Ministers of Jesus Christ Church

Date: May 1, 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:

The Sonship Ended on the Cross at Calvary

By Apostle Dennis G. Smith

The word sonship in normal definition when applied to a usual human family describes a relationship between a father and a son who are two separate people. But when speaking of the Godhead, the Sonship describes one of the roles and manifestations of one person who is the Eternal Spirit and his relation to all believers of mankind because the fulness of the Godhead dwells in a physical visible body form that looks like a human man that was at one time a natural human body.

Colossian 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

The Sonship of God then describes the point when God was born of the Virgin Mary in a natural human body. The simple summary of the roles and manifestation tells us that God is the Father that made all things, he was also the Son that died on the cross for our sins, and he is the Holy Ghost that indwells us when we believe in him and call on his name.

The simple statement that Jesus Christ is the one and only Almighty God is the summary for understanding who God is. People who do not understand who God is, only see the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and some people see the Lord Jesus Christ as the second person in the false doctrine of three separate and distinct persons in the Godhead. This is the reason that many people have never received the correct baptism and have no remission of their sins.

The Apostle’s Doctrine teaches us that God laid down his life and purchased the Church with his own blood by taking on a natural body that could die through the Virgin Mary. Acts: 20:28, I John 3:16

Acts 20:27 - 28 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

1John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

During our previous message, we established that the Sonship of God had a beginning and an ending. We also established that the Sonship of God was only related to the natural flesh and blood body through the Virgin Mary because God has used visible manifestation to visualize himself or to be seen with the human eyesight which looked like a man before he was born in Mary.

Genesis 18:1 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

Genesis18:13 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Genesis18:14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

These visible manifestations are sometimes called Theophanes which refer to the visible appearances or manifestations of God Almighty in the Old Testament. This helps all people to understand that the Sonship of God is not eternal because it is only related to the sacrificial role, the role of redemption, or the mediatorial role for the salvation of all believers.

During this message we are going to focus on the ending of the Sonship which is the ending of the natural life or the blood that flowed through His natural body when he was born of the Virgin Mary. After he arose from the grave, the title Son of God can only refer to the way his visible bodily presence was known when he was a natural man or to the way he was before his death and resurrection because the purpose or sacrificial role was fulfilled and finished. We must remember that the Father was in Christ which is referring to the Spirit of God dwelling in his natural bodily presence reconciling the world to himself.

Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

2Corinthians 5:18 - 20 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 2Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 2Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Since the glorified resurrected body of the Lord Jesus Christ is a spiritual body, spirit is the character of the visible manifestation that arose from the grave and spirit is the character of the glorified resurrected body forever which is the same as the Spiritual Bodies that he used in the old testament before he was born in the Virgin Mary. This means that the immortal life of the glorified body is sustained by spirit and not by blood. And this resurrected body which is sometimes referred to as the permanent union of the Eternal Spirit with humanity is now called the everlasting Father or the visible form of the Spirit of God which will continue forever.

The Christian doctrine of the Incarnation is the truth revealed in the Bible that teaches us that Jesus Christ is God Almighty come in a flesh and blood natural body. The doctrine of incarnation teaches us that Jesus Christ is both God and man, both deity and humanity, in one person. To be incarnate is to have a visible flesh body. When the body is flesh and blood it is a natural body like a normal human being.

1Corinthians15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

But when the body is flesh and bones and has no blood, it is not a natural body. But it is as the resurrected glorified immortal spiritual body of Lord Jesus Christ. The natural human form or human body is temporary, but the resurrected glorified spiritual body which was or had been human form is everlasting. Therefore the word incarnation or incarnate is defined as the Spirit of God embodied in a flesh and blood body with human form. Jesus Christ was God incarnate; in that He was God a the flesh and blood body.

John1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

To those who ask the question, “Will the sonship end?” The Apostle’ Doctrine teaches that the Sonship of God will END!!

1 Corinthians 15:24-28 Then comes the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

1 Corinthians 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

1 Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

1 Corinthians 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

1 Corinthians 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

This is describing the end of the Son's mediatorial ministry of redemption, not the end of the resurrected body that was known as the Son of God. When God took on a body through the linage of David being born in the Virgin Mary, it was united forever with the Eternal Spirit who is the Father and creator of all things.

We should all realize that we cannot see the Father because He is an invisible Spirit unless he makes himself visible in a form. This means that God will keep the resurrected glorified body as a visible manifestation of himself forever. We can say that we will be able to see the Father when he manifest himself in the resurrected ascended body that was known to us as the Son of God. God will forever be manifested in the resurrected flesh and bone immortal body.

Some people may feel that it would be more accurate to say that the role of the sonship is fulfilled. Notice that the Godhead is often spoke of from different aspects. Some speak from the standpoint of God’s roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Which speaks of creation, redemption, and indwelling believers. Some speak from the standpoint of God’s manifestations as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Which speaks of visible revealing and communication. When speaking from the manifestation aspect, we must understand the bodily makeup of Lord Jesus Christ, that he is God and man, he is Human and Divine. The Divine Spirit in the body is the Father who is also the one that gave the purpose (sent), created, and begot the body as his Son a natural man. But the body of the Lord Jesus Christ did not remain a natural man after his death. The purpose, role, or mission to die for the sins of all believers was completed or ended by his death on the cross as a natural man. But when he arose from the grave, the resurrected body had been changed into an immortal spiritual body and no longer had the purpose to die again for our sins.

Romans 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Romans 6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

When God arose from the grave, he was no longer in the role of the Sonship because the purpose to die for our sins was completed, therefore God in the resurrected physical visible bodily form which had been the Son of God will live forever. This resurrected body is sometimes referred to or known according to what he had been. Notice how the way God is known or revealed to mankind is never lost because God is forever known and revealed to us by the titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, but we simple must understand each relational purpose and function of each title or manifestation.

Though the role of Sonship is eternally in the plan of God, he does not take the role until his birth through the Virgin Mary and this role ends on the cross. This does not mean that the bodily manifestation will cease to exist, only that he is no longer a natural man and will not die again for our sins. The Lord Jesus Christ said," I am He who lives and was dead".

Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

When we say that the role of the Son ends or reaches its fulfillment, we mean that He will no longer be serving in His sacrificial role to die for sins and eventually in His mediatorial role as the One who brings man to God and unites God and man together. He will then simply serve as an eternal visible physical manifestation of God Almighty as the Father to all His creation.

Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

Hebrews13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

These scriptures reveals the dual nature of Lord Jesus Christ in His glorified visible physical immortal form that looks like a Human man and His Divine Eternal Spirit is united forever and that he will never change. In other words He is Human and Divine, God and Man.

Daniel 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

Daniel 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Revelations 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Revelations 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Revelations 5:14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Luke1:32 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: Luke1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

These scriptures establish and prove that the Lord Jesus Christ in his resurrected gloried bodily form is the everlasting Father which continues forever and is worshiped forever and ever. He has an everlasting throne and kingdom, and His gloried resurrected body will not come to an end.

These scriptures certify the Oneness Apostolic Theology which is the Apostle’s Doctrine. No one in Heaven, on Earth, or the powers of darkness can ever deny that the Natural Life and natural body of Jesus Christ ended on the cross as payment for our sins and by this one sacrifice he is the mediator and intercessor for God and man establishing that God reconciled the world to himself.

The resurrected gloried body continues forever as the physical visible Father having all power over death and over everything in heaven, and on earth forever. God has never been born in a natural human body before he was born in a natural body in the Virgin Mary.

When the Lord Jesus Christ said, “I and my Father are one”? He was informing them that he was God and Man, that he was human and divine. And thought they could see his natural human body; he proclaimed His identity as the Father and the union of deity and humanity in Himself. The Father had united with a natural human form which was the expressed image of his person.

The Lord Jesus Christ in his natural body was the fulness of the Godhead incarnate or God in visible natural human form. And the people who heard him say, “I and my Father are one”, then went to kill him because they saw Him as a man, had proclaimed Himself to be God.

Colossian 2:9 - 10 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Colossian 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

John10:29 - 32 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. John 10:30 I and my Father are one. John 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. John 10:32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

John 10:33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

The Death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross did not destroy this union. Christ offered up His blood to God as a sacrifice of atonement “through the eternal Spirit.”

Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

The Father remained with and in Christ to the end. “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me” John 16:32.

When He cried out on the cross, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

This was an expression of his suffering and pain, it did not change the fact that he was human and divine or God and man. He cried with human emotion as the body was dying and natural life was leaving the body as He experienced the death of the natural body and the feeling of separation as the Eternal life of God was allowing the body to suffer and die.

The Spirit of God which dwelt in the natural body of Christ did not protect the Lord Jesus Christ from the human suffering and death upon the cross. Death separated the divine Spirit from the human body.

At the resurrection the natural body of the Lord Jesus Christ was glorified, and at the ascension His glorified body was exalted. While He was still human in bodily appearance and identity, He no longer has a natural life, He no longer submits to human limitations and frailties. Nevertheless, He will manifest Himself through His glorified body throughout forever.

Revelation 22:3-4 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: REV22:04 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

Philippians 2:7-8 He “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross”.

The Lord Jesus Christ does not submit to the human weakness anymore. In heaven, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is openly invested with all power, authority, and glory as the Almighty God.

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Ephesians 1:17 - 22 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly placesEphesians1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Ephesians 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Acts 2:32 - 36 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. Acts 2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Acts 2:35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

The Spirit of Christ has always been God and Lord, but the man Christ was declared to be Lord over all the enemies of humanity by His resurrection and ascension. Jesus Christ openly demonstrated His right to be called Lord and Christ by His sinless life, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection.

The Spirit of God glorified the human body in changing it to a spiritual body giving it life without the need for blood when He raised the body from the dead. Though the general human features were not obliterated or absorbed because he looked like a human man, the Lord Jesus Christ no longer acts or appears in a merely human role.

This edited statement which is a combined statement from our Apostolic Brethren, has been simplified so that all Apostolic believers can clearly understand that the Sonship of God or his sacrificial death on the cross is finished and has ended. Now all people should be able to understand that we can communicate with God by his Holy Spirit or and we will also see Him in physical visible form or forms in his glorified Body that looks like a man which can appear and disappear, walk through walls, and change feature in appearances, and all of our communication with him now, is in his everlasting Role as the Father with all power for he is the creator of all things.

For this reason, John, who had seen Jesus many times on earth, fell at His feet as dead when He saw a vision of the ascended Christ

Revelation 1:17 – 18 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: Revelations 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

The exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ in glorified bodily form is described as His being on the right hand of God.

Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

Acts 5:31 – 32 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Since God is a Spirit, He is invisible and does not have a physical right hand apart from his resurrected, glorified, visible bodily form as Christ. Throughout Scripture, the right hand is symbolic of strength, power, preeminence, and glory.

Exodus 15:6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

Psalm 44:3 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.

The right-hand position also reveals to us that Jesus Christ is the one that paid the price for our sins and is our high priest, mediator, intercessor, and advocate.

Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

The Cross was the one, final propitiation for all time. “This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God”

Hebrews 10:12 - 14 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; Hebrews 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.

His one, supreme sacrifice was His act of intercession which continues to provide present intercession for our sins and free access to the throne of God (I John 2:1).

1John 2:1 - 4 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 1John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 1John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

On the basis of the Cross, we can approach God today and continually receive His grace in our lives, and in that sense, Jesus Christ is our present mediator or intercessor .

Hebrews 4:14 - 16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ makes intercession as we yield our minds to Him in spiritual prayer.

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Notice that our Lord Jesus Christ taught us to pray saying Our Father which art in Heaven and he has all power in Heaven and Earth.

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Once again it is now the Father who fills us with his Holy Spirit to empower all believers. It does not matter how many false teachers reject the true explanations that are from bible context to justify the false doctrine or three separate and distinct persons in the Godhead which imply three Gods which is clearly an error in the use of the word trinity. False teaching leads to a false baptism using the titles Father, Son and Holy Ghost that never calls the only name given unto men whereby we must be saved, which is the name of the one and only God Almighty which is Jesus Christ.

We will continue the examination of the topic " Is Jesus Christ the Son of God Now?" …

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 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.

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

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

Everyone age 5 and older. Note: Pfizer is the only COVID vaccine currently approved for children aged 5 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.