Why does Les trace the timeline of events in Acts?
The timeline is traced to show that throughout the book of Acts, time is moving on. The events are not all happening in just a year or so; time has been going by. This progression explains why Paul's ministry and the Judaizers' opposition unfold over many years.
Les explains that he traces the timeline to show that all during the book of Acts, time is moving on. It isn't all happening in just a year or so; time has been going by. He notes Christ was crucified and Pentecost took place in 29 A.D., then a seven-year interval to Stephen's stoning in 36 A.D. Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus would be around 40 A.D., when he went to Cilicia. If Paul went back to Jerusalem in Galatians chapter 2, 14 years after his conversion, that takes you to 51 A.D. By then Paul has been out in the Gentile world preaching his Gospel of Grace, while Judaizers from Jerusalem oppose him, saying Gentiles cannot be saved by Paul's Gospel alone but must keep the Law and practice circumcision.