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 27, 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:
 
 Actions and Teachings of the Biblical Apostles (part 6)
 
By Apostle Dennis G. Smith
 
     We will continue with a topical discussion of what the Apostle's Doctrine teaches.  You must keep in mind that any one who teaches anything other than what the Apostles taught is teaching false doctrine and is therefore a false teacher deceiving people and leading them to eternal damnation. We will follow the tractural format so that all will be able to spread the correct teaching of the Apostles throughout the entire world.

Baptism of the Holy Ghost
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the birth of the Spirit (John 3:5 ). 
John 3:1 - 6 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:  JOH3:02 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. JOH3:03 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. JOH3:04 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?  JOH3:05 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. JOH3:06 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

John 3:22 - 23 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

     We can see from these scriptures that the birth of water refers to actual baptism in water for remission of sins and not to the preaching of the word as some have said and have twisted the scriptures to remove the requirement of obedience to the command of the Lord Jesus Christ to be baptized as a part of salvation.  We can clearly see from the Apostle's Doctrine that they were baptized in actual water and not words as the false teachers proclaim.    
 
     The spiritual baptism is necessary to put someone into the kingdom of God (God’s church, the bride of Christ) and is evidenced by speaking in other tongues (other languages) as the Spirit of God give utterance. 
     The spiritual baptism was prophesied by the Prophet Joel:
Joel 2:28 - 29 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:  JOE2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

 By the Prophet Isaiah: (Isaiah 28:11 ),
ISA28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:  ISA28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

 By John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11 )
MAT3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:  MAT3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

 
  Promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to His disciples:
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John15:26 - 27 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:  And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

 The fulfilment of the prophesies and the promises begin to occur when the Holy Ghost was first poured out on the Day of Pentecost upon the Jews (Acts 2:1-4 ).
 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.

Apostle Peter said this is that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel..
ACT2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?  ACT2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. ACT2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:  ACT2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. ACT2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;  ACT2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:  ACT2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:  

The Holy Ghost or Baptism of the Spirit was then poured out upon the Samaritans.  
Acts 8:12 - 17 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.  Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 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:  ACT8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost or Baptism of the Spirit was then poured out upon the disciples of John the Baptist and upon the Gentiles.. (Acts 10:44-46 ;19:6)
Act 10:44 - 48 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. ACT10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. ACT10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. ACT10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,  ACT10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?  ACT10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Acts 19:1 - 6 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. ACT19:03 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. ACT19:04 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. ACT19:05 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ACT19:06 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

The Holy Ghost or Baptism of the Spirit was promised to all believers called by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

We will continue with this message in part 7 for now we continue with a Message from Apostle S. C. Johnson … “You Can’t Discourage God’s Sons and Daughters”
 
 
“You Can’t Discourage God’s Sons and Daughters” (part 3)
by Bishop S. C. Johnson
 

     There is no such thing as, it can't be, if you believe God, because God wouldn't tell us to contend for something and then tease us or fool us.
 
     After Elijah went away the mantle fell to Elisha. Elisha took the mantle and smote the waters. What did he say? Where is the God of Elijah? The God that did so much for Elijah. There was famine for three years and six months, but when Elijah got hold of God, he sent rain.
     God sent fire down and licked the water up Elijah filled the trench and talked to God. He told God, Let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again." (1st Kings 18:36 & 37 verses)
     Elijah had some works behind his prayer and when he cried. the fire came down from heaven.
     Our conversation is too carnal, interested in natural things. In paper hanging, painting or making some other convenience. That is the devil, always keeping something on your mind. It is not right. He keeps something on your mind to offset you. If I can't have power with God, I don 't want anything, in fact, I don't want to live; I don't want to stay here and I mean that. I want to get out of this earth if I can't have power with God. 
 
     It is no use fixing anything up, because I won't enjoy it. It is no use fixing it if I'm not going to have any power with God. I want to die if I can't have power with God. That is what I want. Don't give me a mansion if I can't have power with God. Amen. I mean that. I don 't want to live without the power of God.
 
     The devil will show you everything but prayer, meditation or having our conversation in the spirit and on the things of God. The devil will make you complain, and mummer and you are not aware of it. That is how Israel provoked God. They said, Can he give us bread? We don't have water. Just complained about things. 
 
     Exodus 17:1 -  3  And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. EXO17:02 Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD?  EXO17:03 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
 
     Sometimes saints start an argument about something natural. That shows how carnal their mind is. Israel did strive with Moses, the man of God, and chided with him because things were not as they wanted them to be. The people did chide with Moses and said, Give us water to drink. Moses said, Why chide ye with me? Wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?
     When you are always complaining and murmuring, you are tempting God. 
 
The bible says, “Let all things be done without murmuring or complaining, that you might be the people of God.” 

Philippians 2:14 - 16 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;   Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
 
     You are murmuring and complaining, not contenting, and not contending for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints. You wouldn't have a grievous complaint if you were contending for the faith. You wouldn't grieve the spirit. There are grievous complaints. I just must have such and such a thing, it must be just so.
 
     If you want anything, whatever you want, ask God. He will give you the desires of your heart if it's according to his will. 
 
Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be and thought in entire wanting nothing. Be patient and let patience have its perfect way.

James1:2 - 4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

 
    There are two things that people lack today, that is faith and patience. It was needful to have faith and patience, you are out. You are through with it. If you belong which will do, he will bring it to pass, but believe in God without wavering. If strengthening tending for the things of God, come for the resurrection, you would forget saying about to the faith things. 
 
     You would do the necessary the necessary things were not always to whom the would be nice about them. You would say, I know it is necessary that such and such a thing be done, but I am going to pray because I don't want anything to get between me and God or to keep me from getting what I want from God. 
 
     The devil makes you talk too much about some things. The bible says, “Let everything be done by prayer, supplication and intercession.” 
 
Learn to pray about it and not argue and complain about it. Pray through. Get in touch with God the Father and He will answer you. He will gladly bear your burdens and your strength He will renew, so just tell it all to Jesus and pray through.
 
     Bishop breaks out singing, "Pray through.” Pray through, pray through, Get in touch with God the Father, He will answer you; He will gladly bear your burdens and your strength he will renew, if you tell it all to Jesus, just pray through.
 
     That is the way to do it. Tell it all to Jesus. “THANK GOD.” He will gladly bear your burden and your strength He will renew. Tell it all to Him.
 
      The Apostle said, it was needful for him to write to you and exhort you to earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints. EARNESTLY CONTEND FOR THE FAITH. That faith that will make you tackle anything. Amen. You will take hold of it without the shadow of a doubt and believe what you said is coming to pass, but you have to contend for it.
 
    The devil will knock you off and cool you off and there will be a time you will not feel like praying as much as you do at other times, but even though you don't feel like it, pray anyhow. Just pray anyhow. Your belief will make you speak it out.
 
     It is needful now for the saints of God to earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints and don’t care what happens. Don’t let anything offset you.
 
     
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
  
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 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.