The
motto Lighted to Lighten
The
role of the church is to spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Every believer and member of the Church is here in their position, wherever they
are, are given the light so that they can lighten others.
As
Matthew 5.14 says, 'You are the light of the world'.
A
city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under
a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the
house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your
good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Mar
Thoma Church was commissioned with this vision of mission.
The
Cross
Christ
is the center of our Church and it’s Mission.
Proclaiming that God (Purusha) himself came and atoned for all mankind on
the tree on three nails. His redemption is freely available based only on faith
in Him (Jesus) without regard to any form of karma (good or bad) and its
consequences.
The
Wheel (Chakra)
The
Ashoka Chakra is the emblem of India. We believe that the people of India are in
the heart of our loving Father and were in the mind of Christ when He was on the
Cross. He died to redeem them along
with the rest of the world. The
call and mission of the Mar Thoma Church is to evangelize India.
We
are an Indian Church and it is a part of the Indian people both spiritually and
culturally to carry the cross to Indian nation. The wheel of life is complete and closed for all those who
follow the Bhakthi Marga (path of righteousness) in Jesu Maseeh (Jesus Christ).
Traditionally
the Chakra as presented by The Emperor Ashoka, was a symbol in Buddhism denoting
the wheel of life. It denotes mans
attempt to find Nirvana (Life). By
placing the wheel at the heart of the Cross we declare that the life finds its
ultimate Salvation in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus once and for all.
Hand
Lamp
Each
believer is a lamp which is carried with them, which gives light of salvation
for others in their daily life. Every
Marthomite is a missionary, was the cry of Late Abraham Mar Thoma.
Lotus
is the traditional Indian symbol of holy living.
As
the lotus grows in the swamps, we are in the sinful world. But as the lotus
flowers and stands above the water, our life should rise above the surroundings
and we should remain holy in our daily life.
As
the lotus gives out fragrance so should our life.
Lotus
is part of the traditional offering of sacrifices of praise and adoration in the
Indian tradition to God.