Proselyte


The biblical term "proselyte" is an anglicization of the Koine Greek term προσήλυτος, as used in the Septuagint for "stranger", i.e. a "newcomer to Israel"; a "sojourner in the land", and in the Greek New Testament for a first-century convert to Judaism, generally from Ancient Greek religion. It is a translation of the Biblical Hebrew phrase גר תושב.
"Proselyte" also has the more general meaning in English of a new convert to any particular religion or doctrine.

History of the proselyte in Israel

The Law of Moses made specific regulations regarding the admission into Israel's community of such as were not born Israelites.
The New Testament makes mention of proselytes in synagogues. The name proselyte occurs in the New Testament only in Matthew and Acts. The name by which they are commonly designated is that of "devout men", or men "fearing God", or "worshipping God", "fearers of Heaven" or "God-fearers".
On the historical meaning of the Greek word, in chapter 2 of the apocryphal gospel Acts of Pilate, Annas and Caiaphas define "proselyte" for Pilate:

In Judaism

There are two kinds of proselytes in Rabbinic Judaism: ger tzedek and ger toshav.
A "righteous proselyte" is a gentile who has converted to Judaism, is bound to all the doctrines and precepts of the Jewish religion, and is considered a full member of the Jewish people. The proselyte is circumcised as an adult, if male, and immerses in a mikvah to formally effect the conversion.
A "gate proselyte" is a resident alien who lives in the Land of Israel and follows some of the Jewish customs. They are not required to be circumcised nor to comply with the whole of the Torah. They are bound only to conform to the Seven Laws of Noah to be assured of a place in the World to come.

In early Christianity

The "religious proselytes" spoken of in Early Christian writings were likely righteous proselytes rather than gate proselytes. There is some debate however as to whether proselytes known as God-fearers and/or Worshippers, who were baptized but not circumcised, fall into the righteous or gate category. The New Testament uses the word four times, exclusively referring to converts to Judaism, and never referring to conversion to Christianity.