My Dear Friends,

            Depending on devoted membership, there may be an estimated number of over twenty thousand (20,000) practicing Christians on the island. We thank God for His Son Jesus Christ and his call to those early disciples to follow him. Without them, the church would not have existed. That small band of followers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, proclaimed the Gospel vigorously. They were truly devoted to Christ and for them, the things of God were neither viewed as part- time interest nor a commitment based on convenience. They were fully involved in the work and witness of his church. The Holy Bible reminds us that the believers met together in the Temple every day regardless of climatic conditions. They were focused, not on self, but on our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, their Master and Lord.

            As we worship every Lord’s Day, we observe that many are “hit and miss” church goers, whose worship of God becomes sporadic. This displays lack of commitment. There are those who become upset if the service exceeds what they consider as “allotted time”. Others are “festival” Christians – a people whose image of God is limited to specific time restraints. My brothers and sisters, this was not the case with those New Testament Christians. Listen to St. Luke’s description of them: “Day by day they spent much time together in the temple…” (Acts 2:46). What was it that drew them: the temple orchestra and choir; cutting-edge media or youth programmes? Do you believe they had more time and less responsibility than us? Surely not, everything about their life was more onerous and less convenient. They had no bus service or private modern transportation, not even paved roads, adequate water supply or electricity.

            Their encounter with Jesus so transformed their priorities that they met every day for worship, socialization, Holy Communion and prayers (Acts 2:42). Taking God seriously requires regular involvement with other Christians and experiencing the unique aspect of God’s presence – “where the twos and threes are gathered in His Name” (Matt. 18:20): hearing his word together, encouraging one another: receiving Christ Jesus in the sacrament of Holy Communion and in fellowship with one another. You need that special dimension of fellowship. This happens only when his family gathers together with him. Sincere Christians take their relationship with Jesus Christ seriously and allow nothing to supersede their worship.

            As our children are confirmed today – made firm in Christ – and rise to a new level in their walk with God, it is my prayer that their parents, godparents and the church will encourage them to be loyal to Christ by maintaining fellowship with him through daily prayers, regular worship, Bible reading and involvement in youth work and witness.

The Very Rev. Rudolph Smithen.

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