. Luke emphasizes the continuity between Judaism and Christianity in a variety of ways. A good example is provided in his portrayal of the apostolic church. Again and again he reports the mass conversion of thousands of Jews (Acts 2:41; 4:4; 5:14; 9:42; 12:24; 13:43; 14:1; 17:12; 21:20). To a modern reader “conversion” implies a radical change in lifestyle and/or religion. This, however, was not necessarily the case with the earliest converts. The “many thousands”