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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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
with or without symptoms.
In some places wearing face mask is mandatory in all indoor and outdoor
public spaces.
Due to notification from the health
authorities of infection data for the City of Atlanta, Georgia, we have canceled
the in-person services until further notice. Our city has instituted a rollback
to phase 1 of its reopening plan which require people to stay -at-home or
shelter-in-place at their homes and only leave for essential tasks.
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:
The Modern Apostolic Church part II
The Modern Apostolic Church believes that a Christian's lifestyle should
be characterized by holiness standards. This holiness begins by believing in the
Gospel of Jesus Christ, by repenting or turning away from a sinful life, and
baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, when the blood of Christ washes away all
sin and a person stand before God forgiven of all his past sins and truly holy
for the first time in his or her life. Then he continues in prayer calling on
the name of Jesus Christ until he receives the Gift of the Holy Ghost with the
sign of Tongues. And now has the
power to live a holy life separated from the sinful pleasure and pagan conduct
of the world.
1John 2:15 - 17 Love not the world,
neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love
of the Father is not in him. For all
that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the
pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the
will of God abideth forever.
After this, a separation from the world in both practical and moral areas
is essential to spiritual life.
Moral or inward holiness consists of righteous living, guided, and powered by
the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Practical
or outward holiness for many Oneness believers involves certain "holiness
standards" that dictate, among other things, modest apparel, and gender
distinction. The term
Modesty indicates that all immodest apparel is not to be worn.
" Some Oneness organizations considers many current trends in fashion and
dress that reveals bodily nakedness and attract sensual sexual excitement in
public places, outside of the covenant of marriage to be immoral and have
established
"dress codes" for their members. These
guidelines
are similar to those used by all Pentecostal denominations for much of the first
half of the 20th century.
These dress codes are not the doctrine of the One Universal Church but
are guidelines established by some local and national organizations within the
Body of Christ to apply their interpretation of the
doctrine of Modest
Apparel generally according to their culture or custom.
Many of their rules can sometimes be highly prohibitive on new converts
who are coming out of the world.
Usually those who believe in instantaneous sanctification, entire sanctification
or whole sanctification at the new birth tend to be more restrictive.
Even those who believe in progressive sanctification can be quite
demanding as well. In either case
they believe you have the indwelling power of the Holy Ghost to overcome all
sin.
An example would be a summary of the standards written by one
organization based on their application of Modesty.
Generally, women are expected to wear
long sleeve dresses or blouses, expected not to wear pants, make-up, form
fitting clothing, jewelry, or to cut their hair; men are expected to be
clean-shaven, short-haired, and are expected to wear long sleeve shirts,
long-legged pants, as opposed to shorts. The
cutting of the Hair code usually does not apply to those who believe in veils
and hats as head covering. As you
can see, with the exception of the head covering, this is not Biblical Doctrine,
but organizational dress codes based on their interpretation or application of
the doctrine of modesty.
Additionally, some Oneness organizations strongly admonish their members
not to watch secular movies or television.
As you can again see, this is not Biblical Doctrine but organizational
guideline as to their interpretation of the lust of the eyes in some cases.
Those of you who are familiar with modern penmanship know that many
television programs and movies are based on books, even on the Bible itself and
there are good and bad, sinful and wholesome items in all of them.
Therefore, each individual person will have to learn to reject sin no
matter what form of media they may use.
Many of these views on "standards" have roots in the larger Holiness
movement. However, the precise degree to which these standards are enforced
varies from church to church and even from individual to individual within the
movement. However, according to some historical accounts, in the early days of
the oneness movement, standards or "holiness", was not a held belief nor a
requirement enforced on congregants. In fact, most Church historians report that
holiness or sanctification was actually shared with that of the Wesleyan or
Methodist viewpoint.
Today, some holy women know to wear loose clothing that do not
deliberately attract sensual lustful desires in revealing bodily nakedness by
wearing modest calf length or below the knee loose dresses or skirts, modest
women culocks or culottes, modest women slacks if they are dealing with people
who are open to women pants, moderate use of colored cosmetics or makeup if they
are open to the wearing of makeup to cover injuries and skin imperfections or
are working on camera and photo sets for
pictorial media, making a distinction between male and female attire mostly
according to the culture in which they live.
This is because the doctrine is
modesty… 1 timothy 2:9 - 10,
male and female
gender distinction in clothing…
Deuteronomy 22:5, love, honor, respect, and submission from the heart
to husbands, wives, Saints of God and all people…1 Peter 3:3 – 6.
The rule, or guideline, is generally
interpretative application of the doctrine of the scripture usually according to
the culture of the local area. In simplicity, notice that these scriptures do
not name any particle item of clothing. As a result most modest clothing
designers and manufacturer create men hats and women hats, men pants and women
pants, men shirts and women shirts, in some cultures there are men culottes or
split skirts and women culottes, men robes or dresses called kaftans and women
robes or dresses, etc..
Whereas there are probably some items designated for men or women only,
our point is to show you we are dealing with gender distinction in clothing
according to the doctrine or lack thereof.
In other words, a clothing item with a type for the male and a type for
the female with both sexes wearing the same item but different types according
to gender. Some cultures are highly
offended at some items that are worn by both sexes so you must be aware of the
Cultural traditions of the local area in which you live.
Though their cultural objection does not make the item itself sinful, you
may be looked upon in a resentful way if they have rules or guideline
prohibiting the clothing or item you are wearing to be for one of the genders
only. Nevertheless it is the lack of
modesty that attracts lustful or adulterous desires that causes sin, or
lack of gender distinction that make you an abomination to God Almighty and
mankind, lack of heart felt love, mutual respect and empathy towards each
person that breaks relationships, hinder prayers, and causes separation of
husbands and wives regardless of any personal opinions or cultural
interpretations of the doctrine.
1Timothy 2:09 -10 In like manner
also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and
sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which
becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
Deuteronomy 22:5 The woman shall not
wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s
garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
1Peter 3:3 - 8 Whose adorning let it
not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of
putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which
is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in
the sight of God of great price. For
after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God,
adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as
Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do
well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise,
ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the
wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of
life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Finally, be ye
all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be
pitiful, be courteous:
We continue with the message from
Apostle Shelton written during his lifetime dealing with Church councils and
their variation in doctrine.
Even though
they have these councils in the various religions, each one has their own
doctrine. They might unite into one religious body, but almost every preacher in
those denominations have a separate doctrine of his own. It is inconceivable
about the number doctrines of you can find and the number of thoughts and
interpretations they have on the same scripture. They guard the right with
jealousy to differ in their interpretation, but in everything else there is a
sameness. The only way these
religions agree is that they agree not to fight over disagreeing.
They agree on each having the right to their own interpretation. This is
the only way they really agree, otherwise even within the same church, there are
violent disagreements in doctrine.
Some people claim that there is disagreement in the doctrine here, at the
Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is most definitely a difference in focus,
but this was in the early Church, as with the Sadducees and the Pharisees. There
has always been this kind of thing between the Jewish congregation. There is
going to always be some difference in focus.
The issue of deacons had to come up because of their taking care of the
widows, but the sameness of the doctrine continued between Paul and Peter.
Indeed, there is a difference of focus in the people who feel they are following
the Bishop Johnson line and the Bishop Shelton line of doctrine. They try to
make a difference, but there is no difference in doctrine.
There is a difference in approach and focus! We both teach that the
Apostolic doctrine is the one plan of Salvation, that everybody under the sun
must obey this one plan of salvation or they are lost and on their way to hell.
The Bishop Johnson line of approach was that our most important function
now is to build as many more churches as necessary so that all people would have
a place to worship. If you could read and write, this was enough education. Each
individual fulfilled his religious functions in the Church. However, he did put
some emphasis on the other social functions of the Church. We took care of our
poor. There was some Limited housing
for those who had need. There were good works done for individuals.
Now this is our building of churches because we are still buying them,
God knows we are, and we are still paying for them.
The broadcast cost us more; much more.
In fact, the charges are between a quarter and a half million dollars a
year. Our building programs and our
travel and evangelistic programs are tremendous.
Let us say this, if
there could be any difference in the approach of method, it would be under his
administration. There was a wide outreach to the unsaved under Bishop
Johnson's ministry. He preached mainly on the false prophets and had an outward
reach. Whereas with our method, we are making more of the inward reach. While we
want to. see others saved, we also must help those who are already baptized in
the name of Jesus Christ and are striving in the Whole Truth. It is like this,
as he captured many lands, he captured many people. Now it is our function to
occupy and to preserve what has been captured.
After you conquer a country, you must set up a government that is going
to make that country function. You must produce and grow.
The Apostolic
community is broadening its knowledge, but some will say they are getting very
worldly. They are getting very worldly, in the sense that they are
reading another book other than the Bible. For some people to see you read
anything other than the Bible, they will look on you in the same breath as
someone committing adultery. You must prepare yourself for this. This is where
some of our areas of discussion about literature come in. This is one of the
changes that is taking place. We must function with the change because of this.
The Apostolic Church differs again in method. We had a broadcast in Monte
Carlo and Luxemburg, but it only covered a certain portion of Europe. It covered
it in the English language. We received some but now we are getting more
response from a worldwide scope and international approach because we had
literature translated into the particular language of the country. In the
future, it is going to be translated into every major language that is spoken,
also. When we are not preaching
directly in all the languages, we will preach it in English and another
interpreter will interpret what we say. Our worldwide scope is increasing, and
we are doubling our worldwide strength.
These are the things which people see which are
differences in methods,
but by no means differences in doctrine.
It is difficult for people to conceive the differences in doctrine and
the differences in methods.
You should clearly see now that Apostle Shelton put forth our emphases of no
differences in doctrine, while acknowledging differences in methods.
We can also see that changes in rules become necessary as new media, new
technology, and new methods are brought forward.
Yet there is nothing new about the conduct and imagination of mankind in
general. Let us examine the word and
apply the teaching of the biblical Apostles.
1Corinthians 12:4 - 7 Now there are
diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which
worketh all in all. But the
manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
1Corinthians 1:10 - 13 Now I beseech
you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same
thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined
together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are
of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of
Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified
for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
The Modern Apostolic Church must not have divisions or schisms over
Christian preachers and teachers whom they idolize, for this would be idolatry.
Though we may have been converted and baptized through the ministry of
different preachers and teachers, if we are not following Jesus Christ, we
must realize that we then are following false Gods.
We imitate and follow the Biblical Apostles and
present day Apostles only as they follow Jesus Christ. If we are
under the Oversight of different preachers, we must measure all things by the
word of God, by the same doctrine, by the one and only plan of salvation, and
not by eloquent speakers whom we admire.
God will have no flesh to glory in his presence.
1 Corinthians 1:27 – 31 But God hath
chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen
the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And
base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea,
and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should
glory in his presence. But of
him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and
righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is
written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
When Apostle Paul emphasizes his leaving earthly things behind and
pressing toward the mark of perfection, he is not talking about the dress codes
of a local area when speaking of walking by the same rule.
Apostle Paul emphasizes that while he has not obtained the resurrection,
but he said, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God
in Christ Jesus.” For most of us,
this simply means that our goal is to overcome sin or to sin no more in our
daily walk with Christ. But and if
we sin, we repent and have an advocate who can pick us up as we press toward the
mark of the high calling.
Philippians 3:13 - 16 Brethren, I
count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark
for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Let us therefore, as many as be
perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall
reveal even this unto you.
Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule,
let us mind the same thing.
Many times this scripture is used to re-enforce in the mind of those who
are seeking to overcome all sinful ways in leaving the worldly ways behind,
leaving the old man and old nature behind and focusing on the new man and the
heavenly high calling. This means that
all the Holy Saints of God should walk by this same rule of giving up the sinful
worldly ways. This is the reason why
the Apostolic Standard of Holiness on inward and outward dress and conduct is
used to profess before all people our press toward the high calling and our
protest against conforming to the sensual lustful appearances of the sinful
world. This does not mean that our
modesty is not beautiful and modern in all aspects of society.
We then realize that our attire and focus
may differ for each culture, but it will always follow the same doctrine of
modesty and reject all sinful ways and appearances.
We will continue this message in Part
3 of the Modern Apostolic Church.
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
Guidelines for Individuals in Phase 1:
Guidelines for Businesses in Phase 1:
Guidelines for City Government in Phase
1:
What Is Social Distancing?
·
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 by avoiding public
transportation 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.
Atlanta entered Phase 2 at the end of May:
·
which allowed for small, private gatherings of no more than 10
people with social distancing and allowed for to-go and curbside pickups from
restaurants (previously allowed in Phase 1) and retail establishments. The
gathering size was increased to 50 people with social distancing.
·
Phase 1 is implemented when the percent of hospital and critical
care capacity remains above 50%.