About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.—Acts 13:1–12

Selected Notes ...

• Diaspora People on Mission
• How Grace Transforms Community of Diaspora People
• Diaspora People on Mission 

Acts 13 doesn’t just appear in mid-air. There are mechanisms to get Christians out. And most of it is forced by God. This isn’t necessarily purposeful missionary sending—it is God pushing people out. We don’t see people who made decisions to go out based on the direction of the apostles. That is one of the unique features of Christian faith—it is more a movement in that it is spontaneous and dynamic, without top-down bureaucratic decision making all the time. Interesting that when the Christians were under the leadership of the apostles, there is not a lot of movement outward. It is worth pondering how people are attracted to the main teachers and have a hard time going out. In fact, I want you to consider whether the only way you think of missions and people being sent by God is through churches training and appointing missionaries.

Craig Ott lists four aspects of diaspora and relocation in relation to mission as witness from the book of Acts. As you read the book of Acts consider each of them:

1. Involuntary scattering of Christians who become bearers of the gospel in new locales
2. Relocation of non-Christians who thereby come into proximity to the gospel
3. Diaspora communities that provide an entry point for the gospel
4. Diaspora as a preparation for gospel messengers

There is in a sense, “Reverse missions” happening right now. It is defined as “those from the former mission fields such as Africa, the Caribbean, Asia and South America sending missionaries and engaging in cross-cultural mission to the Western world.”

There is also a movement of non-Christians, primarily Muslims, coming into Europe and the U.S. And these are tricky issues because they get caught up in immigration law debate. I don’t want to derail us, but I just want to add one anecdote … I was with American missionaries in a country where a lot of immigrants were coming in. They found themselves sharing the gospel with many of them, leading people to Christ all the time, and I asked one of them once, a very politically conservative guy whether he would do the same type of work here in the U.S.—without even blinking he said no. He said no. I want you to ponder why someone who could give his life in a country far away to share the gospel with people who had never heard it would not get involved in doing something similar here in the U.S.

Here is the picture of the gospel spread:
Gospel starts in Jerusalem. Believers end up in Antioch due to persecution from Saul. Antioch church grows. Gentiles are coming to faith. Barnabas goes up to help. Recruits Saul … who is the cause of believers being their in the first place. And now ... That church, founded by the believers persecuted by Saul now send him out as the missionary! It hasn’t been that long. Some of them would have been the original founders of the church!

And so full circle now. The church of Antioch was founded by diaspora Christians forced to move due to persecution. The church is transformed into a community of Christians from places all over the Roman world. And after a time the Holy Spirit directs them to send out their top two guys on mission for the sake of the gospel.

This is the story we are caught up in. This is our identity. And I end with this. In his letter, the apostle Peter addresses the Christians as “chosen exiles.” Or chosen sojourners. That is chosen—all God’s blessings are ours in Christ. Exiles—outside of the power structures. It would be good for all of us to embrace this identity. You might find yourself more easily able to see diaspora people around you. Open your eyes.