Conversion does not mean a change of outward appearance; rather it requires a change of mind and results in a transformed life.
– Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg
Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg is considered by many to be the first Protestant missionary to India, arriving in 1706 with the blessing of the king of Denmark. His work made such an impact in India that, even though he is not well-known here in the United States, he remains a beloved figure in Tamil Nadu. We can tell from the quote above that his preaching was not the ear-tickling kind, and that no doubt made him unpopular in certain “religious” circles. That hostility led to incredible amount of persecution, even from professing Christians.
Despite the fact that he was undoubtedly on the path the Lord was leading him, Bartholomäus faced terrible mistreatment. On board the ship that took him to India, the captain threw his funding overboard leaving him practically penniless when he arrived. The King of Denmark was
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When called in for questioning on his role in this incident, Bartholomäus refused to cooperate with procedures he felt were illegal. As a result, he was placed in solitary confinement for four months – charged with inciting rebellion as he converted the natives. This charge was false. No doubt the powers of darkness saw this as a perfect opportunity to silence him. Bartholomäus took this as the perfect opportunity to write two books during his four-month imprisonment: The God-Pleasing Life of Pastors and The God-Pleasing Life of Christians.
Bartholomäus died at the young age of thirty-seven, and his untimely death was attributed to the stress of his working conditions. His impact, however, is felt to this day in India. He was a man of God who persevered in the face of terrible mistreatment, yet never let bitterness take hold in his heart.
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