Les Feldick places Pentecost at AD 29, Stephen's martyrdom seven years later in AD 36, and Saul's conversion within one to two years after that.
Les bases this on his own chronology, placing the crucifixion in AD 29 (though he notes others say AD 33). He says Acts 7 occurs seven years after Pentecost, Acts 8 immediately follows, and the scattered believers reach Antioch about 12–13 years after Pentecost.
Acts 7:59-60 — Records Stephen's martyrdom, the event that marks seven years after Pentecost in Les's timeline.
Acts 8:1 — Shows Saul's involvement and the persecution that scattered the Jerusalem believers.
Scripture records the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7, with Stephen asking the Lord to receive his spirit (Acts 7:59). It then notes, 'And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles' (Acts 8:1). Later, Acts 11:19 says, 'Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.' In Acts 15:1, 'certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.'
Les places the crucifixion of Christ in AD 29, noting that some say AD 33, but he believes AD 29 is more accurate. He sees the day of Pentecost falling in that same year (AD 29), and the book of Acts covering the 40-year span from the crucifixion to the destruction of the temple in AD 69 or 70 (Clip 7). From Pentecost to the martyrdom of Stephen, Les says about seven years elapsed, putting Acts 7 in AD 36. He says Saul of Tarsus was standing by, consenting to Stephen's death (Acts 8:1), and that this was 7 or 8 years after Pentecost (Clips 1, 3, 6). Within a year or two of Stephen's death, Saul was converted. Probably within the next year, Peter went to the house of Cornelius, bringing the chronology to about 12 years after Pentecost (Clip 2). Les places the migration of scattered believers to Antioch in Acts 11 at about AD 41–42, 12–13 years after Pentecost (Clip 4), and the Acts 15 council about 14 years after Saul's conversion, around AD 52 (Clip 5).
Les places the crucifixion at AD 29, saying, 'The crucifixion, in my line of figuring, was 29. Now some people say 33, but I think the more accurate is 29.' He then says that at about AD 29 we have the day of Pentecost (Clip 7). He also points out that the temple was not removed until AD 69 or 70, so the book of Acts covers a 40-year period from the crucifixion (Clip 7).
Les says, 'From Pentecost to the Sermon of Stephen, about seven years' (Clip 2). He states this more than once: 'This is about 7 or 8 years after Pentecost' (Clip 3) and 'we're seven years after Pentecost' (Clip 6). Specifically, he places Acts 7 in AD 36, 'seven years later' than the AD 29 crucifixion (Clip 1).
Within a year or two of Stephen's martyrdom, Saul was converted (Clip 2). 'Then almost after that, probably within the next year, Peter goes up to the house of Cornelius' (Clip 2). Les then says, 'Now we're about, what, 12 years after Pentecost?' (Clip 2).
Les places the events of Acts 11:19 — the scattered believers making their way to Antioch — at about AD 41–42, which is '12–13 years after Pentecost' (Clip 4). He dates the Acts 15 council to about AD 52, '14 years after Saul's conversion, which is about 38 AD,' meaning 'about 22, 23 years after Pentecost' (Clip 5).
Two Baptisms Explained: What Most Christians Miss in Acts 1
fortunate enough to get off or have a vacation, why, most of our routine class members here in the studio are retired. And so that's the way we do it. Every fourth Wednesday afternoon, we come in and tape four programs. So for those of you again on television, remember that all these programs are available in tape.
Stephen's Martyrdom in AD 36
Les teaches that Acts 7 (Stephen's stoning) occurred seven years after the AD 29 crucifixion, placing it in AD 36.
Chronology from Pentecost to Cornelius
Les lays out the sequence: Pentecost to Stephen ≈ 7 years, Saul's conversion within 1–2 years, Peter's visit to Cornelius about a year later, roughly 12 years after Pentecost.
Acts 8:1 Time Frame
Les says the events of Acts 8:1 were about 7 or 8 years after Pentecost.
Antioch Migration Date
Les places Acts 11:19 believers arriving in Antioch at about AD 41–42, 12–13 years after Pentecost.
Acts 15 Council Date
Les dates the Acts 15 council around AD 52, about 14 years after Saul's conversion (c. AD 38), and 22–23 years after Pentecost.
Seven Years After Pentecost for Acts 8
Les reiterates that Acts 8 is seven years after Pentecost.
Crucifixion in AD 29
Les places the crucifixion at AD 29 (not AD 33) and says Acts covers the 40 years from that until the temple's destruction in AD 69/70.
Acts 7:59-60: And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
This marks the death of Stephen, the event Les dates to AD 36, seven years after Pentecost.
Acts 8:1: And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Shows Saul's participation in Stephen's death and the persecution that scattered the believers — central to Les's timeline.
Acts 11:19: Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
Les dates these events to about AD 41–42, 12–13 years after Pentecost.
Acts 15:1: And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Les says this council controversy occurred about AD 52, 14 years after Saul's conversion.
Les places the crucifixion at AD 29, saying some say AD 33 but he considers AD 29 more accurate (Clip 7).
Les says about seven years; he places Acts 7 in AD 36, seven years after the AD 29 Pentecost (Clips 1, 3, 6).
Les says the book of Acts covers the 40 years from the crucifixion (AD 29) to the destruction of the temple in AD 69 or 70 (Clip 7).
Watch the Teaching: Two Baptisms Explained: What Most Christians Miss in Acts 1