Ministers of Jesus Christ Church

Date: January 16, 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:

Faith without works is dead being alone (part 3)

By Apostle Dennis G. Smith

Apostle James teaches us in great detail what a person must do to be saved in teaching that obedience to the Moral laws and commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ is a part of salvation for all believers and condemnation for all unbelievers or those who do not obey the Moral laws and commandments of Jesus Christ.

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: James 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Apostle James teaches us that faith is made perfect by works and therefore works are a part of justification.

James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? James 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

We should all clearly see that a person who has faith must make a daily, conscious decision to do good works, just as he must decide each day to refrain from sin. And if a person choose not to do good works that they know are righteous they are practicing sinful ways and living a sinful lifestyle which will lead to eternal damnation.

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

The false concept that a person can be saved as long as he has "saving faith" is not correct if it implies that “saving faith” does not need or produce obedience and good works. To mentally state in our mind or say with our mouth aloud that we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and not obey his commandments will not save a person because faith without obedience is an empty statement of words if it has no good and righteous actions or good works. True Faith believes in God’s love, grace, and mercy in His death as the Son of God on the cross and produces works by obeying His plan of salvation.

The Apostolic preachers that teach that Saving faith comes from hearing the gospel message and being obedient to that message is teaching the true Apostle's Doctrine. The salvation experience comes by grace through faith, but a profession of faith alone which is simply saying with your mouth that you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ without obeying his commandments is not the salvation experience. Saving faith is obedient faith that leads to calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, confessing belief in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, repenting of our sins, and being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost with the evidence or sign following a person which is speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance.

All people should now fully understand that a person must believe and obey in order to be justified or receive forgiveness for their sins. This is why they asked the question men and brethren what shall we do, or what must I do to be saved?

Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Acts 2:37 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? Acts 2:38 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.

A true believer will continue to perform good works all the days of their life in their continuous decision to overcome sinful ways and in proving that the just or justified people will live by their faith.

Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

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.

Galatians 3:11 - 12 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Hebrews 10:38 - 39 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Justification by faith alone, which means that forgiveness of sin is obtained by faith alone without any actions on the part of the believer is a doctrine commonly taught by reformed theology teachers. The doctrine asserts that it is on the basis of faith that believers are made right of their transgressions of the law of God rather than on the basis of good works which they have done. In Reformed theologies, good works are seen to be evidence of faith, but the good works themselves do not determine salvation. While this general statement is true, it is usually twisted to imply or teach that baptism and holy living is not a part of salvation which is an absolute false statement and a completely false statement.

True doctrine of Justification by faith teaches that God’s forgiveness is by faith and obedience to his commandments that leads to holy living with the goal of continuing to grow and overcome all sinful ways in achieving Christian perfection or progressive sanctification which is essential for salvation. In other words, we do not continue to practice sinful ways, instead, we live in obedience to the Moral and righteous commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ in obtaining salvation, and we are forgiven of our sins based on faith in the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross as payment for our sins and therefore have no need to bring works of animal sacrifices, circumcision, or any other sacrifice as payment for our sins. The Bible teaches us that we are saved by grace through faith and not by works. (Ephesians 2:8-9).

This means that no one can earn salvation by their good works, old testament religious ceremonies, or sacrificial commitments. While this general commentary is true among most Christians believers, we must all understand that this statement is focusing on teaching against the Catholic false doctrine of indulgences and does not actually mean that faith does not produce good works. It teaches us that the Lord Jesus Christ who is God Almighty extended grace to us through his manifestation in flesh and blood and his sacrificial death on the cross for forgiveness from our sins. Therefore we are not under the ceremonial law, the law of circumcision or animal sacrifices for our sins. This reveals to the world that the Levitical Priesthood and its sacrificial system for sins are not necessary for salvation today under Grace. Christ is the end of the Law to everyone that believes. Salvation by Grace through Faith cannot be bought or earned by our own personal plan, but it is through the one and only plan of salvation by God Almighty that we are saved. And to be saved by the one and only plan of salvation we must receive it by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and obeying his commandments which are the actions or results of our belief.

Those that teach the doctrine of salvation by faith alone usually teach that forgiveness for guilty sinners is granted to a person and received through their faith alone, without any works or deeds. This promotes confusion concerning confession and repentance which the bible teach as necessary for salvation.

1John 1:5 - 10 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Repentance is a sorrowful heart that produces a mental change of recognizing that we are a sinner. This mental change is added to our faith or some say it is a part of our faith which once again reveals that faith does not stand alone. The doctrine of faith alone also rejects water baptism as a sacrament or as essential for salvation. Since perhaps all Churches that claim to be a Christian Church teach repentance then it can also be clearly seen once again that faith does not stand alone.

The doctrine of salvation by faith alone is the teaching of most reformed churches but is rejected by most Apostolic Christian Churches. According to Martin Luther, justification by faith alone is the article on which the Church stands or falls, the core of the Christian faith around which all other Christian doctrines are centered and based. This statement would clearly indicate that the reformed Churches that teach this doctrine stands or falls because of what they have taught.

From these statements, you can see that they are not a part of the Body of Christ because they donot teach baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins which is what the Apostles of God actually taught. The Apostles taught repentance and baptism as necessary for salvation. False teachers leave out baptism as necessary for salvation because they claim it is a work and that repentance is not a work. Then we must conclude that they are false churches because they do not teach the Apostle's Doctrine.

If we believe what the bible teaches according to John 3:5 “Except a man be born again of water and spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God” to be referring to the sacrament of baptism in water in the name of Jesus Christ and the receipt of the Holy Ghost as the Apostle Peter taught in Acts 2:38 the birthday of the New Testament Church, then we must conclude that all the teachers of reformed theology that do not obey or teach obedience to the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ as necessary for salvation are not a part of the body of Christ and they are false teachers, false prophets, members of false churches, deceiving and leading many people to hell whose final destination will be the lake of fire.

It should be thoroughly clear that the false teachers are wrong because we obey the commandments of Jesus Christ because we believe in him. In other words, our faith does not stand alone but leads us into the actions of obedience and produces good works. If our faith did not cause us to obey the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ and produced no results, or good works, our faith, our declaration that we believe in Jesus Christ would be empty, dead, and void.

The Lord Jesus Christ gave commandments that included believing and baptism which clearly indicates that baptism is necessary for salvation when he said, “He that believes and is baptized will be saved, but he that does not believe will be condemned".

Mark 16:15 - 19 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

We see that baptism is essential to salvation because it is the commandment of Lord Jesus Christ for remission of our sins. Baptism is our act of obedience in response to our saving faith. Our saving faith or true faith began with belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and leads us to repentance and acknowledgement of our sinful ways and a turn away from our sinful ways and obedience to his commandment in baptism for the forgiveness of our sins. This does not contradict any scripture in the bible as the doctors of dumbness and false prophets are teaching but reveals to all people that faith without works is dead as Apostle James taught the Church because faith includes actions. Most teachers acknowledge that works are clear evidence of our faith. Neither does this conflict with the thief saved on the cross who died before the birthday of the New Testament Church, nor does it conflict with the Salvation of babies and children who are suffered to come until they are able to understand, believe and have faith for themselves because the Lord Jesus Christ gave instructions concerning them.

Ephesians 2:1 - 7 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

This scripture teaches us that salvation was not offered to man because of the works that he had done to earn forgiveness, but it was offered as a gift from God because of the Love of our 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.

Notice from Hebrews that faith always produced results and has never stood alone in mental assent, lip service of saying that one believe and trust without any actions behind their words.

Hebrews 11:1 - 6 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

We continue with a Message from Apostle S. McDowell Shelton … "Without Faith It Is Impossible To Please Him"

"WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM" (part 3)

By Bishop S. McDowell Shelton

In Romans 4:16-22, the Holy Scriptures tell us: "Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God? who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were: Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded, that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. An therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness."

The Bible mentioned- “……and calleth those things which be not as though they were". In other words, you may not see anything in our hand, and to someone who does not have faith they would probably say that it is empty. But to someone who believes, they will claim in the palm of the hand is the substance of something that is being hoped for the substance is there, but it has not reached the state of visibility, it has not reached the state of manifestation or being able to be seen by the naked eye. Faith is the evidence of things not seen.

In your haste, you have out-run your victory. In your speed, in your impatience, you have gone too fast and for this reason, we must pull you back to the starting line again. We must start you all over in this state of innocent belief—in this state of looking forward and upward and continuing in the hope that you will obtain your prize. There is a marked difference in aimlessly seeking your ultimate goal in ignorance and anxiety, in strife or through mythology then there is in seeking it within the method prescribed by the Holy Ghost—line upon line, precept upon precept, going from strength to strength until you have achieved your objective.

The Scripture says: "Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, so shall they seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded, that what he had promised, he was able to perform." (Romans 4:18 – 21)

Don't even consider your body; don't consider your material flesh. Let your spirit flow up to God; let your belief touch that divine place that will ignite and spark this responsive promise in God. Let faith have its perfect work; let patience have its perfect results and you shall know—you shall have —you shall see the evidence of things hoped for.

"And being fully persuaded, that what he had promised, he was able to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness." (Romans 4: 21 – 22) This was not written for his sake alone, but for you and everyone. Even when it mentions "imputed unto him for righteousness", this, also, was not for him alone, but for you, too.

And so, we say to you—those who are baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ and have the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues—you have a beautiful and a bright future in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. But regardless to who you are, if you have requested prayer and have sent your requests in to us—God will bless you and answer your prayers. It is not so much from our own goodness or wholesomeness, but there is a promise in the Apostolic Church and God will bless. For this reason, He will answer your prayers. It is written, and it cannot be changed.

We say unto you to not be wise in your own conceit and in your unbelief. Be not so grown in your doubt. Relax yourself and go back to the childhood of your innocence and the simplicity of faith. Relax and cease to struggle against the will and the moving of the Holy Ghost concerning you. Let it have its way. Begin to thank Him from this moment on, calling those things which are not as though they were—for they are!

Now, may the Lord bless and keep thee. May the Lord make His face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee. May the Lord lift His countenance upon thee and give thee peace. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is God Almighty. Amen.

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.