by David Tavender
Letters written during the Acts Period. Approx. 45-62 AD | Letters written after the Acts Period. Approx. 62-68 AD |
Romans | Ephesians |
1 & 2 Corinthians | Philippians |
Galatians | Colossians |
1 & 2 Thessalonians | 1 & 2 Timothy |
Hebrews | Titus |
James | Philemon |
1 & 2 Peter | |
1, 2 & 3 John | |
Jude | |
Revelation |
It is our contention that at Acts 28, the nation of Israel was set aside as God’s chosen nation because of their continued rejection of the Messiah.
Some of the New Testament letters were written before Acts 28, and some were written after. Wouldn’t you think, then, that the writings before Acts 28 would reflect the fact that Israel was still the chosen nation? Conversely, wouldn’t the writings after Acts 28 reflect that Israel was no longer the chosen nation? The answer is “yes” to both questions, and this is exactly what we find in Scripture.
The letters written after the end of the period covered by the book of Acts speak of a new revelation in God’s plans for mankind which only came to light after the rejection of the Israelite nation. Ephesians was written after Acts 28, and in it Paul writes; “…by revelation he made known unto me the mystery … which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.” (Ephesians 3:3-6).
This wasn’t the only thing revealed, though. The letters written after the Acts period speak of many different circumstances which concern today’s body of believers – Gentile or Jewish.
For a more comprehensive look at the different conditions before and after Acts 28 see the article: “Different Conditions Before and After Acts 28“.