Christianity is About Changing Lives: Rev. Abraham

Rev. R. Abraham, National Secretary of Pentecostal Fellowship of India, is no ordinary person. He has been serving the Lord ever since Jesus found him leading a reckless and sinful life and is perhaps one of the most dynamic and visionary preachers the Pentecostal Churches of India have ever known. Indeed, he cherishes a vision of uniting them so that they can be frontrunners in bringing about the progress and development in India. Recently he was in the news for having initiated and organized a worship festival in New Delhi, an event that witnessed thousands rededicating their lives to the Lord and confirming their faith. This devoted servant of the Lord spared some of his invaluable time to share his dreams, hope and vision with the Christian Today team that was a witness to the revival.

Was the recent event the first of its kind to be ever held in Delhi or India in terms of magnitude? Is this event the first of its kind to be organized by you?

Ans: No. Ever since we had formed the Pentecostal Fellowship of India in 1990, we have held combined worship services six times. The one held in Kerala saw more than 8000 believers gather and the one held in Shillong saw over 6000 believers attending it. So in terms of magnitude this is neither the first nor the biggest. But it is significant as for the first time so many believers gathered in the capital of India and most of them were from the city itself.

What is the reason behind organizing combined festivals?

Ans: These days all of us are happy doing our own things and are committed to our own churches and organizations. The combined worship programs break that mould and bring everyone together and let us realize that we can cooperate and do something together and accomplish a common cause for the Lord.

What was your feeling on seeing so many believers turn up?

Answer: We were very thrilled. It is wonderful to watch so many come and unite and worship God. It is an indication of something greater to come in later days. We will be making this an annual event from now on.

Do you think that the churches of today are engaged more in the number game rather than concentrating on the lives of those being saved?

Answer: It is true that everyone have a craving of having large number of believers in his church. To accomplish that, sometimes people use methods that may not help the believer in reaching the Lord and make them mere pawns in the number game. However, it is true that there are thousands of unknown pastors and missionaries out there, who brave all danger and risk their lives to go and spread the Gospel where no man has gone ever before.

What is your vision for India?
Ans.: I believe that this nation will see a revival. False propaganda against us, by groups of people who say that we are trying to change the culture and destroy the tradition, must stop. The Gospel is going to be in addition to what we have and not change the existing structure except change the hearts.

Christians have always been accused of forcible conversion…how far do you think that this statement is true?

Ans.: I ask you – how do you define conversion? Let’s say that I feed and clothe a man that I see lying hungry and unconscious on the streets. He asks me who I am. I say that I am a pastor. Then he asks me why did I do this, when thousands of others have walked by? And I tell him about the love and kindness our Lord has for the people. And he tells me that he wants to come to my church. Is this an allurement or inducement? We cannot force anyone. Christianity cannot grow that way. However, I do not deny that there may be some stray incidents of forcible conversion, but they are definitely rare.

It is alleged that the converted are forced to accept a new culture, a new tradition…is it true?

Ans.: Absolutely not. The Gospel is about repentance and inviting Jesus Christ to one’s heart. It brings about the change of your relationship with God. We are not asking anyone to change his clothes, speak in English or eat western food. We are not compelling anyone to eat meat, those who are vegetarians. Christianity will complement Indian culture and not contradict it. Jesus Christ said, “I am here to fulfill the law, not to abolish it.” We, Indians, are proud of our culture and nation. Christianity is not in the business of changing cultures of people or their traditions. We are in the business of changing hearts and lives.

What agenda the Christians should take up to solve the misunderstanding of their brothers?

Answer: We must sit together with those who misunderstand us, minimize the tension and live in harmony. The media has an important role to play. Sometimes stories of conversion are exaggerated far beyond reality. Or take for instance, if a Christian is beaten up, we place the blame squarely on the hard–line Hindu activists. Sometimes it may be true and sometimes it may be a simple case of theft or robbery. But by that time, all the papers and Christian organizations say that Hindu militants have done it. What I am saying is that we should be firm and only stick to the truth. If we have firm conviction of what we have been called for, then there is nothing to worry.

Is Christianity any different from other religions?

Ans.: Unlike any other religion that is man–made, Christianity is the way of Life. All religion teaches us to be good and no religion condones sin. All religion teaches us to connect with God. So they tell us to search for and find God. In this country, you will find people walking miles, meditating by the side of river Ganges or at the foothills of Himalayas, burning incense, etc. But this search for God will never be fulfilled for man can never find God. Can the finite find the infinite? On the other hand, Christianity is teaching us that God came in search of man and found him. That is the basic difference. We preach that God came to this earth and took the form of man so that He can be one among us and died for us though He was blameless and sinless. And He took upon Himself our sins and through Him our sins are forgiven.. The Bible says that the righteous will live by faith and not through his deeds, efforts or works. So we say that stop searching for God, for He is here, nearer than you think, you do not need to take any holy trips, holy dips. So that is what makes Christianity unique. Man has found God for God came in search of him.

Surojee Chatterjee