Definition and Context
The term "pagans" in the biblical context generally refers to those who are outside the covenant community of Israel and, by extension, those who do not adhere to the worship of the God of the Bible. The word is often used interchangeably with "Gentiles" or "nations" (Hebrew: גּוֹיִם, goyim; Greek: ἔθνη, ethne) and denotes people who follow polytheistic or idolatrous religions.

Old Testament References
In the Old Testament, the Israelites were frequently warned against adopting the practices of the surrounding pagan nations. The Law of Moses explicitly prohibited the worship of other gods and the adoption of pagan customs. For instance, Leviticus 18:3 states, "You must not follow the practices of the land of Egypt, where you used to live, or follow the practices of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. You must not walk in their customs."

The Israelites were called to be a distinct and holy people, set apart for the Lord. Deuteronomy 7:5 commands, "Instead, this is what you are to do to them: Tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire."

New Testament References
In the New Testament, the term "pagans" often refers to those who do not know God or follow His ways. Jesus, in His teachings, distinguishes between the behavior of His followers and that of the pagans. In Matthew 6:7 , He instructs, "And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard."

The Apostle Paul frequently addressed the issue of paganism in his epistles, urging believers to turn away from idolatry and immorality. In 1 Corinthians 10:20 , Paul warns, "No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons."

Cultural and Religious Practices
Pagan practices in biblical times often included idol worship, temple prostitution, and various forms of divination and sorcery. These practices were seen as abominations to the Lord and were strictly forbidden for the Israelites. The worship of Baal, Asherah, and other deities involved rituals that were contrary to the worship of Yahweh.

Christian Perspective
From a Christian perspective, paganism is viewed as a departure from the truth of God's revelation. The early church faced the challenge of distinguishing itself from the surrounding pagan cultures while reaching out to them with the Gospel. The Council of Jerusalem, as recorded in Acts 15, addressed the issue of how Gentile converts should relate to the Law of Moses, emphasizing faith in Christ over adherence to Jewish ceremonial laws.

Evangelism and Outreach
The Great Commission, as given by Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20 , calls Christians to "go and make disciples of all nations," which includes reaching out to those who are considered pagans. The early church's mission was to bring the light of the Gospel to all people, regardless of their previous religious affiliations.

Conclusion
While the term "pagans" historically referred to those outside the covenant community, the biblical narrative consistently calls for the proclamation of God's truth to all nations, inviting them into a relationship with the one true God through Jesus Christ.