The attitude of first century Jews towards Gentiles was not
one of hospitality to say the least. We have to keep in mind that for a very
long time the Jews ruled over themselves after leaving Egypt and after going
into exile they were not treated very well by some of their captors. Julius
Scott says, “Rabbinic literature generally displays deeply hostile feelings against
non-Jews.”[1]
Just to be clear there was no uniform feeling about Gentiles, just as there was
not a singular understanding of Judaism. Gentiles were shown varying degrees of
kindness, friendship, and acceptance depending on whether or not they were
sympathetic towards the Jews or at least not hostile toward them.[2] While
some Gentiles in positions of authority were shown some respect and honor the
majority of Gentiles were viewed with skepticism, animosity, and contempt.[3]
At first
glance you probably couldn’t tell a proselyte apart from a God-fearer. There
are certain rituals a person would have to go through in order to become a full
proselyte or convert. Converts accepted every area of Jewish life—law, national
allegiance, social and cultural customs, and the rest; they became naturalized
Jews.[4]
Once a proselyte has shown their commitment they were generally expected to be
circumcised, offer a sacrifice and undergo baptism.[5]
The greatest difference between a proselyte and a God-fearer is that the
God-fearer may still possibly be allowed to worship in certain areas of the
temple without all of the dedication of being circumcised, offering a sacrifice
or being baptized. God-fearers still held to a tight moral code and lived
almost virtually as Jews minus a few details.
Christians
today can learn much from the history between the Jews and the Gentiles of the
first century especially when they began to mix into the body of Christ. We
have to remember that just because someone is different from us that does not always
make them wrong, and that just as we bring in our understanding from our past
they are going to do the same from theirs. We just have to make sure that we do
not end up promoting a sectarian culture or trying to enforce rules upon other
people to worship God in manner that is not described/prescribed in the Bible.