Throughout the New Testament, various phrases are used to describe those people of God who make up the Lord's church
Individually, they are referred to as disciples, saints, believers, priests, Christians, etc.
Collectively, they are called the church, the church of God, churches of Christ, the body of Christ, the temple of God, the family of God, etc.
-- Each of these terms describe various relationships maintained by those who are Christians
An interesting phrase not commonly used in reference to the people of God is found in1Pe 1:1, where Peter addresses "the pilgrims of the Dispersion"
A proper understanding of this phrase can be very beneficial, and give us insight into:
What the Christian life is
An important responsibility expected of Christians
Our true home, and goal in this life
[Let's start by...]
DEFINING "PILGRIMS OF THE DISPERSION"
THE WORD TRANSLATED "PILGRIM" IS INTERESTING...
Transliterated from Grk., it is parepidemos {par-ep-id'-ay-mos} which is a combination of three words:
para - "alongside of"
epi - "upon"
demos - "used in Biblical Greek of the people of a heathen city" (Wuest)
Here, then, is how Thayer defines the word...
"one who comes from a foreign country into a city or land to reside there by the side of the natives"
"a stranger"
"sojourning in a strange place, a foreigner"
"in the NT metaph. in reference to heaven as the native country, one who sojourns on earth: so of Christians (1 Pe 1:1)...of the patriarchs (He 11:13)."
Another definition: "One who stays in a place as a stranger or visitor; to describe Christians whose final citizenship is in heaven and who are regarded as temporary dwellers on earth." (Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia Of The Bible)
THE MEANING OF THE WORD "DISPERSION"...
The Greek word is diaspora {dee-as-por-ah'}
It is noun form of the verb diaspeiro
Which means "to sow, to scatter seed"
The term is found inJn 7:35, and there it refers to the Jews who were scattered among the Greeks
As a result of the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities
This has caused some to conclude that Peter was writing to Jewish Christians
Who were living in the regions of Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) - cf.1Pe 1:1
But there is good reason to believe that Peter was writing to ALL the Christians, both Jewish and Gentile, who were scattered throughout Asia Minor
Comments are made in this epistle that cannot be understood in reference to the original recipients being Jews - cf.1Pe 1:14,18,20-21
More likely, Peter employs terms once limited to the Jews, but now applicable to all who are in Christ
For example, terms like "elect" (1Pe 1:2), "holy nation" (1Pe 2:9), "people of God" (1Pe 2:10)
Even as Paul did: "circumcision" (Php 3:3), "Israel of God" (Ga 6:16)
If this be so, then Peter implies by using the term "pilgrims of the dispersion" that all Christians are:
Pilgrims living in a world not their own
Like scattered seed, spread out among those in the world
[With this understanding of the phrase, "pilgrims of the dispersion," we can now draw insights that are implied by it...]
INSIGHTS FROM BEING CALLED "PILGRIMS OF THE DISPERSION"
THIS PHRASE REVEALS WHAT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE REALLY IS...
It is but a JOURNEY, begun when we first became Christians, ending only when we reach our true destination
This ought to affect our entire perspective on life
It is not an end in itself
Only a temporary trip toward our final destination
Our homes, our jobs, take on a different meaning when viewed in this light
This ought to affect our perspective on death
Not the end of life, but the end of our journey!
Not the end of life, but the beginning of eternity in our true home!
Embarked on this JOURNEY, we become like our spiritual father, Abraham