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.
-
As
of January 6, 2022, the City of Atlanta, Georgia remains
in the Red Zone with community transmission of
Covid-19 remaining upward above 10% community spread. This means
that transmission is extremely high, and you will need to follow
strict guidance because you may be exposed to the virus at this
time.
-
Social
distancing and face mask are recommended for gatherings to control the
spread of Covid-19 or for individual safety.
-
Gatherings
indoors with unvaccinated people and crowding is not recommended but
allowed with face mask and social distancing.
-
Vaccinations
and boosters remains the recommended most effective way to control the
spread of Covid-19 by health authorities.
-
Covid-19
vaccinations and boosters in Georgia are offered to everyone 5 years
of age and older.
-
Note: Pfizer
is the only COVID vaccine currently approved for children aged 5 years
and older.
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:
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:
Faith without works is dead being alone (part 2)
By
Apostle Dennis G. Smith
The idea of being saved by faith alone is often attributed to
Martin Luther who is sometimes recognized as adding the words "justification
by faith alone" to the biblical teachings. The bible teaches us
that “the Just shall live by faith”. (Romans 1:17)
Romans 1:16 For
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God
unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also
to the Greek. Romans
1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to
faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans
1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in
unrighteousness; Romans 1:19 Because that which may be known of
God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Martin Luther and the other reformers challenged the Catholic Church
that sold indulgences, "a way to reduce the amount of punishment one
has to undergo for sins" which they believed was salvation based on
the works of a person. Martin Luther taught that salvation was based
on faith alone, and not received based upon a person’s meritorious
works.
While the statement that salvation is not obtained based on good
works done by an individual for the purpose of earning salvation for
themselves is true, it
is error if it promotes the idea that a person is saved
without any actions at all, or without any works at all or
without obedience to the commandments of the Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ who is God Almighty.
Ephesians 2:8 - 10 For
by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God
hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
A
simple example can be understood by anyone who is hungry or thirsty.
A person will never receive food or water by simply saying I believe
God will feed me or give me drink because he will provide my every
need. When a person believes that God will provide, they go about
seeking the food and drink that will satisfy their hunger and thirst
by their own actions or works. Notice how their faith produced
actions or works in obtaining food and drink.
We should all now avoid this confusion and come to see that Martin
Luther was wrong to change the interpretation of Holy Scripture in the
sixteenth century to imply that we are saved by “faith alone” because
it denies the need for repentance and water baptism for the remission
of sins and therefore is not the teaching of the Apostle's Doctrine.
Apostle James teaches us that faith if it hath not works, is dead,
being alone. Apostle James also taught that we show our faith by
our works. True faith in Jesus Christ will naturally lead you to
perform good works by imitating the life of Jesus Christ.
James 2:14 What
doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have
not works? can faith save him? James 2:15 If
a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, James
2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed
and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are
needful to the body; what doth it profit? James 2:17 Even
so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. James 2:18 Yea,
a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith
without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. James 2:19
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also
believe, and tremble. James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain
man, that faith without works is dead?
James 2:20
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that
faith without works is dead?
"WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM" (part 2)
By
Bishop S. McDowell Shelton
In this time and in this day, the only way you can go back to a
mental innocence is by being born again of the water and of the Spirit
and become a new creature all over again. Through this new birth you
can start out anew and start your life fresh. You can have a new
beginning and a new existence that is not like that old existence. You
will find strength and belief and peace, not in the old existence—it
is not in the old Adam, but it is in the new man Adam; it is in the
new spiritual self.
In
the 3rd Chapter of John, we read of Nicodemus—a man of the Pharisees,
who came to Jesus by night: "There was a man of
the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to
Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a
teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou
doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot
see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, HOW can a man be
born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's
womb, and be born?" (John 3:1-4)
Once you get out here in this world of conflict, of hardship, of
battling day and night, you probably will wish you could enter the
womb the second, third and fourth time. But you are here, and you must
face it. You are here and you must stand. You are here and you must
exist; so, therefore, you need direction, you need added strength, you
need power, and you need endurance. The only way you can do it is by
receiving a new birth.
"Jesus
answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of
water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That, which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said
unto thee, 'Ye must be born again." (John 3:5-7)
Jesus continued and told the man what he must do. Even though
Nicodemus was looking at the words of Jesus from a natural point of
view, Jesus was referring to a spiritual body, because He stated—"That
which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that Which is born of the
spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born
again."
Therefore, you must not marvel when we say unto you that, in your
life, you must return to a point of spiritual innocence. You must
return to the place where you can believe in the totality of the power
of God: where you can believe that God is working for you—in
you—through you—and about you. That God is moving toward you, and that
he is indeed answering your prayers.
We realize it is, truly, a difficult task to return to this
state of childlike belief, because your innocence is gone. You have
become so wise to the ways of this world and life, and you remember
the time that you tried to trust Him and this or that happened, or it
didn't happen, and you became discouraged, and your direction was
changed.
But once you have really been born again of the water and of the
Spirit, and your mind has reverted to the innocence of infancy—even
though you have had setback or disappointment in your life, you don't
let it scare you. You clear your mind of all doubt. You do this by
constantly moving toward the Lord and getting rid of all those
negative hindrances until your mind is filled with belief; until your
mind is filled with that innocent trust, and you believe that He will,
He can, and He is.
You must get to the point where you can speak about those things for
which you are praying in the present tense. You don't have to wait
until you have it in your hands. You don't have to wait until it is in
your house, but you can talk about it in the present tense.
When you come to this place of innocent belief, when you come to the
place of this childlike faith, you can call those things which are not
as though they were. When you regain this simplicity of faith, you are
like a little child whose father has promised him a gift. The child is
promised a bicycle and he jump up and down with glee and tells all his
friends about it. He says—"0h, I'm going to get a bicycle!", and he
tells them what color he wants it to be. He can rejoice so happily
about it because he believes it so emphatically.
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 app and
install it on your cell phone, laptop computer or tablet. When
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 through Givelify, Cash App, Visa, Master
Card, American Express Credit and Bank cards or PayPal. Use cash app
link name ($MinistersofJesus935).
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.
