‘Baptist Heritage in Nagaland’ Released

Morung Express News 
Kohima | August 23

“Today when I see the condition of the Baptist Churches in Nagaland, it is only Baptist in name but all the practices and rituals have become a mixture of all the doctrines of denominations and Roman Catholics”, remarked Dr. L.M Murry in the preface to his 9th book, “Baptist Heritage in Nagaland” that was formally released today by Rev. Dr. Ezamo Murry, Rtd. Professor & Principal, Eastern Theological College, Jorhat at Hotel Japfü. 

Elaborating on this, he further highlighted that, “we have Revival churches, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah Witness, Mormons, Pentecostalist both classical and charismatic.” Stating that we even have Koinonia Baptist Church, Koinonia meaning “fellowship”, he expressed, “I wonder if there are churches without fellowship.”

Recently, he also underscored that “Prosperity gospel has overwhelmed the Baptist Church” while stating that no trace of Baptist distinctive is available. Asserting that rhe Bible gives us the “message’’ from God, he said that, “it contains the objective truth of the message.”

However, unfortunately, he also lamented that, “we have made it a subjective truth” and as a result of which, thousands of denominations exist today. 

He said that this has prompted him to write

“Baptist Heritage in Nagaland” for us to go back to the nascent Church of the Apostolic days. “We can only find the objective truth of the Church laid on the foundation of Jesus Christ. This, therefore, is the origin and we must trace back our heritage to this Church”, he noted. 

Giving all glory to God, he also affirmed that, “whatever I have achieved is not mine but because he has achieved it for me.” He also enlightened that he has concentrated the major portion of the book of Christianity in the Lotha area. He said that, in fact, Baptist Christian came to the Ao area first and further dwelt upon how by and by, it has completely dilluted and many Baptist Church members started separating from Baptist churches and established their own churches eventually. 

Asserting that it is our duty that we go back to our original church and rediscover it, he also expressed, “Forgive me for not writing about the other tribes of Nagaland like Sema, Chang, Sangtam, etc.” 

In this regard, he exuded hope that the other tribes would start writing their respective history. 

“Don’t make mistake in history”, he further urged while pointing out that, “for a church, it won’t be proper for us to write wrong history.”

‘A book that highlights the birth of the Baptist denomination in Nagaland’

In her Publisher’s note, Sentinaro Longkumer, Chief Editor of 6th Finger Publishing House, Kohima said that ‘Baptist Heritage in Nagaland’ is the 4th book on which Dr Murry and she has worked on. 

In her absence, the publisher’s message which was read out by Elongshila Jamir also said, “And in my journey with him on all these books, he has never failed to surprise me with his gentleman aura, sincerity and dedication.”

Stating that not only is he the first certified medical surgeon amongst the Nagas, she said, “his extensive knowledge in the field of medical science and christian history is truly unparalleled and unmatched.”

As an editor, she said, “his utmost sincerity and perseverance in his every endeavour creates an amicable environment for editing his work.” She further remarked that, ‘Baptist Heritage in Nagaland’ is a very rare historical book of the Nagas which highlights the birth of the Baptist denomination in Nagaland and its distinctiveness which has, perhaps, fused with modernism now. 

“This book is a “must” for all Nagas to understand their Baptist roots and it will be very helpful for anyone interested in Naga Baptist history”, she added.

Highlights of the event included invocation by Pastor Moa Imsong, City Church Kohima, and benediction by Rev. R.P. Murry while Petekhrienuo Keditsü, Research Scholar, Nagaland University, Meriema.