The episode opens with a brief text setting the scene: the Roman Imperium has ruled for centuries, and people await a prophesied liberator. The story takes place in the district of Salem shortly after the death of Jesus, a preacher executed as a heretic. His followers fled but have recently returned, with rumors spreading that Jesus has risen, coinciding with the festival of Shavuot (Pentecost), when "something new began."

Inside a modest apartment, Stephen, a young British teenager, is celebrating Shavuot with his mother, Esther. As they observe the festival, a sudden mysterious wind rushes through their home, extinguishing a candle. Stephen hears strange sounds outside despite his mother's warnings to stay indoors. Driven by curiosity and a sense of calling, he defies her and steps out into the night.

Stephen arrives at a public plaza where a crowd has gathered, drawn by the same mysterious wind. There, he meets Phillip, a foreigner who also heard a voice speaking in his native language. Suddenly, Peter and the Apostles appear on an elevated walkway above the crowd. Peter begins to explain the significance of the event, indicating that the Holy Spirit has descended upon them, enabling them to speak in various tongues. Stephen listens intently, feeling drawn to their message.

Meanwhile, the scene shifts to the Roman authorities. Saul, a young and ambitious Temple prodigy, returns home to find the religious leaders deeply unsettled by the resurgence of Jesus' followers. The Apostles' growing influence and their proclamation that "Jesus is the King of Kings" threaten the established order. The Roman elders devise a plan to arrest the Christians for heresy, aiming to suppress the movement before it gains further momentum. Saul volunteers to lead the investigation, hoping to earn a promotion.

Back in the city streets, Roman centurions patrol with advanced armor and weapons, maintaining a harsh grip on the population. The district of Salem is grim and overcrowded, with many homeless and destitute. Stephen, now outside after curfew, is confronted by Roman soldiers who threaten him with a technologically advanced sword but ultimately let him go, sensing his youth and innocence.

Stephen's relationship with his mother deteriorates after his defiance. Esther is overprotective and fearful of the dangerous times, but Stephen's curiosity and faith push him further into the Apostles' circle. He becomes homeless after a heated argument with her, symbolizing his break from his old life.

The Apostles continue their mission, healing a lame man named Caleb in the Temple grounds. Caleb is revealed to be a drug addict, adding complexity to the group's followers. The Pharisees and Sadducees, religious leaders allied with the Romans, plant spies in the crowd to monitor the Apostles. After Peter's sermon declaring the resurrection of Jesus, the planted agents accuse him and his companions of blasphemy, leading to their arrest.

Throughout the episode, the presence of the Holy Spirit is marked by supernatural signs: the wind gusts, the earth shakes, and a candle mysteriously relights itself after being extinguished. Crosses are erected along roadways, symbolizing the growing Christian movement. The Apostles bring food and water to the homeless, showing their compassion amid the harsh urban environment.

The episode ends with Stephen fully committed to joining the Apostles, despite the looming threat of Roman persecution. The camera cuts away just as Peter's Pentecost sermon begins, leaving the audience eager to learn what will happen next.

Short Narrative Ending: The first episode of "Testament," titled "Something Old," concludes with the Apostles facing increased persecution from the Roman authorities. Stephen, a young and reckless follower, becomes involved with the Apostles despite his mother's warnings. Meanwhile, Saul, a Roman Lieutenant, is tasked with overseeing the investigation into the growing Christian movement. The episode ends with the Romans planning to arrest the Christians for heresy, setting the stage for further conflict.

Expanded Narrative Ending:

The episode begins on Pentecost, where a mysterious wind calls out to the city, drawing Stephen's attention despite his mother's fears. Stephen follows the call, witnessing the Holy Spirit's presence in his home. This event marks his entry into the Apostles' community.

As Stephen becomes more involved with the Apostles, he agrees to meet them at their next gathering. Meanwhile, Saul, a Temple prodigy and Roman Lieutenant, returns home to find the Ministers shaken by the resurgence of Jesus' followers. The Roman authorities are concerned that the Apostles' message of Jesus as the "King of Kings" will undermine their authority.

Saul volunteers to oversee an investigation into the Christian movement, hoping for a promotion. However, the Roman elders devise a plan to catch the Christians off guard and arrest them for religious heresy against the Empire.

The episode progresses with Stephen witnessing the Apostles' miracles, such as Peter healing a lame man in the name of Jesus. This event attracts the attention of the Temple Guard, who arrest Peter and John. Stephen is kept safe by Mary Magdalene but shares a significant glance with Saul, foreshadowing their future encounter.

As the episode concludes, the Romans are preparing to execute their plan to arrest the Christians. Stephen is now deeply involved with the Apostles, while Saul is determined to suppress the movement. The fate of the main characters at the end of this episode is that Stephen is embroiled in the Apostles' activities, Saul is positioned to lead the persecution, and the Apostles are facing imminent arrest and persecution. The stage is set for further conflict and character development in subsequent episodes.

There is no specific information available about a post-credit scene in the first episode of the TV show "Testament" titled "Something Old" from 2025. The episode primarily focuses on setting the stage for the series by introducing key characters and events, such as the celebration of Shavuot (Pentecost) and the mysterious wind that draws Stephen and others to a public gathering where Peter and the Apostles preach about Jesus' resurrection.

The episode begins with Stephen and his mother, Esther, celebrating Shavuot in their home. A sudden wind extinguishes the candle, and Stephen feels compelled to investigate the commotion outside. He meets a foreigner named Phillip, and they both hear a voice speaking in their native languages. This leads them to a plaza where Peter and the Apostles are preaching, drawing a large crowd.

The episode does not mention or include a post-credit scene. It concludes with the establishment of the early Christian movement and the tensions it creates within the community, setting the stage for further episodes.

The series begins with Stephen's perspective at Pentecost to provide a relatable entry point into the story, as the book of Acts features twelve main characters from the start, which would be overwhelming. Stephen's character allows the audience to enter the world of the early believers more gradually and explore thematic elements through his experience, even though the timing of his joining the faith is not specified in the biblical text (Interview with director Paul Syrstad).

Stephen becomes a believer after hearing the apostles, which causes conflict with his mother. She disapproves strongly, ultimately kicking him out of her house and betraying the apostles by leaking information about Peter and the others to the Temple guards (Plugged In review).

Members of the Sanhedrin are depicted as fearful of Jesus' followers. Some are primarily concerned about losing their power, while others worry that if the apostles gain a large following, the Roman Imperium might blame the Jewish leaders, worsening their situation (Plugged In review).

The Roman Imperium is referenced through phrases like 'Praise the Sovereign,' which is an epithet for the Roman rulers. Stephen subverts this by saying 'Pray the Sovereign is overthrown and the Imperium crumbles,' indicating resistance to Roman authority (Plugged In review).

Episode 1 introduces Stephen as the central character through whose eyes the story unfolds. Other key characters include Peter and the apostles, who are the early followers of Jesus. The show also features Mary Magdalene and Saul of Tarsus, though Saul's significant appearances come later. The Sanhedrin members and Stephen's mother also play important roles in the episode's conflict (IMDb cast list; Plugged In review; SurvivorDean blog).

The TV show Testament, Season 1, Episode 1 ("Something Old"), produced in 2025, is rated TV-PG, indicating it is generally suitable for a family audience but parental guidance is suggested. It is a faith-based drama reimagining the Book of Acts in a modern alternate dystopian setting, focusing on the early followers of Jesus and their challenges.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting content for children or sensitive viewers includes:

• Violence and intense scenes: The series depicts persecution and martyrdom of early Christians, including stoning and executions, which are biblically accurate events portrayed with some intensity. While these scenes may not appear in the first episode, they are part of the series' narrative and could be disturbing.

• Themes of oppression and conflict: The show involves political and religious oppression, with tension between followers of the movement and an oppressive regime, which may include scenes of conflict and danger.

• Mature thematic elements: The series deals with complex spiritual and moral issues, including sacrifice, loyalty, and faith under pressure, which might be challenging for younger children to fully understand.

There is no indication of explicit sexual content, strong language, or drug use in the first episode or the series overall, consistent with its faith-based nature. The show aims to be reverent and inspirational, focusing on hope and truth amid chaos.

In summary, Testament is mostly family-friendly but contains some violent and intense scenes related to persecution that may be upsetting for very young children or sensitive viewers. Parental guidance is recommended to assess suitability based on individual child sensitivity.