The TV show Testament (2025) begins on Pentecost in an alternate-modern era ruled by the Roman Empire, called The Imperium. The opening scene shows Stephen at home with his mother Esther when the house starts to rumble and a strange booming sound comes from the sky. Stephen, despite his mother’s fears, goes outside to investigate and witnesses the tail end of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus gathered in an “upper apartment.” People in the city gather, confused and curious about the mysterious event.

The setting is a city under the control of The Imperium, with The Temple acting as a political and religious center, ruled by the Sadducee and Pharisee parties. High Minister Caiaphas leads The Temple, which has modern SWAT-like guards. Mara, an ambitious Temple investigator, is introduced as she works to maintain order and stay in favor with The Temple’s leadership.

Early episodes introduce Saul, a Temple prodigy, and Gamaliel, a respected figure. Saul’s journey is significant as he later experiences conversion. The show portrays the Apostles Peter and John preaching on Temple grounds, which alarms the Pharisees and Sadducees. They plant agents in the crowd to spy on the followers. During one public gathering, Peter heals a lame man named Caleb in Jesus’ name and proclaims the resurrection. Instead of acceptance, Peter, John, and Caleb are arrested on charges of blasphemy.

The series depicts various scenes of tension and conflict: Temple guards spar in their barracks, Roman soldiers patrol the streets, and people accused of heresy are forcefully arrested. Stephen is threatened with a technologically advanced sword when caught outside after curfew. The show also portrays everyday life, including Jesus’ followers bringing food and water to the homeless, and Caleb’s struggle with drug addiction is revealed.

Miraculous signs accompany the spread of the faith: gusts of wind, the earth shaking, and a candle mysteriously relighting itself in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Crosses are erected along roadways, symbolizing the growing movement. The narrative includes flashbacks or retellings of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, grounding the story in biblical events.

Throughout the series, the followers of Jesus face increasing persecution from The Temple and The Imperium. The Temple’s leadership races to silence the movement before the regime retaliates. Public miracles and unburied secrets create fractures in loyalties on both sides, forcing characters to confront the consequences of their choices.

Key characters’ fates include:

• Stephen, who is shown as a central figure from the beginning, faces threats and persecution. His journey toward martyrdom is implied by the narrative arc and his confrontations with authorities.

• Saul, initially a Temple prodigy, undergoes a significant transformation, experiencing conversion and eventually becoming a follower of Jesus.

• Peter and John continue preaching despite arrests, demonstrating their commitment to spreading the Good News.

The series ends with the movement growing despite opposition, highlighting the joy and faith of Jesus’ followers in a hostile environment. The story is a direct adaptation of the Book of Acts, reimagined in a modern dystopian-like setting, with scenes closely following biblical events and dialogue.

Testament streams exclusively on the Angel app starting June 8, 2025, initially available to Guild members.

In Testament, public miracles play a crucial role in stirring the masses and fueling the movement sparked by the resurrection. These miracles are witnessed by many and serve as tangible signs that challenge the authority of the Temple and the oppressive Imperium regime, though the exact nature of each miracle is not detailed in the available summaries.

Saul of Tarsus is a central character whose journey reflects a significant transformation. Initially aligned with the Temple's efforts to suppress the followers of the risen Messiah, Saul's experiences and encounters with the movement lead to fractured loyalties and a personal reckoning, highlighting his complex role in the unfolding events.

The series Testament features buried secrets that surface as the story progresses, impacting both the followers and their opponents. These secrets contribute to the tension and conflict between the Temple and the movement, forcing characters to confront difficult truths, though specific secrets are not explicitly described in the available information.

The Temple actively works to silence the followers of the risen Messiah to prevent the spread of their message and avoid retaliation from the Imperium regime. This involves political and possibly violent measures, with key figures such as Gamaliel and John Zebedee playing roles in the Temple's efforts to maintain control and suppress the movement.

Mary Magdalene is portrayed as one of the followers of the risen Messiah who is deeply involved in spreading the good news. Her character is integral to the movement's efforts and embodies the hope and risk undertaken by the followers in the face of oppression by the Temple and the Imperium.

The TV show Testament (2025) is a live-action reimagining of the Book of Acts set in a modern dystopian era, focusing on the early followers of Jesus and their struggles under an oppressive regime. It is not specifically designed as family-friendly content for young children or very sensitive viewers.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects include:

• Depictions of persecution and violence: The series involves the apostles and followers facing severe opposition, including historically accurate and potentially disturbing deaths such as stoning and executions for their faith.

• Themes of oppression and turmoil: The setting is a dystopian world with an oppressive regime, which may include tense, dark, or intense scenes reflecting conflict and danger.

• Religious and spiritual intensity: The show deals deeply with faith, miracles, and moral struggles, which might be intense or challenging for some viewers, especially children or those sensitive to religious themes.

No explicit spoilers are revealed here, but parents or sensitive viewers should be aware that the series contains mature themes of violence, persecution, and intense emotional and spiritual conflict, making it more suitable for older teens and adults rather than young children.