Topical Encyclopedia The concept of proselytes, or converts, being admitted into the community of Israel is a significant theme in the biblical narrative, reflecting the inclusive nature of God's covenant with humanity. The Old Testament provides several instances and laws regarding the inclusion of non-Israelites into the covenant community, which is further expanded in the New Testament through the ministry of Jesus Christ and the early Church.Old Testament Foundations The Old Testament lays the groundwork for the inclusion of proselytes into the community of Israel. The Law of Moses contains specific instructions regarding the treatment and integration of foreigners who wish to join the Israelites in worshiping Yahweh. In Exodus 12:48-49 , the Passover regulations state: "If a foreigner resides with you and wants to celebrate the LORD’s Passover, all the males in his household must be circumcised, and then he may take part like one born in the land. No uncircumcised man may eat of it. The same law shall apply to both the native and the foreigner who resides among you." This passage highlights the requirement of circumcision as a sign of the covenant, indicating that proselytes were to fully integrate into the religious and cultural life of Israel. The principle of one law for both the native-born and the foreigner underscores the equality and unity within the covenant community. The account of Ruth, a Moabite woman, further exemplifies the acceptance of proselytes. Ruth's declaration to Naomi, "Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God" (Ruth 1:16), signifies her commitment to the God of Israel and her integration into the Israelite community. Ruth's inclusion is significant, as she becomes the great-grandmother of King David, illustrating God's providential plan and the openness of His covenant. New Testament Expansion The New Testament continues and expands the theme of proselytes being admitted into the people of God. Jesus' ministry often reached out to those considered outsiders, breaking down barriers between Jews and Gentiles. In Matthew 28:19 , Jesus commands His disciples, "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." This Great Commission underscores the universal scope of the Gospel and the inclusion of all peoples into the Church. The Book of Acts records the early Church's encounters with Gentile converts. In Acts 10, the apostle Peter receives a vision that leads him to the house of Cornelius, a Roman centurion. Peter declares, "I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right" (Acts 10:34-35). The Holy Spirit's outpouring on Cornelius and his household confirms their acceptance into the Church without the prerequisite of circumcision, marking a pivotal moment in the Church's mission to the Gentiles. The Jerusalem Council, as described in Acts 15, further addresses the issue of Gentile inclusion. The apostles and elders, guided by the Holy Spirit, determine that Gentile converts should not be burdened with the full yoke of the Mosaic Law, but should adhere to certain essential practices. This decision affirms the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ and the sufficiency of faith in Jesus for salvation. Theological Implications The admission of proselytes into the Church of Israel reflects the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, which transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries. The biblical narrative reveals a God who desires all people to come to Him, as seen in the prophetic vision of Isaiah: "And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to minister to Him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be His servants... I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer" (Isaiah 56:6-7). This inclusive vision is realized in the New Testament Church, where the dividing wall of hostility is broken down through Christ (Ephesians 2:14). The Church, as the body of Christ, becomes the new Israel, welcoming all who profess faith in Jesus, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background. The admission of proselytes into the Church of Israel thus serves as a testament to the expansive and inclusive nature of God's covenantal love and grace. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 9:14And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover to the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: you shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 15:15,29 Library The Progress of the Gospel from the Death of Christ to the Death ... His Great Controversy In the Fifteenth Year of Tiberius C??sar and under the Pontificate ... The visit and Homage of the Magi, and the Flight into Egypt Faustus is Willing to Admit that Christ May have Said that He came ... On Reconciling Religious Dissensions among Christians The Return to Capernaum - Healing of the Centurion's Servant. Thoughts Upon the Mystery of the Trinity. The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans The Conversion of Cornelius. 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