A.D.
An excellent biblical drama of the early church’s courageous growth.
Should You Watch It?
A.D. is a six-hour television production about the turbulent years following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It brings the early church’s persecution, growth, suffering, and evangelistic mission vividly to life.
The production is excellent. The photography is magnificent, the acting superb, and the production design incomparable. The edited church-use version also has a few continuity jumps because some depraved and earthy Roman scenes were removed.
You will need to pay attention as the story cuts between Christians, Jews, and Romans. But for families and Christians, the answer is clear: watch A.D. as a compelling tool for evangelism and discipling.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESAfter Jesus rises from the dead, His followers face fear, persecution, and conflict in Jerusalem. Around them, Roman rulers struggle to control Judea, Jewish rebels resist Roman rule, and Saul of Tarsus attacks the church.
As the story moves through the early years of Christianity, the disciples proclaim Christ, the church grows, and the message reaches beyond Jerusalem to the Gentiles.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is an excellent television production with unusually strong craft. The photography is magnificent, the acting superb, and the production design incomparable.
The church-use edit creates a few jumps in continuity because some scenes of Roman depravity and earthy life were excised. Even so, A.D. remains an entertaining and captivating production that can hold the attention of viewers from 6 to 60.
The Worldview
A.D. presents the early church as a community shaped by the risen Jesus Christ. It exalts faith, love, courage under persecution, evangelism, and the life-changing spread of the gospel. The Christian message grows stronger as Christ’s followers share His love.
The series also places that faith within a world of Roman power, Jewish resistance, political tyranny, superstition, and competing religious claims. It shows the suffering and bloodshed surrounding the conflict among Romans, Jews, and Christians, while presenting the church’s ultimate triumph through faithful witness rather than political power.
The church-use version removes some depraved and earthy scenes from Roman life. This causes a few continuity jumps, but the source review notes that those scenes were removed because they would offend some Christians, even though they showed the context in which the church was persecuted and grew.
A.D.’s central message is that Christ’s witnesses carry His truth beyond persecution and across cultural boundaries. Jesus told His disciples, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Nothing objectionable and much to be commended
Talk About It
Four questions for the couch, the commute, or the couple bingeing it together.
The early Christians continue sharing Christ’s message despite persecution. What helps believers remain faithful when following Jesus becomes costly?
Acts 4:18–20 · Romans 8:35–39The church’s message moves from Jerusalem to the Gentiles. Why does Jesus call His followers to be witnesses “to the end of the earth”?
Acts 1:8 · Matthew 28:19–20A.D. presents the growth of the church as the result of Christ’s life-changing love being shared and multiplied. How can your family show that love this week?
John 13:34–35 · 1 John 4:7–12The production portrays Christians, Jews, and Romans living amid conflict and fear. How should Christians respond to people who hold different beliefs or live under different pressures?
Romans 12:18 · 1 Peter 3:15–16The Final Word
A.D. is magnificent, superbly acted, and deeply useful for evangelism and discipling. Its six-hour story asks you to pay attention, but it rewards that attention with a vivid portrayal of the early church. For Christian families, this is WORTH WATCHING.
