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2.2. Pre-Pentecostal Christianity in India
An understanding of Christianity in India before the occurrence of the Pentecostal
revival in the nation is essential for identifying Indian Pentecostalism. As J.
Massey observes, history has great significance in understanding identity as
‘historical roots can provide the clue to the lost identity ....’ 42 However, an
extensive approach to Indian Church history is beyond the scope of this study.
Therefore, a brief survey is conducted with the aim of understanding the Indian
Christian tradition and other developments that remain as antecedents of Indian
Pentecostalism.
2.2.1. Early Christian Traditions
It is important to note that Christianity in India has a non-western origin. There is
a strong tradition which claims that India came under the influence of the message
of Jesus long before Westerners reached the subcontinent. Christians in India
believe that their history is as old as the history of Christianity itself. It is reported
that Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of independent India, made a
remarkable comment during his address at the St. Thomas Day celebration in New
Delhi on 18 December 1955: ‘Remember, St. Thomas came to India when many
of the countries of Europe had not yet become Christian, and so those Indians who
trace their Christianity to him have a longer history and a higher ancestry than that
of Christians of many of the European countries. And it is really a matter of pride
to us that it so happened.’ 43
42 James Massey, Roots: A Concise History of Dalits (Delhi: ISPCK, 1994), 2.
43 A. Mathias Mundadan, History of Christianity in India: From the Beginning up to the Middle of
the Sixteenth Century, up to 1542 (Bangalore: Theological Publications in India, 1984), 1.
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