| Sumario: | The discussion concerning the God-fearers of the first centuries C.E. seemed to have come to a dead end. But in 1987, the situation changed when an inscription from Aphrodisias was published containing more than 50 persons who were called Theosebeis /God-worshippers. Since then, a vivid discussion has taken place and it is time for a re-evaluation of this important publication. Meanwhile, it has turned out that the stele of Aphrodisias contains two different texts, independent from each other and deriving from different dates (the 4 th and 5 th centuries CE). It is argued that in both texts the term ‘God-worshipper’ is used in different ways – as a designation for a mere social relationship (on the front side) and as a designation for a religious commitment (on the left side). Going back to earlier periods, Theosebeis-inscriptions from Tralles and Sardes are discussed. Concerning the Acts of the Apostles it is acknowledged that Luke indeed draws a literary picture when he uses the ‘God-worshippers’ (as he does when uses the proselytes), but it is maintained that this picture has its equivalence in the social and religious world of Luke and his readers.
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