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Ministers of Jesus Christ Assemblies of The Apostolic Faith Atlanta, Georgia - USA Apostle Dennis G. Smith, Pastor and Spiritual Overseer |
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 1)
By Apostle
Dennis G. Smith
It is a shame today that there is considerable debate over the nature of the Godhead, with some people unable to understand the incarnation which is the manifestation of God Almighty in a flesh and blood natural body from the virgin Mary, known as the son of God whose name is the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice how false doctrine and misunderstanding keeps repeating in each generation. The First Council of Nicaea, held in Nicaea (in present-day Turkey) was called together by the Roman Emperor Constantine I in 325, and was the first ecumenical council of bishops of the Roman Empire that resulted in what some call the first uniform Christian doctrine, called the Nicene Creed. This statement reveals that there were and still is many false prophets and false teachers spreading their own version of salvation which can never saves a single human being.
With the creation of the Nicene Creed, a precedent was established for all gatherings of the general ecumenical councils of bishops (synods) to create statements of belief and canons of doctrinal teaching of what is commonly called orthodox teaching to define a common creed for the Church and address heretical ideas.
Notice again that it was the Roman
Emperor Constantine I and the general ecumenical councils of bishops (synods)
that brought about many of doctrine that are taught today which are not the
teaching of the Apostles of God Almighty. This statement
should cause all people to examine the Church they attend and to check
themselves to see whether or not they are in the Church of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
Every Church that teach more than one God are not a part of the Body of Christ
the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. And all of those who are
members of those Churches have never received Salvation. This is
the reason we must keep crying against the false prophets and the false teachers
because they are fulfilling the purpose of Satan in assisting him to deceive and
devour many people.
The Bible is the inspired Word of God and our measuring rod for examining all
true and false statements because the bible teaches us the true about the
creation of heaven, earth, and all mankind and contains prophecy of the ages to
come regarding heaven, earth, and the destiny of humanity. Any
teaching about salvation that is not contained in the pages of the Bible is
false because there is no salvation outside of what is taught in the pages of
the bible.
The Apostle’s Doctrine in the Bible teaches
us that there is one God!!!
The central Statement of the Apostolic Christian faith is "I believe in one God"
who has revealed Himself to humanity as the Father in creation (Creator of all
things), in the Son in redemption (Savior), and as the Holy Ghost in the Church
(indwelling Spirit). The first commandment states that there is
one God, and we must love the one God with all our heart, soul, mind, might, and
strength which is summed up as loving him with everything that we have. We
must repeat this over and over again to all generations because devil is seeking
who he may devour.
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.
Mark 12:29 - 30 And
Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The
Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:
this is the first commandment.
He is the Creator of heaven and earth, and of all living beings. And to love
him is to obey his commandments.
Mark 12:32 - 34 And
the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is
one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the
heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the
strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt
offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered
discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no
man after that durst ask him any question.
1Corinthians 8:5 - 9 For
though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there
be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of
whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all
things, and we by him. Howbeit there is not in every man that
knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing
offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But meat
commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if
we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of
yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
The Apostle’s Doctrine in the Bible teaches us that there is one Father who
created everything!!!
Malachi 2:10 Have
we not all one father? hath
not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously
every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?
John 8:41 - 43 Ye
do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of
fornication; we have one
Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were
your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither
came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my
speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
God is a Spirit (John 4:24). He is the Eternal One, the Creator of all things, and the Father of all humanity by creation. He is the First and the Last, and beside Him there is no God (Isaiah 44:6). There was no God formed before Him; neither shall there be after Him (Isaiah 43:10).
The Apostle’s Doctrine teaches us that Jesus Christ is the Son of God according
to the flesh!!!
Romans 1: 3 – 5 Concerning
his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to
the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit
of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace
and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
The Apostle’s Doctrine teaches us that Jesus Christ is God Almighty himself
according to the Spirit!!!!
Matthew 1:23 Behold,
a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call
his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Jesus is the Christ, the anointed one of God or was God with us in Flesh and Blood.
Matthew 16:13 When
Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying,
Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that
thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the
prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And
Simon Peter answered and said, Thou
art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus
answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood
hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things according to the Spirit.
Colossians 1:13 - 18 Who
hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the
kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood,
even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the
firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are
in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be
thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by
him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things
consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the
preeminence.
So, we can see in the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ and his Apostles and
the actions that they did. We can also see the changes made by the Roman
emperor and the gathering of the synod of Roman Bishops when they established
what they called an orthodox doctrine that in many ways is not according to the
Apostle’s Doctrine.
We continue
with a Message from Apostle S. C. Johnson … "Sirs, What Must I Do To Be Saved?"
“Sirs, What Must I Do To Be Saved?”
This was the question of the Philippian Jailer. No
doubt this man was religious and had professed to have known God. But
when he faced the apostles who had the only gospel, he found himself unsaved. Like
many today, when their religious experience is brought up against the standard
of the word of God, they find themselves unsaved.
I am sure that there are many people today who have been
in churches for years--no doubt have been deacons, trustees, missionaries, etc.,
and with all of that there is an unrest and dissatisfaction until they are
asking themselves the question, “Am I really saved? “And what proof have I, that
I can know of a truth, that I have a Bible salvation? And if
Jesus Christ should come, would I be ready to meet Him or am
I deceived?”
The only way to know that we are saved is to know
according to God's Eternal Word. I've heard many times of
ministers converting people and saying they were saved without any Bible proof,
telling people to bow their heads and raise their hands, and accept Jesus Christ
right where they are. And when they do that, they say so many got saved through
our ministry. I want to say to you in the name of Jesus Christ,
and according to God's Eternal Word that is just as far from the truth and being
saved as the East is from the West. They never mention Repentance
or Baptism to the people, didn't mention receiving the Holy
Ghost, yet say they are saved.
Let us now turn to the word of God, and see what the
word of God has to say about it. Romans
3:4 says: “Let God be true and every man a liar.” Now we
will outline the plan of salvation according to the word of God.
John said: “He indeed baptized with water unto
repentance, but Jesus Christ would baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” John
didn't tell them to raise their hands right where they were and accept Christ. Jesus
Christ, who is our example came to John and was baptized, and He received the
Holy Ghost. (Matthew 3:16)
Matthew 3:13 – 17 Then
cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John
forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And
Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us
to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And
Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the
heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a
dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is
my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Jesus Christ said to Nicodemus, except a man be born
again of water and spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. (St.
John 3:5)
John 3:1 - 5 There
was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 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. 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. 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? 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.
John 3:20 - 22 For
everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his
deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the
light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. After
these things came Jesus and
his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and
baptized.
It is absolutely amazing that the false prophets and false teacher think of
themselves as worthy to come behind what the Lord God Jesus Christ commanded,
taught and did himself and change things and in some cases telling the people
that obedience to some of the things that the Lord Jesus Christ commanded is not
necessary for salvation!!!!
We will continue with these messages in part
2……
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. 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
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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.