Ministers of Jesus Christ Church

Date: August 28, 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:

“Some people Hear the Word of God but do not understand” (Part 1)

By Apostle Dennis G. Smith

When some of us were small children, there we things in our young live that we did not understand. Some kids and adults will come to Church and sleep through the message because they are not being entertained. As a result some preachers may start there sermons with a standing comedy section to get the attention of the sleepy people. But some of us will remain wide awake because we do not want to miss any word that was spoken by the preacher because we want to learn more about God Almighty and his love for us and so we are never bored during the time of the sermon no matter who the speaker is. Once we begin to understand that the bible is the word of God, many of us make our reading of the scripture the most precious and serious reading we do in our life. So we handle the word of with great care.

2Corinthians 4:1 - 4 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2Corinthians 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 2Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 2Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Nevertheless there are those who may take the word of God for granted and who do not consider it to be the most important thing they will ever read, who are unbelievers and as a result never grasp an understanding of the purpose of God for the salvation of all human life. They will not obey the Word of God because they have never considered it to be important and so they will remain in the state of mind based on their own desire for pleasure which will bring them eternal damnation by their own choice. Then Satan, the devil, the god of this world, who opposes the Lord Jesus Christ, and those other evil ones that serve the devil, will blind their mind so that the will hear the truth but not understand it.

But those of us that believe and obey the Word of God, who consider the Word of God to be the most precious thing in our life, will turn from our sinful desires, and receive forgiveness and remission of our sins through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. And the Lord Jesus Christ will reward us with eternal life because of our own choice to love and obey the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the one and only God Almighty.

Revelations 22:11- 13 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. Revelations 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Revelations 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning, and the end, the first and the last.

In this scripture which says let the unjust remain unjust, the bible gives all of us a final warning about the day of Judgment when our eternal state cannot be changed. If we chose not to repent and be baptized in water in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins now while we are alive in the natural body at this present time while we have the opportunity to become a part of the Church and be saved from eternal punishment, then we are subjecting ourselves to a day of Judgement when we will not be able to repent and receive forgiveness for our sins. At the Judgement time the eternal punishment of the lake of fire will be given to all those who refused to believe and obey the commandments of the Lord God Jesus Christ.

This final warning is also good news to the saints who have obeyed the commandment of baptism in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin spoken of by Apostle Peter, as the eternal state for those who have continued on to perfection and lived a holy lifestyle will receive eternal life which is the reward for those who continue steadfastly in the Apostle’s Doctrine and have endured until the end of their natural life span.

Even when some people know that God is real, they may still choose to reject him. They may choose to reject him despite of the fact that they have heard the same word of God preached to them, and they have seen the same evidence that believers have seen, and yet they reject the Lord Jesus Christ, and will bring the punishment of eternal damnation for their sins upon themselves.

Romans 1:28 - 32 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Romans 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Romans 1:31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

They hear the word of God but do not understand because they do not like to retain God in their knowledge. And as a result of their own choices, God gives them over to their own evil mindset and thought process. So, when a person is not born again through the new birth of water and spirit, there is nothing to stop a stubborn disobedient unbeliever, a lawless godless person, and hater of God from living a sinful lifestyle when they have chosen to reject God almighty and they refuse to obey his commandments.

Many of the people who choose to live in rejection of God become the criminals of the nations throughout the planet. The penalty of eternal punishment for the unrepentant sinner is what they have chosen by their own actions and their own stubborn rebellious heart. And when they come among the Saints of God, they continue to do wrong and to spread their evil hateful ways among the people of God.

2Peter 2:1- 2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2Peter 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

These people that have chosen an evil lifestyle will continue to do as they choose, even when they know about the payment for their choices which is eternal punishment by the Lord God Jesus Christ. All of our preaching will not save someone who is an unrepentant sinner, a person who has no regret or sorrow for living a sinful lifestyle, or a unbeliever who rejects the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. They will not receive a second chance to be saved after they die if they were born in the Dispensation of Grace also called the period of the Church Age. The person who dies in an unholy and unrighteous condition will remain unrighteous throughout eternity, and the person who repents or turns from a sinful lifestyle and is baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and have receive the gift of the Holy Ghost with the sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterances who continues steadfast in obedience to the Apostle’s Doctrine all their life enduring until the end will be saved throughout eternity.

The holy and righteous people will be rewarded with eternal life, but the unrighteous will be punished in the lake of fire for all eternity according to the choices that they have made. The Holy and the righteous people are the wise people who have chosen to overcome sin and make themselves white by obedience to the word of God, and the wicked people are those people who do not understand, who have chosen to continue in their wicked sinful conduct.

Daniel12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

We continue with the Message “In Hearing They Cannot Understand” from Apostle S. McDowell Shelton:

“In Hearing They Cannot Understand.”

Edited by Apostle Dennis G. Smith

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

In comparison, Acts 22:9 states: And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me."

(For those of you not familiar with the Bible, the Apostle Paul is referring to the light and voice which intervened from heaven while he was on his way to Damascus to bear witness against the disciples of the Lord). (See Acts 1:1-9 and Acts 26:13-16)

Perhaps to the natural mind there might appear to be some discrepancy between these scriptures, with one stating they heard the voice and the other scripture affirming they heard not the voice. And to people who do not know the scriptures, it would actually appear as if the Bible were contradicting itself. But such is not the case. They heard, yet they heard not, for in hearing, they do not hear—just like many of you do not hear.

When we tell you that Jesus Christ was not born on the 25th day of December, you hear, but you do not hear. And when we tell you there is no place in the scriptures where Jesus Christ or the apostles baptized one candidate in the titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, you hear, but still, you do not hear.

We tell you that Jesus is one person, not three; that He was father in creation when He made all things, He was son in redemption when He formed Himself a body from a virgin and died on the cross for all humanity, and He is now Holy Ghost in the Church—for He said He would send the Comforter in His name. Yet, you perceive not, neither do you comprehend.

Even when we inform you that no, where in the scriptures has God ever sent or called a woman to preach as having a male title in usurping authority over men who are qualified. Women are told to teach the younger women and to guide the house. The role of a woman as a helper and a mother was decided by God in the Garden of Eden when she was taken out of the man and created for the man, she can never be a father therefore the roles of males and females cannot be interchanged. A woman stands for the word of God according to her role and has the equal right of salvation also but some do not hear us.

When we tell you that in this dispensation there is no scripture which condones or permits two faithful Christian believers to have a second companion while your first companion is living. Apostolic Christians companions of husband and wife are told to remain unmarried if they separate or be reconciled to each other. All other cases are handled in judgement when the unsaved companion who is not a Christian departs or leaves the marriage and is eternally lost. Many people debate these issues and refuse to acknowledge it as so.

Let us look at Mark 4:10-12: "And when he was alone, they that were him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And 'he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.”

In other words, in seeing—they cannot perceive, and in hearing—they cannot understand. They are in that pitiful position of being unable to distinguish reality from fantasy or truth from untruth. The devil will not let them understand because he knows once you understand you will be changed. Your mind will change. Your ways will change. You will begin believing, and because you believe, you will spontaneously activate your belief. You will repent of your sins and will consent to be baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins. You will “continue on” and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance, and strive for a perfect and holy life.

So, for these reasons, the devil will fight to maintain you in ignorance and darkness. He will readily let you see the outside or exterior appearance, but the more, weighty matters, the more hidden and profound truths that would profit you much, he will not let you perceive or comprehend them. He will keep them out of your reach and satisfy you with superficial matter.

We will continue these messages in with part 2……

May the Lord Bless you and Keep you and eternally hold you in the center of his will.

May he open up your understanding so 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 you must continue in prayer to God asking him for the Holy Ghost, calling on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and waiting or tarrying until you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost with the sign following speaking with other tongues as the spirit gives you utterances. This experience with God will endow you with power or give you the power to live a holy life.

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.

Then you must 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 9:50 am for Eternal Life Church of the Living God and 11:00 am for the general Ministers of Jesus Christ Church services to the Saints and friends who sent in 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 services 10 am each Sunday morning and 7:30 pm each Thursday Evening for Bible Study and Auxiliary meetings.

You are invited to attend and be a part of the Ministers of Jesus Christ Church Services each Sunday 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!

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ONGOING GUIDANCE

• Vaccination remains the most effective protection against COVID-19. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters

• Frequently wash hands

• Frequent cleaning of public and high touch areas
(1) Wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status if you are high risk for severe disease.

(2) consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public,

(3) talk to your medical provider about other precautions to take,

(4) have a plan for rapid testing

(5) talk to your medical provider about treatments like oral antivirals, PrEP, and monoclonal antibodies. If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for severe disease: consider selftesting to detect infection before contact, and wearing a mask when indoors with them. Maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible. Follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, including testing guidance.

Because 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.