Rongmei Christian Centenary: A Time For Re-assuring One's Salvation

Jimmy Pamei *

"How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him". (Hebrews 2:3) It's now hundred years that the Rongmei have embraced Christianity. This religion has brought many changes in the lives of the Rongmei people, and the Zeliangrong tribes too.

It also has overhauled many customs of these tribes, shedding even many beautiful elements of their forefathers' long held traditions handed down undeterred for hundreds of years. However, for time being these people have also seen a great Light of Salvation shining upon them.

The Gospel reached the Naga Hills of the North East India in 1872 in the Angami area and the Zeliangrong tribal areas in 1885. This Gospel came to Imphal in 1894, and to the Ukhrul and Churachandpur in 1895 and 1896 respectively. The first convert of the Zeme tribe is reported to be in 1911.

Though this Gospel had arrived the Naga Hills for quite sometime, it was only in 1914-15 that the Rongmei of Tamenglong areas accepted the good news. Mr. Namrijinang Maipak, who was the pioneer among the Zeliangrong people, was converted to Christianity in 1914 when he met Rev. William Pettigrew, and then was baptised the next year in 1915 by U.M. Fox. He became the basis for the Rongmei to hold the Centenary Celebration this year in 2014.

History doesn't save a person. A Christian life is comparable to a swimming in the ocean of life. The swimmer has to constantly keep his hands and legs busy in the water to keep him floating. However, physical motion will get weary one day. He may not reach the final destination if he doesn't wear the "Life-belt of Salvation".

During these 100 long years of Christianity, thousands of Rongmei have swum a good measure of nautical miles in the direction of the Great Light. But the big question is 'did they really wear this Life-belt of Salvation' all along the way? In other words 'are Rongmeis really saved because they are Christians?" Are majority of Rongmei assured of their Salvation?

People convert themselves to Christian belief to save their soul. Fundamental to the canon of Christianity is the seeking and attainment of Salvation. When the Gospel of Mathew 6:33 quotes 'seek ye first the Kingdom of God… and all these things shall be added unto you" it actually means 'first of all seek and attain your Salvation, then the rest will come to you'.

This is Christian 'Doctrine' in a nutshell. When a person has 'Assurance of Salvation' in Christ, all those virtues and character (fruits of the Spirit) mentioned in Galatian 5:22 will be manifested in his/her life. I may be a Christian, join the Church membership, give my tenth tithe, preach a sermon, minister baptism to thousands of believers, and yet lack the fundamental essence of Christianity i.e. the assurance of my salvation. Which means I am just a nominal Christian in pursue of "all these things shall be added unto you". Though I am moving my limbs to keep me floating upon the ocean of life, but without my Salvation I will sink one day. I will not reach the line. When I face the stormy water of Jordan all my strength will get exhausted.

Christianity has offered plethora of opportunities for growth. Even the non-Christians get the fringe benefits. The educational institutions, media, inventions and great ideas of art and science had their source from Christianity. But they are not 'Salvation'. This Rongmei Centenary Celebration may showcase much achievement in arts, music, and hundreds of secular attainment. But the apprehension is that the most fundamental issue of 'Salvation' may not be paid much attention.

Many virtues of a person are often mistaken as a sign of Salvation: fluent prayer, handsome donation, powerful preaching, benevolent act and achievement in Mission field. These are the areas where the non-believers used their yardstick to measure the Christians character, and failed unless he is a 'really saved Christian.'

Very often the message of Grace and Faith fails to make sense to many Christians, including the Rongmei. The free gift of Grace of Jesus Christ through His Death and Resurrection at the Cross, and the simple Faith in His acts, and admission of oneself as a sinner is the basic tenet of Salvation. Salvation is a freed gift with just a small condition – faith. A saved Christian is proved by his actions and behaviour – as are mention in the Fruits of the Spirit. It is now the right time for questioning oneself 'was I really saved the day I was baptised?'

Also 'are Rongmeis really saved when they were baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit?' Is this Centenary celebrated to commemorate the 'assurance of Salvation' to a tribe or to count the "all these things shall be added unto you?" May everyone receive the good news of Salvation from this Centenary celebration.