The Judaized pagans of these urban synagogues thus presented the apostles with a startling new opportunity. Once the apostles brought their testimony to the synagogue, they not only persuaded some of its Jews to repent and to immerse in Jesus’ name in preparation for the coming of the Kingdom. They also persuaded some of its associated pagans, who likewise wanted to commit to this charismatic assembly. But how should these gentiles be integrated into the movement? Jesus himself had left no teachings on this matter. 

The apostles needed to improvise, and that is what they did. They drew upon that same prophetic paradigm within which the movement had always functioned: the expectation that, in the End, the nations too would renounce their false gods and worship the one true god alongside of Israel. Thus, apostles welcomed these pagans into their new assemblies too.

But there was one major proviso: these gentiles absolutely could not worship their own gods or sacrifice before their images anymore. By immersing in Jesus’ name, by receiving holy spirit, by being empowered to prophesy, to receive visions, to exorcise demons, to heal, these ex-pagan pagans had to shut the door on the old age and step into the new. Just as the original community back in Jerusalem represented a beachhead of the Kingdom, so too did these new non-Jewish members. By committing to Israel’s god alone, they were no longer pagans—and, thus, no longer godfearers: they were eschatological gentiles. What greater confirmation that the times were fulfilled, that the Kingdom of God truly was at hand?  

These ex-pagan pagans were walking into absolutely uncharted social territory. Like proselytes, they made an exclusive commitment to Israel’s god; unlike proselytes, they did not assume the bulk of Jewish tradition. Gentile men were not required to circumcise. They remained gentiles, which was precisely the point: God’s Kingdom was to encompass all humanity, Israel and the nations. Like god-fearers, these gentiles were still gentiles, that is, they retained their native ethnic status as non-Jews. Unlike god-fearers, they could no longer worship their native gods.  -Paula Fredricksen, When Christians Were Jews, p.123-124