Ministers of Jesus Christ
Church of The Lord Jesus Christ
Assemblies of The Apostolic Faith
Atlanta, Georgia - USA
Apostle Dennis G. Smith, Pastor and Spiritual Overseer

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APOSTLE'S MESSAGE



 Date: January 31, 2021

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 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 all indoor and outdoor public spaces.

      As of January 21, 2021, the City of Atlanta, Georgia remains in Phase I of the Reopening Plan due to the increasing spread of the coronavirus.   Throughout the State of Georgia businesses must continue to operate with social distancing and sanitation rules to keep customers and employees safe.  Covid-19 vaccinations are available and distributed under phase 1A+ plan in Georgia. The vaccine is in limited supply and currently offered to health care workers, first responders, individuals ages 65 and older and their caregivers, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, law enforcement officers and firefighters.

      We are continuing online service through Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube.   Baptism and prayer service are available using social distancing and personal protective equipment.

       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: 

New Testament Apostles and Prophets From God Almighty (part 1)
 By Apostle Dennis G. Smith

 Romans 1:1- 6 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,  (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:  By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:  Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

 Apostle Paul indicates and teaches that all of us are called by the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  This is also indicated by Apostle Peter when he preached on the Day of Pentecost saying as many as the Lord our God shall call.  Acts 2:39 - 40 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.  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

 Apostle Paul also informs us that God promised the gospel of God and spoke about its future coming through the Prophets of God.  So many people today are being misled because they do not recognize the beckoning of God almighty when they say that there are no New Testaments Prophets. 

 For sure God speaks through the recorded words in the bible but he also speaks through chosen people.  God chooses whom he please according to his own will.  When we come to understand this, then we begin to rely totally on God Almighty.   We can then see the Kingdom of God and hear the words of God.  If we fail to recognize the way God communicates with the world, we miss out on the forewarning of things to come and the true message of Salvation.  

 Prophets of God are people who also must not alter the word of God to conform it to their own desire or cater it to the desires of others to please a crowd of men.  Apostle and Prophet have made mistakes just like all others Saints of God in the Church.  Apostle Peter denied Christ, Apostle Paul was one who persecuted the Church.  Both of them overcame their wrongful issues and became faithful Apostles of God.  Apostle Judas Iscariot was a devil and a traitor even though he was chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ.  John 6:70 - 71 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?  He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

 There are also false Apostles and false Prophets just like there are false brethren among the Body.  They are usually those who seek personal glory and are led by the devil.   2Corinthians 11:12 - 15 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

 2Peter 2:1 - 9   But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.  For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;   And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;   And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:   (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)  The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.

 The main thing that you must learn is to know them by their fruit.  Know them by what they teach, the works that they do, the lifestyle that they live, whether they are corrupt or not, for the Lord Jesus Christ taught us that the tree is known by its fruit.  Who then are true Apostles and Prophets of God?  Biblically we can see that they are the closes disciples or followers of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whom he chose and most of them obeyed the commission and commandments that he gave them.  But one of the Prophets was unfaithful and one of them betrayed him.

1Corinthians 12:27 - 28 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

 Now if the Bible tell us that God put Apostle and Prophets in the Church who are these people who say that they are no longer a part of the Church?  Who would have the arrogance to contradict God Almighty?  The Apostles were his closest followers and became the primary teachers of the gospel message of Jesus.  

How are Apostles and Prophets called or chosen by God?   
Apostle Paul was chosen by a vision from the Lord Jesus Christ who is God Almighty during his journey to Damascus and God spoke to Ananias in a vision to confirm Apostle Paul.  Acts 9:4–9 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:  ACT9:04 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?  ACT9:05 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. ACT9:06 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. ACT9:07 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. ACT9:08 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. ACT9:09 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. ACT9:10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

The first Twelve Apostles were chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ during his visible earthly ministry and lifetime recorded in the Gospels. After his resurrection, the Lord Jesus sent eleven of them (minus Judas Iscariot, who by then had died) by the Great Commission to spread his teachings to all nations.

According to Luke our Lord and Savior had an all-night prayer and chose his first twelve Apostle after his all-night prayer.  I can remember the all-night prayer services that we had in Atlanta when I was a teenager, of course most of us were weak and eventually went to sleep but when the morning came, we felt a new strength and determination. So, Lord Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.   And in the morning after his prayer, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated Apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Luke 6:12–16   And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.  And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

The Lord Jesus initially sent out the twelve Apostles in pairs to towns in Galilee.  He gave them instructions were to heal the sick and drive out demons. He warn them of rejection by some.  And if any town rejects them, they were to shake the dust off their feet as they leave for a testimony against them.

 Mark 6:4 - 13 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.  And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.  And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:  But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.  And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.  And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. And they went out, and preached that men should repent.  And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

 They were to preach that the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand…...  We must be aware at all times that we are preaching among vicious people, devils and those who are haters of us and God.

 Matthew 10:1 - 22 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.  Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.  Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.  And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.  And when ye come into an house, salute it.  And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.  And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.  Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.  Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.  But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.  But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.  For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.  And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

 We continue with a Message from Apostle S. C. Johnson …. Who Hath Believed Our Report? ……… 

WHO HATH BELIEVED OUR REPORT? (part 1)

By Bishop S. C. Johnson

Greetings everyone! This is the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith.  We are glad to bring to your attention the fact that there is only "one way", in spite of what men have said and done.  They have not changed and cannot change God's purpose.  God purposed for one thing to be preached to all creation.  I feel quite certain that the entire world has misled not knowing anything the truth of God.  Today the religious world does not believe in the prophets.  Therefore, Isaiah said, "Who hath believed our report?... (Isaiah 53:1)   There are millions believing the report of men. This is just what Jesus said they would do. God only talked to us through the Prophets and Apostles.  The Bible says, who at sundry and in divers manners in time past spake unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he appointed hath heir of all things, by whom he made the worlds." (Hebrews 1:1-2)

God transferred his talk to His Apostles not getting away from what the prophet said.  That is the reason He said, 'Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the Prophets: I am come not to destroy, but to fulfill." (Matthew 5:17)   This is also why some people think that He did not come to do away with the Sabbath Day, that it should continuing until this day.  But no—this was a shadow of things that was coming and when Jesus arrived, He fulfilled this. 

     Let us return to the prophet who asks, "Who hath believed our report…" (Isaiah 53:1)   Bear in mind that the religious world does not believe in the prophets.   If they did, we all would speaking the same thing and there would no division among us and we would be together with the same mind and with the same judgment. There would not be any two or more different faiths in the entire world.  When Jesus arrived, He called everyone “fools” that did not believe as the prophets said.  But the Apostles, who followed in Jesus footsteps, believed in the prophets.  

Peter says in 2Peter 3:1 - 2 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:  That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

We are between a rock and a hard place, because if you ignore what either the prophets or Apostles say, you are lost.  The prophet, Isaiah, had a good report.  It was so good until Almighty came down from heaven and called everyone "fools" that did not believe in the prophets.  If you believe in the report of the prophets, you will line up with what the Word of God says.  The Bible says, "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (II Peter 1:21)    Men and women today do not believe in this ----- they have a form of godliness and they are denying what the Word of God says.  This being so, their report is incorrect.   They join churches accepting Christ as their personal Saviour or make a for Christ. That is their report.  It is not the report of the Prophets neither of the Apostles or Jesus Christ.  They spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.  If they were all to speak the same thing, they will be perfectly joined together with the same mind and same judgment.

We will continue with these messages in part 2…………………….

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

Present Guidelines for Individuals and Businesses in Phase 1:

·        Stay home except for essential trips.

·        Wear face coverings in public.

·        Frequent hand washing.

·        Social distancing followed and enforced where practical.

·        To-go and delivery orders from restaurants.

·        Continue practicing teleworking.

·        Frequent cleaning of public and high touch areas

 

 Social Distancing guidelines:

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:

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.