Proselyte

PROSELYTE. This Term comes from Πεοσήλυ -τος. גר Ger. נכר Necher.the Greek Word Proselytos, which signifies a Stranger, one that comes from Abroad, or from another Place. The Hebrew Word Ger or Necher, has the same Signification. In the Language of the Jews they go by this Name, who come to dwell in their Country, or who embrace their Religion, though they are not Jews by Birth. In the New Testament they are call’d sometimes Proselytes, and sometimes Gentiles, fearing God, or Godly. Viri religiosi & timentes Deum.

Acts ii. 5. x. 2, 22. xiii. 16, 50.The Hebrews distinguish two Kinds of Proselytes. The first are called Proselytes of the Gate, and the others, Proselytes of Justice. The first are those that dwelt in the Land of Israel, or even out of this Country, and who, without obliging themselves to Circumcision, or to any other Ceremony of the Law, fear’d and worshipp’d the true God, observing the Rules that were imposed upon the Children of Noah, which we have already enumerated under the Article NOACHIDES. Of this Number was Naaman the Syrian, Nebuzardan General of Nebuchadnezzar’s Army, Cornelius the Centurion, the Eunuch of Queen Candace, and some others, of whom mention is made in the Acts of the Apostles.

The Rabbins teach, that in order to make a Proselyte of Habitation, or of the Gate, he that would enter into this Engagement, xi. 35, &c.must promise with an Oath, in the Presence of three Witnesses, to keep the seven Precepts of the Noachidæ; that is, according to them, that Law of Nature to which all the Nations of the World are obliged, and the Observation of which might bring them to eternal Salvation. The Jews say, That the Proselytes of the Gate have ceased in Israel, ever since the Observation of the Jubilee has been left off, and that the Tribes of Gad, of Reuben, and of Manasseh, abiding on the other Side of Jordan, were led away Captive by Tiglath -pileser. But these Observations are not just, since we see many Proselytes in the Time of Jesus Christ, and that our Saviour reproaches Matt. xxiii. 15.the Pharisees with compassing Sea and Land to make a Proselyte, and after this, with making him a greater Sinner than he was before. And St. Luke in the Acts speaks of a great Number of Proselytes, and those that fear’d God, that were Acts ii. 11.then at Jerusalem, when the Holy Ghost descended upon the Apostles. I am apt to believe, that the greatest Part of these were Proselytes of Justice; but it cannot be deny’d but that some of them might be Proselytes of the Gate.

The Privileges of Proselytes of the Gate were, first, that by the Observation of the Rules of natural Justice, and by Exemption from Idolatry, Blasphemy, Incest, Adultery, and Murder, they might have Pretensions to eternal Life. Secondly, they might dwell in the Land of Israel, and have a Share in the outward Prosperities of the People of God. ‘Tis said they did not dwell in the Cities, but only in the Suburbs and the Villages. But it is certain, that the Jews have often admitted voluntarily into their Cities, not only Proselytes of Habitation, but also Gentiles and Idolaters, as appears by the Reproaches they suffer’d on this account, through the whole Scriptures. In the time of Solomon there were in Israel One hundred Fifty-three thousand and Six 2 Chron. ii. 17, 18.hundred of these Proselytes, whom this Prince compell’d to hew Wood, to draw and to cut Stones, and to carry Burthens for the Building of the Temple. These Proselytes were Canaanites, who had continued in the Country ever since Joshua’s Time. Deut. xiv. 21.Moses forbad the Israelites to eat any Animals that died of themselves, or were strangled, so that the Blood remain’d in them, but order’d them to sell or give such Animals to the Strangers and Proselytes.

The Proselytes of Justice, are those that were converted to Judaism, who had engaged themselves to receive Circumcision, and to observe the whole Law of Moses. Thus were they admitted to all the Prerogatives of the People of the Lord, as well in this Life as the other. The Rabbins inform us, that before Circumcision was administred Vide Seld. de Syned. l. 2. c. 2. art. 5.ministred to them, and before they were admitted into the Religion of the Hebrews, they were examin’d about the Motives of their Conversion; to know whether their Change was voluntary, or whether it proceeded from any Reasons of Interest, Fear, Ambition, or such like. Maimonides assures us, that under the happy Reigns of David and Solomon, they received no Proselyte of Justice, because there was Reason to fear, that it was rather the Prosperity of these Princes, than any Love to their Religion, that made them Converts to Judaism. The Talmudists say, that Proselytes are as it were the Canker and Rust of Israel, and that too much Caution cannot be taken not to admit them too easily.

When the Proselyte was well proved and instructed, they gave him Circumcision; and when the Wound of his Circumcision was healed, they gave him Baptism, by plunging his whole Body into a Cistern of Water, by one only Immersion. This Ceremony being a judicial Act, was to be Vide Seld. de Jure Nat. & Gent. l. 2. c. 2, 3.perform’d in the Presence of three Judges, and could not be done upon a Festival Day. The Proselyte also caus’d Circumcision and Baptism to be administer’d to his Slaves, who had not yet compleated thirteen Years of Age. But those that were so old or older, could not be compell’d, but he must sell them to others, if they were obstinate in not embracing Judaism. As to Female Slaves, they were only to be baptized, if they would become Converts, if not, they were to be sold to others. The Baptism that a Proselyte had once received, was never repeated, neither in the Person of the Proselyte, though he should afterwards apostatize, nor in that of his Children, that should be born to him after Baptism, unless they were born from a Pagan Woman; in which Case they were to be baptized as Pagans, because they follow’d the Condition of their Mother. Partus sequitur ventrem.

Boys that had not yet compleated the twelfth Year of their Age, and Girls that had not arrived to their thirteenth Year, could not become Proselytes, till they had first obtained the Consent of their Parents, or in Case of Refusal, the Concurrence of the Officers of Justice. Baptism in respect of Girls, had the same Effect as Circumcision in respect of Boys. Each of them by means of this, received (as it were) a new Birth, so that those that were their Parents before, were no longer look’d upon as such after this Ceremony, and those that before were Slaves, now became Freemen. Children born before the Conversion of their Father had no Right to inherit. If a Proselyte died without having had Children after his Conversion, his Estate belong’d to the first Occupier, and not to the publick Treasury. When Proselytes became Jews, they received from Heaven a new Soul, and a new substantial Form. This is what the Rabbins teach concerning their Proselytes of Justice. They require three Things in a compleat Proselyte, which are Baptism, Circumcision, and Sacrifice;¹ but for Women only Baptism and Sacrifice. ‘Tis thought that our Saviour made Allusion to the baptizing of Proselytes, when he John iii. 5, 10.told Nicodemus, that for those that would obey the Law, it was necessary they should be born again. Except a Man be born of Water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. And when Nicodemus appear’d surprized at this Doctrine, our Saviour says to him, Art thou a Master of Israel, and knowest not these Things? As though he would insinuate, that what he had now told him had nothing extraordinary in it, since the Baptism of Proselytes was a thing practised every Day in Israel.

Deut. xxiii. 1, 2, 3, &c.Moses in Deuteronomy, excludes certain Persons from the Privileges of the People of Israel, or, as he there speaks, from the Congregation of the Lord. Some for ever, and others only for a certain time. All Eunuchs, in whatsoever manner they became so, are excluded for ever. Bastards, or illegitimate Children were not to be admitted till after the tenth Generation. The Moabites and Ammonites were in the same Circumstances. He received the Egyptians and Idumeans after the second Generation. It was allow’d to these Persons to be converted to the Lord, and to become Proselytes, when they pleased. The Door of Conversion was always open to them. Johannes Hircanus Prince of the Jews,² compelled the Idumeans to be circumcised, and to embrace the Law of Moses; and from this time, says Josephus, they were look’d upon as Jews. Achior Prince of the Ammonites,³ became also a Jew, without any other Preparation than that of being instructed in what he was to believe and observe in this Religion: Therefore the Power of being converted was not taken away from these Nations, but they were not admitted to Offices or Employments, to Dignities and the other external Prerogatives of the People of God, till after a certain time, and till they had given sufficient Proofs of their Perseverance in the true Religion.

The Hebrews believe, that the Populace of Egypt, that follow’d the Israelites, when they Exod. xii. 38.left that Country, vulgus promiscuum innumerabile ascendit cum eis, were all Converts and Proselytes of Justice: They Exodus xviii. 10, 11, 12. Gen.xxxiv 14, 15.will have it, that Jethro the Father-in- Law of Moses had also embraced their Religion. Jacob admitted the Shechemites for Proselytes, by only requiring that they should receive Circumcision. Some Rabbins inform us, that in the Time of Solomon they receiv’d the Gentiles to Judaism by Baptism only, because of the great Number that then became Converts. But others acquaint us, as before observed, that then they would admit of no Proselytes in Israel. If he that presented himself to be admitted as a Convert had already been circumcised, they contented themselves with just opening the Scar left after Circumcision, so as to draw a few Drops of Blood. As to the Sacrifices that the Proselyte was to offer, I observe, that Jethro the Father-in-Law Exodus xviii. 12.of Moses offered Burnt-Offerings and Peace-Offerings to the Lord. ‘Tis said, that anciently the Proselytes offered for a Burnt-Offering a Sacrifice of large Cattle, or two Turtles, or two young Pigeons: But as now, for a long Time, the Jews have neither Temple nor Altar, they do not oblige their Proselytes to offer Sacrifices. Upon this Head the Reader may consult Selden, de Jure Naturali & Gentium, l. 2. c. 2, 3, 5, 6. and de Synedriis, l. 1. c. 3, 4. and de Successione in Bona, c. 26. and Basnage’s History of the Jews, tom. 5. l. 7. c. 8. Paris Edition; and Leo of Modena, Ceremonies of the Jews, p. 5. c. 3. And upon the Baptism of Proselytes, and the other Ceremonies of their Conversion, see Lightfoot upon St. John, chap. iii.

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