Date: August 8, 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 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 August 5, 2021, the City of Atlanta, Georgia remains in Phase 4 of the Reopening Plan.   

·        Social distancing is recommended to control the spread or for individual safety.   Gatherings with face mask and social distancing are allowed.

·         Covid-19 vaccinations in Georgia are offered to everyone 12 years of age and older.  Note: Pfizer is the only COVID vaccine currently approved for children aged 12 and older.

 

     We are continuing limited in-person services with face mask, social distancing, and temperature checks.  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:

 

 Men Ought Always To Pray, And Not To Faint …! (Part 5) (Forty Day Fast)

By Apostle Dennis G. Smith

 

 

…Prayer service:  It is clear from the New Testament historical book of Acts of the Apostles that the New Testament Church begin with prayer and waiting on the promise of the Holy Ghost.  We emphasize this beginning of the New Testament Church to make it plain to all people about the importance of prayer and what came to be called the prayer service which mainly consisted of praying by calling on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and waiting on the Lord to fill you with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit of God gives you utterances, and also praying over people who were sick requesting healing from bodily ailments which also included anointing with oil by the male Elders of the Church.  The term tarry which means to wait, or tarrying service referred to this process of praying and waiting on the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Acts 1:1 - 8 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,   Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:  To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.  When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?   And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

        Historians of the Apostolic Pentecostal Revival indicates that the prayer service was the catalyst for this entire Restoration of the Church movement among the body of Christ.  

 

     William J. Seymour an African American preacher who was a Student of Charles Parham a white Holiness preacher and teacher who is given credit for restoring or originating this scriptural teaching in the modern United States of America which spread across the world promoted the biblical teaching of receiving the Holy Ghost with the evidence or initial sign of speaking in tongues as the Spirit of God gives you utterances which William Seymour began preaching to other Christians. Though Charles Parham was seen as a biblical teacher he was not seen as the leader of the movement because of his views on racial intermingling and it is reported that he soon started a rival group.  

 

     William J. Seymour and his group of followers had to relocate from the Holiness Church in which he was invited to preach to the home of Richard and Ruth Asberry at 216 North Bonnie Brae Street because the Holiness Church Association rejected this teaching and locked them out of the Church building.  But some of the Black American families and White American families from Holiness Churches did not reject this message and teaching because it was within the Holy Bible and began to attend the Prayer Meeting and Services conducted by William Seymour.  Historical records indicate that these group of believers who did not reject this teaching would gather together in meetings to pray to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  

 

     This is popularly known by some as the Bonnie Brae Prayer Meetings.  According to history it was on April 9, 1906, just before one of the prayer meetings that William Seymour laid his hands on Edward S. Lee and prayed for him, and he spoke in tongues for the first time just before the prayer meeting. About 15 African American family members came to the later scheduled prayer meeting at 7:30pm.  William J. Seymour began spreading the testimony about Edward S. Lee speaking in tongues before the prayer meeting by the laying on of hands and prayer and preaching from Acts 2:4 about the receipt of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of tongues as it was received on the day of Pentecost the birthday of the Church.  

 

Acts 2:1- 4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

 

     Historical records also indicate that six other people received the Gift of the Holy Ghost that same day about 2 hours later with the evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit of God gave them utterances including Jennie Moore, who later became William Seymour's wife, and played the piano and sung under the anointing of the Holy Ghost even though she had never played the piano before.  A few days later, on April 12, William Seymour himself also spoke in tongues for the first time after praying all night long with a white Brother.  Crowds of both black and white people from Smale's First New Testament Church, Hutchins' mission, and other Holiness groups in the area came to the house on Bonnie Brae Street to see and partake in what God was doing.  This spread all around the world.

 

     We also have very pleasant memories of the Overnight Prayer service conducted in Atlanta, Georgia in which we prayer all night until the rising of the morning Sun.  Some would fall asleep praying then wake up and continue calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  This prayer service was a great encouragement to me in that it taught me how to wait patiently on the Lord.  For they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength!!!

 

Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Acts 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 

Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Acts 1:12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.

Acts 1:13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

 

     But they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength!!! So we can see from the bible and historical records that the believers continued to pray and wait on the Lord Jesus Christ.  From these Biblical and historical records we can all see and attest that praying and waiting on the Lord also called the Tarrying Service is one of the founding principles on which the New Testament Church is built.  This is the reason why the devil has fought so hard against it, but the gates of hell have not prevailed against the Church as the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ taught and promised us.

 

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

 

We continue with part of a Message from Apostle S. McDowell Shelton …. “Does Prayer Really Change Anything?” ………

 

 

Does Prayer Really Change Anything?” (part 5)

By Bishop S. McDowell Shelton

 

8. THE PRAYERS OF THE ELDERS: It seems that some people were asked to call upon the elders of the Church.  This call seems to do something for the healing of the sick; not this only, but in the forgiveness of sins.  "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the Church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up and if he have committed sins they shall be forgiven him." (James 5: 14-15)

 

     Prayer does something for you even if you are not sick.  Prayer blots out all transgressions.  It can make you as white as snow, though your sins be as scarlet. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)

 

9. PAUL: In nearing our conclusion, we must not forget to mention Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles.  The once ardent fighter, now meekly on his knees, waits for someone to lead him.  While Paul was fighting against the Church, it was still moving on.  After undergoing a spiritual dramatic experience on his journey to Damascus, we find this bold creature, as he appeared to be, trembling and astonished, asking the Lord, "What will thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6) 

 

     The Holy Ghost now sends Ananias to Paul.  Ananias is very apprehensive about his mission.  But God assures him by saying, "Behold he (Paul) prayeth." (Acts 9:11)

 

     Ananias goes on to tell Paul what he must do.  He is then baptized and receives the Holy Ghost.  He straightway becomes a preacher and God makes him an apostle to the Gentiles.  Paul goes on his journey. When the saints heard of his coming, they began to get afraid, because they once knew Paul as an ardent fighter against the Church.  Yet, prayer had changed the man. See Acts 8:1-25; also Acts 9th chapter.

 

Acts 8:1- 4 And Saul (Paul) was consenting unto his death (the death of Stephen). And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.  And devout men carried Stephen to his burial and made great lamentation over him.  As for Saul (Paul), he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.  Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.

 

 

Acts 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 

Acts 9:2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

Acts 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 

Acts 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 

Acts 9:5 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.

Acts 9:6 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.

Acts 9:7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

Acts 9:8 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. Acts 9:9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

Acts 9:10 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.

Acts 9:11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street, which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 

Acts 9:12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

Acts 9:13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 

Acts 9:14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 

Acts 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

Acts 9:19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

Acts 9:20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

Acts 9:21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 

Acts 9:22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

Acts 9:23 And after that many days were fulfilled; the Jews took counsel to kill him: 

Acts 9:24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

Acts 9:25 Then the disciples took him by night and let him down by the wall in a basket.

ACT 9:26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him and believed not that he was a disciple.

Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

Acts 9:28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

Acts 9:29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

Acts 9:30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

 

Yet, prayer had changed the man. We see how prayer changed Apostle Paul……

 

We will continue with these messages 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 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 and 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 in Georgia:

     Everyone age 12 and older.  Note: Pfizer is the only COVID vaccine currently approved for children aged 12 and older. People younger than 18 years of age are not authorized to receive either the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

 

 

 Present Guidelines for Individual and Businesses in PHASE 4

·        Limited trips outside.

·        Wearing a face mask in some indoor public facilities is a mandate.

·        Frequent hand washing.

·        Continue to practice Social distancing.

·        Increased occupancy in food and retail establishments with social distancing and other protective measures.

·        Begin phasing in non-essential workers return to on sight working with safety precautions including social distancing and temperature checks.

·        Frequent cleaning of public and high touch areas

·        Small gatherings with social distancing to prevent overcrowding.

·        Some essential and non-essential City facilities and programs may begin to open.

·        City continues to accept special event applications subject to COVID safety requirements

·        Continue communication with local and State authorities to monitor public health metrics

 

 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.