Evidence supporting early dates for the writing of the New Testament Gospels

Evidence #1: PROPHECY IN MATTHEW: Matthew 24:2 Jesus predicts the fall of the temple in Jerusalem, along with Mark 6 and Luke 21. This prophecy was fulfilled in AD 70 when Titus and his Roman army destroyed the temple. But the fulfillment of this prophecy is not recorded in Matthew (or the other gospels).

Matthew records many other prophecies fulfilled in his gospel (5 in just the first 3 chapters) but there is silence regarding the dramatic destructon of the temple in Jerusalem.

Evidence #2: ENDING OF THE BOOK OF ACTS: The Book of Acts chronicles the growth of the Christian church immediately after the resurreciton of Jesus. Extra-biblical sources tell us that Paul and Peter were executed in Rome somewhere between 62 and 65 AD. However, the Book of Acts ENDS with Paul very much alive under house arrest awaiting trial.

The Book of Acts details the murder of Stephen (Acts 7:58-60) and James (Acts 12:2), so it is not afraid to mention difficult events for the early church. On the other hand, Acts misses the opportunity to turn the executions of two of its pillars (Paul and Peter) into a cause of martyrdom.

Therefore it is logical to date the Book of Acts, which is a sequel to Luke's Gospel, before 65 AD. That date puts the writing of Acts within one generation of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Evidence #3: MARK'S GOSPEL IS THE EARLIEST: Given it is reasonable to date the Book of Acts in the early 60s AD, then we can give an earliery date to the Gospel of Luke. The Gospel of Luke and Acts were both written by Luke and Luke's gospel was written first. And most scholars agree that Mark's gospel pre-dates Luke's gospel.

Therefore to assign the date of the writing of Mark's ... See Moregospel to the late 50s AD is not unreasonable. This is within one generation of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. There is plenty of time for critics to contradict Mark's claims and not enough time for legend to develop.

Evidence #4: ANCIENT CREED IN 1 CORINTHIANS: Many scholars believe that 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 is an ancient creed that Paul is quoting. Given what we know about Paul, some scholars date that creed within 5 to 15 years of the earthly time of Christ. In that creed we have core doctrines of Christianity mentioned: Christ died for our sins, was death, buried, raised and appeared!