Our goal in this Midrash (Study) is to show by Scripture context, Historical references, Hebrew and Greek word definition(s), that throughout the Book of Acts those who accepted the Mashiach (Messiah) and the Ruach HaKodesh (Spirit) from Shavuot (Feast of Weeks/Pentecost) forward, were believers already in the Elohim of Israel.
This study will guide us through the types of believers or converts the Emissaries/Apostles reached; and that all these believers or converts had the following in common beforehand:
- Worshipers of Elohim of Israel
- Torah keeping (instructions written in the books of Moshe/Moses including sabbath, alms/deeds giving, daily prayer times, kosher and feast keeping)
We will also show in this study:
- Those who were repenting of sins, were repenting of missing the goal of Torah (Mashiach/Messiah)
- Those who accepted Mashiach/Messiah continued in the Torah keeping (instructions written in the books of Moshe/Moses including sabbath, alms/deeds giving, daily prayer times, kosher and feast keeping)
As we dig into the Book of Acts, you will find that all believers or converts had one of the following backgrounds:
1. Yahudi (Judean---erroneously called Jews in the KJV)
2. Proselyte (traditionally called ger tsedeq): typically, an individual from the House of Israel, i.e. a non- Yahudi by birth, who revered the Elohim of Israel, associated himself with the Yahudi community, and underwent formal conversion to become a Yahudi. (circumcision)
3. G-d-fearer (traditionally called ger sha’ar or “proselyte of the gate”): typically, an individual from the House of Israel who revered the Elohim of Israel, associated himself with the Yehudi community, but chose not to do conversion (circumcision) to become a Yehudi. Also called gentiles, devout men or worshipper of G-d
Finally, to really understand this study or even Matthew through Revelation, one must understand the background of Ephraim and House of Israel; and the House of Yahudah.
*In this study we will use Hebrew and Greek definitions, and the KJV and ISR versions of scripture*
The Converts of Acts Chapter 2
Who were they? According Act 2:5 “And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven”. KJV
Let’s look at the word dwelling in this text. It has the Greek word G2730 as katoikeo which translates to Jews of the dispersion who had taken up their abode at Jerusalem. In other words, they use to live elsewhere, but has now made Jerusalem their home.
Devout men. As stated in the Introduction, these are G-d -fearers (an individual from the House of Israel who revered the Elohim of Israel, and associated themselves with the Yahudi community, but chose not to do conversion (circumcision) to become a Yehudi).
Where did the Devout men come from? Out of every nation as listed in Act 2:9-11.. Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians.
Act 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: KJV
Notice who Kefa (Peter) addresses at the beginning of his message “to the Yehudi/Jew and to those dwelling/living in Jerusalem”. Later in Acts 2:22, Kefa called them all, “men of Israel.”
Further, he proclaimed to “all the House of Israel” – the House of Judah and the House of Israel – that Yahushua is the promised Messiah (Acts 2:36). From this we can see that the proselytes were people from the previously exiled House of Israel returning to their heritage.
Reference what Kefa (Peter) said, “For the promise is unto you [the House of Judah] and to your children, and to all that are afar off” (Acts 2:39) KJV. Kefa used the phrase “all that are a far off”, this indicates a reference to the House of Israel.
Reference Daniel’s prayer during the Babylonian captivity: see Dan 9:7 “O Yah, to You is the righteousness, and to us the shame of face, as it is this day – to the men of Yehuḏah, to the inhabitants of Yerushalayim and all Yisra’ĕl, those near and those far off in all the lands to which You have driven them, because of their trespass which they have trespassed against You.
Therefore, we see that the early talmidim (disciples) who were immersed (Acts 2:41) on Shavuot were from the two houses of Israel. The Yehudi/Jew, i.e. those from the House of Judah, were either native Yehudi’s/Judeans or those born in other lands. The proselytes, i.e. those from the House of Israel, were those who had undergone formal conversion to become Yehudi/Jew to attach themselves to Israel (Ephesians 2:12) again.
Summary of Chapter 2 – all were already believers and worshipers of Elohim who were observing the Feast of Shavuot (following Torah instructions Debarim/Deut 16:9-11), and who were filled with the Ruach and accepted Messiah.
Acts 6 - Nicolas of Antioch
In Acts 6, Luqas/Luke wrote about a dispute that developed between the Hellenized/Greek speaking Yehudi and the Hebraic Yehudi, regarding the daily ministry toward the widows. To resolve the conflict, the emissaries/apostles appointed seven men for the care of the widows. Act 6:5-ISR “And the word pleased the entire group. And they chose Stephanos, a man filled with belief and the Set-apart Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nikanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nikolaos, a convert from Antioch, ”. Nicolas, was a convert/proselyte – a non-Yehudi who had undergone formal conversion (circumcision) to become a Yehudi. He had been raised in Antioch, Syria – the former capital of the Greek Seleucid Empire, a city about three hundred miles north of Jerusalem.
Summary of Chapter 6 regarding Nicolas – a proselyte already filled with the Ruach and accepted Messiah, a believer and worshiper of Elohim, and observing the Feast of Shavuot (following Torah instructions Debarim/Deut 16:9-11).
Acts 10 - Cornelius
Approximately nine years after the death and resurrection of Yahushua, (c. A.D. 40) Kefa/Peter encountered a man named Cornelius.
“Act 10:1-2-KJV There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared G-d with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to G-d alway. ”.
There’s several things in these verses that I want to point out about Cornelius.
He was a devout man. As stated previously in this study; this means he was an individual from the House of Israel who revered the Elohim of Israel, associated himself with the Yehudi community, but chose not to do conversion (circumcision) to become a Yehudi.
He gave much alms to the people. From Matt 6, Luke 11, Luke 12, and the Book of Acts shows that the act of giving alms is referencing giving to the poor Yehudi. This shows that Cornelius practiced what all Yehudi practiced.
He prayed to G-d always. Compare this act to Act 10:3-KJV “He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him... This shows that Cornelius prayed at the hour of prayer that only a Yehudi prayed (the ninth hour of the day – approximately 3:00 p.m. (Acts 10:30-KJV And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house).
Now let’s look at what Kefa said in Acts 10:34-35-KJV Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that G-d is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
By saying that Cornelius “worked righteousness”, Kefa is telling us that Cornelius kept the Torah (Debarim/Deuteronomy 6:25, Tehillim/Psalm 119:142, 172, and Yeshayahu/Isaiah 51:7).
Act 10:44-45 -KJV While Peter yet spake these words, the H-ly Gh-st fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the H-ly Gh-st.
*The Christian word gentiles is a word that shouldn’t be used because it confuses a lot of people to think that it refers to "people who have no knowledge of Elohim or does not practice Torah keeping". But to properly understand who is a gentile and how they relate to Elohim, one must understand Ephraim and his relationship to Israel.
Summary of Chapter 10 regarding Cornelius –already a believer and worshiper of Elohim, and observing the practices of alms giving and scheduled prayers times; got filled with the Ruach and accepted Messiah. He was not a person that had no knowledge of Elohim!!!
Acts 13 – The Cities of Antioch and Pisidia
Sha’ul/Paul and Bar-Nabba/Barnabas was sent out and traveled to the Asia-Minor region.
Act 13:14-16 - KJV But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel and ye that fear G-d, give audience.
Notice the day and audience Sha’ul/Paul is addressing; sabbath, Men of Israel (Yehudi), and ye that fear G-d (an individual from the House of Israel who revered the Elohim of Israel, associated himself with the Yehudi community, but chose not to do conversion (circumcision) to become a Yehudi).
Act 13:42-43-KJV And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of G-d.
Also notice in these verses what Luqas/Luke call some sabbath attendees, gentiles.
Act 13:47-48 For so hath the L-rd commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the L-rd: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
What Sha’ul is saying in verses 47-48 is that he was called to reach the Gentile G-d-fearers or proselytes of the gate (House of Israel).
Summary of Chapter 13 regarding Antioch and Pisidia… the believers were
1. native-born Jews (House of Judah)
2. proselytes (House of Judah)
3. Gentile G-d-fearers or proselytes of the gate (House of Israel).
*It was to this group of believers, i.e. the “G-d-fearers” –righteous individuals from among the nations like Cornelius was a part of. Again, *The Christian word gentiles is a word that shouldn’t be used because it confuses a lot of people to think that it refers to "people who have no knowledge of Elohim or does not practice Torah keeping". But to properly understand who is a gentile and how they relate to Elohim, one must understand Ephraim and his relationship to Israel.
Acts 16 - Lydia of Thyatira
Act 16:14-15 -KJV And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped G-d, heard us: whose heart the L-rd opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the L-rd, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
A couple of things here:
- Lydia was already a worshiper of Elohim; this means she was a “G-d-fearer”, i.e. proselyte of the gate. A person that practice Torah keeping
- Elohim opened her heart to hear the teachings of Sha’ul about Mashiach
- She was immersed/baptized
Once again, we see that the so-called “Gentiles” who accepted the good news were proselytes of the gate, i.e. “Torah-observant” (or at the very least, “Torah-respectful”) individuals who associated themselves with the Jewish communities.
Acts 17 - Thessalonians and Bereans
Act 17:1-4 - KJV- Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
In Thessalonica - Who was attending sabbath with the Yehudi? Devout Greeks…proselytes of the gate (G-d-fearers) from the House of Israel. What happens on sabbath? Torah study.
Act 17:10-12 - KJV And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
In Berea - Who was attending sabbath with the Yehudi? Honorable Greeks…proselytes of the gate (G-d-fearers) from the House of Israel. What happens on sabbath? Torah study.
Acts 18 - Who Were the Corinthians?
Act 18:1-4 - KJV After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
In Corinth - Who was attending sabbath with the Yehudi? Greeks…proselytes of the gate (G-d-fearers) from the House of Israel. What happens on sabbath? Torah study.
Act 18:6 -7 – KJV And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped G-d, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.
After Sha’ul was not received by the Yehudim, he turned to the gentiles. Who was the gentiles? As previously proven, gentiles were people who revered the Elohim of Israel, associated himself with the Yehudi community, but chose not to do conversion (circumcision) to become a Yehudi. In this verse we see Sha’ul turned to Justus, one that worshipped G-d, who lived next door to the synagogue!
Conclusion:
The believers or converts the Emissaries/Apostles reached in the Book of Acts were beforehand all;
- Worshipers of Elohim of Israel already.
- Torah keepers (instructions written in the books of Moshe/Moses including sabbath, alms/deeds giving, daily prayer times, kosher and feast keeping).
- Repented of the sin of missing the goal of Torah (Mashiach/Messiah).
- Accepted Mashiach/Messiah, immersed and continued in what they were doing already keeping Torah (instructions written in the books of Moshe/Moses including sabbath, alms/deeds giving, daily prayer times, kosher and feast keeping).
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