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: April 18, 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 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 all indoor and outdoor public spaces.

·        As of April 15, 2021, the City of Atlanta, Georgia remains in Phase 2 of the Reopening Plan due to the infection rate of the coronavirus.   

·        Social distancing is recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to control the spread or for individual safety.

·         Covid-19 vaccinations in Georgia are offered to everyone 16 years of age and older.  Note: Pfizer is the only COVID vaccine currently approved for children aged 16 and older.

     We are continuing online service through Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube.   Baptism and prayer service are available using social distancing and personal protective equipment.

      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:

Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost

 By Apostle Dennis G. Smith

     When speaking about receiving a gift from God that is promised to all believers and is needed to actually become a Child of God and a part of the Church the Body of Christ, we must approach the matter based on the promises of God.  The scriptures tell us to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Act 2:38   

     So, any discussion of a true believer not receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost would be a useless argument because this is a promise from God.  So, that the only individual question that anyone should have is whether or not they are a true believer.  So, again people who believe God, obey God, and ask God for his Spirit will receive the Holy Ghost and all those who do not receive the Holy Ghost have either not asked God in sincerity for his Spirit or they are not believers and do not belong to God.

Romans 8:8 - 11 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

     This gift from God is so important that any sin contributed to speaking against the Holy Ghost permanently destroys the person’s ability to receive salvation. Matthew 12:30–32, Mark 3:28–30 and Luke 12:8–10 all proclaims that blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is the unforgivable sin.

     God is present everywhere in his Spiritual form, God is a Spirit and actual communication with him in everyplace where he does not use a physical manifestation is with his Spirit.  Therefore, spoken words against the Spirit of God is a rejection of God Almighty, a rejection of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ death on the cross for sin, a rejection of becoming a part of the Body of Christ, the Church which is the only way to receive remission of sin.

Matthew 12:30 - 32   He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.  Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

     The Holy Ghost which is the very essence of who God is, moved upon human beings before the Day of Pentecost, before birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who is God Almighty in a natural flesh and blood human body.

2Peter 1:20 - 21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost the Spirit of God Almighty came upon and indwell some people before the day of Pentecost the Birthday of the Church as indicated by Biblical scriptures.  Therefore, it is no need to debate whether or not the Spirit of God is moving upon and indwelling mankind. The scriptures clearly show that it is God Almighty who is present everywhere in his Spiritual form that is creating and making all things.

 John the Baptist was "filled with the Holy Ghost" within his mothers’ womb prior to his birth:  LUK1:11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. LUK1:12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. LUK1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. LUK1:14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. LUK1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.

The Holy Ghost came upon the Virgin Mary in the natural birth of God in the flesh: 

 LUK1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. LUK1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:  LUK1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. LUK1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?  LUK1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore, also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

 The Lord Jesus Christ assures us that he will give the Holy Ghost to all mankind who sincerely ask him. 

Luke 11:09 - 13 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he asks a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?   Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?   If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, the Father of all will speak through his disciples.

 Mark 13:10 - 11 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.  But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

     So, the Lord Jesus Christ breath on his Apostles before his ascension and before the day of Pentecost giving them the Holy Ghost, giving them his life force which also strengthened them to wait for the full indwelling and leading of the Holy Ghost with the enduement on power on the Day of Pentecost to spread the gospel to the entire world and lead a holy lifestyle.  God made man a living soul by the breath of his life force when he created him and place him in the garden of Eden.

Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

     The receipt of the Holy Ghost fully empowered the Apostles and the Church for the missionary work that he sent them to do throughout the world.  God was putting in his Saints his life-giving power, his life force when he breath of them before the Day of Pentecost.  

John 20:20 - 23 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord.  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.   And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:  Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

They would experience the outward sign of the inward filling of the gift of the Spirit fifty days later at Pentecost (Acts 2:4).  He breath on them and informed them of the power that they would receive from the full indwelling of the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost.  In during so He once again showed them that they would be baptized with his Spirit when he returned in Spiritual form.  That he would never leave them and would continue to be with them and comfort them by his indwelling Spirit.  Through the giving of the Holy Ghost, they will have the Apostolic Authority to teach salvation to all men the forgiveness of sins through faith in the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ or the retaining of sins to those who do not believe in Jesus Christ and those who reject him.

Acts 2:1 - 4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 

Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

     Most who truly analyze the scriptures see the remitting and retaining power given by Christ to the Apostles as the ability to teach salvation to the entire human family and as a result teach the remission of sins though belief in the sacrifice of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  This also reveals that they would teach that anyone who rejected the Lord Jesus Christ sacrifice would have their sins retained.  Many have used this scripture from Christ to imply the empowerment of various men to assign certain thing to be done by their demand in order for a person to receive absolution or the forgiveness of sin.  As a result, this has caused some people to fear men who claimed to have this power from God and be misled by these false acclamations to do many dishonest things out of fear of loss of their soul if these men were to indicate that they were retaining the person sins.

     The Biblical Book of Acts of the Apostles reveals the birthday of the Church in the power of the Holy Ghost which we emphasize when we say the Lord Jesus Christ is the Holy Ghost in the Church.  We should clearly come to see that the ministry of Lord Jesus, while he was in a natural human body on earth, was carried out through the power of the Holy Spirit or the Father that dwelled within that natural life.  And that the "Acts of the Apostles" continued the acts of Lord Jesus by the Holy Ghost within them.  This established that people become a part of the Church by the one baptism of water and spirit.

Acts 1:3 – 8  To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:   And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.  When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?   And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

From the receiving of the Holy Ghost the Apostles gained the indwelling Spirit of God Almighty and the authority, ability, and inner strength to teach the Gospel of Salvation to all the Earth.  And all believers the Body of Christ gained the strength and power to overcome sin and live a Holy life.

We continue with a Message from Apostle S. McDowell Shelton …. “The Holy Ghost: The Gift of God” ………

"THE HOLY GHOST: THE GIFT OF GOD"

By Bishop S. McDowell Shelton

We are very, happy how God is pouring out the Holy Ghost upon His people. They are being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins and receiving that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel. (See Joel 2:28-29)

        We would like to say to you that once you get it in your mind, once you get an understanding of what God wants to do for you, then it does not become such a difficult task to be filled with the Holy Ghost—to be filled with the Spirit and the power of God. Somehow, people understand and more readily accept (although not enough!) the water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ than they do the gift of the Holy Ghost.   And because of this resistance and looking upon it as being a job; because you look on it as something you labor for—many of you have been toiling for many years.

      You have yet to integrate yourself into the concept and the knowledge of the fact that the Bible says: "And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (See Acts 2:38)   To become the recipient of a gift, one does not necessarily labor and struggle.  When someone has something to give you, you have to do that which makes you worthy and deserving of the gift, but this does not mean you are going to be at hard labor or compelled to join the chain gang to receive it.   Satan, the enemy of your soul, gives you all kinds of distorted ideas.   He impregnates your mind with all types of negative attitudes and hence: doubt—one of your worst enemies.  If someone was going to give you a natural gift, would you argue with them as to how they should send it?  In most cases, you would not even inquire as to the contents of the package, and most certainly, not dare ask how much they paid for it.  So, we wonder, why is there so much questioning and skepticism concerning this gift—the gift of the holy Ghost?   Was it not promised to you?  There is one thing, however, that this gift does require.  It requires belief in the receiving thereof.

       Ephesians 2:8 states - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

The Holy Ghost—if you should ask what is it —is ' 'the gift of God." Perhaps someone might say, "Well, I wonder why I haven't received the holy Ghost yet? I have been tarrying and waiting for such a long time. “The prerequisite for the gift of the Holy Ghost is belief, not wondering.  Your problem, perhaps, is that you have spent too much time wondering.  Convert some of that time and energy used in worrying and grieving over the Holy Ghost into constructive belief.

      Evidently, there is doubt somewhere in the person who grieves about not having received the Holy Ghost.  Instead of being grieved you should rejoice, knowing that every day, until it comes in—it is going to come; it is on its way.  If you have ever observed little children, you will see that they fully believe their parents when their parents promise them a bike or whatever. The parents did not tell them when they would receive it, but just told them they would receive it.  Just this verbal assurance is enough for the child, for into the neighborhood he goes telling all his friends, "I'm going to get a bike, I'm going to get a bike.  When you are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, you should be telling everyone who will hear you that, "I'm going to get the Holy Ghost!”  And every time you stand up to testify tell the saints that, "I am thanking the Lord because I'm going to get the Holy Ghost."  While you can ask for anything and pray for anything, this is something you have already been promised.  Thus, if you are going to pray. it is redundant to pray—“Lord, give me the Holy Ghost.  He has, of an assurance promise you already.  Your prayer should be.  "Give it to me now, or give it to me soon." The Holy Ghost is a gift of God.

  The Scripture says, "You shall receive…….” If you have something else to pray for, our advice would be to go ahead and pray for it.  This is a gift.  The thing you need to pray for is for God to help you get more joy, belief and patience.

       God, who cannot lie said, “I will send you the promise of the Father.  You just go up to Jerusalem and remain there. "(See Acts I :4-5) In Luke 21:49 this promise is expressed verbatim:  "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."  One hypocrite said he had heard we do not tarry here anymore (referring to this Church).  They are so quick to try to condemn us, and we cannot be condemned.  In their haste and ignorance they overlooked the Scripture which informs: 

"Now when the Apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen Upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)" (Acts 8:14-16)

The Scripture specifically mentions, "fallen upon.”    Also, in Acts 10:44, while the Apostle Peter was yet preaching, the Holy Ghost fell upon them:  "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word." And when Paul met John's disciples, he laid hands on them and they received the gift of the Holy Ghost—"When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." (Acts 19:5-6)

        Of course, the Bible speaks tarrying for the Holy Ghost (thus, we have tarrying service here twenty-four hours a day), but Paul came along and said, "If by any means." (See Romans II:14) God has been blessing by the laying on of our hands, and, also by the Holy Ghost falling on them while we were yet speaking.  Because whereof we were made a minister according to the gift and grace of God given unto us by the effectual workings of His power, the power and might of God works through us.  The proof of our Apostleship, the proof of our ministry is the proficient operation of our administration and the many thousands of souls that have been added unto the Church.  There are many witnesses before us to testify of our works, for nothing was done in corner.  Those who have been in Zion for many years never say the out-pouring of the Spirit come on this wise.  Many have received the Holy Ghost in the pass, but it seems that God is now fulfilling the promise of the Holy Ghost as on the day of Pentecost.

      The Scriptures also speak about "putting", and of course, this is what we are doing when we are encouraging the saints.  It is like the man who said, "Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." (See Matthew 8-8) Speaking the word by faith and by power encourages something in an individual; faith cometh by hearing.  Of course, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost comes by belief, but belief is faith.  The Scripture says, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; they shall speak with new tongues……” (Mark 16:17) This gift will come because it is yours.  But it must be believed that it is; that it is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.  And when you come, He will not—in no wise—turn you away. 

         What did you come to the throne of grace to receive? For what are you looking? The problem is all a fabrication of your mind—the storehouse where you have been stacking up all types of barriers.  Because of so many barriers, you have let the wind blow past and the sand heap in the place where belief should have been.  So much imagination and conversation has come down your lane until you are laboring and looking for something other than this gift from God; something you know not what.  Why don’t you just come to Him—not with any preconceived ideas, not with any kind of effort or work of your own design—but just calling on the name of the Lord, and the name of the Lord is Jesus.  Just let Him give you the gift any way he sees fit.  It is a foregone conclusion (We are talking mainly about those who have been tarrying ten, twenty or twenty-five years: those, "medicare" seekers, those "senior" seekers) that you need to just give up, all of those, thoughts and doubts and fears and reservations and this and that and just believe and receive.  Believe that it is the gift of God.  Call on the name of God which is Jesus and receive this gift.  All the other preliminaries, all the other suppositions that people put in between will end up to just believing and calling on the name of the Lord. 

    Tarrying consists of believing, calling on the name of the Lord and waiting, and these three are one.  As simple as that! But the devil makes you believe it is so difficult, that it is such an impossible task.

        From this time on, clear all those cobwebs and dusty ideas out of your mind.   Get joy in your heart, get concrete belief throughout your body.  There is nothing to grieve about. Do not begin counting the time: how long it has been since you have been waiting for it.  Think about how short it is going to be until you receive it.  When you get out of your bed in the morning say, "This is my day. I am looking for my gift today." A gift from whom? A gift from God.  And how will you know when you have received this gift? "I shall know because I shall speak with another tongue as the Spirit gives me utterance.  I have been baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of my sins, and now I am waiting for this gift."

       Those of you in churches other than the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, who claim to have received the gift of the Holy Ghost and have not been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, need to re-examine your so-call salvation.  We seriously question such claims, because if you received the gift of the Holy Ghost it should have led you into all the truth—the whole truth. You should have been having in your heart a longing and yearning to learn more about the, true identity of Jesus Christ.  Paul asked the question, "Who art thou Lord?" (See Acts 9:5) and you, too, should want to know who the Lord is.  Are you not interested in knowing this same Jesus who was crucified is both Lord and Christ? That this same Christ who was there with the children of Israel, with Moses and yet-as that rock which followed them, was God manifested in the flesh, being "Emmanuel"—interpreted "God with us."  (See Matthew 1:23) 

     You should want to know more about this mystery.  And since you claim to be Christian (and Christians claim to be following Christ; following after one God) how did you get three? This same Jesus who was crucified was Father in creation when he made everything, for he himself said, "When you see me, you see the Father" (See John 14:9) He became Son in redemption when he came here is a Saviour—the Lamb who taketh away the sins of the world.  In other words, God took himself a body, disfused Himself (the eternal Spirit) into this body and tabernacled on this earth with men.  But God is omnipotent.  While He (the Spirit) was yet in that body (being name "Jesus" after the Spirit) it was no impossible feat for Him to speak from heaven and to be in the dove on the shoulder at the same time. Since you say God is everywhere, why are you so perplexed at the divine operation of God?

     Thereafter, He was crucified, but God was only put to death in the flesh. When He ascended on high, He promised to send the Comforter in His name. Thus, this same Jesus was Father in creation (for He even created the body he used when the Holy Ghost overshadowed the virgin); He was Son in redemption when he died on the cross:  and is now Holy Ghost in the Church.  He wants to give you a part of Himself. he wants to come in and abide with you. He wants to stay with you. 

He said in Ephesians 2:8 through Paul when he was writing to the Church at Ephesus:

 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

            The Apostle Peter also made it abundantly clear concerning this gift when he said to them on the day of Pentecost—"Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38) 

     The multitude questioned and mocked and said this and said that about it (and people with that kind of spirit still are perplexed and are still trying to mock and find fault with it), but the Apostolic Faith made its way then and is making its way now.

          So, we ask you—what are you worried about? What are you sweating about, what are you weeping about? The Holy Ghost: it is the gift of God.  Do not worry, your gift is on its way. 

         Now may the Lord bless and keep you.   May the Lord preserve you.  May the Lord make His face to shine upon you; may the Lord give you peace.  In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is God Almighty.  Amen.

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

Currently the following groups are eligible for COVID vaccine in Georgia:

·         Everyone age 16 and older

 Present Guidelines for Individuals and Businesses in Phase 2:

·        Stay home except for essential trips.

·        Wear face coverings in public.

·        Frequent hand washing.

·        Social distancing of 6 feet recommended where practical according to CDC Guidance.

·        To-go and delivery orders from restaurants.

·        Continue practicing teleworking.

·        Frequent cleaning of public and high touch areas

 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 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.