An Uncomfortable Challenge: Lessons for Today’s Diasporas from the First Century Diaspora

Abstract

The global trend of increasing population movement has significant implications for missions. Many of these diaspora communities have significant percentages of Christians who live among populations where Christianity is not thriving. This article looks at the first century Jewish diaspora as an example of a diaspora community that served as a conduit of the gospel to the surrounding majority population. The ways in which a diaspora community intentionally assimilates and acculturates can create opportunities for the diaspora Christians to be vessels of the gospel to large populations with little access to the gospel.