Bible timeline

Creation

God creates the heavens, the earth and humanity in His own image.

In six days God speaks light, sky, land, seas, living creatures and finally mankind into being, and sees that it is very good. On the seventh day He rests.

Humanity is made in the image of God, to know Him, to care for His world and to enjoy His presence.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.Genesis 1:1 (KJV)

Related teaching: Everything that exists begins with God. You are not an accident: you were made on purpose, in His image.

Genesis 1:1 Genesis 1:27 Genesis 2:7 John 1:3 Adam Eve Eden

The beginning · Next: Noah and the Flood

Noah and the Flood

God judges a violent world but saves Noah and his family in the ark.

As wickedness fills the earth, Noah finds grace in the eyes of the LORD. He builds the ark as God commands, and eight people are carried safely through the flood.

Afterwards God sets His bow in the cloud as the sign of His covenant.

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.Genesis 6:8 (KJV)

Related teaching: God judges sin and provides a way of rescue. The ark points to Christ, in whom we are kept safe.

Genesis 6:8 Genesis 7:1 Genesis 9:13 1 Peter 3:20 Noah Mountains of Ararat

Previous: Creation · Next: The Call of Abraham

The Call of Abraham

God calls Abram to leave his country and promises to bless all nations through him.

Abram leaves Ur and Haran, not knowing where he is going. God promises him a land, a great nation and a blessing that will reach every family of the earth.

Abraham believes God, and it is counted to him for righteousness.

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.Genesis 12:1-3 (KJV)

Related teaching: Faith begins by taking God at His word. The promise to Abraham is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Genesis 12:1-3 Genesis 15:6 Galatians 3:8 Abraham Sarah Isaac Canaan Ur of the Chaldees

Previous: Noah and the Flood · Next: Joseph in Egypt

Joseph in Egypt

Sold by his brothers, Joseph is raised up to preserve life during famine.

Betrayed, enslaved and imprisoned, Joseph remains faithful. God gives him wisdom to interpret Pharaoh's dreams and he is set over all the land of Egypt.

When his brothers come for food, he forgives them and the family of Israel settles in Egypt.

Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.Genesis 37:28 (KJV)

Related teaching: God is at work even in betrayal and delay. "Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good."

Genesis 37:28 Genesis 41:41 Genesis 50:20 Jacob Joseph Canaan Egypt

Previous: The Call of Abraham · Next: Moses and the Exodus

Moses and the Exodus

God delivers Israel from slavery in Egypt by the blood of the Passover lamb.

God hears the cry of His people and sends Moses to Pharaoh. After ten plagues, the Passover lamb is slain and Israel goes free. The LORD opens the Red Sea and brings them to Sinai, where He gives the Law.

And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.Exodus 3:7-8 (KJV)

Related teaching: Redemption is by the blood of the lamb. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

Exodus 3:7-8 Exodus 12:13 Exodus 14:13 Exodus 20:2 1 Corinthians 5:7 Moses Egypt Mount Sinai

Previous: Joseph in Egypt · Next: Joshua Enters the Promised Land

Joshua Enters the Promised Land

Israel crosses the Jordan and the walls of Jericho fall.

After forty years in the wilderness, Joshua leads the people over the Jordan on dry ground. Jericho falls as they obey the word of the LORD, and the land is divided among the tribes.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

Related teaching: God gives what He has promised to those who follow Him with courage.

Joshua 1:9 Joshua 3:17 Joshua 6:20 Joshua 24:15 Moses Joshua Canaan Jericho

Previous: Moses and the Exodus · Next: The Time of the Judges

The Time of the Judges

A cycle of sin, oppression, crying out and deliverance.

With no king in Israel, every man does that which is right in his own eyes. Again and again the people turn from God, are oppressed, cry out, and God raises up a deliverer such as Deborah, Gideon and Samson. In these days Ruth comes to Bethlehem.

Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.Judges 2:16 (KJV)

Related teaching: God is patient and merciful, yet we need a King who can change the heart.

Judges 2:16 Judges 21:25 Ruth 1:16 Ruth Bethlehem Canaan

Previous: Joshua Enters the Promised Land · Next: The Kingdom of David

The Kingdom of David

God chooses a shepherd to be king and promises him an everlasting throne.

Anointed as a youth, David defeats Goliath in the name of the LORD and later reigns from Jerusalem. God covenants that his house and kingdom shall be established for ever, a promise fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of David.

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV)

Related teaching: The LORD looks on the heart. The King we need comes from David's line.

1 Samuel 16:7 1 Samuel 17:45 2 Samuel 7:16 Luke 1:32 David Solomon Bethlehem Jerusalem

Previous: The Time of the Judges · Next: The Prophets and the Exile

The Prophets and the Exile

God sends prophets to call His people back and to promise a coming Saviour.

The kingdom divides and both Israel and Judah turn to idols. Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and others warn of judgment, and Judah is carried to Babylon. Yet the prophets also foretell a new covenant and a suffering Servant who will bear the sin of many.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

Related teaching: God's warnings are mercy, and His promises never fail. The prophets point to Christ.

Isaiah 9:6 Isaiah 53:5 Jeremiah 31:33 Micah 5:2 Elijah Isaiah Daniel Esther Babylon Jerusalem

Previous: The Kingdom of David · Next: The Birth of Jesus

The Birth of Jesus

The Word is made flesh: Jesus is born in Bethlehem.

In the fulness of time the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear the Son of God. Jesus is born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger. Angels proclaim good tidings of great joy to shepherds, and wise men come from the east to worship Him.

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.Luke 1:31-33 (KJV)

Related teaching: God came near. His name is Emmanuel: God with us.

Luke 1:31-33 Luke 2:10-11 Matthew 1:23 John 1:14 Mary Jesus Christ Bethlehem Nazareth

Previous: The Prophets and the Exile · Next: The Ministry of Jesus

The Ministry of Jesus

Jesus preaches the kingdom, heals the sick and calls disciples.

Baptised by John in the Jordan, Jesus begins to preach: "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." He teaches with authority, heals the sick, feeds the multitudes, calms the storm, forgives sins and raises the dead, revealing who He is.

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.Matthew 4:17 (KJV)

Related teaching: Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. He still says, "Come unto me."

Matthew 4:17 Matthew 11:28 Mark 10:45 John 14:6 John the Baptist Jesus Christ Peter John Jerusalem Nazareth Sea of Galilee

Previous: The Birth of Jesus · Next: The Crucifixion

The Crucifixion

Jesus dies on the cross for the sins of the world.

Betrayed and condemned though innocent, Jesus is scourged, crowned with thorns and led to Golgotha. There they crucify Him between two thieves. He prays, "Father, forgive them," and cries, "It is finished." Darkness covers the land, and the veil of the temple is torn in two from the top to the bottom.

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.Luke 23:33-34 (KJV)

Related teaching: He was wounded for our transgressions. At the cross, justice and mercy meet, and the way to God is opened.

Luke 23:33-34 John 19:30 Matthew 27:51 Isaiah 53:5 1 Peter 2:24 Mary Jesus Christ John Mary Magdalene Golgotha Jerusalem

Previous: The Ministry of Jesus · Next: The Resurrection

The Resurrection

On the third day the tomb is empty: He is risen.

Very early on the first day of the week the women come to the sepulchre and find the stone rolled away. An angel declares, "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said." Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, to the disciples and to more than five hundred brethren, and forty days later ascends to heaven.

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.Matthew 28:5-6 (KJV)

Related teaching: Because He lives, death is defeated and all who believe in Him shall live also.

Matthew 28:5-6 Luke 24:6 John 20:16 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 1 Corinthians 15:20 Jesus Christ Peter John Mary Magdalene Jerusalem Sea of Galilee

Previous: The Crucifixion · Next: The Early Church

The Early Church

The Holy Spirit is poured out and the gospel spreads to the nations.

At Pentecost the Spirit comes upon the disciples and three thousand believe. The church continues stedfastly in doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers. Saul the persecutor meets the risen Christ and, as Paul, carries the gospel across the Roman world.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.Acts 1:8 (KJV)

Related teaching: The risen Lord builds His church by His Spirit, and sends us to be His witnesses.

Acts 1:8 Acts 2:41-42 Acts 9:3-6 Matthew 28:19-20 Peter John Paul Damascus Jerusalem

Previous: The Resurrection · The story continues in us