I have decided to follow Jesus

-

 1880


This hymn has a powerful and slightly mysterious history, and that’s part of why it still hits so hard.


📜 Origins of “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”


Origin: Northeastern India


Time period: Mid- to late-19th century


Original form: A folk song, not originally written as a hymn


Language: Likely first sung in an Assamese or Garo/Naga dialect


Unlike many Western hymns, this one did not start on paper with a named composer. It began orally, passed from voice to voice.


🩸 The Martyrdom Story Behind It


The hymn is most famously connected to a story told by Indian Christian tradition:


A new convert to Christianity in a remote tribal village was brought before the village chief and ordered to renounce his faith.


When threatened with death, he reportedly responded:


“I have decided to follow Jesus,

No turning back.”


After the execution of his family, he repeated his faith.

Before his own death, he declared:


“The cross before me, the world behind me.”


His courage so deeply affected the village that many converted to Christianity afterward, including the chief.


⚠️ Historians note that while this story is deeply meaningful, the exact details can’t be fully verified. Even so, it reflects real persecution faced by early converts in that region.


🌏 How the Song Reached the World


In the early 20th century, missionaries transcribed the song


It was translated into English and adapted into a hymn format


It spread quickly through:


Revival movements


Mission churches


Youth and baptism services


Its simplicity made it easy to learn—and impossible to forget.


🎼 Why the Lyrics Are So Simple


The power of the hymn lies in its short, resolute statements:


No turning back


Though none go with me


Still I will follow


This reflects:


Oral tradition


A faith meant to be confessed publicly, even under pressure


A decision, not an emotion


It’s not poetic fluff—it’s a declaration.


✝️ Theological Meaning


The hymn emphasizes:


Commitment over comfort


Discipleship over popularity


Perseverance in the face of opposition


That’s why it’s often sung during:


Baptisms


Confirmations


Altar calls


Mission services


It asks one clear question: Have you truly decided?


🌟 Legacy Today


Today, “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” is sung:


Across denominations


Around the world


In many languages


It’s especially beloved in places where faith still comes at a real cost.

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