Topical Bible: Proselytes: Required: To Give up all Heathen Practices

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the context of the Bible, a proselyte refers to a Gentile who has converted to Judaism, embracing the faith, practices, and community of the Jewish people. The process of becoming a proselyte involved a significant transformation, requiring the individual to renounce all former heathen practices and fully commit to the laws and customs of Judaism.

Biblical Foundation

The requirement for proselytes to abandon heathen practices is rooted in the biblical mandate for holiness and separation from idolatry. In the Old Testament, God repeatedly commands the Israelites to avoid the customs and religious practices of the surrounding nations. For instance, in Leviticus 18:3-4 , God instructs the Israelites: "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. You are to practice My judgments and keep My statutes by walking in them. I am the LORD your God."

This call to holiness and separation from pagan practices extended to those who wished to join the Israelite community. Proselytes were expected to fully integrate into the covenant community, which included adherence to the Mosaic Law and the rejection of any former idolatrous practices.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the early Christian community also grappled with the inclusion of Gentile converts and the extent to which they should adhere to Jewish customs. While the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 addressed the issue of circumcision and the Mosaic Law for Gentile believers, the underlying principle of renouncing pagan practices remained. Acts 15:19-20 records the decision: "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood."

This directive highlights the expectation that Gentile converts, akin to proselytes, were to distance themselves from idolatry and immorality, which were prevalent in their former pagan lifestyles.

Cultural and Religious Implications

The renunciation of heathen practices by proselytes was not merely a rejection of certain behaviors but a profound transformation of identity and allegiance. By forsaking idolatry and embracing the worship of the one true God, proselytes aligned themselves with the covenant community and its values. This shift often involved significant personal sacrifice, as it could lead to social ostracism and familial estrangement.

The commitment to abandon heathen practices underscored the seriousness of conversion and the transformative power of faith. It was a testament to the proselyte's dedication to living a life in accordance with God's commandments and the teachings of Scripture.

Conclusion

The requirement for proselytes to give up all heathen practices reflects the biblical emphasis on holiness, purity, and the exclusive worship of God. This expectation served to maintain the integrity of the faith community and to ensure that converts fully embraced their new identity as followers of the God of Israel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezra 6:21
And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves to them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of Atheistical Discourse.
... established, no wonder at its shoals of proselytes, when it ... much the reserve of those
who can give no better ... of zeal in some, but indispensably required of all ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section iii of atheistical discourse.htm

Acts XX
... all of them who were Jews or Jewish proselytes, and considering ... but that a visit
to Ephesus would have required him to ... able to build you up, and to give you an ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xx.htm

Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Berea.
... are called "honourable women." They were already proselytes, and they ... their own,
as to refuse to give it a ... the truth, both prudence and piety required them to ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xix paul and silas.htm

The Education of the World.
... extent, to the body of Jewish proselytes already established ... for the same reason
the cultivation required less time ... He can give no better reason very often for ...
/.../essays and reviews the education of the world/the education of the world.htm

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Events of that Day - the ...
... at least three ordained persons was required for ordination ... simply Yes, would have
been to give a painful ... of the Lord our Righteousness;' as Proselytes they had ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the third day.htm

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and ...
... Detailed proof is scarcely required of the charge of ... a king, it would be duty to
give the former ... Rabbis, prove their zeal for making proselytes - which, indeed ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the third day.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... dates have been quoted merely to give a notion of ... less instructed, whether Jews or
proselytes, and hold ... All these dangers required some counteracting energy to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... himself perform, as our example, whatever he required of us to ... He shall be his Apollo,
that can give him a ... the design of Christianity, that preach up free grace ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm