Definition and Origin
The term "proselyte" refers to a convert to Judaism from another religion or ethnicity. The word is derived from the Greek "prosēlytos," meaning "one who has come over" or "stranger." In the context of the Bible, proselytes were Gentiles who embraced the Jewish faith, adopting its laws, customs, and religious practices.

Biblical References
Proselytes are mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, the concept of welcoming foreigners into the faith is seen in the laws given to Israel. For instance, Exodus 12:48-49 states, "If a foreigner resides with you and wants to celebrate the Passover to the LORD, all the males in his household must be circumcised; then he may take part, like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised man may eat of it. The same law shall apply to both the native and the foreigner who resides among you."

In the New Testament, proselytes are explicitly mentioned in the Book of Acts. Acts 2:10 lists proselytes among those present at Pentecost: "Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism)." Additionally, Acts 6:5 notes that one of the seven deacons, Nicolas, was a proselyte from Antioch.

Role and Significance
Proselytes played a significant role in the spread of Judaism and later Christianity. By converting to Judaism, they demonstrated the appeal and reach of the Jewish faith beyond ethnic boundaries. The inclusion of proselytes in the early Christian community highlights the universality of the Gospel message, as seen in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19): "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Conversion Process
The conversion process for a proselyte involved several steps, including circumcision for males, immersion in a ritual bath (mikveh), and the offering of a sacrifice at the Temple in Jerusalem. This process signified the proselyte's full acceptance of the Mosaic Law and integration into the Jewish community.

Cultural and Religious Impact
Proselytes often faced challenges, including social ostracism and the need to abandon previous religious practices. Despite these challenges, many proselytes became fervent adherents of their new faith, contributing to the religious and cultural life of the Jewish community. Their presence in the early church also underscored the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles, as emphasized by the Apostle Paul in Galatians 3:28 : "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Conclusion
The presence and acceptance of proselytes in biblical times illustrate the inclusive nature of God's covenant and the transformative power of faith. Their accounts serve as a testament to the reach of God's promise to Abraham that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:3).4339. proselutos -- one who has arrived (at Judaism), a proselyte
... Word Origin from proserchomai Definition one who has arrived (at Judaism), a proselyte
NASB Word Usage proselyte (2), proselytes (2). proselyte. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4339.htm - 6k

Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
... APPENDIX XII. THE BAPTISM OF PROSELYTES. (See vol. i. Book II. ch. xi. p.273.) ... Our
present remarks will be confined to the Baptism of Proselytes. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xii the baptism of.htm

The Jews Understand this of the Proselytes Without Reason.
... Chapter CXXII."The Jews understand this of the proselytes without reason.
"You think that these words refer to the stranger [2417 ...
/.../chapter cxxii the jews understand this.htm

The Call of the Gentiles under the Influence of the Gospel ...
... However, when you are refuted on the call of the nations, you betake yourself
to proselytes. You ask, who among the nations can ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xxi the call of the.htm

Writing v. But as up to that Time the Genealogies of the Hebrews ...
... up to that time the genealogies of the Hebrews had been registered in the public
archives, and those, too, which were traced back to the proselytes [1051] "as ...
/.../africanus/the writings of julius africanus/writing v but as up.htm

And Pilate Seeing This, was Afraid, and Sought to Go Away from the ...
... Annas and Caiaphas say to Pilate: All the multitude of us cry out that he was born
of fornication, and are not believed; these are proselytes, and his disciples ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 2 and pilate seeing.htm

And Pilate Seeing, Fear Seized Him, and Immediately He Wished to ...
... Annas and Caiaphas say to Pilate: We with all the multitude say that he was born
of fornication, and that he is a magician; but these are proselytes, and his ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 2 and pilate seeing 2.htm

The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
... "They receive proselytes from those of Cardya and Tadmor. Rab. ... And the proselytes
of Tadmor are fit to enter into the congregation.". ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 6 the coast of.htm

Judaism and Heathenism in Contact.
... in Pontus and Asia, in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about
Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 13 judaism and heathenism.htm

John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
... of proselyte baptism. This could not be, for John baptized his converts,
but Jewish proselytes baptized themselves. The law required ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xvii john the baptists person.htm

Of the Religion of Mahomet.
... heard either of him or it. "Three years were silently employed in the conversion
of fourteen proselytes. For ten years, the religion ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/section iii of the religion.htm

Proselytes (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Proselytes (2 Occurrences). Acts 2:10 Phrygia,
Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors ...
/p/proselytes.htm - 7k

Devout (13 Occurrences)
... Applied to Simeon (Luke 2:25), Cornelius (Acts 10:2, 7), Ananias (Acts 22:12).
"Devout proselytes" (Acts 13:43, the King James Version "religious proselytes...
/d/devout.htm - 11k

Proselyte (2 Occurrences)
... Thus also we hear of individual proselytes who rose to positions of prominence in
Israel, as of Doeg the Edomite, Uriah the Hittite, Araunah the Jebusite ...
/p/proselyte.htm - 26k

Nonimmersionist
... I. THE SCRIPTURAL NAMES FOR THE RITE II. PRE-CHRISTIAN BAPTISM 1. Baptism of Proselytes
2. Baptism of John 3. Baptism in the Pagan Mysteries III. ...
/n/nonimmersionist.htm - 38k

Non-immersionist
... I. THE SCRIPTURAL NAMES FOR THE RITE II. PRE-CHRISTIAN BAPTISM 1. Baptism of Proselytes
2. Baptism of John 3. Baptism in the Pagan Mysteries III. ...
/n/non-immersionist.htm - 38k

View (86 Occurrences)
... I. THE SCRIPTURAL NAMES FOR THE RITE II. PRE-CHRISTIAN BAPTISM 1. Baptism of Proselytes
2. Baptism of John 3. Baptism in the Pagan Mysteries III. ...
/v/view.htm - 81k

Cornelius (10 Occurrences)
... But was he not an inferior form of proselyte, later called "proselytes of the gate"?
This question has been much debated and is still under discussion. ...
/c/cornelius.htm - 16k

Baptist (16 Occurrences)
... (Compare The Jewish People in the Time of Jesus Christ, Div ii, II, 319; also Edersheim,
Life and Times of Jesus, appendix, xii, Baptism of Proselytes). ...
/b/baptist.htm - 56k

Interpretation (45 Occurrences)
... (Compare The Jewish People in the Time of Jesus Christ, Div ii, II, 319; also Edersheim,
Life and Times of Jesus, appendix, xii, Baptism of Proselytes). ...
/i/interpretation.htm - 57k

Consist (7 Occurrences)
... Visiting Romans (epidemountes), both Jews and proselytes, appear at Pentecost
(Acts 2:10), and no doubt some of these returned home believers. ...
/c/consist.htm - 80k

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