Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Devadas :
Father M. Devadas is the founder of The Bible Mission, one of the
largest and fast growing denominations in South India. Father Devadas remained as a bachelor throughout his life of 120 yrs. He is a mystic with many
spiritual experiences which are very peculiar to common Christianity.
Father Devadas grew up in the humble and rustic surroundings of
the Godavari delta region of Andhra Pradesh. His parents are evangelists.
They are not very rich in worldly matters. But they are far wealthier in many
spiritual aspects who used to spend their time in prayer and intercession
every day till late night. As they did not beget children after many years of
their marriage, in their oldage God gave them the glorious gift i.e. a boy
child, whom they named as Devadas which means Servant of God
3. Missionary Patronage:
After completing his primary education, his parents took him to the
Lutheran Missionaries at (N.M.E.L.C) Nigam Memorial Evangelical
Lutheran Church, at Dhavaleswaram on the banks of river Godavari, and
left him under their patronage for further education and spiritual growth.
There he finished his 8th standard and qualified to be a Higher grade
teacher. Having closely watched his innate zeal and strong sense of determination to serve the Lord, the Lutheran missionaries immediately absorbed him in the teaching faculty of their mission schools.
He is always loyal to his authorities and is of excellent disposition
towards his superiors. His ideal life is a serene acme for the growing children to be punctual, sincere and humble. He marvelled his authorities in all
the challenging responsibilities that were entrusted to him.
4. Meditative Solitude :
Wether at home or in missionary boarding, he inculcated the habit of
making his mind quiet and silent, only to converse with his Father. He believed in these verses and strictly observed them. I am the Teacher
Jn.13:13; And Learn from Me Mt. 11:28. To realize his objective, he spent
hours of solitude both day and night. This kind of habit later, paved the way
for his mysterious life of ecstasy. It also resulted in the visible experience of
communing with the Lord, face to face, with naked eyes. All his meditative
practices made him a perfect seer. This is the internal dimension of his life
which remained obscure to most of his collegues and superiors. Heavenly
saints, holy angels, earthly saints and sages from Himalayas are his regular visitors in his meditative life of solitude.
5. Meek Mentor :
Under the patronage of Lutheran missionaries, Father Devadas developed his bodily, spiritual and mental faculties. There he was in the process of becoming a great spiritual giant. His personal fellowship with Jesus
Christ increased day after day with mysterious experiences concerning
heaven, earth and the nether world, resulting in an unequivocal understanding and analysis of the Scriptures in general and the deep meaning
for the tough passages in particular. Thus he was ready as a perfect Bible
teacher, trainer and mentor to humbly discharge his duties at various levels to various sections of people in India.
est Indian Indigenous Missions. This is the time Lord is looking for, to reveal His Bible Mission to this great man of God. Father
Devadas
founded the Bible Mission on the priniciples of absolute faith on God and
believing in Him as the sole provider and sustainer.
Creating faith in the Bible Mission among the Christians and the fresh
converts was the challenge, the mission had faced. The following lines are
the only answer for all the challenges and woes of the Bible Mission.
1) Lord Jesus Christ has established - Lord Jesus Christ will provide
2) Lord Jesus Christ has established - Lord Jesus Christ will Prosper
3) Lord Jesus Christ has established - Lord Jesus Christ will bring name
This event had turned the course of Bible Missions history. In Guntur
he came to Bethel House, the residence of Rao Bahadur J. Raja Rao
who voluntarily invited him to be there. Here Fr. Devadas saw a written
vision on which was mentioned: Lord, Jehova had brought you to this
place. This vision was fulfilled in course of 12 years, which he spent there,
explaining the meaning of The Song of Songs and The Book of Revelation. This place witnessed the growth of the mission and the fulfillment of
Fr. Devadas vision.
2) Missionary Campaigns :
Chiefly, the growth was observed from the various missionary campaigns organized and arranged by Rev. S. Samuel, the former president of
the mission, to many capitals and important cities of India. People who are
interested in Gospel work and tract distribution were taken by him in three
to four tourist buses, depending on the number, to various cities only to fill
them with the Gospel messages that are typical of the Bible Mission. Most
of the visited places now bear fruit for the Bible Mission. It is he that sought
after the missions development, after the departure of Fr. Devadas. Here, it
is note worthy to mention the prayerful support of Smt. P.J. Graceamma to
Rev. S. Samuel, in tune with the missions growth and progress.
3) Widening Horizons :
With these missionary camps the Bible Mission has made known its
existence, work and vision to the rest of the Christian world in India and
abroad. Now its network has expanded even to other countries. Due to his
selfless services in the mission, Rev. S. Samuel was asked to the 1984
world Christian leaders conference held at Amsterdam under the leadership of Billy Graham. But he sent Rev. P. Sajeeva Rao, the present Joint
Secretary of the mission, in his place, to voice the message of the Bible
Mission. That was the first Inter national appearance of the Mission.
From then on wards, it never looked back. Many Gulf countries invited the mission speakers to conduct meetings there. Most of the African
countries witnessed the glory of the Bible Mission. Now the doors are
opened for the Bible mission and they shall never be shut.
7) The Legacy :
Now, the Bible Mission leaves behind it a great legacy from its varied
and excellent spiritual traditions which epitomized the Rapture preparation
and the pure state of the young Bride. Nearly, after 68 years of its inception, the mission had become truly mature and strong enough to influence
the world in general and the Christian world in particular towards one par-
ticular goal i.e. is the Rapture (The second coming of Jesus Christ). It unfolds the path way to the Brides line and encourages the Churches to
practice the silent hour (Sannidhi) so as to transform their shape and nature to the likeness of the Sun of Righteousness, Jesus Christ.
income in the temple. The Lord said to prophet Malachi that if they offered
tithes they will prosper (Mal 3:10). Apostle Paul also mentioned that the
Macedonians offered beyond their power. Hence, every believer should
sincerely contribute their tithes to the church and if possible try to offer
amounts in excess of their tithes.
Revelations:
a) Revelation by Vision: In the revelations by vision everything may
appear to believers. The places such as the earth, the heaven, the hell,
upper air region and all things in them may appear in due time. This is called
vision. We will feel happy if God, angels and the glory of God appear to us.
We also must feel happy if things such as filthy places, horrible places and
dangerous places etc. appear to us for these thongs are there so let them
appear to us. Ref: Isa Chapter 6; Num 12:28; Acts 9:27; Eph 3:3; Acts 10:3,4;
Mt 17:3; Acts 9:12; 16:9-10.
b) Revelation by Voice: In this revelation the words of our Lord and
the words of the Holy people will be heard. It reminds of the words that the
Lord had told in John 10:27 My sheep will hear my voice.
c) Revelation by Writing: In this revelation the message or the words
that were written in the air will appear. Sometimes these words may appear like the printed letters. It was written in the I Chronicles that God had
shown to David the way of construction of the temple through writing. Sometimes handwriting also will be seen. Sometimes a cardboard will appear
from heaven and someone will write on it and show to us. We can read
and write them down on our note books. (Exo 31:18; I Chronicles 28:19;
Dan 5:5; Jn 8:6.
d) Revelation by Dreams: The angel of the appeared to Joseph in a
dream and informed he matter. Likewise our Lord would appear to the
believer and speak to him. If the things that are seen in our daily lives
appear in dreams it cannot be called as a revelation. The revelation in
dreams indeed is a divine revelation. (Exo 37:7-10; Num12:6; I Kin 3:5: Mt.
1:20; 2:12,13; 27:19.).
e) Revelation by Thought (perception): It is also one of the meth-
j) Communion with the saints: In the apostles creed, it is mentioned that we believe in the communion with the saints. Saints are those
who are saints in this world and he saints in Heaven. It is easier to have
communion with the saints who are in Heaven. They will come to us when
we pray. In this context we recall the events of the past which read about
Moses and Elijah descending on the Mount of Transfiguration; the event of
the holy people coming on the day of the death of our Lord and the event of
coming of two men on the day of the Ascension are some examples regarding the communion of the saints.
PRAISE TO GOD
SUBJECTS OF PRAYER
SURRENDER
PROMISE TO GOD TO
LEAD A NEW LIFE
CONFESSION OF OUR
SINS TO GOD
CONCENTRATION
OF MIND
1. CONCENTRATION OF MIND:
(a) When we are in prayer and meditation, we should not allow any evil
thoughts to come into our minds. Thoughts of filth and dreadful things
should not be allowed to come into the mind. We should drive them out by
force.
(b) We should not allow what sins we have committed and what evil nature
we have, to come into our minds. We should keep them out by force.
(c) The sins that others have committed and evil nature of others should
not be allowed to come into our minds. We should drive them out by force.
(d) Even good things should not come into our minds as long as we are in
meditation though they are not bad, because they divert our attention while
we are meditating. So we should also drive them out by force.
(e) Concentration of mind must be continued during every step of prayer.
(f) Faith that God would answer prayer, should be exercised during every
step of prayer.
(g) Praise to God also should be continued during each step of prayer.
(h) The thought of God alone should occupy our minds during the meditation. While some people exercise concentration of mind their brain becomes weak and they get mental disease. We must beware of it.
Some people spend their time in meditation by fasting. Cold water
does not agree with some people. Hot water does not agree with some
other people. So also, fasting does not agree with some other people.
Why should you fast when you cannot stand? My suggestion is that you
can have prayer and meditation on any convenient day between 7 P.M.
and 10 P.M. after which you can have your meal or early in the morning of
the next day.
When the concentration of our mind is accomplished, we will certainly think of God and we will have an imaginary picture of God. Instead of an
imaginary picture of God some people feel the very presence of God.
When we have the imaginary picture of God or when we feel the
presence of God, we will be filled with the perfect peace of God.
(i) The very thought of God convinces us that He is with us.
(j) Because we have a form, we desire to see God, who is formless, in the
form of man, if not, we will not be satisfied. So we have to think of Him in
human form.
(k) When we have an imaginary picture of God, we should not think it is a
pigment of our imagination because it is supported by the fact that God is
omni-present.
After firmly fixing our mind on God, we should prostrate before Him with all
reverence at our command and worship Him.
The hard work of the first step is now over; let us climb up to the second
step.
IV. Surrender:
O Creator now I surrender unto Thy keeping and protection my body,
mind and spirit with my whole life as well as my house and everything in it.
Now we climb to the fifth step.
V. Subjects of prayer;
a. Here the readers may pour out all their needs before God such as small
and great needs for body, mind and soul.
b. They may also pour out their hearts before God for others.
c. They may also put before God all their requests for the whole creation.
d. Then we have to offer the following prayer:
O Lord I beseech Thee to grant all other petitions which I have committed
in my prayers through forgetfulness and ignorance.
e. O Lord, I did not pray for certain items thinking that they are too small to
pray for and that they may displease Thee. So, forgive ommission and
grant all those requests in the way Thou pleasest.
f. I beseech Thee to correct me if I have any unworthy request.
Now we climb to the sixth step.
step this is! I call this step heaven on earth. Every individual very often
should adopt this method.
N.B.: Exercise implicit faith and praise on every step of prayer.
Notice that the first step is on earth and we gradually climb up to the throne
of God; our spiritual life will gradually grow as we climb up step by step the
most sinful, the wicked, the ignorant, the stubborn and even the atheist will
derive great benefit by frequently adopting these seven steps of prayer.
A minister once asked an atheist to repeat several times the following prayer:
"O God have mercy upon me." The atheist said " I cannot do it because I
don't believe in the existence of God. Then the minister told him to repeat
the prayer to test whether there is God or not, irrespective of his belief in
His existance. After he repeated the prayer several times, the godless
man cried out " O God, I believe that Thou art here with me."
started worshipping Nature which was more powerful than, and useful to
him, to satisfy his inner quest. His approach towards God was more
pragmatic, as he experienced face to face communion with God and
advocated it even for heretics or persons of other faiths.
their raaga and metre. The song manoovicaarama kuuDadu niiku, you
should not be disturbed in mind had one hundred and thirty six verses.
divine attributes),
tre. In a way, it is the doorway for the rapid expansion of the mission. Many
non-Christians come to Christ through these healing centres. Their lifetransforming experiences have been attracting many more people in thousands and lakhs who throng these centres on the day of healing.
Among these healing centres Kakani Swasthisala, Mudunuru healing centre, Gooty healing centre, Kakinada healing centre, Rajahmundry
healing centre, Narsapuram healing centre, Mirthipadu healing centre are
very famous. Now we will briefly discuss Kakani Swasthisala, located near
Guntur founded by Fr. Devadas in 1949.
Kakani Swasthisala was first started with six members at Sri Raja
Rao's Thota at Pedakakani which is 7 k.m. from Guntur on 16th May 1949.
On that day Fr. Devadas spoke on Ecclesiastes 11:1 "Cast thy bread upon
the waters : for thou shalt find it after many days" and laid the foundation.
Fr. Devadas laid the work at the healing centre on the shoulders of
Sri Raja Rao. Under the supervision of Fr. Devadas 1. Rev. B. Elisha of
T.P.Gudem; 2. Rev. B. Charles of Guntur; 3. Rev. G. Samuel of Eluru; 4.
Rev. P. Jacob of Bhimavaram were appointed to carry out the work at the
healing centre. These four pastors helped in healing centre programme on
Mondays and they spent their time in prayer on Tuesdays at Bethel House.
The rest of the days in the week these pastors looked after God's work in
their own parishes.
For 12 years, Fr. Devadas who stayed at Bethel House prayed for
Kakani healing centre. In 1960 Fr. Devadas left for his heavenly home.
Every one thought the work at the centre would come to close. But as
written in Acts 5:38,39 "for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come
to nought : But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it ;". The work at Kakani
never stopped but it has prospered. Sri Raja Rao carried out the work till
his death in 1962. Afterwards Sri Japa Ratnam carried out this work till his
death in 1974. Smt. Chellamma Raja Rao carried out this work till her
death in 1988.
During the time of Fr. Devadas many miracles were performed. After
his death, many thought that the work at this centre would come to close.
But Fr. Devadas said, "Even after my death I will be with you", so we believe that he is the moving spirit behind this healing work. Many gave
witness that Fr. Devadas guided them to visit this healing centre which is
now known as "Christhu Thota". We firmly believe that Fr. Devadas has
been working right from the beginning in this centre and been helping us to
carry out this work. Many long-standing and terrible diseases including
AIDS are getting cured at this centre. People possessed by evil spirits and
witchcraft, and those who gave up hope of their lives get cured here.
The various programmes that are being carried on at this centre are
as follows :1. Every Monday healing prayers from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
2. Every Sunday Worship programme from 12 noon to 3 p.m.
3. Every Tuesday prayers for welfare of The Bible Mission from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
4. Every 2nd Saturday fasting prayers for the sick and for the problems
that are faced by the congregation.
5. Four times a year worker's meetings for the workers in the Mission.
6. Bible classes twice a year.
7. Three days meetings every year in April.
8. Every year, meetings for women in September.
9. Throughout the year printing of books, pamphlets and booklets is being carried on in the printing press which is situated in the campus of
the healing centre.
10. Three days conventions in January every year which are known as
Maha Sabhalu.
11. "Streela samajam" (Women's wing) on first Saturday of every month.
Solely by the abundant grace of our Lord, there has been great and
rapid progress all these 55 years from its starting in 1949.
the members of the Bible Mission, that they feel short of Gods blessings if
they fail to attend these conventions, conducted at the beginning every
year. These meetings have not only captured the attention of the various
other Christian denominations but also the non Christians and the Government officials as well who are more concerned of the public safety and
convenience interms of making arrangements for sanitation, security, firstaid, transportation and the other related amenities. The railway authorities
provide special stoppage at the University halt to all passenger and express trains. The A.P.S.R.T.C. arrange special buses to the various places
in Andhra pradesh particularly to the twin Godavari districts. People receive material and spiritual benefits from the conventions with the facilities
provided around the site of the conventions along with the food served
free for three full days. In a way, these conventions enhances the glory of
the overgrowing Bible mission.
whole world through the God-revealed Bible Missions able and trained
evangelists and missionaries. It paves the way for inter-continental and
inter-denominational studies in Christianity to know more about the Bible
Mission, by involving foreign students and researchers to freely probe into
its vision and mission and the directionality it takes in course of time. The
native Bible Mission teachers form the majority of the teaching staff assisted by a group of theological experts outside the Bible Mission.
3) Present publications:
The Bible Mission is on a big way to develop its literary resources by
collecting the old archives written during the time of Fr. Devadas. Those
were the records maintained when Devadas gave the oral lectures. He
also conducted Bible classes to impart practical knowledge of the various
Books of the Bible and asked the participants to record them in a careful
manner. These records date back to some sixty to sevently years, now
almost in bad condition, some are in rags spoiled by moth, silver fish and
poor preservation. Some people failed to know its value and lost them and
some others left them to decay. Hence, the Bible Mission authorities are
now on a massive team effort to collect those written documents noted
from the oral teachings of Fr. Devadas in order to develop their literature
and equip their members with the full teachings of Fr. Devadas. First, they
are collected from the various parts of Andhra Pradesh. Secondly they are
cleaned, unfolded and neatly arranged. Thirdly, they are xeroxed and
bounded. This is possible only when the book material is in good condition. If the book is not conducive for photocopying, then it is manually
copied in a separate notebook from cover to cover, closely and correctly
bridging the gaps with appropriate expressions, whereever the book is
spoiled or eaten away. Fourthly, such a prepared photocopy book is
thoroghly checked with its original and indexed according to the content of
the message. Now the book is given for typing according to the preferred
material from that text, and proof-read throughly. After the initial and over-all
editing of the message, the book is given for printing. Initially all this process is done in Telugu, later the Telugu text is translated into English and
the other Indian and non-Indian languages with manual and machine translations. Thats howthe Bible Mission is expanding its literary works on a
large scale. All the work is done under the personal supervision of a research Doctorate in Linguistics of the Bible Mission.
Conclusions
The Bible Mission of Fr. M. Devadas as per its Divine Revelation is
slowly and steadily progressing to establish itself on par with the mainstream Churches. Father Devadas made it self-sufficient having catered to
all its requirements to sustain and flourish on its own with his divine guidance, modest principles, Biblical precepts and practices. It is the vision
and prayer of Fr. Devadas that the Bible Mission should reach all remote
corners of the globe in preaching the gospel for which India is the centre.
The recent development of the Bible Mission is much closer to the truth
value of the above statement. The Bethel Bible College of the Bible mission opens the doors for the researchers from other countries and denominations to work upon the unique principles, structures, teachings and growth
of the Bible mission from various dimensions.
To
The Honourable Sri Anwarji I.A.S.,
Special Chief Secretary to the Governor of Andhra Pradesh,
Raj Bhavan, HYDERABAD.
Honourable Sir,
Ref : The Meeting at your office we had on 13.1.05 - Your request to send the Brief History of The Bible
Mission and other relevant information.
Sub : Invitation to His Excellency the Governor of A. P. to
attend the Bible Mission Annual Conventions -- Relevant
information herewith enclosing -- Requesting to kindly
arrange for the programme of the Governor -- Regarding.
Greetings and warm wishes to you respected sir,
We wish you thankyou for the audience you had given us on the 13th January,
2005, when we met you in your office at Raj Bhavan. We were very pleased at the
favourable and positive response you had given us saying that you would be arranging for the programme of the Governor for the Convention. We are eagerly and anxiously awaiting for your confirmation of the programme.
As required by you we are enclosing the brief history of the Bible Mission, the
seating arrangement, the arrival plan etc, along with this letter. Please receive the
same and kindly confirm the programme. Sir, the schedule herewith enclosed is flexible and would be adjusted as per your suggestions and guidelines.
We, the members of the Bible Mission are eagerly awaiting for your arrival
along with the Governor to inagurate our Convention on the 27th of January at 11:00
a.m. We are changing inaguration time to 11:00 a.m. from 10:00a.m. because we felt
that 11:00a.m. would be the best time as the congregation would gather to the maximum by 11:00a.m. Please note this slight change sir and arrange for the programme
at 11:00a.m.
Thank you for all the efforts you are taking to make the Governors visit posible.
His Excellencys visit to the Convention would be highly appreciated by the lakhs of
devotees attending the Convention. Our due respects to you sir and to His Excellency.
Thanking you Sir,
Yours faithfully,
GRO
ITS ORIGIN AND GR
OW T H
.
I
Brief Biograph
y of Fr
. M. De
vadas
Biography
Fr.
Dev
II
.
III.
VI.
Conclusions
11:00 - 11:05
11:06 - 00:07
11:08 - 11:09
11:10 - 11:14
11:15 - 11:35
11:36 - 11:40
: Brief Prayer invoking Gods choicest blessings on His Excellency -Rev. Dr. A. John, President, Bible Mission.
11:41 - 11:42
11:42 : 11:44
11:45
Alighting
point
Pendal
passage
to the
Dias
Convention
Dias
Pendal
Pendal
THE
BIBLE
MISSION
CONVENTION
SEATING ARRANGEMENT OF
THE DIGNITARIES
DIAS
B1
B2
B3
B4
B5
B6
B7
....................................................................
Member of Legislative Assembly, Guntur-1.
Member of Legislative Assembly, Tadikonda.
Member of Legislative Assembly, Guntur-2.
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