A diaspora refers to a population of people dispersed from their original homeland across multiple regions. It describes a scattered group who maintain a strong cultural, emotional, or political connection to their ancestral home while living.

The Jewish Diaspora occurred primarily due to forced exile, military, defeats, and persecution by occupying empires. It started with the Babylonian exile in 586 BCE. That was followed by Roman conquest and destruction following the revolt against Roman rule, the Roman army destroyed the second temple and systematically forced them out of Judea, many of them were turned into slaves, being taken captive during that conquest. Jewish communities over the centuries, particularly during the dysphoria have faced, sustained often, violent, and tense situations and expulsion from countless countries across Europe and the Middle East, leading to further migration. We must make note of the fact that there was also some voluntary dispersion, which was driven by trade, commerce, and the settlement in major cities across the Roman empire. So by the first century significant Jewish communities were already established outside of Judea in areas like Egypt, Syria, and Babylonia, which allows for continued religious and cultural survival away from the holy land.

Now fast forward to and we find ourselves in the upper room, used to share the Last Supper and where his followers gathered after his ascension. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon them. It was here at this time, in this place where the birth of the Christian Church occurs. According to Acts 1, there were approximately 120 believers gathered in this upper room. Let’s take a look at the core group.  There were the 11 apostles, Mary, the mother of Jesus, the brothers of Jesus, and a group of faithful women who have followed Jesus from the very beginning. While the apostles are specifically highlighted in the narrative the entire group of 120 believers were present and empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak in other tongues.

Most all Christians are aware of the story about Pentecost that we read in Acts, but as the Pew often does, we are going to go beyond the words. We’ll start by first remembering the apostle Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, which can be read in Acts 2:14–41. Peter’s sermon was quite a breakthrough for the Christian faith. It was the first major proclamation of the Christian church. There was an international crowd in Jerusalem, and Peter explained that the Holy Spirits arrival fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy of Joel. He then testified to Jesus’, life, death and resurrection, declaring him both Lord and Messiah. Peter’s message impacted many of his listeners, powerful it led to the baptism of about 3000 people and effectively marked the birth of the Christian church. Those in the upper room spilled into the streets and were accused of being drunk, and they made fun of them, but when the Holy Spirit arrived believers began speaking in tongues and causing amazement and confusion, and their amazement and joy went with them into that street, and it was at this point that the people accuse them of being drunk, and Peter stepped forward. Peter, stepped forward with the other apostles and defended the believers. He noted. It was only 9 o’clock in the morning and they were not intoxicated. He gave them an explanation for this miraculous event, he highlighted that God was pouring out his spirit on all people, regardless of age, gender, or social status to empower them in the last days. This is a rather remarkable speech that Peter made after being empowered by the Holy Spirit he recounted the early ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, he highlighted the miracles, wonders and signs that have been performed. Then he confronted the crowd directly studying that they handed Jesus over to be crucified by lawless men, so Peter explained God’s plan. Then Peter quoted King David from songs 16:8–11…. He reminded the crowd that David died and was buried, but prophesies that the Messiah would not see corruption. Peter testified that God raised Jesus from the dead and exalted him to the right hand of God. It is remarkable that Peter and the other apostles step forward to confront this crowd, and the result was even more remarkable. They were deeply convicted by his words, and they asked Peter and the other apostles “what shall we do”. Peter told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins promising they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. As we have written earlier that the Bible records about 3000 people who accepted that message  and were baptized and devoted themselves to the apostles, teaching and fellowship.

This takes us to the present day and the explanation about that Christian Diaspora.  As we shared with you earlier at the very first of this blog, the definition says…  

A diaspora refers to a population of people dispersed from their original homeland across multiple regions. It describes a scattered group who maintain a strong cultural, emotional, or political connection to their ancestral home while living.

These people had fled in fear, and also in hopes of survival in a world that was hostile, not only to them as a people, but as to their customs and faith. What happens at Pentecost is the beginning of the Christian Diaspora, but this scattering of God’s people,  this going out among other nations, and this taking their customs and their faith with them was one of faith, joy, and hope for the world. Just as our ancestors and those before them had carried their faith and their customs with them wherever they were dispersed to, and he kept them alive through their faith and perseverance now the Christian church was standing up, moving out and taking with them God’s word just as they had been instructed to do, but as I wrote a few words ago, it was quite a different diaspora. For the first time in a long time they had hope and their faith strengthened by the Holy Spirit took them and lifted them up from their despair or suffering, and gave them a chance to once again be whole. I wrote a blog sometime ago about where these apostles went the countries and cities and towns, and all the areas that they covered following Jesus’s command to go forth and take the word, they did just that. The followers that had been with Jesus from the very beginning, they too continued on telling everyone they could about this new faith this new way a better way the good news… however, you want to phrase it so as we celebrate Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit dwelling upon us, giving us hope for the future, we must remember that that call then is alive and well today and we go forth in quite a different attitude. God bless and thank you for joining us this week in The Pew.

Life is Good

jk