c. 30–100 CE

The Early Church

A Jewish movement spreading through the cities of the Roman east, producing letters and then gospels.

Rome

Diaspora synagogue networks

What we can and cannot say

1
Urban mission
Acts traces a route through Antioch, Asia Minor, Greece and Rome.
Reconstructed / approximate
2
Chronology anchor
The Gallio inscription fixes Paul in Corinth around 51–52 CE.
Attested by external evidence
3
Writing order
Paul's letters precede the written gospels.
Reconstructed / approximate
4
Outside witness
Tacitus, Pliny and Josephus refer to Christians within a century.
Attested by external evidence

See the whole span on the timeline.