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

 Home Page 

APOSTLE'S MESSAGE

 

Date: April 3, 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 9)
 
By Apostle Dennis G. Smith
 
     As we continue this series on the core teachings of the Apostle’s Doctrine, we hope that all people can recognize the simplicity of teaching what is true according to the bible. By knowing the truth all people should be able to see the need for each generation to teach and preach the same thing that the Apostle’s taught so that there will be no divisions or strife among the true Apostolic believers. Once again, all people should be able to achieve a bible right salvation and spread the truth to the entire world. The truth will indeed set all believers free and enable all people to recognize false prophets, false teachers, and false doctrine anywhere it is taught throughout the entire world.
 
The Apostle’s Doctrine teaches us that the eternal destiny of all mankind is in either heaven with God or in hell, and that death and hell will be cast into the lake of fire separated from God. This is the bottom line or core doctrine that must be understood and believed by all Apostolic believers.
 
Revelations 20:12 - 14 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Revelations 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. Revelations 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
 
Revelations 21:1 - 4 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. Revelations 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Revelations 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. Revelations 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
 
This leads many people to be concerned about what happens to our human spirit the immaterial part of us when our bodies die. This is usually understood in different manners depending on the understanding of the word sleep.  We will examine life after death from these aspects, but always keep in mind the core doctrine and you will not have a need for debate or confusion.
 
The Apostle’s Doctrine teaches us the death of the natural human body but the continuation of life in the resurrection.
When Lazarus died the Lord Jesus used the word sleep to refer to the death of the human body.  But this did not refer to his spirit or soul the immaterial parts of a human being.  And when Jesus called him, he awoke. In other words even though his natural human body was dead, he heard and answered the call of the Lord Jesus Christ. This may lead some to teach soul sleep but in this passage the Lord Jesus is referring to the death of the natural human body.
 
John 11:1 - 44 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
JOH11:02 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) 
JOH11:03 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
JOH11:04 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
JOH11:05 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
JOH11:06 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
JOH11:07 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
JOH11:08 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? 
JOH11:09 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
JOH11:10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
JOH11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
JOH11:12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
JOH11:13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
JOH11:14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
JOH11:15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. JOH11:16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. JOH11:17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
JOH11:18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: 
JOH11:19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
JOH11:20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. JOH11:21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
JOH11:22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
JOH11:23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
JOH11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
JOH11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 
JOH11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 
JOH11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. JOH11:28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
JOH11:29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
JOH11:30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
JOH11:31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
JOH11:32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
JOH11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 
JOH11:34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
JOH11:35 Jesus wept.
JOH11:36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! 
JOH11:37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? 
JOH11:38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
JOH11:39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
JOH11:40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 
JOH11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
JOH11:42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
JOH11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
JOH11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
 
In this passage of scripture all should clearly see that The Lord Jesus is speaking of the death of the Body when using the word sleep. He established that he is the Resurrection and the Life as he had said before or the restorer of life and the continuation of life.
 
John 5:24 - 29 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. John 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; John 5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
 
We will continue with this message and examine life after death in part 10……
 
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 12:00 noon 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 1:00 pm. 
 
      You are invited to attend and be a part of the Ministers of Jesus Christ Church Services on Zoom at/or about 1:00pm.  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.