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: February
20, 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 5)
By Apostle
Dennis G. Smith
We are continuing with what the Apostle's Doctrine teach about sin,
iniquity, and transgression.
1John 3:8 - 10 He
that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works
of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed
remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this
the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth
not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
We must all come to know that all people were born in sin, and will commit sin
in their life until they learn to live a holy lifestyle. This is the reason why
sin is the most general term used for anything that “falls short of the glory of
God.” We were
all born in sin because we are the offspring of Adam and Eve who sinned in the
Garden of Eden. Eve was the mother of all living human beings.
Psalms 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive
me.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 5:12 - 13 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death
by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until
the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
We commit iniquity which are morally unclean acts, and we engage in morally
unclean thoughts until we learn and develop righteous ways and overcome our
sinful desires through receiving the Holy Ghost and our submission to the power
of the Holy Ghost dwelling within us.
Romans 6:16 - 20 Know
ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are
to whom ye obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
ROM6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed
from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. ROM6:18 Being then
made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. ROM6:19 I speak
after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have
yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even
so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. ROM6:20 For
when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
Transgressing against God is making a choice to do something which God has
established clear boundaries that should not be violated or broken. It is willful
disobedience without caring about the harm it causes other people or the
consequences it will bring upon you, the person committing the act.
Trespassing is similar to transgressing in that it may also be
defined as crossing over a boundary or a law which we understand well because of
the laws of mankind in a nation or society against trespassing which can be
intentional or unintentional.
Iniquity, transgression, or trespass are all sins, and all
sins separate us from God even if we have made a mistake without understanding
what we have done. The
wages of sin is eternal death to all those who refuse to obey the one and only
plan of salvation as set forth in the Word of God by the Apostle's Doctrine.
From the process of understanding sin, we should now see the need of salvation
for all people throughout the entire world.
We have discussed the process of understanding sin, and now we see the need for
salvation in this world and in the afterlife world to come. The
only way to be saved from our bad behavior is through the love of Jesus Christ
for us all, the blood of Jesus Christ and the pouring out of his spirit known as
the Holy Ghost in all true believers to shed love in our hearts which leads us
to the Love of Jesus Christ who is God Almighty the one who first loved us and
the love our neighbor as ourselves.
The Apostle's Doctrine teaches us that Salvation consists
of deliverance from all sin and unrighteousness through the blood of Jesus
Christ. We can rejoice
that Jesus died to pay the penalty for all our sins and we can overcome all sin
through the power of the Holy Ghost and receive eternal life if we continue
steadfast in the Apostle's Doctrine. When we obey the Apostle's Doctrine of
the one and only plan of salvation, God will forgive us of all of our sins, he
will blot our all of our transgressions and forgive all of our iniquities as we
forgive those that sinned against us.
Matthew
6:14 - 15 For
if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive
your trespasses.
1Corinthians 15:21 - 22 For
since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as
in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
The Apostle's Doctrine teaches us that salvation consists of repentance
from sin, water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission
of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost, after which the Christian is to live
a godly life (Acts 2:36-41).
Acts 2:36 - 41 Therefore
let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus,
whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. ACT2:37 Now when they heard this,
they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the
apostles, Men, and brethren, what shall we do? ACT2:38 Then Peter 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. ACT2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all
that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. ACT2:40 And with
many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this
untoward generation. ACT2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were
baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand
souls. ACT2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Anyone who teaches that we are saved by faith alone is teaching false doctrine
and leading the people who follow them to hell.
Those
who try to use the thief on the cross as proof of salvation by faith alone is
lying on the bible itself for the thief had a change of mind which indicate
repentance and asked the Lord Jesus Christ to remember him which is proof that
faith never stands alone and always produces actions as Apostle James teaches us
that faith without works is dead being alone.
Water baptism is
an essential part of New Testament salvation and not merely a symbolic ritual.
It is part of entering into the kingdom of God (God’s church, the bride of
Christ), and therefore, it is not merely a part of local church membership.
Galatians 3:26 - 27 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
GAL3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
The Mode of Water Baptism is
to be administered only by immersion. Apostle Paul said that we are buried with
Jesus Christ by baptism (Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12),
Romans 6:3 - 4 Know
ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into
his death? ROM6:04 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:
that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even
so we also should walk in newness of life.
The death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ are applied to our lives when we experience New Testament
salvation: "Repent [death to sin], and be baptized [burial] 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. [resurrection]."
(See Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-7; 8:2.)
Sprinkling, pouring, or infant baptism of any kind cannot be
substantiated by the Word of God, but are only human traditions.
The name in which baptism is administered is called the "Formula
for Water Baptism" and it is important
to have a correct baptism according to the Apostle's Doctrine, and this name is
Jesus Christ or Lord Jesus.
The Lord Jesus’ last command to His disciples was, "Go
ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). We
should notice that He said name (singular) not names’, As previously explained,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are not names of separate persons, but titles of
positions held by God.
The Apostle's Doctrine teaches us that
his name is Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins.
Matthew 1:21 - 23 And
she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt
call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. MAT1:22
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord
by the prophet, saying, MAT1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall
bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being
interpreted is, God with us.
The apostles understood that Jesus Christ was the name to use at baptism, and
from the day that the church of God was established (the Day of Pentecost) until
the end of their ministry, they baptized all nations (Jews-Acts 2:38-41;
Samaritans-Acts 8:16 Gentiles-Acts 19:5) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Apostle's Doctrine teaches us that
the name Jesus Christ is the only name given for our salvation.
Acts 4:10 - 12 Be
it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from
the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. ACT4:11 This is
the stone, which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of
the corner. ACT4:12 Neither is there
salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among
men, whereby we must be saved.
We continue with a Message from Apostle S. C. Johnson … “You Can’t Discourage
God’s Sons and Daughters”
“You Can’t
Discourage God’s Sons and Daughters” (part 2)
by Bishop S.
C. Johnson
The
people are quickly satisfied with just being baptized in water, in the name of
Jesus Christ, which everybody has to do and then receive the baptism of the Holy
Ghost, and speak in tongues as the spirit gives utterance. Everybody has that to
do. These had already obeyed this, but it was needful for them to do something
else. Needful. I hope you get it.
It was given to me, and it was given to me for you. It is needful. The people
have grown cold today and have gotten away from God. The reason for that is,
they became too content with nothing. They are not contending for anything and
didn't receive anything. They didn't hear from heaven, and they grew “carnal”
minded and unspiritual. They don't have a testimony and become content without
one.
Bishop says, Read for me the 24th thru 26th verse of the 32nd chapter
of Genesis.)
And Jacob
was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of day. And
when he saw he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh;
and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And
he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, will not let thee go,
except thou bless me.
My theme and my text is, Earnestly contend for the faith that was once
delivered unto the
saints. Earnestly
contend for the faith. Don't sit around un-prayerful and talk. Some of you don't
fast, some of you watch television and read newspapers. Why? You have become
content. You were baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ and received the
Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues twenty years ago and think you are all right,
but you watch television and have one in your home, straighter your hair and try
to look good, put on your nylons and dress like the world, because you are not
contending for the faith. You have ceased contending. You are not contending
anymore. You don 't want anything from God, you don’t need anything from heaven,
therefore you don't bother heaven about anything. Amen.
These things were written for our learning. And Jacob was left alone, and there
wrestled a man with him until the breaking of day. He contacted a man and
wrestled. Some people don't pray, period. They don't have anything in mind, they
don't want to contend for anything, but content themselves with nothing. When
Jacob was alone, he wrestled with a man from whom he wanted something.
He wanted something and didn't play about it, neither was he faking. He wanted
something from this man; really wanted it. What happened? There wrestled a man
with him until the breaking of day, and when he saw that he prevailed not
against him (he couldn't get loose from him) Jacob wouldn't turn him loose
regardless to what happened, until he would bless him.
Jude said, When I wrote unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me
to write unto you and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith
which was once delivered the saints.
Whatever they did
and what they did let patience have its way and received, we ought to content
for the faith. Are you listening to me?
This is the condition of the needful the have grown cold. They have come that
they hate the truth. They cannot come which is too close and too much sacrifice
to it. But if you want something else that is strengthening that will keep
yourself on the alter always have to be a sacrifice “in order to have faith”
what you want. You have to offer Him as a living sacrifice and when you
will pull down from heaven why to whom the else heaven has to go away. It must
depart. Thank God.
Jude
said, When I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it
was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly
contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Do this with all that is within you, until there is nothing else left. This is
what the spirit bought here today, and it is all right. The spirit said,
earnestly contend for the faith which
once delivered to
the saints. If we would go after what they went after, if we would contend for
what they contended for, we would be a people in the land today. I mean a people
of God, witnesses in the earth. Hear me!
And Jacob was left alone and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of
day and when he saw he could do nothing with him, he touched the hollow of his
thigh. This didn't stop Jacob from wrestling. His thigh was out of joint, but he
wrestled, thank God. He was determined and he was contending. There was
something he wanted and wouldn't be content without it.
The man touched the hollow of his thigh, and it was out of joint, but he kept
wrestling. He wouldn't turn loose but was going to hold him for there was
something he wanted, something he must have. Whatever happened to him or
whatever the man would do, he was determined to hold him because he had what he
wanted. He was going to contend until the man would have to give it to him,
otherwise he wouldn't turn him loose.
When the man said, "Let me go because the day is breaking, Jacob said, I will
not let you go except you bless me. You are going to give me what I want. If you
will come up and find us wrestling, I won't let you go. It is up to me, and You
want to go, but I won 't let you go until you bless me. There is something you
want. Amen.
Jude
said, When I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it
was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly
contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
We must contend earnestly for what the man said, Let me go for day is what Jacob
said, I will not let you go except you bless me.
Sometimes when you start after God for a thing and if you don't get it in the
next two or three days, you give up, but they didn't do that there. When you get
weak, that hinders God. It hinders Him from working.
The bible tells me Peter was kept in jail, but prayer was made unto God without
ceasing. They were contending. When he was apprehended, they put Peter in prison
and after Easter, they were going to bring him forth to the people.
Peter was kept in prison, but the church said, We want him and God is able to
give him to us. Hallelujah to God. They wanted him and therefore the church went
in prayer. He was kept in prison, but prayer was made unceasing by the church
for him. They told God, we want him It is up to you to bring him to us, but we
want him, and you are able to do anything. Nothing is hard for you.
And when
Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between
two soldiers. He was sleeping while the church made intercession to God for
him. Sleeping between two soldiers and bound with two chains and the keepers
before the door kept the prison, but because the church was contending, behold
an angel of the Lord came upon him and a light shined in the prison: and smote
Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying Arise up quickly. And his
chains fell from his hands.
I want you to know that these are not my words. If they were my words, words
spoken by me, then you could feel a little shaky, but it is the word of God.
This is being preached unto you and yet if it is not mixed with faith by you
which hear it, it becomes unprofitable.
You know, to say you believe God or say you have faith in God and having it is
two different things. When you say you
believe God, you must have some works attached to your faith, otherwise your
faith doesn’t mean a thing.
James said, “Show me your faith without works and I will show you my faith by
my works.” Almost everyone you meet will say they have faith. Do you have
faith? Oh, yes! Do you believe God? Oh, yes Do you believe God? Why certainly.
Everybody can say they have faith, but where are their works? They never thought
of that.
If you are a farmer and never bring a string-bean into the market, or a tomato,
you have nothing to prove it with. A big farmer but you don 't have any works to
prove that you are. That is the trouble with the people of today. Everybody
believes God if you ask them about it, but they have no works. The thing to do
is get some works and bring it up so when I or anyone else asks you do you
believe God, you can say yes because I have prayed to God for
such, and such a thing and I received it. I prayed until I
received it, I wouldn't turn God loose, just wouldn't turn him loose until I
received it. That is having works along with your faith. Jacob had works
here, didn't he?
We will
continue with the Actions and Teaching of the Biblical Apostles in part 6……
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 you must
continue in prayer to God asking him for the Holy Ghost, calling on the Name of
the Lord Jesus Christ and waiting or 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.
Then you must
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
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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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open the connection. Then click or tap on the camera and microphone icon
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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.