The story of Testament Season 1 begins in the district of Salem shortly after the death of Jesus. The opening scene depicts the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, where a powerful wind gusts, the earth shakes, and a candle mysteriously relights itself after being extinguished. This event ignites the early believers' fervor, and Peter preaches boldly to a crowd, leading to about three thousand people joining the movement. The early believers form a close fellowship, sharing possessions and supporting one another in their faith.

Following Pentecost, Peter and John encounter Caleb, a lame beggar outside the Temple. Peter heals Caleb in the name of Jesus, which draws a crowd and causes a stir among the Temple authorities. The healed Caleb is initially reluctant to join the early church, struggling with his addiction to a stimulant drug. Peter and John preach Jesus' resurrection to the crowd, but their message is met with hostility from planted agents of the Pharisees and Sadducees, who accuse them of blasphemy. Peter, John, and Caleb are arrested by the Temple Guard and taken into custody.

In the next sequence, Peter and John are imprisoned and questioned by the Temple leaders. Peter wrestles with fear and memories of past failures but ultimately responds with boldness, affirming the power of Jesus' name. The believers outside pray fervently for their release, and the authorities, unable to deny the miracle of Caleb's healing, release Peter and John with a warning not to preach in Jesus' name. The early church celebrates their freedom and prays for continued courage and boldness.

Meanwhile, Saul of Tarsus is introduced as a young, ambitious rabbi eager to join the Sanhedrin. He reunites with his sister, who has become interested in the growing Christian movement, which enrages him. Saul's hostility toward the believers intensifies, and he begins to approve of harsh measures against them. Stephen, a soft-spoken and earnest man who will become a deacon, is introduced as a central figure. He is deeply troubled by Caleb's refusal to join the church despite his healing and the intimidation from the Sanhedrin. Mary Magdalene, another follower, struggles with the temptation to return to her former life after Caleb's relapse and the pressures they face.

Tensions escalate as the Sanhedrin intensifies its crackdown on the believers. Stephen is caught outside after curfew and threatened with a technologically advanced sword by Roman soldiers patrolling the streets. The believers face increasing persecution, including arrests and public hostility. Despite this, they continue to bring food and water to the homeless and maintain their fellowship. The presence of crosses along roadways and the sparring of Temple guards in their barracks underscore the oppressive atmosphere.

The climax of Season 1 centers on Stephen's arrest and trial before the Sanhedrin. He delivers a powerful defense of his faith, recounting the history of Israel and accusing the religious leaders of resisting the Holy Spirit and betraying Jesus. His speech enrages the council, and they drag him out of the city to stone him. As Stephen is stoned, he prays for his attackers' forgiveness and sees a vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God. His martyrdom marks the beginning of widespread persecution of Christians in Salem.

Following Stephen's death, Saul actively participates in the persecution, approving of the violence against believers. The season ends with Saul embarking on the road to Damascus, where he will experience his transformative conversion, setting the stage for his future role as Paul the Apostle.

Throughout the season, the narrative weaves in scenes of the believers' daily lives, their struggles with faith, fear, and temptation, and the growing threat from religious and political authorities. The modern dystopian setting, with advanced technology and cultural parallels to contemporary society, frames the ancient story of the early church in a new light, emphasizing the timelessness of the characters' experiences and decisions.

The ending of Testament Season 1 culminates in a violent clash sparked by Pilate's ultimatum to crush the Followers or face the Imperium's wrath. Amid the chaos, Mary confronts her fears and reluctantly trusts an unlikely ally. The Followers face a critical choice between standing firm in their faith or succumbing to fear. The season closes with Stephen's mother reading a poignant letter he left behind, expressing hope and questioning the legacy their faith will leave.

The finale of Testament Season 1 unfolds in a tense, dramatic sequence of events:

The episode opens with Pilate delivering a stark ultimatum to the Followers of the Messiah: either they are crushed by the Imperium's forces, or the entire regime will face severe consequences. This ultimatum triggers immediate and widespread chaos as the Temple seizes the opportunity to purge the city of Salem, where the Followers have been gathering and spreading their message.

As the Imperium's forces move in, violent confrontations erupt throughout Salem. The Followers, though outnumbered and under-equipped, refuse to back down. The battle scenes are intense and chaotic, showing the desperation and determination on both sides. The Followers' faith is tested as they face brutal oppression, and many are forced to make life-or-death decisions.

In the midst of this turmoil, Mary, a central character, is shown grappling with her deepest fears. She is forced to rely on an ally she does not fully trust, highlighting the tension and uncertainty among the Followers. This alliance is uneasy but necessary for survival, underscoring the complex relationships within the group.

Meanwhile, the narrative shifts to Stephen, one of the Followers who has become a martyr figure. The final scenes show Stephen's mother reading a letter he left behind. His words are filled with hope and a haunting question about the future: will their faith leave a legacy greater than they ever imagined? This letter serves as a powerful emotional anchor for the finale, emphasizing the personal sacrifices made by the Followers and the enduring impact of their beliefs.

The season ends on a note of both tragedy and promise. The Followers have suffered great losses, but from the ashes of the conflict, something new and powerful is beginning to emerge. The fate of the main characters at the end is as follows:

• Mary survives the conflict but is emotionally shaken, having confronted her fears and made difficult choices about trust and loyalty.
• Stephen dies as a martyr, his legacy preserved through the letter his mother reads, symbolizing the cost of faith and the hope it inspires.
• Other key Followers are left in uncertain but hopeful circumstances, poised to continue the movement despite the Imperium's attempts to suppress it.

This detailed ending highlights the themes of courage, faith, sacrifice, and the struggle between oppressive power and spiritual conviction that have driven the season's narrative.

Based on available sources, there is no evidence of a post-credit scene in Season 1 of the 2025 TV series Testament. The season finale centers on Stephen's mother reading his letter, which serves as an emotional and thematic conclusion to the season, reflecting on legacy and faith. No additional scenes, teasers, or narrative content after the credits are mentioned in episode recaps, official descriptions, or promotional materials. The narrative arc of the season is fully contained within the episodes themselves, with the final moments focusing on the impact of Stephen's story and the hope he leaves behind.

Stephen is introduced as the primary protagonist in Season 1, depicted as an earnest and soft-spoken mama's boy who eventually becomes a deacon and the first Christian martyr. His stoning, which likely serves as the season's climax, initiates the first widespread persecution of Christians. The series focuses on his involvement in the early church and his interactions with other key characters like Saul of Tarsus (Acts 6:5, Acts 7, Acts 8:1).

Saul of Tarsus is portrayed as a cocky young rabbi with ambitions to join the Sanhedrin. He is shown approving of Stephen's murder and is a significant figure whose story includes his famous conversion on the road to Damascus. His character arc is central to the narrative, highlighting his initial opposition to the early church and eventual transformation (Acts 8:1, Acts 9).

The series depicts several key events from Acts, including the coming of the Holy Spirit and Peter's preaching at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41), the fellowship of early believers (Acts 2:42-47), Peter and John healing a lame beggar named Caleb outside the Temple, their subsequent arrest (Acts 3:1-4:4), and the imprisonment and questioning of Peter and John by Temple leaders (Acts 4:1-31). These events are adapted into a dystopian, modernized setting. (Acts 2-4).

Caleb is a lame beggar who is healed by Peter and John outside the Temple. Despite his healing, Caleb struggles with addiction to a stimulant drug and is unwilling to join the early church due to intimidation from the Sanhedrin. His character adds complexity to the narrative by showing the challenges faced by early believers and the presence of personal struggles within the community. (Acts 3:1-26, Plugged In review).

Testament modernizes the biblical story by setting it in a dystopian world with technology and culture similar to the present day. It introduces elements like a stimulant drug to symbolize darkness in the world, advanced weapons used by Temple guards, and undercover operations within the Sanhedrin. These creative choices aim to engage viewers with contemporary themes while staying largely faithful to the biblical narrative. The show also includes subtle details and jokes that require substantial biblical knowledge to fully appreciate. (Angel Studios show recap, The Bible Artist reviews).

The TV show Testament (Season 1, 2025) is generally family-friendly and recommended for families with older children, especially those interested in Christian themes and biblical stories adapted to a modern setting. It portrays Christian values such as preaching, baptism, and friendship in a faithful and respectful manner.

However, there are some potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects for children or sensitive viewers:

• Light violence involving Roman soldiers berating and abusing Christians.
• Biblically accurate depictions of persecution and martyrdom, including potentially disturbing scenes such as stoning and other forms of death, reflecting the harsh realities faced by early Christians.
• The setting includes an oppressive regime and conflict, which may involve tense or intense moments.

No explicit content, strong language, or graphic sexual content is reported. The violence is mostly contextual and related to historical/biblical persecution rather than gratuitous. Overall, it is suitable for older children and adults who can handle mature themes of faith, sacrifice, and conflict without spoilers revealing specific plot details.