What was the matter with the Galatians?

The three-day Annual Spiritual Revival Conventions that commenced on the 31^st of August, 2018 ended today, the 2^nd of September. The Annual Convention, also known in Hindi as the Salana Atmik Sammelan was led by Revd. Stephen Rawte, a well-known figure who has also served the CNI, Diocese of Delhi on an Honorary basis. Revd. Rawte happens to be an Alumni of the Union Biblical Seminary, Yavatmal.

On the first day of the Convention, Revd. Rawte focused on the Gospel as a theme. The message was based on the book of Galations, Chapter 1, versus 1 to 12. Apparently, Apostle Paul was irked by the congregations of Galatia, as to why they had been straying from the true gospel, something that rings true even today! Apostle Paul chided the people of Galatia for being allowed to be led astray by other diversionary gospels that were misleading. The Good News, according to Revd. Rawte has at its core the Crucifixion of Christ, His death on the Cross and then His ascension on the third day. The people of Galatia had somehow lost focus on this fact and were instead following other messages.

On the second day, Revd. Rawte focused on Faith as a theme. The Gospel reading was taken from the Book of Jude, verses 1-13. The apostle Peter had written a letter to the early Christians  to warn them against false teachers who were in fact leading them astray. Revd. Stephen Rawte drew the attention of the gathering towards the parallels between the what apostle Peter was writing about and what is happening today. We are today beset by a multitude of self-proclaimed spiritual leaders who slip in unnoticed in order to distort the message of Grace according to God.

For the third day, the focus was the Old Testament reading was from the Book of Ruth, chapter 1. The theme for today was Loyalty. The loyalty of Ruth to her Israelite mother in law and her deep devotion to the God of Israel was what singled her out as an exemplar of devotion and loyalty. Revd. Rawte drew attention to the significance of loyalty and devotion in disturbing times of anarchy and lawlessness. He went on to the need to stick to our faith and how the Church is the House of Bread in the same way that the meaning of Bethlehem is the House of Bread!

The three day Annual Spiritual Convention was led by Revd. Daman Rodgers, the Presbyter In Charge of the Church of The Epiphany, Civil Lines, Gurgaon. The Annual Spiritual Convention is back under the able guidance of Revd. Daman in the month of August and September. We all hope him all the best for the important charge of leading the Congregation of the Church of the Epiphany, Civil Lines, Gurgaon.