Ministers of Jesus Christ Church of The Lord Jesus Christ Assemblies of The Apostolic Faith Atlanta, Georgia - USA Apostle Dennis G. Smith, Pastor and Spiritual Overseer

Date: May 23, 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 May 19, 2021, the City of Atlanta, Georgia remains in Phase 2 of the Reopening Plan and is in transition for Phase 3 due to the infection rate of the coronavirus.   

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

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

     We are beginning limited in person services and continuing online service through Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube.   In person Baptism and prayer service are available using social distancing and personal protective equipment by 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:

 Jesus is Lord and Christ

 By Apostle Dennis G. Smith

     Lord refers to the fact that Jesus is God almighty and Christ is the title that refers to the fact that Jesus is the Messiah the Savior of all mankind.  Jesus Christ as God Almighty is recognized by most oneness believing Christians as the one and only preexistent God who becomes a natural human being or natural human bodily form through Virgin Mary and then returns to his Spiritual Bodily form after his death on the cross.  

     The human and divine nature of Christ has been the major focus of debates in early Church history and at the first seven worldwide, ecumenical councils that involved sometimes as many as 500 Bishops. Most acknowledge that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the "Anointed One," or the "Messiah."  The name "Jesus" is derived from the Hebrew-Aramaic word "Yeshua," meaning "Yahweh or the Lord is salvation."  The name "Christ" is the title from the Greek word "Christos," meaning "the Anointed One," or "Messiah" in Hebrew.  

     The life and death of the Lord Jesus Christ provided the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world.  Mankind was separated from God through Adam's sin but reconciled back to God through the Lord Jesus Christ's sacrifice. He will take away his Bride, the Church in the First Resurrection Rapture and Translation of the Saints and later return at his Second Coming with his Saints to establish his Millennium eternal Kingdom fulfilling messianic prophecy and judge the world at the White Throne Judgement.  All people should clearly see that these are the works of God Almighty and we know that Jesus Christ is God because he claimed to be God and does the works of God.

Acts 9:3 - 5 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:   And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?   And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Deuteronomy 6:4 - 5 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:   And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

John 14:8 - 10 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.  Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?   Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

     Christian doctrines include the beliefs that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, was born of a virgin named Mary, performed miracles, founded the Christian Church, died by crucifixion as a sacrifice to achieve atonement for sin, rose from the dead, and ascended into Heaven, from where he will return.  Most Christians believe that the God was in Jesus Christ reconciling the world to himself.

2Corinthians 5:18 - 19 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;   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.

     The Trinitarian Christians worship Jesus as the incarnation of God the Son, what they call the second person in the Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost recorded in Matthew 28:19.  Many Christians reject the reference to a Trinity of persons as non-scriptural while acknowledging a Trinity of manifestations or a Trinity of Titles of the one and only God.  Some Christians do not use the non-biblical word Trinity at all when referring to Matthew 28:19 because of the errors and incorrect baptisms that have resulted in false teachings.

Matthew 28:19 - 20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

     What we can clearly see in the belief system of most Christians is the acknowledgement that Jesus is both Lord and Christ.  

     This may be the one point that perhaps all Christians can agree on without much controversy and debate.  All Christians agree on the Birth of Jesus Christ, though some commemorate or celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ annually on December 25 as Christmas.   All Christians agree concerning His crucifixion, though some commemorate it  on a day they call Good Friday.   And all Christians agree on his resurrection, though some commemorate his resurrection on a day they call Easter Sunday.   As a result many build their life around the Christian or Gregorian calendar based on the approximate birthdate of Jesus Christ.  Other Christians choose to avoid all references to pagan worship and commemorate or celebrate the birth, crucifixion, and resurrections everyday of their life without any special day.

Acts 2:34 - 41 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,   Until I make thy foes thy footstool.  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?   Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  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.  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

     Apostle Paul expresses that Christ existed prior to taking on a natural human flesh and blood body from the House of David.  God revealed himself in a Spiritual body or manifestation before he took on the Blood through Mary as King of Salem in the Book of Genesis 14:18. This is generally referred to as dual nature.  Which is taught using the non-biblical word incarnation to express that he was both God and Man.

Philippians 2:5 - 11 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:   But 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.  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;   And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

     Most Christians understand Apostle Paul to be stating that the Lord Jesus Christ was preexistent and came to Earth "by taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness". Different views have been debated for centuries by Christians and with most finally settling on the idea that he was both fully human and fully divine by the middle of the 5th century in the Council of Ephesus.   Apostle Paul also preached the word of faith which many see as the true mark of a Christian in the confession of Jesus as the true Lord.  

Romans10:6 - 9 But the righteousness, which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)   But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  He is the one Lord, for in him dwelleth all of the fulness of the Godhead Bodily.  This should give the whole world the confidence and faith to call on the name of Jesus Christ because there is no other name whereby men may be saved.  So the Jailer asked the question that all should asked today, “What must I do to be saved?”

Acts 16:29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.  And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.  And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

We continue with a Message from Apostle S. McDowell Shelton …. “God hath Made That Same Jesus Both Lord And Christ” ………

"GOD HATH MADE THAT SAME JESUS BOTH LORD AND CHRIST"

By Bishop S. McDowell Shelton

              We are certain that when anything is done by the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ it may be a struggle in its beginnings, but it will always be successful in its conclusion.  We are fully persuaded that all things work together for the good to those that love the Lord, and we love the Lord here at the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.  We have made Him our shield and our buckler. (See Psalm 91:4) He has become our main stay.  As the hart panteth after the water brooks so panteth our hearts after the Lord Jesus Christ. (See Psalm. 42:1)

       We realize that without Him we can surely do nothing, but the situation is simultaneously compatible in that without Him we want to do nothing.  Our sincere desire is to do everything with Him, for Him and by Him, for we are fully cognizant that it is in Him that we live and move and have our being.

       We believe that He is God Almighty and that He is coming back for His Church.  We believe there is, but one Saviour and Jesus Christ is He.  

     We believe that He has established His Church and this is that which was spoken of by the Prophet Joel and later rehearsed by the Apostle Peter: "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 daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy." (Acts 2:17-18) God has assuredly, poured out His spirit upon all flesh, for they are prophesying and glorifying the Lord; they are speaking in a new tongue.

       When mention is made of the Refresher or the Comforter, be fully convinced that Jesus Christ is he and that His whereabouts are not unknown to us, for we have that Refresher, we have the Comforter.  In this restless day and restless time, we have that rest which was spoken of by the prophets, and we possess that ultimate peace alluded to in the scriptures, for He is indeed the Prince of Peace. (See Isaiah 9:6)

        Here at the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ we have the whole counsel of God, for He is a wonderful counselor, the Almighty God.  In our lives, He is both first and last: our beginning and our ending.  (See Revelation 22:13) He is what was to us, He is what is to us now and He is what shall be to us. That is why our total time, cur total effort is enveloped and absorbed in the worship of the one God who has made both heaven and earth.

      God has blessed us and has brought us through another time interval designated as one calendar year in the western part of the world.  It has not been a particularly easy time or a necessarily pleasant time, but this has not off-set or deterred us, for we had anticipated such when we first started long ago. We had attained this spiritual maturity even before our bishopric and realized that there was a "woe" to them that were at ease in Zion. (See Amos 6:1)

       While speaking to our staff, we informed them that we were not looking for sympathy, but since we are Lord and master here, we will demand cooperation. Likewise, we would appreciate everyone's love, but if denied we will settle for your respect. Our sincere prayer and fond desire is that everyone would be perfect, but until you achieve that goal we will content ourselves with your striving. It is not that you have already obtained, but that you continue to press toward that mark with all diligence and patience. (See Hebrews 6:1) In this process of developmental perfection, we are hoping that you will not be forever striving, forever learning, and never coming to the knowledge of the truth. (See 2nd Tim. 3:7) But nevertheless, we are truly thanking the Lord for how far you have come, for how far you have progressed.

       Let it be known that the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ has an abiding and steadfast faith for the future because the eyes have not seen and the ears have not heard, neither has it entered into the hearts of men what the Lord has in store for them that love Him.  (See 1st Corinthians 2:9)

      After viewing the situation in its total perspective, when the frustration has subsided and the anxiety has ceased from troubling, we are consoled by a still small voice that whispers in our ear and says, "This is the way. This is the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the truth of the Word of God. Be patient just a little while longer and He who shall come will come and will bring His reward with Him." (See Revelation 22:12) It will not be long before the wicked will cease from troubling, and the weary will be at rest. God will wipe all tears away from our eyes and there will be no more dying, no more sickness, no more sorrow, and no more pain.

       Our hearts were made glad when we heard of that certain tree which grew in New Jerusalem, having leaves for the healing of all nations and we greatly rejoiced to learn of that crystal clear river of life proceeding from the throne of God. (Revelation 22:1-2) But, until the time comes when we can actually; reach those leaves and reach that river, we have made our calling and election sure. In retrospection, it was indeed many years ago that we washed in that fountain—that same fountain opened in the House of David—and was buried with Him in baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins and we received the gift of the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave us utterance. (See Romans 6:4 and   Acts 2:38) We may not presently possess a leaf from that tree of healing or even an olive branch, but we do have an assurance by faith.

         A promise was given out that He would forgive all our iniquities and heal our diseases. (See Psalm. 103:3) But, "Who", you might ask, "is this 'He'?" We are speaking expressly of the one who was wounded for our iniquities. (See Isaiah 53:5) It is this same one who was led as a Iamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before the shearer and in His humiliation His life was taken His name into your salvation, then after the Holy Ghost came upon you, you would have had power.  This is the same Jesus who came in the manifestation of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gave the people utterance.  Since He is no longer to sit on your shoulder as a dove, He came as the Holy Ghost, as a witness, that He was inside—outwardly shown by the speaking of other tongues.  He comes as the wind.  With all of your vision, you cannot see the wind itself; you only feel the effects of it and see the signs of its Likewise was a sign given to follow them that would with new tongues.

        I do not care who you are or how self-righteous you may feel, the Bible says: "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.’ (John 3:5) If you do not have both, the water’ and the spirit, you will not enter into God’s kingdom.  I am not talking about “some kind of emotion” that you feel you have — a nervous condition, I am talking about the Spirit of God when God himself comes and dwells in you.  That is what I am talking about.  When the Spirit of God “enters into” your life, a change takes place.  You are motivated differently.  You undergo a complete and absolute change. A new man emerges out of the ashes of the old man.  From the grave of the water’ from the grave of repentance and casting aside all the weights and all of” the former habits, emerges a new man to walk in the new life—in the good life. 

     A man who was in past times a creature habit, a creature of weakness; but now he is a creature who has strength, power’ and hope. Now he is a creature who is fighting the good fight.  Out of the watery grave emerges a man who once fought rowdy brawls and sought sensual vengeance, but now without carnal weapons, he fights.  Now, without the shedding of innocent blood, he fights. Though he fights, yet in his sweep he destroys principalities and powers; he pulls down things which are not of God but does not destroy the fabric of society.  He destroys the power of the devil which rules in it and in turn, builds it up on a strong and sure foundation.

      "For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it." (Isaiah 28:20) 

Here he lays.  Uncomfortable. Here he lays and cannot really cover himself, exposed, where there is no help and no rest. He is tormented day and night. 

"For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth’ as in the valley of Gibeon, that 'he may do his work, his strange work; and bring in pass his act, his strange act." (Isaiah 28:21)

No wonder people cannot believe it.  It is a strange act. It is not something you can just sit down and accept every day. 

"Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands made strong: for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.  Give ye ear and hear my voice: hearken and hear my speech." (Isaiah 28:22, 23)

 Hear the word of the Lord and be baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins today.

"Doth the plowman plow, all day to sow: doth he, open and break the of his ground? When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place?" (Isaiah 28:24, 25) 

The scripture is saying that the plowman is not always loosening up the ground.  He is not always “protesting against” society and not offering anything to build it up again.  It is all right if you are going to open the ground but put a little seed in there so something can grow out of it.  If you break it up and do not plant anything in it, then the rain is going to come and wash the soil away.

        "For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him." (Isaiah 28 :26) When God is teaching you, then He will give you some discretion; some sense on how to use good judgment and how to be discreet.  This is the same thing to those who are saved. If you had any God in you at all, it would tell you to stop going all through town With that sweetheart; stop displaying your sin and put on a dress long enough to hide your nakedness.  You would not be so bold, having no discretion.

      "In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, and for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.  But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, are out of the way; the priest and prophet have err through drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they err in vision they stumble in judgment." (Isaiah 28:5-7)

If the people err through wine, what will they do through LSD and reefers? Your preacher has erred, that is why he has a need for prestige.  He is drunk with the desire to get his false doctrine over and because of his drunkenness, he sees three persons in the Godhead.  He errs in his vision and stumbles in his judgment. They are all out of the way through strong drink. "For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean." (Isaiah 28:8)

       You talk about having found something else.  I do not care how much you have found.  What can you find? There is nothing else. The only reason you can be satisfied with something other than the Truth of God is because you are a vomit lover.

      You come to the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ today and be baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and receive the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives you utterance.

     May the Lord bless you; may the Lord keep you.  May the Lord lift, up His countenance upon 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

The online service Zoom link is sent out each Sunday at or before 2:00 pm to the Saints registered email addresses.  We start the 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 time line.  You will need to down load 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 and 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 in Georgia:

        ·         Everyone age 12 and older.  Note: Pfizer is the only COVID vaccine currently approved for children aged 12 and older. People younger than 18 years of age are not authorized to receive either the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

 Present Guidelines for Individuals and Businesses in Phase 2:

·        Stay home except for essential trips.

·        Wear face coverings in public.

·        Frequent hand washing.

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

·        To-go and delivery orders from restaurants.

·        Continue practicing teleworking.

·        Frequent cleaning of public and high touch areas

Present Guidelines for Individual and Businesses in PHASE 3: MAINTAIN (GREEN ZONE)

·        Limited trips outside; vulnerable populations should continue to stay home

·        Wearing a face mask in public is a mandate

·        Frequent hand washing

·        Social distancing

·        Limited occupancy in food and retail establishments to accommodate social distancing

·        Continue practicing teleworking where feasible.

·        Frequent cleaning of public and high touch areas

·        Small gatherings with social distancing

·        Non-essential City facilities remain closed to the public

·        City continues to accept special event applications subject to COVID safety requirements

·        Continue communication with local and State authorities to monitor public health metrics

 Social Distancing guidelines:

·                 Social distancing means staying away from close contact in public spaces. It includes actions like staying out of places where lots of people gather and maintaining distance — approximately 6 feet — from others. 

·                 Social distancing also includes minimizing contact with people by avoiding public transportation when possible, limiting nonessential travel, working from home, and skipping social gatherings. 

·                 All people should practice social distancing — not just those who are seriously ill or at high risk. 

·                 Social distancing is a proven way to slow the spread of pandemics. 

When to Wear a Mask:

Those who are staying home and have no close contact with people who are infected with COIVID-19 do not need a mask most of the time. However, wearing a nonmedical or homemade mask may be helpful in certain situations or for certain populations. Wear a Mask when:

·             Shopping at essential businesses, like grocery stores or pharmacies. 

·                 While visiting your health care provider. 

·                 Traveling on public transportation. 

·                 Interacting with customers/clients at essential businesses. 

·                 When feeling sick, coughing, or sneezing. 

·                 In all public spaces indoors and outdoors.

Because homemade masks protect everyone else from the droplets created by the wearer, it is important that as many people as possible wear these masks when leaving their homes. This helps prevent those who may be infectious but are only mildly symptomatic or not symptomatic from spreading the virus to others in the community.

Everyone should remember the phrase: “My mask protects you; your mask protects me.” By increasing the overall number of people who are containing their coughs, sneezes, and other droplets, it will help us control the overall spread of the virus.