KRISHNA PAL – THE FIRST CONVERT

Today, the 22 of August in the year 1822, an Indian Bengali convert, an ordained Baptist Pastor, Evangelist, Street Preacher and hymnwriter Krishna Pal [1764 to 1822] receives his heavenly call from his Redeemer, the LORD Jesus Christ. Krishna Pal is by birth a carpenter. He is the first recorded Indian convert to Christianity under the Serampore Mission, led by English cobbler turned Baptist minister William Carey, the Father of Modern Protestant Missions. Krishna Pal’s conversion in December 1800 marked a major milestone for Protestant missions in India.

The story of Krishna Pal’s conversion goes this way. On November 25, 1800, Krishna Pal, a 36-year-old carpenter slips into the tank, where he was about to bathe, and dislocates his shoulder.  Having earlier heard about a doctor at the Baptist mission at Serampore, not far from his house, he sends two of his children to seek his help.

Responding to the call, Dr. John Thomas, the missionary doctor of Baptist Mission, Serampore, who had joined William Carey in his early mission to India, sets his arm right. Dr. Thomas not just set the man’s arm. He spoke also about a far worse disease called sin, and the remedy graciously provided by God Almighty, in the LORD Jesus Christ. Later, along with Joshua Marshman, a fellow Christian missionary, further explains the gospel of the LORD Jesus.

Krishna Pal being convicted of his sin, and the need for the forgiveness available in the LORD Jesus, confesses his Christian faith, and William Carey baptizes him in the Ganges River on Sunday, 28 December, 1800.

Krishna Pal was not a man to live a silent and insignificant life. He wanted everyone to know about the LORD Jesus, and His saving grace. So he takes upon himself to preach the gospel of the LORD Jesus.
– Krishna was ordained as a minister and native missionary in 1804.
– He spent over two decades travelling all across Bengal, preaching the gospel.
– He established a church in Calcutta, and passionately preached the gospel to diverse local communities.
– He authored many Christian hymns in Bengali, some of which are translated into English, by fellow missionaries.
– His wife, sister-in-law, and daughters eventually followed his path and converted to Christianity.
– Krishna Pal infected by cholera, dies on 22 August, 1822, this day 224 years ago, at the age of 57.

Krishna Pal wants to ask us a question, this morning. *He wants to know what are doing about the glorious gospel that we have received? Are we sharing it with those who need it? Does the love of God burn in our hearts, compelling us to preach the gospel to the lost?* Krishna Pal against all odds stood for his LORD and Saviour Jesus. He lived for his LORD, to the best of his ability. How about us, this morning?