33 Pentecost: The Holy Spirit descends on the disciples in Jerusalem 35 Stephen, the 1st Christian martyr, is stoned to death in Jerusalem 35 The conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus 41 The conversion of the Roman centurion, Cornelius 44 The execution of James, the brother of John, by Herod Agrippa 50 The Jerusalem Council: Gentile Christians are not required to follow Jewish law 64 Rome burns; Nero blames Christians leading to widespread persecution 68 The death of Paul & Peter at the hands of Nero 70 The destruction of Jerusalem & the temple 100 The death of John, the last living apostle