Ministers of Jesus Christ Church

Date: October 24, 2021

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 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:

Telling the Truth about Halloween (part 1)

By Apostle Dennis G. Smith

Revelations 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Because most people clearly remember the works of influential people who affected their life and civilization in a special or general way, commemoration and celebration is common in most countries around the world.

Many of the so-called Holidays on the Gregorian calendar which is also known as the Christian calendar which contains the dates for popular holidays celebrated around the world that have roots or connections that may have come from the culture of paganism. Paganism or the pagans are also known as people who worship nature or natural seasonal changes such as winter solstice, or who worship multiple false gods and continued some of their pagan traditions when becoming associated with the Apostolic Christian Church. As a result the commemoration of departed family members or other people who have died was the focus of a celebrated day or celebrated days chosen as celebrated Holidays that were to be observed during the scheduled calendar of celebrated events for the year.

Just as Christmas and Christmas Eve were chosen to commemorate the birth of Christ and have roots linked to pagan sun worshippers and the winter solstice, and Easter is the moveable Holiday celebrating or commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ with links to the false goddess Eastra and the vernal equinox or spring festivals also Halloween or All Saints' Eve, is a celebration observed on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows Day which begins with the observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering dead family members, dead Holy Saints called hallows, dead Christian martyrs, and all the faithful Christians who have died who may have attended a local assembly with links to the pagan Celtic harvest festivals, Gaelic festival Samhain so-called Lord of the dead, or the vigil of All Hallows Day.

Halloween is the evening before the Christian holy days of All Hallows' Day (also known as All Saints Day or Hallowmas) on 1 November and All Souls Day on 2 November, thus giving the holiday on 31 October the full name of All Hallows' Eve or Halloween meaning the evening before All Hallows Day.

The Apostles taught us to be rooted and grounded in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ therefore there is no required observance of a particular Holiday that can affect our Salvation. This is the reason why the whole world should fully understand that days observed as religious days have no power to save anyone from damnation.

Many holidays and the time of the year in which they are observed may have been set aside by pagans for the worship of idols, false gods, and pagan worship of heavenly bodies. Since some of these holidays and their traditions have originated from paganism this may be a reason why some of the traditions associated with them may contains sinful elements. The thing that God’s people must guard against is the falseness, lies, and evil conduct associated with the commemorations applied to these Holiday periods.

Colossians 2:16 - 17 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

First of all is there is no requirement for anyone to observe a special Holiday in the Christian Faith as a mean to obtain salvation. But people throughout the Bible have mourned and commemorated the dead to bring them into remembrance for the next newborn generation that have not known their ancestry or the important loving work that they did. Because people recognized people in mourning, Joab used this as a strategy to touch the sympathy of King David by using a woman to fake mourning the death of her sons.

2Samuel 14:2 And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

Most people mourn their leaders or family members when they die with special burial services and dinners. As a result business owners have developed commercial products that cater to these services in the form of flowers, gifts, candies etc. This is the same thing that has occurred for Christian Holidays and even for Christian ordinances such as baptism, communion, and foot washing. There is clearly commercialization of marriage as well. Advertisement to sell a product for a particular holiday, ordinance or sacrament does not make the event itself a sin because we never judge in respect of a holy day.

Acts 8:2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

Because most civil societies do not want the life of their ancestry to be forgotten or the remembrance of how nations came about to be forgotten some holidays are times in which the living may attempt to remember or speak for the dead in that they cannot speak aloud in this present world for now. This may also be a time to teach young children about death in a delightful way. The thing that we must avoid is the sinful elements from paganism.

Psalms115:17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.

Ecclesiastes 9:5 - 6 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.

Because of the association of Halloween with witches, devils, and the occult most people may never examine the other side of these celebrated days which may be for commemoration of the Saints of God who died in faithful service to the one and only Universal Apostolic Christian Church. Most of the Saints of God would detest any association with Halloween because of the witches and devils it is known by!!!

But we do commemorate the faithful departed Saints of God, any day of the year including Halloween. Apostle S. C. Johnson lived and died before I was born and yet I have remembrance of his faithful service and preaching even though I have never seen him living in this natural world. For his reason I will present some of a memorial usually held at a different time in the year written to show the world how to tell the truth about all things. This does not mean that I condone the celebration of Halloween or participation in any of the events of this holiday only that we should be sure to examine what we teach and say making sure that we are speaking the truth in love and not our personal or the popular opinion of the people in our inner family or inner Church community.

We continue with a Historical Message written …. In COMMEMORATION OF BISHOP S. C. JOHNSON………

A COMMEMORATION OF "BISHOP S. C. JOHNSON”

The commemoration of "Bishop Johnson's Day" during this the Pastoral Anniversary, is surely more than a special occasion commemorating the inspiration, labor, and sacrifice of one man—great though he It is also, if not more so, solemn observance and, yet, joyful celebration of the God-performed miracle on the earth that defied all laws of science and logic—the restoration of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith in this present evening time. We look for light in the morning, at high noon, or in the late afternoon, but no one looks for light at evening time.

"For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people (Isaiah 60:2) But, “…. at evening time, it shall be light." (Zechariah 14:7)

We are rejoicing because, indeed, that light has come in all its fullness and is shining brighter even unto that more perfect day:

In looking back upon our glorious past and most holy inheritance, we see how the Lord selected an uncertain country boy from Edgecomb County, North Carolina and raised and strengthened him in the Word of God. Within the heart of this courageous pioneer, God set ablaze a burning light of truth that no man could extinguish and inspired him with an undying vision of salvation, full and free, for all of race, creed, or color.

When it came time to establish the corporeal existence or physical structure of God's holy Church, this great restorer was guided by the Holy Ghost to the headquarters Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in the city of Philadelphia. It was from this city—so akin to the ancient Philadelphia of Revelation—that the Whole Truth of God would emanate once again to all the world after hundreds of years of incessant spiritual darkness.

From Philadelphia would come the sure witness that to the earth—was the totality of spiritual enlightenment returning, and from the throne of God was divine revelation flowing. The eyes of the blind were beginning to open, the spiritually lame were leaping for joy, and the corrosive forces of sin and false doctrine were being most effectively combated by the two-edged sword of the Word of God. The restoration of the Holy Apostolic Church in all its power had surely come.

Much was accomplished under the ministry of Bishop S. C. Johnson. At such time, however, it would be highly impractical to even try listing “all of” his remarkable achievements, and impossible to assess and comment on the total scope of his influence and charisma.

Suffice it to be said that this great Shepherd Of was instrumental in turning hundreds of souls from darkness to the marvelous light of the gospel. Numerous churches were constructed across the nation, as thousands of miles of new territory were staked out and explored. A vast radio station empire was established from coast to coast and overseas, with hundreds of listeners becoming familiar with his God given song, "One, One, One; One Way to God." Greatly loved by his many saints and disciples, he was a leader respected and admired by many peoples.

After the first headquarters Church—-the stately John Wanamaker's edifice—was ravaged and consumed by fire, this Man of God. who served as the instrument of life in bringing back the light, was adamant in his determination to construct a larger and more modern edifice to the glory and honor of “God.” However, such arduous toil took its toll, for soon, his health began to, decline, and deterioration began to set in. The laborer was beginning to require a long rest.

Although the restorer of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ fought valiantly against death—not for his sake, but for ours, he fell asleep in the Lord. But God permitted him to leave The Church a most precious legacy: he willed us his word. These precious jewels of verbal praise were that, “THE VICTORY IS OURS, IT's ALRIGHT NOW. GIVE GOD THE GLORY."

Bishop Johnson was a good servant and a faithful servant. He served and obeyed the “Lord,” day after day, week after week and year after year. Pestilence did not deter or drive him away, neither did hunger, famine, distress, tribulation, or persecution. He remained at his post.

We shall conclude with this very appropriate saying from the Holy & Scriptures, for what epitaph could possibly be more fitting?

"His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy Of thy Lord." (Matthew 25:23)

May the Lord bless you! May the Lord keep you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is God Almighty. Amen.

We continue with these messages in part 2………….

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 Yellow 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.