God-Fearers

God-fearers were nations or peoples outside Israel.">Gentiles associated with Jewish worship and reverence for the God of Israel without necessarily completing formal proselyte conversion.
The exact terminology varies in ancient sources.

God-fearers could participate in synagogue life and demonstrate sympathy toward Jewish faith and ethics.
They should be distinguished from full proselytes.

Several figures or groups in Acts appear in this category.
Important passages include:
• Acts 10:2
• Acts 13:16
• Acts 13:26
• Acts 13:43
• Acts 16:14
• Acts 17:4
• Acts 18:7
Cornelius is particularly significant.
Acts 10 describes him as:
"a devout man who feared God."

God-fearers represent an important bridge between synagogue communities and the growing Gentile mission.
Their familiarity with Israel's Scriptures would have provided important context for apostolic preaching.