The Problem of Jewish Mission

Abstract

This chapter examines the evidence for Jewish proselytizing activity. It begins with the extent of conversion to Judaism in antiquity. It is often argued that the large Jewish population of the empire is fully explicable only on the assumption of a massive influx of proselytes. According to the traditional view, there existed on the fringe of the diaspora Jewish communities, a well-defined class of gentile adherents who had accepted the monotheistic faith of Israel, frequented the synagogues, and practiced some of the ceremonial requirements of the law, but stopped short of circumcision. It is widely believed that the book of Acts employs the terms fearers of God and worshippers of God univocally to describe a class of gentile sympathizers or partial converts. The impetus to missionary activity in primitive Christianity cannot be explained as having its origins in a prior Jewish mission to gentiles in the second temple period.Keywords: Christianity; Israel; Jewish mission; Judaism; second temple period