Ministers of Jesus Christ
Assemblies of The Apostolic Faith
Atlanta, Georgia - USA
Apostle Dennis G. Smith, Pastor and Spiritual Overseer
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Ministers of Jesus Christ Assemblies of The Apostolic Faith Atlanta, Georgia - USA Apostle Dennis G. Smith, Pastor and Spiritual Overseer |
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Date: January 30,
2022
To all the Saints
of God,
Grace and peace be unto all the Saints of God around the World. As this
Coronavirus Pandemic continues, we are continually reminding the Saints of God
that we are obeying the magistrates and following the guideline of the health
and governmental authorities for the safety of all people.
Health authorities and
governmental officials continue to strongly encourage people to wear face
coverings in public gatherings and use social distancing, wash your hands, and
get tested to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus. In
some places wearing face mask is mandatory in indoor public spaces.
We are continuing limited indoor, in-person services with face mask, social
distancing, temperature checks and Covid-19 testing. We are also continuing
online services through Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube. In-person Baptism and
prayer service are available by attending our local service on site, attending
our services on Zoom, or emailing your request to:
info@ministersofjesuschrist.com or prayerrequest@ministersofjesuschrist.com.
As
we obey the Magistrates, we have complete faith that God will continue to hear
our prayers and provide a way for us through these uncertain times.
Romans 13:2-4 Let
every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God:
the powers that be are ordained of God.
TITUS 3:1-2 Put
them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to
be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but
gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
This week’s
encouraging words of growth focuses on:
Actions and
Teachings of the Biblical Apostles (part 2)
By Apostle
Dennis G. Smith
The Lord Jesus Christ Himself testified of His identity as God
which most people clearly understand that he claimed to be God Almighty himself
when He said, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:7-11) and "I
and my Father are one" (John 10:30).
John10:27 - 33 My
sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: JOH10:28 And I
give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man
pluck them out of my hand. JOH10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater
than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. JOH10:30 I
and my Father are one. JOH10:31 Then the Jews took up
stones again to stone him. JOH10:32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I
shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
JOH10:33 The Jews answered him, saying, For
a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because
that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
The statement made by the Lord Jesus Christ himself clearly give the entire
world proof that Jesus Christ is God Almighty and that the Spirit that caused
the virgin birth dwelt within his natural body. It tells the whole
world that that he is God and man. This is the reason why the
people who heard his statement accused him of blasphemy.
John 14:4 - 11 And
whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. JOH14:05 Thomas saith unto him, Lord,
we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? JOH14:06
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto
the Father, but by me. JOH14:07 If ye had known me, ye should have known my
Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. JOH14:08 Philip
saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. JOH14:09 Jesus
saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known
me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then,
Shew us the Father? JOH14:10 Believest thou not that I am in
the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of
myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. JOH14:11 Believe
me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the
very works’ sake.
The payment for committing sin is death or the shedding of Blood. Therefore
it was necessary to have the shedding of blood for the remission of the sins of
all believers in the world (Hebrews 9:22)
Hebrews 9:18 - 22 Whereupon
neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. HEB9:19 For when Moses
had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the
blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and
sprinkled both the book, and all the people, HEB9:20 Saying, This is the blood
of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. HEB9:21 Moreover he sprinkled
with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. HEB9:22 And
almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of
blood is no remission.
God the Father is a Spirit and had no blood to shed. Thus He prepared a body for
himself of flesh and blood. (Hebrews 10:5)
Hebrews10:05 Wherefore
when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest
not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
He took on a flesh and blood body through the Virgin Mary and became a natural
man in order to save us for He said, "Beside me there is no Saviour."
Isaiah 43:10 - 11 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I
have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he:
before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. ISA43:11 I,
even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.
When He came in flesh the angels brought great news saying, "For unto you is
born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke
2:11).
Luke 2:8 - 11 And
there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch
over their flock by night. LUK2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,
and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
LUK2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. LUK2:11 For unto you is born
this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
So the Apostle’s Doctrine teaches us that God was made flesh (John 1:1-14),
which we express when we say that God took on flesh and blood body and was in
the world as a natural man and the world did not know him.
John1:01 In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
JOH1:02 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:10 - 15 He
was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
JOH1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. JOH1:12 But as many
as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on his name: JOH1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of
the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. JOH1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we
beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of
grace and truth. JOH1:15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was
he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was
before me.
Because God cannot be seen as a Spirit with the human eye the
God head appears hidden to the natural man as a mystery. Apostle
Paul speak of the mystery of the one and only God being revealed or seen with
the human eye when God was manifested in the flesh.
1Timothy 3:16 And
without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the
flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles,
believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Colossians 2:9 - 10 For
in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. COL2:10 And ye are
complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
The Apostle’s Doctrine teaches us that the one God who took on flesh and blood
and was born as the Virgin Mary’s baby is the Almighty, the everlasting Father,
and the Prince of peace which gives the whole world proof of the roles, aspects,
titles, or manifestation of the One and only God. That He is He which was, which
is, and which is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8
Isaiah 9:6 - 7 For
unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be
upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The
mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. ISA9:07 Of the increase
of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and
upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with
justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform
this.
Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha
and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which
was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Those who believe that the Biblical Apostles taught that the Father, the
resurrected Son and the Holy Spirit are different aspects of one God, as
perceived by the believer, rather than three distinct persons are continuing
steadfastly in the Apostles Doctrine. It does not matter how much
the false prophets and false teachers accuse us of heresy against their
opinions. We can all see from examining what the Biblical Apostles
taught and did that the false brethren are servants of Satan.
It has been called Modalism or Sabellianism by many false
teachers. It is reported that Bishop Sabellius stated that God
took numerous forms in both the Hebrew and the Christian Greek Scriptures, and
that God has manifested himself in three primary modes regarding the salvation
of mankind. He contended that "Father, Son, and Spirit" were different roles
played by the same divine person in various circumstances in history; thus God
is Father in creation (God created a Son through the virgin birth), Son in
redemption (God manifested himself as Jesus for the purpose of his death upon
the cross), and Holy Spirit in regeneration (God's Spirit within the Son and
within the souls of Christian believers). In this view, God is not three
distinct persons, but rather one person manifesting himself in multiple ways.
Trinitarians condemn this view as a heresy. The chief critic
of Sabellianism was Tertullian, who labeled the movement "Patripassianism",
because it implied that the Father suffered on the cross. But
the Bible teaches us that God laid down his life and purchased the Church with
his own Blood. It does not matter who disagreed with the
Biblical Apostles.
1JO3:15 Whosoever
hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life
abiding in him. 1JO3:16 Hereby
perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and
we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
ACT20:28 Take
heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy
Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church
of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Those who are nontrinitarians a form of Christianity that
rejects the so-called mainstream Christian doctrine of the Trinity that came
about three hundred years after the death of the Biblical Apostles by the Roman
Emperor Constantine and the Ecumenical counsel of Bishops which formulated the
belief that God is three distinct persons who are coeternal, coequal, and
indivisibly united in one being, or essence.
According to churches that consider the decisions of ecumenical councils final,
trinitarianism was definitively declared to be Christian doctrine at the
4th-century ecumenical councils,that of the First Council of Nicaea (325), which
declared the full divinity of the Son, and the First Council of Constantinople
(381), which declared the divinity of the Holy Spirit.
From these statements, all people can see the teachings and Acts of the Biblical
Apostles and the doctrines put forth by false teachers.
We continue
with a Message from Apostle S. C. Johnson … "Sirs, What Must I Do To Be Saved?"
“Sirs, What
Must I Do To Be Saved?”(part 2)
Jesus
Christ said in Mark 16:16 he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and
these signs shall follow them that believe...In my name shall they cast out
devils; they shall speak with new tongues.
I
heard an awful statement made that there was no such thing in the Bible as
speaking in tongues.
But Isaiah prophesied seven hundred and twelve years before Jesus Christ came:
"For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to his people."
(Isaiah 28:11) Jesus
Christ spoke in tongues, when he raised Jairus' daughter. He took the
damsel by the hand and said unto her "Talitha cumi." (Mark 5:41)
On the day of Pentecost when the foundation of the Church was laid with and by
them that walked and talked with Jesus Christ, and watched Him go up into the
heavens, they also spoke in tongues as the spirit gave them utterance. (Read
Acts 2:1-16)
Acts 2:1 - 16 And
when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one
place. ACT2:02 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing
mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ACT2:03 And
there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of
them. ACT2:04 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak
with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. ACT2:05 And there were
dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
ACT2:06 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were
confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. ACT2:07
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not
all these which speak Galilaeans? ACT2:08 And how hear we every man in our
own tongue, wherein we were born? ACT2:09 Parthians, and Medes, and
Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in
Pontus, and Asia, ACT2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the
parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
ACT2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful
works of God. ACT2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to
another, What meaneth this? ACT2:13 Others mocking said, These men are
full of new wine. ACT2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his
voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem,
be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: ACT2:15 For these are not
drunken, as ye suppose,
seeing it is but the third hour of the day. ACT2:16 But
this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
When the multitude heard the gospel preached by Peter on the day of Pentecost,
they were pricked in their hearts. They said unto Peter and the rest of
the Apostles, "What
shall we do?"
Peter didn't say to them raise your hands and accept Christ as
your personal Saviour, as it is told to the people today. Neither
did he say join the church, but he said unto them, "Repent
and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission
of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)
And three thousand obeyed (Acts 2:41)
When Philip preached to the City of Samaria, he didn't tell the people to sit
right where they were, and they didn't need to be emotional. And when the
people believed the preaching of Philip, they were baptized in the name of Jesus
Christ, and received the Holy Ghost. Read Acts 8:5 - 22
Acts 8:5 - 17 Then
Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. ACT8:06
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake,
hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. ACT8:07 For unclean spirits,
crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many
taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. ACT8:08 And there was great
joy in that city. ACT8:09 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which
beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria,
giving out that himself was some great one: ACT8:10 To whom they all gave
heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of
God. ACT8:11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had
bewitched them with sorceries. ACT8:12 But when they believed
Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus
Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. ACT8:13 Then
Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip,
and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. ACT8:14 Now when
the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of
God, they sent unto them Peter and John: ACT8:15 Who, when they were come
down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: ACT8:16 (For
as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized
in the name of the Lord Jesus.) ACT8:17 Then laid they
their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
When Peter preached the same gospel to the Gentiles in Caesarea that he preached
to the Jews on the day of Pentecost, they received the Holy Ghost, and spake
with other tongues, and were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts
10:44-48)
Acts10:43 -
48 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name
whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. ACT10:44 While Peter
yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
ACT10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as
came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of
the Holy Ghost. ACT10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify
God. Then answered Peter, ACT10:47 Can any man forbid water,
that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as
well as we? ACT10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized
in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain
days.
Let us turn again to the Word of God (Acts 19:5). When the Apostle Paul
met John's disciples who had not received salvation under this dispensation, he
said unto them, "Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?"
Acts19:1 - 5 And
it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through
the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, ACT19:02 He
said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said
unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. ACT19:03
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto
John’s baptism. ACT19:04 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism
of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which
should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. ACT19:05 When they heard this,
they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
We will
continue with these messages in part 3……
May the Lord
Bless you and Keep you and eternally hold you in the center of his will, may he
open your understanding that you will come to know that you must repent of your
sins and be baptized by immersion in water in the Name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of your sins, then continue in prayer, tarrying until you receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost with the sign following speaking with other tongues as
the spirit gives you utterances. Then you must leave the principles of the
doctrine and go on to perfection overcoming the love of the world, the lust of
the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life and continue steadfastly
in the Apostle’s Doctrine remembering always that he that endures until the End,
the same shall be saved. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ who is God
Almighty. Amen
With perfect
love,
Apostle Dennis G.
Smith
The online
service Zoom link is sent out each Sunday at or before 2:00 pm to the Saints
registered email addresses. If you wish to worship with us, please send
you email address to: info@mininstersof Jesuschrist.com and
we will email you a link to join the service. We start the zoom service
after 2:00 pm.
You are invited to attend and be a part of the Ministers of Jesus Christ Church
Services on Zoom at/or about 2:00pm. Which are also published on Facebook
through Holy Tabernacle, Ministers of Jesus Christ Apostolic Church, and
Ministers of Jesus Christ Church or Dennis Smith Facebook timeline. You will
need to download the zoom app to your cell phone, laptop computer, or tablet to
activate your connection. Go to Google Play Store to get your free zoom
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you see the zoom link sent to your email address, click, or tap on the link to
open the connection. Then click or tap on the camera and microphone icon
to join the service and select internet. We look forward to seeing you and
worshipping with you in the Lord! You may also give freewill offerings
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Currently the
following groups are eligible for COVID vaccine and boosters in Georgia:
Everyone age 5 and older. Note: Pfizer is the only COVID vaccine currently
approved for children aged 5 and older. People younger than 18 years of age are
not authorized to receive either the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19
vaccines.
ONGOING
GUIDANCE for Red Zone
• Vaccination
remains the most effective protection against COVID-19
• Practice social
distancing
• Frequently wash
hands
• Frequent
cleaning of public and high touch areas
• Practice
telework and staggered office schedules where feasible, with safety measures
• Non-essential
City facilities may open to the public. Masking will be mandated for now and the
number of persons indoors may be limited to avoid crowding
Social
Distancing guidelines:
• Social
distancing means staying away from close contact in public spaces. It includes
actions like staying out of places where lots of people gather and maintaining
distance — approximately 6 feet — from others.
• Social
distancing also includes minimizing contact with people when possible, limiting
nonessential travel, working from home, and skipping social gatherings.
• All people
should practice social distancing — not just those who are seriously ill or at
high risk.
• Social
distancing is a proven way to slow the spread of pandemics.
When to Wear a
Mask:
Those who are
staying home and have no close contact with people who are infected with
COIVID-19 do not need a mask most of the time. However, wearing a nonmedical or
homemade mask may be helpful in certain situations or for certain populations. Wear
a Mask when:
• Shopping at
essential businesses, like grocery stores or pharmacies.
• While visiting
your health care provider.
• Traveling on
public transportation.
• Interacting
with customers/clients at essential businesses.
• When feeling
sick, coughing, or sneezing.
• In all public
spaces indoors and outdoors.
Because homemade
masks protect everyone else from the droplets created by the wearer, it is
important that as many people as possible wear these masks when leaving their
homes. This helps prevent those who may be infectious but are only mildly
symptomatic or not symptomatic from spreading the virus to others in the
community.
Everyone should remember the phrase: “My mask protects you; your mask protects me.” By increasing the overall number of people who are containing their coughs, sneezes, and other droplets, it will help us control the overall spread of the virus.