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

Date: September 19, 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 September 15, 2021, the City of Atlanta, Georgia remains in the Red Zone due to high community transmission of Covid-19.   

          ·        Social distancing and face mask are mandatory for gatherings to control the spread of Covid-19 or for individual safety.   

         ·   Limited Gatherings to avoid crowding with mandatory face mask and social distancing are allowed.

         ·   Vaccinations remains the recommended most effective way to control the spread of Covid-19 by health authorities. 

         ·   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, 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:

 Sanctity of Marriage

By Apostle Dennis G. Smith

Genesis 1:27 – 28   So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.   And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Genesis 2:18 - 25 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.  And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.   And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.  And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;   And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.   Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.   And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

     When reading the Bible, it does not take a long conversation to recognize the Sanctity of marriage, the holiness of life and character for establishing a family according to the commandment of God Almighty to be fruitful and multiply producing children and growing nations intended for in God’s plan.  And because we can see the intent in God’s plan, we can also see or recognize the issues that do not conform to the production of a family.  We can also easily see the sinful behavior of acts of fornication and adultery that go against the plan of God in that they do not establish a holy family relationship but are used instead for the pleasures of sin.    No one can truly dispute the fact that any sensual or sexual contact between human beings that are not involving a man and a woman committed to a marriage until death separates them is wrong behavior and sinful conduct leading to the punishment of eternal damnation in the lake of fire.  When we truly examine the scripture, we can easily understand that God intended marriage to be continuous between a husband and one wife to the end of their natural life.  This was clearly the relationship of Adam and his wife Eve.  Anything that occurs outside of the plan of God for marriage is something that God will judge or is a matter of judgement of the various Church courts or civil court of a given nation.

 Hebrews 13:04 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

So where did divorce come from?  Or was divorce apart of God’s original plan?  Perhaps a more shocking question is where did sin come from?  We then see the serpent in the Garden of Eden and the disobedience of the man and his wife disobeying the commandments of God we then recognize sin and the fall of man from his innocent holy state.  As man began to multiply in the Earth and Children are born, we can see the need for the moral law of relationships because of transgressions from the original plan of a husband and one wife or a woman being join to one man as one flesh.  We can see the hardness of the heart of man with the first two brothers as Cain murders his brother Abel out of jealousy because Cain works were evil and his brother’s Abel works were righteous. 

1 John 3:11 - 15  For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.   Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother.  And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.  Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.   We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

God intended for a man and a woman to be together for their entire life in marriage. This is the reason why the Lord Jesus Christ who is God Almighty explains the judgement of Moses in allowing men to divorce their wives because of the hardness of their hearts.  In other words, they were allowed to divorce their wives because of sin.   But divorce was not apart of the original plan for marriage.  And because two married Christians should not practice sinful ways there should never be a cause for divorce.  The problem of divorce then arises as a result of the hardness of one  or both of the couple’s heart and the practice of sinful conduct. We can see from the proceeding scriptures what the Lord Jesus Christ taught about divorce and remarriage.

Mark 10:2 - 11   And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.   And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?   And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.   And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.  But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;   And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.   What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.   And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.   And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.   And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

We can see that the Lord Jesus Christ taught that both a man who puts away his wife or a woman who puts away her husband and marries another person are guilty of Adultery.

Matthew 19:3 - 9 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?   And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,   And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?   Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.  What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.  They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?   He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.   And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

 Luke 16:18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

Ephesians 5:28 -31 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:   For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

    When we look at the word of God, we can see that the standards set by the governments of some countries in the way that they define and administer marriages and divorces are not always in line with the word of God.  This is the difference that all Christians must recognize in dealing with the issue of marriage and divorce around the world.  Marriage ceremonies are usually performed by religious officials on behalf of the state but may not line up with the word of God.   A civil marriage and civil divorce performed by the state may not alway meet the standards as taught by the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Due to differing standards and procedures, a couple can be legally unmarried, married, or divorced by the state's definition, but have a different status as defined by the bible or religious order.

 In countries that abide Church courts, the government will usually use religious law to administer marriages and divorces, which sometimes can eliminate the difference between bible order if they are Christians and the state's definition of marriage and divorce. 

     Christian views on marriage and divorce may vary based on their interpretation of the event of adultery and the word fornication which is defined by most as all form of sensual or sexual contact that is outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.  Most Christians follow doctrinal statements and teach doctrines that are similar or the same as defined by the proceeding biblical order:

1        1.   God’s original plan for marriage is the joining of one man and one woman.  Genesis 2:24

     2.There should be no divorce and remarriage between two believing and obedient Christians while the first companion is living.   Romans 7:2 – 1, Corinthians 7:10

     Many Christians disagree on the grounds for handling issues of judgment for adultery, abandonment, violence, as to whether or not there are scripturally justifiable grounds for divorce in which the guilty one or both companions may reach a status of facing eternal punishment and no remarriage.  This is because most cases of judgement deals with Christians who are married to non-Christians or backsliders and are interpreted according to Apostle Paul.  Apostle Paul gives a judgement and deals with the issue that will take place if the unsaved person departs, separates are leaves the saved person.  Apostle Paul deals with a consensual separation in sexual contact for fasting. But concludes that any other separation for any other reasons, he teaches that the couple must come together again or remain unmarried.   But if the unsaved person departs or leaves the saved person, the saved Christian would no longer be bound to the unsaved person.

1Corinthians 7:1 - 2 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.  Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.  

1Corinthians 7:10 - 11 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:   But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.  

1Corinthians:12 - 14 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.  And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

1Corinthians 7:15 - 17 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.  For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?   But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called everyone, so let him walk.  And so ordain I in all churches.

     If divorce results from causes not pertaining to the points of conflict which some see as scriptural grounds for divorce, most Churches acknowledge that neither party should marry again during the lifetime of the other companion to avoid living under the sin of adultery which the bible teaches that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19 - 21)

     The word fornication has been defined in many different ways leading to different interpretations of what some may call the scriptural grounds or the allowable cause for divorce.  Where one translation may use the word fornication another translation may use words like whoredom, sexual immorality or more simply immoral or immorality.  

     Many Christians view the marriage commitment as a two-stage process.  First, there is an engagement period or a betrothal period in which the intent of the couple is made known publicly and the man claims the woman to be his only bride.   The betrothal period is the period where the woman is recognized to be the espoused wife of the man though no cohabitation or sexual contact should have been made.  In the time of the Lord Jesus, these were considered to be a contractual bonding so that only a formal divorce could end the betrothal period. This appears to be the case, concerning Joseph and Mary when she was found to be with Child in which the unmarried Joseph considers divorcing Mary to avoid the potential scandal of her being pregnant with Jesus.  

As a result many interpret the word fornication to only relate to the incidence of unfaithfulness during the betrothal period.

     Apostle Paul teaches multiple condemnations for various forms of extramarital sex then commands all to flee fornication. 

1Corinthians 5:1 – 5  It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.  And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.  For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,   To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

1Corinthians 5:11   But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

1Corinthians 6:9 - 10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1Corinthians 6:13 – 18 …. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.  And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.  Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.   What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.  But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.  Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

1Corinthians 7:2   Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

Therefore most Churches teach that all forms of sensual or sexual contact outside of marriage between a man and a woman is sinful.

Apostle Paul is preaching about activities based on sexual prohibitions laid out in Leviticus 18:6 - 26 in the context of achieving holiness.   This is the reason why most Christian sources believe that fornication encompasses all forms of premarital sex.

Leviticus18:6 - 26 None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD.  The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.  The nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father’s nakedness.   

     The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, whether she be born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover.  The nakedness of thy son’s daughter, or of thy daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover: for theirs is thine own nakedness.  The nakedness of thy father’s wife’s daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.  Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s sister: she is thy father’s near kinswoman.  Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother’s sister: for she is thy mother’s near kinswoman.

      Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt.  Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.  Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.  Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness.

     Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time.   Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness.   Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour’s wife, to defile thyself with her.   And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.   

     Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.   Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.  

     Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:   And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.  Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:

In many dictionaries fornication is generally defined as consensual sexual intercourse between two unmarried people not married to each other or anyone else.    When one or more of the partners having consensual sexual intercourse is married to a third person, it is called adultery.   These are dictionary definitions that may not include the prohibitions contained Leviticus 18 Chapter and may have led to much confusion in interpretations.  Many Christians interpreted the 7^th command contained in the moral law “thou shall not commit adultery” to be any sexual act that is outside the divine plan of marriage which includes fornication because this interpretation is more in line with Leviticus 18 chapter that includes sinful conduct of both married and unmarried people.

Divorce (also known as dissolution of marriage) is the optional process of terminating a marriage or marital union under the rule of law of the particular country or state. Divorce laws vary considerably around the world, but in most countries, divorce requires the sanction of a court or other authority in a legal process, which may involve issues of distribution of property, child custody, alimony (spousal support), child visitation, parenting time, child support, and division of debt.  In most countries, monogamy is required by law, so divorce allows each former partner to marry another person which may or may not follow the order of the plan of God leaving the couple living in scriptural adultery and unable to inherit the Kingdom of God.

Divorce is different from annulment, which declares the marriage null and void, with legal separation a legal process by which a married couple may formalize a separation while remaining legally married or a process where the spouses informally stop cohabiting.  There are some countries that do not allow divorce at all such as the Philippines and the Vatican City.

The point that all Christians and all people around the world should understand is that Marriage is precious in the sight of God, a holy institution meant to continue for the lifetime of the married companions.  It is the only relationship in which sensual contact is allowed in the plan of God.

     We continue with a Message from Apostle S. McDowell Shelton ………. “Marriage and Divorce” ………

MARRIAGE and DIVORCE

By Apostle S. McDowell Shelton

     You come and be baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins.  Everyone must do that.  You must come and be baptized in water, and you must receive the gift of the Holy Ghost—without that you are lost.  Remember this: You are lost, and you are on your way to hell.

     You know, they asked Jesus, “They” say unto him, why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so." (Matthew 19:7-8)   They came to Jesus and asked Him questions hoping they would catch something coming out of His mouth.  It was not so much that they were seeking the truth, but they wanted Him to say something in which they could catch him.  Of course, the people have not changed today.

      "And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judea beyond Jordan; And multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.  (Matthew 19:1-2)   It was healing—great multitudes followed him; but, when it came to the upper room, they were numbered about one hundred and twenty.  When things got rough, when the crucifixion came and the persecution came, they thinned out.  Great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there.

     The Pharisees also came unto Him, tempting him.  Not asking questions for the good of salvation.  The same way these Pharisees (the false prophets) ask me questions.  Not that they want to know the truth because they are not able even to discern the truth. They are willingly ignorant. “The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? (Matthew 19:3)

     You know, if people could get a second companion…..I think that is one of the hardest things for most people to overcome.  Some have trouble with pride; they have trouble with other things, but that "second companion . . .” Of course, some people have trouble with their first companion: their trouble is that they have not got that first one yet! And you are better off if you do not have the right one, or if you do not have one given by God.

      Many people would come and be baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ, but they know they are in adultery.  Every time they think about coming to Church, they look at their home; they look at that second companion, and it seems that that companion begins to be kinder than ever.  And so, they seek a church that will permit them to have a second companion and still be able to call themselves saved.

“…. Is, it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall one flesh? (Matthew 19:3-5) For this cause, man shall leave father, shall leave mother: Once you get married, you cannot let your mother, or your father direct your life anymore.  The one that comes first then with you (as far as your marriage is concern) is your wife or your husband.  It is according to scriptures.

     Some people are so tied up.  Some men are regular mama's boys, you know.  Whatever their mother tells them, they go right back home and try it out on their wife. She calls him up and tells him what to tell his wife and what he should not take. You see that is not a man.  Any man will keep his mother out of his affairs. I do not care how much he loves his mother.  I do not care how much she cries and how much she says, "I brought you into this world and this and the other.  We have always been close. I am losing my only boy, “FOR THIS CAUSE…… You see, anyone who knows the Bible—when a daughter so hastily runs out and gets married and then becomes disgusted and wants to come back home, they would meet her right at the door and say "For this cause”.…..In other words, you cannot come back here.  Any time you are grown enough to get married you are grown enough to make your way.

     You can never win; you cannot really help anybody out in their marital problems.  All you can do is listen and let them come to their own conclusion.  You cannot tell anybody what to do and what not to do.  Now, you might stop them physically, but in their mind, they will always hold you responsible for the breaking up of their marriage. No matter how bad that wife or that husband is—a wife does not see her husband as the mother-in-law sees that husband.  A husband does not see that wife as the father-in-law, or the mother-in-law sees that wife or as the sister-in-law sees her.  There is a closeness. If anyone has any kind of marriage at all, there is a closeness between a marital couple that nobody will understand but them and the Lord. Why is that? Because the "twain" has become "one."  With all the disagreements, with all the arguments, with all the unhappiness—why is it that she is despondent when he dies, or they separate? Very few people are happy over separations.  They might say they are glad.

”For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?…..What therefore God Hath joined together let not man put asunder. (Matthew 19:5-6) Of course, people use this scripture "What God has joined together…….”They will say, "If you do not get along, then God has not joined you together." Find that in the Bible. 

     By your words you are justified, and by your words you are condemned.  When you said "yea” it was yea. You did not have to “swore” by anything in heaven; anything on the earth, but you said, "yes" or "l do" or whatever method that you used.  Whatever method you used, God judged the secrets of all men's hearts, and the intent was there.  If you were in a foreign country and their method was not like our method, if that was the recognized method of marriage, then you are married.  You cannot come over here and say "l was not married according to the Apostolic Faith."

      One of the primitive tribes, have a method: when they get married—I believe it is the man that comes and sits in front of the hut of the woman.  The of that “particular tribe” will all sit around in a circle and the couple sits there as the people stare at them.  After a considerable length of time, the man gets up and takes his wife and that is the marriage By, that sign—the very act that they did what was according to their law—they are married.

      You cannot get out of it.  People say: "I did not use my name—my right name. I was young." They say they were drunk when they got married.  But you are still married! It does not make any difference if you gave your wrong age, or if you gave your wrong name.  You may have given your wrong name, but God knows your right name.  God knows who it was that said, "I do." They sometimes say, "We never saw each other since the night of the marriage." I feel sorry for you; or they may say, "I do not know where I can find them.  I do not know where they are.  I do not know whether they are living or dead." Until you find out whether they are living or dead, then you had better not get married again because the Bible says, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.     1^st Thessalonians 5:21)

     You cannot separate from someone and get another wife or husband under rumor, or hearsay, or imagination. You have to know for sure that the "first companion" is dead or that the marriage was not right in the sight of the Lord in that they were married before. That's the only reason. You just cannot do that. You cannot say somebody told you (that was from the home of such and such a one) that they were married down home when they were fifteen: then you leave them after you get mad with them and get another wife or another husband. You see, when you weren't angry with them, you declared they were never married before.  When you get tired of them, you hunt them up a wife or a husband.

     "They, say unto him, why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. (Matthew 19:7-8) God never intended it to be so.  Folks, say……"Well, what about -the Bible…What about Abraham and David and all those people back in the Old Testament—all the wives they had? You had better let them keep them, and you have one because you are going to have to give an account of the gospel now.  Jesus told them from the beginning it was not so.  Now is the time of the preaching of the kingdom of God. The things that were done in the Old Testament were written for our learning.  They were shadows and types of things to come; they were a natural custom, but now here comes grace and truth. This is what is required of you today.  Jesus told them, "from the beginning it was not so." See God never intended it.  FROM THE BEGINNING IT WAS NOT SO!

     "And I say unto you, whosoever shall put away his wife, except it for fornication, and marry another, committeth and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery: His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.  But he said unto them, all men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. (Matthew 19:9-11) 

     Everybody can't receive that saying.  So, someone might say, 'Well what about the scripture that says, "Except it be for fornication." You cannot not find in the Bible where any married people ever committed fornication. You cannot find that.  Fornication is the same act but is committed between unmarried people.  We have a very good reference.  They say the Bible use the word "wife.” I know it does! If you knew the scriptures and if you knew the Bible, then you would understand why. It was in the Old Testament custom when a woman was promised to a man or espoused (engaged) She was referred to as "his wife." (See Matt. 1:18-20) It says for she was his "espoused wife."  Of course, the Bible cannot contradict itself, anywhere. IT CANNOT CONTRADICT IT’SELF: say one thing in one scripture and contradict it in the other.

     So then, you had better look into the situation.  I am sure that if you are honest and sincere, you will come and be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and you will trust the Lord for your future.

Remember we will always love you and seek your salvation.  Check up on your own selves according to the word of God and see if you are living a holy lifestyle.  Come unto me all ye......and I will give you rest..

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 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.

 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.