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

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APOSTLE'S MESSAGE

 Date: February 21, 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 February 18, 2021, the City of Atlanta, Georgia remains in Phase I of the Reopening Plan due to the infection rate of the coronavirus.   Throughout the State of Georgia businesses must continue to operate with social distancing and sanitation rules to keep customers and employees safe.  Covid-19 vaccinations are available and distributed under phase 1A+ plan in Georgia. The vaccine is in limited supply and currently offered to health care workers, first responders, individuals ages 65 and older and their caregivers, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and 911operators.

      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: 

The Unity of the Faith
 By Apostle Dennis G. Smith

      The issue of which Church saves, which Church is right and how many ways or methods are available to be saved is clearly answered by the scripture.   The bible tells us in complete written words that there is one body and one faith.  It really is clear to anyone who is following the Bible that there is one plan of salvation and one universal Church.  When you hear of people presenting arguments and debates about certain adjectives and prepositions use to describes various governments in Church organizations claiming that the words Apostolic Faith or Pentecostalism is not in the Bible, you must not be confused or persuaded that there is more than one Universal Church. You must learn and follow the truth for yourself by reading and understanding the Bible for yourself.  Many people are seeking a following for themselves or their church organization and will say things that attract people to their organization just like a politician seeking to win an election or a lawyer in court seeking to win a case before a jury or judge.

           The adjective “Apostolic” means belonging or relating to the Biblical Apostles of Jesus Christ and to their teaching.  “Apostolic” refers to the Biblical Apostle’s Doctrine or teachings of the earliest followers of the Lord Jesus Christ who were sent out to spread the Christian faith.  “Pentecostal” is a broad term that includes all Christians who believe in speaking in tongues as a sign of the Holy Ghost as was received on the Day of Pentecost.  The term includes both oneness doctrine (those who baptized in the name of Jesus Christ) and trinitarian doctrine (those who baptized using the titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost).

 Acts 2:1- 4   And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

      Apostolic Pentecostals usually refers to oneness believers who baptize in the name of Jesus Christ which is what the Apostles taught and did in the Biblical Church historical book of Acts.  Other so-called Christians baptize so-called converts in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost which are not the name but are titles to describe God’s relationships and character and is not the way the Biblical Apostle’s baptized people.  The terminology “Unity of the Faith” means only one way to believe and receive salvation.  Because we all know this is what the Bible teaches, we also know that anyone who do not teach or obey the Bible is teaching false doctrine and is not in the Universal Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.  This is what the nomenclature false church refers to…. people who calls themselves a church or claim to be a part of the Church but do not obey the Bible.

Ephesians 4:1 – 6   I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God, and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

      Apostle Paul informs all believers in God’s one and only Universal Church that we are all called by God Almighty and should follow love for each other, live our lives maintaining the unity of the Spirit focusing on the one and only Lord Jesus Christ who is God Almighty.  All of us have or will receive the One Spirit which is God Almighty within all of us should work or endeavor to follow the moving of the Holy Ghost which binds all of us in peace.  In other words when we follow the leading of the Holy Ghost, we defeat our conflicts, arguments, and differences.   Apostle James teaches us that our wars and conflicts come from fleshly lust.

 James 4:1 - 3 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

      The Church as the Body of Christ must recognize that the Lord Jesus Christ who is God Almighty placed all the offices in his Body to strengthen and perfect each Saint and to spread his Ministry to the whole world.  God put the offices in the Church and each office function according to the purpose and will of God Almighty.  The Bible never says that he took any of them out of his Body or gave anyone instruction to teach that any Church office had a limited use in time as some of the false writers have stated.  From this you can clearly see that any on who say that certain offices or now unnecessary is not speaking according to the Word of God.  All member's function within the body, and each individual function is appointed and made to work effectively by the Lord Jesus Christ himself.

 Ephesians 4:11 - 16 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

      And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.  This is what God did and not the work of man.

"Apostles": refer to the people who are called by Jesus Christ as messengers when he was here in flesh on earth in person or by the Holy Ghost commissioned to preach guided by the Holy Spirit given the authority to preach the Gospel everywhere, to plant churches, not confined to a particular place or local Church.  The Apostle was the first office in the church chosen to bear witness of the Lord Jesus Christ to the whole world.

"Prophets": usually referred to as those who have visionary or dream experience from the Lord Jesus Christ foretelling things to come as Agabus and others in the Church of Antioch (Acts 11:27 also Acts 13:1)

"Evangelists": preachers or teachers of the Gospel who travel to wherever they are needed to promote the Word of God.   Sometimes companions, assistants or helpers of the apostles and other Church officers in their work such as Phillip the Deacon.

"Pastors and teachers": (sometimes in modern times called "doctors" of the church) can relate to the place where they work: the Pastors work in the Church, while teachers may work in the Church, theological school system or other school system based on the area of their ministry.  The pastors are the shepherds of the flock having the charge of the Church: as overseers, sometimes as the bishops and elders, whereas the teachers can be other members in the Church that function in auxiliaries to assist in the ministry.  Teachers are also applied to other Ministers of the Word as Deacons etc.

      The purpose of the offices was to establish the Unity of the Faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to produce a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.  In other words, the Lord Jesus Christ established these offices in the Church to produce a perfect man following one faith, what some call a mature, full-grown Christian Saint of God.

      Our focus was not to be on any man, but on the Lord Jesus Christ only.  Many have taken this scripture to teach against the necessity of baptism because of Apostle Paul statement that Christ sent him not to baptized but to preach the Cross of Christ.  In this statement Apostle Paul is not implying that baptism is unnecessary but that the Cross of Christ is the element that bring salvation to everyone.  In other words, baptism is a command by Jesus Christ, and it is his cross that gives baptism its meaning entering into the Kingdom of God.

 1Corinthians 1:10 – 18   Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?   I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;  Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.   And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.  For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1Corinthians1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

      From the Bible you can clearly see that infighting for the purpose of seeking a following is not love or caring for the salvation of the human family, but it is the behavior of grievous wolves.  This is what Apostles Paul warn the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ about that men would rise and fight with each other causing great damage to the flock of God for the purpose of gaining Church membership.  Some people just love listening to themselves speak and injecting their opinion to see who agrees with them.  Other are evil and love stirring up strife and infighting.  It is this wolf behavior that bring us who are called by God Almighty to tears.  But though we hurt because of the actions of evil people, we love the human family, and we shall labor until God calls us home.

 Acts 20:27 - 31 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.  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. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.   Also, of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

 We continue and repeat a Message from Apostle S. McDowell Shelton …. All Walk By The Same Rule ……… 

 All Walk By The Same Rule
By Bishop S. McDowell Shelton 

      "Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let. us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. (Philippians 3:16)

     This is something that the devil does not want God's people to do. He has the false churches differing one from another; he has one group saying that you should sprinkle for baptism; another group saying just dip them in water and do not call any "name" at all.  There is another group which tells you to accept Christ as your personal Saviour.  The devil separates his people by their natural origin and tells this racial origin to worship in this church and another racial group to worship in their church.  And so, they have a diversity of opinion. 

      However, God wants His people, it does not matter from what nation you come; it does not matter about your educational status; your financial status or the color of your skin, how young or how old you are, God wants his people to walk by the same rule.  There is but one plan of salvation; one rule of being born again and that rule consists of water and of the Spirit.  This is the only way you can find salvation; that is to be baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins and then receive the gift of the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives you utterances.   After leaving the principle of the doctrine, you have to go on to perfection. 

      There is a rule that you must pay tithes and offering.   All have to walk by that same rule, and it is the rule, you know.   Jesus said, “these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." (Matthew 23 :23)   There was the rule in the Church manual that no one should straighten their hair, but this rule was changed to reflect the truth about hair pride and basic hair grooming.  The rule was changed to say there is not much against the straightening of the hair.  This change reflects the understanding of basic hair grooming and not conforming to worldly or racial conformity.  And everyone has to walk by that same rule. 

      Isaiah prophesied about this long before the New Testament Church came into existence.  Paul speaking to Timothy spoke out against hair pride along with other pride.  It was also confirmed by Peter.  There is no exemption in this army as it is in the army of some countries where they have classifications as IA, 1AO or 5F.  You either have to be IA or nothing at all.  You either have to come up to all the rule or nothing at all.  So, you might say: I have tried, but it seems so hard.  Your husband wife or children might give you a hard way to go—whatever the situation might be.   But you have no excuse.   No matter how weak you might have become, you still have no excuse.

  Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, and not of men, states in Philippians 3:12 “…Not as though I had already attained…”   But are you going to give up, Paul?  Are you going to be a coward?  Are you going to say: Well, it's no use?   Everyone is fighting me, and everyone seems against me and I cannot seem to make any headway.  Oh no! Paul talks with strength.  He continues saying, . either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also, I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."   You must continue resisting the devil that he might flee from you.  You must contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints.  You must keep on until you get just like Jesus Christ and He was perfect.  Not in the mid-air but here on earth.  

      Someone might quickly say: No one can be like that!  You cannot be like that if you believe that you can't.  However, if you believe that you can, then you can.  According to your faith, so be it unto you. "Brethren. I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do. forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before," (Philippians 3:13)

      This is a very important factor: Forgetting those things which are behind.  You cannot continue progressing in your salvation when you are always taking a backward look.  A man that look backwards stumbles and fall.  You have to look forward; look where you're going and go where you're looking.  You cannot remember how much money you used to make when it was against the will of God.  Because if you remember, you are going to go back to the thing which you left behind.  

      If you keep remembering the so-called good times you used to experience and if these things continue to prey on your mind: you are going to reach back.  Many people leave their second companion: but they remember the life they used to have together.  It is not long before you go back.  It is like the children of Israel—they began thinking about the leeks and the garlic.  Right then and there some backsliding was done in their heart.  

      Once you begin looking back that is at the very point that you begin backsliding.  The devil will bring things to your mind but as long as you do not let it linger and speak it into being; but resist it, then it will flee from you and you will not be under condemnation.  Once you begin crying over it; worrying over it; longing for it—sin has already been committed, because in your heart, you want to return from whence you came. 

         Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before ...." (Philippians 3 :13)

      You cannot have a better future than a future with Jesus Christ.  There is a joy for you here on this earth; not only when you meet the Lord—but you have the potentials within YOU for complete happiness.  However, you have to make up your mind whether or not you are going to give yourself up totally to the Spirit, because if you are unstable going from hot to cold; you will never find peace.  You either have to be saint or sinner.  If you have a conflict between one side and the other, there will always be a struggle or a war going on within you.  You will always be despondent.   But if you forget those things which are behind and remember to look forward to God's blessing; that blessed hope; look forward to what God is going to do and walk in the Spirit—He will pick you up and set you on high.  Even in the time of trouble, He will be a comforter; in the time of storm, He will be a shelter.  

      There will be something going on inside, that the cares of this life cannot erase; that the burden of this world cannot reach.

You will receive an immunity from the conflict that is inflicted upon you by the worldly society.  If you forget those things that are behind and reach for those things which are before ... !   Yes, it is a press, and you must press. 

             Paul continues to say: "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

      What could a prize be if it could just be attained for the asking.  You would have nothing to go through.   But you must press and fight a good fight of faith, laying hold to eternal life.  Paul presses toward not a low calling, but a "high" calling.  Everyone who would attain this prize or would be successful in the Spirit; you must press to reach and attain this great prize.  So, in your auxiliaries, we shall look to a greater success. forward to a lessening of differences, because of this fact that you are leaving this Convention being all of the same mind and all walking by the same rule minding the same thing.

      Leave with the thought that God will be glorified; that His church will progress, and everyone will know that you are indeed the disciples of Jesus Christ, because you love one another.  So, let us all WALK BY THE SAME RULE and let us all MIND THE SAME THING.

May the Lord bless and keep you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 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

 

Present Guidelines for Individuals and Businesses in Phase 1:

·        Stay home except for essential trips.

·        Wear face coverings in public.

·        Frequent hand washing.

·        Social distancing followed and enforced where practical.

·        To-go and delivery orders from restaurants.

·        Continue practicing teleworking.

·        Frequent cleaning of public and high touch areas

 

 Social Distancing guidelines:

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:

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.