the early church

Herod Agrippa I

Executioner of the Apostle James who met a sudden death in Caesarea

Herod Agrippa I was the grandson of Herod the Great who unified Judea and famously persecuted the early Church, including the execution of the Apostle James.

Herod Agrippa II

The last Herodian king who presided over the hearing of the Apostle Paul

Herod Agrippa II was the last client king of the Herodian dynasty, best known for presiding over the hearing of the Apostle Paul in Caesarea.

Agrippa

Tetrarch living at the time of the New Testament

Ananias

High Priest living at the time of the New Testament

Ananias

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Ananias

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Ananias son of Nedebaeus

High Priest who presided over the trial of the Apostle Paul and was called a 'whitewashed wall'

Ananias son of Nedebaeus was a powerful and controversial Jewish High Priest who presided over the Sanhedrin during the legal proceedings against the Apostle Paul in Jerusalem and Caesarea.

Apollos

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Aquila

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Aratus

Greek poet quoted by the Apostle Paul in the Book of Acts

Aratus of Soli was a Hellenistic Greek poet and astronomer whose work Phaenomena was quoted by the Apostle Paul during his sermon at the Areopagus in Athens.

The Asiarchs

Elite provincial officials who befriended and protected the Apostle Paul during the riot at Ephesus

Elite administrative and religious officials in the Roman province of Asia who befriended the Apostle Paul during the Ephesian riot.

The Assassins

Militant Jewish group that utilized hidden daggers for political assassinations in first-century Judea

A militant Jewish insurrectionist group, specifically the Sicarii, known for their violent opposition to Roman rule and the assassination of high-ranking collaborators.

Bar-jesus

Man living at the time of the New Testament

The Believing Pharisees at Jerusalem

Pharisees who became genuine believers yet urged circumcision and Torah observance for Gentile converts

A group of Jewish Christians in Jerusalem — genuine believers from the sect of the Pharisees — who urged that Gentile converts be circumcised and taught to keep the Law of Moses (Acts 15:5).

Blastus

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Candace

Queen of the Ethiopians whose royal treasurer was baptized by Philip the Evangelist

Candace was the title of the powerful queens of the Kingdom of Kush (Ethiopia) who ruled during the apostolic period of the first century AD.

Claudius Lysias

Roman commander who rescued the Apostle Paul from a Jerusalem mob and sent him to Caesarea

Claudius Lysias was a Roman military tribune in Jerusalem who rescued the Apostle Paul from a riotous mob and later facilitated his safe transport to Caesarea.

Cornelius' Devout Soldier

Roman soldier who served as a messenger for Cornelius and helped fetch Peter from Joppa

An unnamed Roman soldier characterized by his personal piety who served as a trusted messenger between the centurion Cornelius and the apostle Peter.

The Daughters of Philip

Four sisters who possessed the spiritual gift of prophecy in the early church

Four unmarried sisters in Caesarea known for their prophetic ministry in the early Christian church during the first century AD.

Demetrius the Silversmith

Craftsman who incited the Ephesian riot against Paul

An influential Ephesian metalworker who incited a city-wide riot against the Apostle Paul to protect the trade of Artemis shrines.

The Devout Thessalonian Greeks

Gentile converts who established a model church despite severe persecution

A significant group of God-fearing Gentiles in Thessalonica who converted to Christianity under the preaching of the Apostle Paul, forming the core of the early Thessalonian church.

Dionysius

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Dionysius the Areopagite

Member of the Athenian supreme court who converted to Christianity after hearing Paul's Mars Hill sermon

A high-ranking member of the Athenian judicial council who converted to Christianity following the Apostle Paul's sermon on Mars Hill.

The Diseased on Malta

Group of islanders cured of various ailments by the Apostle Paul after his shipwreck

A group of residents on the island of Malta who were cured of various ailments by the Apostle Paul through the power of the Holy Spirit during his shipwreck journey to Rome.

The Egyptian

Insurrectionist who led four thousand assassins into the wilderness to revolt against Rome

A messianic figure and insurrectionist who led a failed revolt against Rome in Judea during the mid-first century AD.

The Ephesian Elders at Miletus

Group of church leaders who wept as they said a final goodbye to the Apostle Paul at the port of Miletus

A collective leadership group of the Ephesian church who received Paul's final farewell discourse and charge to protect the flock from false teachers.

The Ephesians Who Burned Their Magic Books

Former sorcerers who publically burned their expensive occult scrolls worth 50,000 silver pieces

A group of former occultists in Ephesus who publicly renounced sorcery by burning their expensive scrolls after witnessing the power of the name of Jesus.

The Ephesians Who Confessed Their Practices

Group of converts who burned their expensive magic books

A group of early Christian converts in Ephesus who publicly renounced their involvement in the occult by burning high-value magical scrolls.

The Ethiopian Eunuch

Court official who was baptized by Philip the Evangelist after reading Isaiah

A high-ranking Ethiopian court official whose conversion and baptism by Philip the Evangelist marked a significant expansion of the early Church beyond the Levant.

The Evil Spirit at Ephesus

Demon who overpowered the seven sons of Sceva after questioning their authority

A demonic entity encountered by the seven sons of Sceva in Ephesus, known for exposing their lack of spiritual authority and physically overpowering them.

father_of_Timothy

Man living at the time of the New Testament - unnamed father of Timothy

Felix

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Festus

Roman governor who sent the Apostle Paul to Rome for trial

Porcius Festus was the Roman procurator of Judea who succeeded Antonius Felix and presided over the legal appeal of the Apostle Paul, eventually sending him to stand trial before Caesar in Rome.

Gaius

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Gaius

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Gamaliel

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Gamaliel

Pharisee and teacher who defended the apostles before the Sanhedrin and mentored the Apostle Paul

A highly respected Pharisee and doctor of the Law who served in the Sanhedrin and advocated for the cautious, tolerant treatment of the early Christian apostles.

The Governor Under King Aretas

Nabataean official whose garrison at Damascus attempted to capture the Apostle Paul

A high-ranking Nabataean official in Damascus who sought to arrest the Apostle Paul shortly after his conversion.

Herod

Tetrarch living at the time of the New Testament

High Standing Greeks of Berea

Greek citizens of high social status who converted after studying the Scriptures daily

Prosperous and socially prominent Greek residents of Berea who converted to Christianity after diligently testing the Apostle Paul's teachings against the Hebrew Scriptures.

husband_of_Mary

Levite living at the time of the New Testament - unnamed husband of Mary

The Islanders of Malta

The islanders who showed unusual kindness to the shipwrecked, and watched a viper fail to harm Paul

John

Priest living at the time of the New Testament

John (Johanan)

High-priestly official who participated in the interrogation of Peter and John

A member of the high-priestly family in Jerusalem searchingly involved in the interrogation of the early Christian apostles.

Joseph

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Judaizers

False teachers who insisted circumcision was required for a Gentile to be saved

First-century false teachers who insisted that Gentile converts must be circumcised and keep the Mosaic Law in order to be saved.

Judas

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Judas

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Judas

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Judas Called Barsabbas

Prophet and leader in the Jerusalem church who helped deliver the Apostolic Decree to Antioch

A prominent leader and prophet in the early Jerusalem church chosen to deliver the Apostolic Decree to the Gentiles in Antioch.

Judas of Galilee

Revolutionary leader who incited a tax revolt against Rome during the census of Quirinius

A 1st-century Jewish leader who founded the Fourth Philosophy and led a tax revolt against the Roman Empire.

Justus

Man living at the time of the New Testament

The Lame Man at Lystra

Man born crippled who was healed by the Apostle Paul in the city of Lystra

A lifelong paralytic in Lycaonia who was miraculously healed by the Apostle Paul, sparking a major riot and a debate over idolatry.

The Lame Man at the Beautiful Gate

Beggar who was healed at the Temple gate by Peter

A man lame from birth who was miraculously healed by Peter and John, sparking a pivotal moment of growth for the early church in Jerusalem.

The Leading Thessalonian Women

Prominent noblewomen who converted during Paul’s mission to Thessalonica

A group of high-ranking Macedonian noblewomen in Thessalonica who converted to Christianity under the ministry of the Apostle Paul and Silas.

Lucius

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Lucius of Cyrene

Prophet and teacher in Antioch who helped commission the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas

A prominent prophet and teacher in the early church at Antioch and a founding figure in the spread of Christianity to the Gentiles.

Lydia

Woman living at the time of the New Testament

Lysias

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Marcus Antonius Felix

Roman governor who imprisoned the Apostle Paul and trembled at his preaching

Marcus Antonius Felix was the Roman procurator of Judea (c. 52–60 AD) best known for his two-year imprisonment of the Apostle Paul at Caesarea.

Mark

Levite living at the time of the New Testament

Mary

Barnabus' relative living at the time of the New Testament

Mnason

Man living at the time of the New Testament

The Nephew of Paul

The sister's son who overheard the plot of forty men and saved Paul's life

The Noble Jews of Berea

Jewish community that verified Apostolic teaching through daily scripture study

A group of Jewish residents in the Macedonian city of Berea known for their diligent examination of the Scriptures to verify the teachings of the Apostle Paul.

Parthians

People living in Parthia

Paul

Apostle to the Gentiles who wrote much of the New Testament

An apostle and missionary who transitioned from a persecutor of the early church to its most prolific evangelist and theologian in the first century AD.

Paul the Apostle

Apostle to the Gentiles who wrote the majority of the New Testament epistles

A pivotal apostle and theologian who converted from Judaism to Christianity, authored much of the New Testament, and pioneered the mission to the Gentiles.

The Persuaded Thessalonian Jews

Jewish converts in Thessalonica who joined Paul after his synagogue preaching

A minority group of Jewish residents in Thessalonica who, after hearing Paul's synagogue reasoning, converted to Christianity and joined the early church.

Philip the Evangelist

Evangelist who baptized the Ethiopian eunuch and preached to the Samaritans

One of the seven chosen to serve the early church, Philip became a pioneering evangelist who brought the gospel to Samaria and the Ethiopian eunuch.

Philip the Evangelist

Evangelist who baptized the Ethiopian eunuch and preached in Samaria

A prominent leader among the seven chosen to serve the early church in Jerusalem and a pioneering missionary who first brought the gospel to Samaria and an Ethiopian official.

The Philippian Jailer

Jailer in Philippi who converted to Christianity after an earthquake

A Roman prison official in Philippi who converted to Christianity after a miraculous earthquake released the apostles Paul and Silas.

The Philippian Magistrates

Local officials who ordered the unlawful beating and imprisonment of Paul and Silas

The Roman provincial officials in Philippi who illegally imprisoned Paul and Silas before being forced to issue a formal apology.

Porcius Festus

Roman governor who presided over the trial of the Apostle Paul and granted his appeal to Caesar

Porcius Festus was the Roman procurator of Judea from approximately c. 59 to 62 AD, succeeding Antonius Felix and presiding over the legal hearing of the Apostle Paul.

The Praetorian Guard

Elite group of Roman soldiers who guarded the Apostle Paul during his Roman imprisonment

An elite unit of the Roman Imperial Army responsible for the safety of the Emperor and the custody of high-profile prisoners in Rome.

Priscilla

Woman living at the time of the New Testament

Publius' Father

Roman official's father who was healed of dysentery by St. Paul

An unnamed Roman resident of Malta who was miraculously healed of fever and dysentery by the Apostle Paul during the latter's voyage to Rome.

Pyrrhus

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Rhoda

Woman living at the time of the New Testament

Sapphira

Woman living at the time of the New Testament

Sceva

Priest living at the time of the New Testament

The Seven Sons of Sceva

The itinerant exorcists overpowered by the man they tried to free in Jesus' name

The Silversmiths of Ephesus

Guild of craftsmen who incited a riot against the Apostle Paul in Ephesus

A guild of Ephesian craftsmen who incited a city-wide riot against the Apostle Paul to protect their economic interests tied to the worship of the goddess Artemis.

Simeon

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Simeon Called Niger

Prophet in the church at Antioch who helped commission the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas

A prominent prophet and teacher in the early Christian church at Antioch, notable for his leadership and diverse ethnic background during the apostolic era.

Simon

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Simon

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Simon Magus

Sorcerer who attempted to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit from the apostles

A practitioner of sorcery in Samaria who claimed to be a great power and attempted to buy the ability to bestow the Holy Spirit from the apostles.

The Slave Girl with a Spirit of Divination

The fortune-telling girl in Philippi whom Paul freed, provoking his imprisonment

The Thessalonian Authorities

Officials who adjudicated the riot against Paul and Jason in Thessalonica

The civic magistrates of Thessalonica who adjudicated the legal disturbance caused by Paul and Silas, and received a security bond from Jason.

Titius Justus

Roman God-fearer who opened his home to the Apostle Paul in Corinth

A Roman God-fearer in Corinth who hosted the Apostle Paul and offered his house as a meeting place for the early church after Paul was rejected by the local synagogue.

The Town Clerk of Ephesus

Official who de-escalated the Ephesian riot against Paul

The chief administrative official of Ephesus who peacefully quelled a violent riot against the Apostle Paul and protected the early Christian community from legal repercussions.

The Tribunal Pharisees

Jewish leaders who defended Paul the Apostle's belief in the resurrection during his trial before the Sanhedrin

A faction of Pharisees within the Sanhedrin who defended the Apostle Paul during his trial, affirming the reality of the resurrection and spiritual beings.

Tyrannus

Man living at the time of the New Testament