India: Behind the Scenes
Date: June 07, 2010 | Author: Albert Kienle
India, officially the Republic of India, is a huge mission field in South Asia. It is the seventh largest country by geographical area, the second most populous country with over 1.18 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world. India has a coastline of 7,517 kilometres (4,700 mi).
Home to the Indus Valley Civilization and a region of historic trade routes and vast empires, the Indian subcontinent was identified with its commercial and cultural wealth for much of its long history. Four major religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism originated here, while Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam arrived in the first millennium AD and shaped the region's diverse culture. India became an independent nation in 1947 after a struggle for independence that was marked by widespread non-violent resistance.India is the world's eleventh largest economy by nominal GDP and the fourth largest by purchasing power parity. Economic reforms since 1991 have transformed it into one of the fastest growing economies in the world. A recent CBC documentary highlights how modern India has become. Behind this modernity lies lives and scenes of poverty, illiteracy, corruption, disease, and demonism.
According to Indian Christian traditions, the apostle Thomas arrived in Kodungallur, Kerala, established churches and evangelized in present day Kerala and Tamil Nadu. There are several Christian missions in India today evangelizing, establishing churches, growing Christians, and assisting communities in social betterment.
Christians have been accused of attempting to change the cultural dynamics of the people they engage. Despite its forward push India is backward in many ways, finding it hard to break with its past, in part due to its pagan religious beliefs with 3.3 billion gods. Please read this most recent missionary report and then determine whether anything needs changing, if the people are satisfied with their lot, and if the life changing Gospel needs to be preached.
What we witnessed and what we saw we are still trying to put into words on our India high place tour. Jeremiah 50:38: "A drought is against her waters, and they will be dried up. For it is the land of carved images, And they are insane with their idols." When we arrived we went into factories and watched men make idols and pray to them. The Lord was faithful to take us to a gate of hell to pray for the souls that are all day long offered in a fire sacrifice to the Hindu gods of the dead. They would light the bodies with a flame they said is eternal using a devils pitch fork as they chanted an offering of the soul to the Hindu gods. The land owner said at least 300 dead bodies are being burned daily with cow dung for luck as they believe the cows-bulls are god. The ashes thrown into the Ganga river, another god. Other dead bodies are being tied with bricks and thrown into the river directly. Later when they wash ashore on the island across the rabid dogs, bats and bugs eat them.
As we rode in the motor boat and saw floating bodies, bodies washing ashore with such filth as cows and people were being baptized right next to the bodies believing there sins were forgiven. There was a hostel there where people were waiting to die to be burned in the fire as an offering. We had to walk through sewage to get to the golden temple, the great temple of Hindu to push the pillars. Judges 16:28, With one blow, Lord, remember and take vengeance on the enemy for blinding the people. Samson pushed with all of his might and the temple of Dagon fell. It is time for us as an army to push with all of our might. Push, push, push and know with one blow God is going to move mightily in our midst. Please pray for us as we put together graphic video and teachings, including our India outreach and the importance of the declaration of Jeremiah 50-51, "Proclaim and declare in the Nations Babylon is fallen, her idols and images are crushed in judgment". After seeing so much death, we came back weeping in gratefulness we serve the Living God, the Lord of Life and immortality. Yes Lord, the gates of hell will not prevail and upon this rock you will build your Church.
When Jesus said, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature, He had India in mind. (Mark 16:15)
There are six distinct features to the Great Commission as recorded in Matthew 28:16-20:
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
- Availability. The disciples went to the place Jesus instructed them.
- Focus. Their focus was Christ, in worship and service; their weakness became His strength.
- Submission. They submitted to His purposes.
- Obedience. They obeyed instructions.
- Power. His Presence became their ability.
- Perhaps the defining uniqueness of the Great Commission is our "Amen" to it; without it we won't do much or go far!
Amen.
Note: Several have expressed appreciation for my blogs. Your comments can be sent to akienle@sasktel.net. Thank you.
