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: April 4, 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 April 1, 2021, the City of Atlanta, Georgia remains in Phase 2 of the Reopening Plan due to the infection rate of the coronavirus.   Throughout the State of Georgia businesses are recommended to continue to operate with social distancing of sixth feet according to the Center for Disease Control Guidance.  Covid-19 vaccinations in Georgia is offered to and open for everyone 16 years of age and older.  Note: Pfizer is the only COVID vaccine currently approved for children aged 16 and older.

     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:

What is the Truth About the Celebration of Easter?(part 1)

 By Apostle Dennis G. Smith

     If you are seeking to enjoy this Easter Holiday with your family and friends, make sure that you know the truth about the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

     Also make sure that you know that most Churches are not proclaiming the dates of the Celebration to be the actual day or dates in which the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ occurred. 

     We live work and seek to enjoy everyday in our life as much as possible with our family, friends, neighbors, and community at large.  And we never judge as it pertains to which day you esteem highly because the Apostle’s Doctrine in the Bible teaches us not to judge in a particular day of celebration or worship.  So, whether you celebrate the Easter Holiday or not is up to your own decision, but a least know the truth about the choices that you make.

Romans 14:5 - 11 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.  He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.  For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.  For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.  For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.  But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

So, when we deal with celebrations that we believe may have pagan origins and elements, we must examine the things that we do and allow to be done as to whether or not they are done in honor of a pagan false god or not.  Also, whether or not they are perpetuating a lie or telling the truth.  

     But we also must recognize that all people can celebrate any day or event so long as it does not involve any acts of sin.  Apostle Paul is teaching us to let every man be persuaded in his own mind.  To receive them that are weak in the faith but not to doubtful disputation, and not to set our Christians Saints apart over various days and food.   

     So, once again we are not judging in the celebration on a particular day or the commemoration of particular historical events, but we are examining the things that are done or allowed during the celebration as to whether or not the acts are sinful.  Then if a celebration contains no sinful acts, makes no particular false claims as to the exact date of the recognized event, the celebration should be not used as judgment against the participants, nor does it condemn the participants in the joyous occasion.  Apostle Paul is teaching that we should carefully consider those who are weak and help them.   We should never use Christian freedom to harm or offset people who are weak in the faith.

We continue with a Message from Apostle S. McDowell Shelton …. “Easter—To What End Is It All?” ………

"EASTER—TO WHAT END IS IT ALL?" (Part 1)
By Bishop S. McDowell Shelton

      This is Bishop S. McDowell Shelton coming to you from the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith.  We are thankful for the truth of God, because without this—we are nothing. Without this, we have no hope, without this we have no joy; without this there can be no deliverance for us. Everything that we need and everything that we will need—we find it in the Word of God, and so will you.  Yes, you will find all in the Word of God if you continue steadfastly in the Apostles' Doctrine.  And to those of you who have not come into the Apostles' Doctrine—if you would come and be baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives you utterance, you will see that all is contained within the Holy Word of God.

       You must continue steadfastly in the Apostles' Doctrine doing all of the Word of God and not fainting, not becoming tired, not becoming weary, but so continuing.   Unfortunately, you do not find too many steadfast folks, in this day and age, and very few sound people.  Even those who claim to be sound are not really sound.  It is difficult to find good judgement in the earth. Even those whom you look upon as being intellectual giants are lacking. When it comes time for judgmental situations—they are thoroughly lacking in their judgement. 

But we invite you to be still and know that He is God. (See Psalms 46:10)

     The past is already gone, so you cannot worry about that.  It is past activity.  Yes, there is a past, and a present, and a future in “The Alpha and the Omega”—the beginning and the ending—but we are talking about your activities.  The past has already passed, and the future is not yet.

      There is only the present.  And for now, nothing else exists except God, and us, and you. In this divine presence, there is only the message from God through us to you.  Everything else can wait until this message is delivered.  Everything else can be laid aside—all other thoughts, all other activities. There is just one purpose.  We are at that time of the year (Spring) when have taken it themselves to celebrate activities which they do not understand. They do not comprehend, neither are they fully aware of its implications and we would question—to what end is it all? To what end? We would like to know to what end is Palm Sunday? Who asked for it? Who sent you a letter and asked you to keep "Ash Wednesday"? Who requested it? Did one of the prophets? Did Isaiah request it? Did Joshua or Moses, Zechariah or Amos, Malachi, or Micah, or perhaps Haggai or Zerubbabel?  And at whose instigation did the period "Lent" come into being? 

     Yes, we will readily agree that the Scripture says—"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." (Acts 2:38)  But, by what authority do you set aside a forty-day period during the year leading up to Spring, in which you claim you are doing penance for your wrong? When God gets ready for you to do penance, He will let you know and you won't be able to do otherwise.  But what God is interested in now is that you repent.   Repentance is for you to decide; but not so much in how you are going to pay for your sins in penance.

        That you will do! God now, wants you to be sorry for your sins and to be baptized. He wants you to do something about your fallen condition. Then afterwards, you will get a chance to do all of the things, which are required. We are persuaded, however, that it shall be like when Jesus asked—"Can you be baptized with the baptism wherein I am baptized with, or can you drink of the cup.  You shall have enough when you hear of all the "cannots" and the "thou shalt nots", and "you better not" and the "ought nots".   Yes, you will have enough; not only for forty days, but for as long as you live, —in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse, as long as you and God shall live.

      Does God reap any benefits, when you give up something for forty days that was not good for you in the first place? And besides, after that forty-day period is over, what is God supposed to do for the rest of the sacrifice that He is requiring? God wants a daily sacrifice! So, to what end is the whole thing? To what end would you put ashes (from the palms of last year) on your forehead? To what end would you celebrate a day you call "Palm Sunday"? And why are you involved in this at all? You say you are involved in it because you are celebrating the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem? When did that It would be quite interesting to know the exact date, and we are persuaded if God had placed any significance on dates, He would have surely left it on record for all humanity to know?   And if He wanted it to be celebrated, He would have left it on record by ordinance or commandment, or by doctrine.

       But to what end do you celebrate the forty days when Jesus was tempted of the devil in the wilderness? How strange you are! How lewd is your thinking! How preposterous and obscene is your contemplation! You are lascivious! You celebrate temptation and all of its vices. To what end? And you celebrate a time in-which you claim Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and you call it "Palm Sunday". But when the question was asked a few days later, as to which of the two would they (the people) who 'is called the Christ, or "Barabbas", the thief—where were these people who took palm branches from the trees and strewed them in His path?  Where were these people who laid their garments in the way?

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

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

·         Everyone ages 16 and older

 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 followed and enforced where practical according to CDC Guidance.

·        To-go and delivery orders from restaurants.

·        Continue practicing teleworking.

·        Frequent cleaning of public and high touch areas

 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.