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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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Date:
February 6, 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.
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As
of February 3, 2022,
the City of Atlanta, Georgia remains in the Red Zone with community
transmission of Covid-19 remaining upward above 10% community spread. This
means that transmission remains high but is trending downward and you will
need to follow strict guidance because you may be exposed to the virus at
this time.
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Social distancing
and face mask are recommended for gatherings to control the spread of
Covid-19 or for individual safety.
-
Gatherings indoors
with unvaccinated people and crowding is not recommended but allowed with
face mask and social distancing.
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Vaccinations and
boosters remains the recommended most effective way to control the spread
of Covid-19 by health authorities.
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Covid-19
vaccinations and boosters in Georgia are offered to everyone 5 years of
age and older.
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Note: Pfizer is
the only COVID vaccine currently approved for children aged 5 years and
older.
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:
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 3)
By
Apostle Dennis G. Smith
Believers who teach and follow the Apostle’s Doctrine commonly
referred to as the Apostolic Faith are known to most people as
nontrinitarian Christians, who reject the non-biblical doctrine
of the Trinity as formulated and taught by the ecumenical council of
bishops from the Roman Emperor Constantine because the
doctrine of trinity that teaches three separate and distinct persons in
the Godhead was not taught by the Biblical Apostles and leads those who
follow the false teachings into an incorrect baptism and in some cases the
belief in three Gods and many other false understandings of the Godhead.
Though the word trinity is sometimes used correctly to express three
titles of the one and only God or three manifestations of the one and only
God some people continually spread the false and misleading concepts of
the Roman council of Bishops rather than the Apostle’s Doctrine.
Believers who teach and follow the Apostle’s Doctrine also differ
significantly from so-called mainstream or
Roman Bishop's Christianity
in their beliefs about the Holy Spirit also known as
the Holy Ghost.
The so-called Christian denominations that teach the non-biblical
doctrine of the Trinity as formulated and taught by the ecumenical council
of bishops from the Roman Emperor Constantine teach the Holy Spirit, or
Holy Ghost, to be the third person of the
Trinity, of a Triune God manifested as first-person God the Father, second
person God the Son, and third person God the Holy Spirit, each entity
itself being God.
The Apostolic Faith believers who teach the Apostle’s Doctrine teach
that the Holy Ghost is not a third person in the Godhead, but rather the
Spirit of God (the Creator), the Spirit of the resurrected Christ, the
Holy Ghost coming to dwell in the hearts and lives of everyone who
believes and obeys the gospel, as the Comforter, Sustainer, and Keeper
(John 14:16-26 ; Romans 8:9-11 ).
John14:15 - 26 If ye love me, keep my commandments. JOH14:16 And I will
pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may
abide with you forever; JOH14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world
cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know
him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. JOH14:18 I will not
leave you comfortless: I will come to you. JOH14:19 Yet a little while,
and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall
live also. JOH14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and
ye in me, and I in you. JOH14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth
them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my
Father, and I will love him, and
will manifest myself
to him. JOH14:22 Judas saith unto him, not
Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not
unto the world? JOH14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love
me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come
unto him, and make our abode with him. JOH14:24 He that loveth me not
keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the
Father’s which sent me. JOH14:25 These things have I spoken unto you,
being yet present with you. JOH14:26 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.
Everyone who does not tarry until they receive the Holy Ghost are not in
the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ and do not belong to God. This is the
reason those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ must ask him for the
Holy Ghost and wait or tarry until they are filled with the precious gift
of God.
ROM8:07 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not
subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ROM8:08 So then they
that are in the flesh cannot please God. ROM8:09 But ye are not in the
flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now
if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ROM8:10
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit
is life because of righteousness.
The power of the Holy Ghost or the moving of the Spirit of God is the
thing that brought about all of the Actions and teachings of the Apostles
and that caused the Virgin birth from Mary. The Gospels of Matthew and
Luke state that Jesus was "conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the
Virgin Mary". The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove during his
baptism, and in his Farewell Discourse after the Last Supper Jesus
promised to send the Holy Spirit to his disciples after his departure.
From this promise no one who is a true obedient believer has to doubt
whether or not God will give them the Holy Ghost because the Holy Spirit
is referred to as "the Lord, the Giver of Life", which is the key belief
held by most Christian denominations.
We can see the Actions of God Almighty in his Holy Spirit also known
as the Holy Ghost before he took on flesh and Blood which is before the
Birth of Christ. The Prophet John the Baptist was "filled with the Holy
Spirit" before his birth.
Luke 1:13 - 16 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy
prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou
shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many
shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the
Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he
shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And
many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
The Holy Ghost came upon the Virgin Mary and is the Father of the
flesh and blood body of Jesus Christ known as the son of God. This
establishes before the whole world that the Holy Ghost and the Father are
not separate and distinct person but is the same one and only God. So
that when the Lord Jesus spoke of the father indwelling him, he proved
that the Father and the Holy Ghost was the same one person not separate
and distinct persons.
Luke 1:28 - 35 And the angel came in unto her,
and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee:
blessed art thou among women. Luke1:29
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind
what manner of salutation this should be. Luke 1:30 And the angel said
unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. Luke 1:31
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and
shalt call his name JESUS. Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be
called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the
throne of his father David: Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house
of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Luke 1:34 Then
said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man Luke
1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The
Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall
overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of
thee shall be called the Son of God.
The Lord Jesus Christ taught us how to pray and gave assurances that God
would "give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him".
LUK11:09 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye
shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. LUK11:10 For every one
that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that
knocketh it shall be opened. LUK11:11 If a son shall ask bread of any of
you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will
he for a fish give him a serpent? LUK11:12 Or if he shall ask an egg,
will he offer him a scorpion? LUK11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how
to give good gifts unto your children: how
much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask
him?
When we as believers obey the word of God and spread the word of God
among all nations of the world by walking in the Spirit, we are guided in
our speech by the Holy Ghost even when we are persecuted.
Mark 13:10 - 11 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought
beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but
whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not
ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
The historical book of Acts of the Apostles has sometimes called the
"Book of the Holy Spirit" or the "Acts of the Holy Spirit" which makes
us to know all that the Apostle did and taught. Therefore
any teaching that is not according to what the Apostles taught and
did is false doctrine!!!!
Acts1:1 – 5 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all
that Jesus began both
to do and teach,
Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy
Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom
also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs,
being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to
the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded
them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise
of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly
baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the
Holy Ghost not many days hence.
The ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, while he was on earth, was
carried out through the power of the Holy Ghost that dwelled within his
flesh and blood body and the "acts of the apostles" continue the acts of the Lord
Jesus Christ by his Holy Spirit that dwelled within them. In
simplicity the one God who is a Spirit and one person carried out all the
acts and actions by indwelling the body born from Mary known
as the Son of God and by indwelling the
Apostles.
ACT1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with
the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
The Holy Spirit is the "life principle" of the Church as seen
through its outpouring on believers in Acts 2:1–4 the birthday of the
Church, Acts 4:29-31 the
preaching of the Apostles, Acts 8:15–17
the Samaritans, Acts10:44
the gentiles beginning with Cornelius house and Acts19:6
the disciples of the Prophet John the Baptist.
ACT4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy
servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, ACT4:30 By
stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be
done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. ACT4:31 And when they had
prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they
were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with
boldness.
"For John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the
Holy Ghost. ...Ye shall receive power, when the Holy Ghost is come upon
you", referring
to the fulfillment of the prophecy of John the Baptist in Luke 3:16, "he
shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost"
"But the Comforter, which
is the
Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all
things". This biblical statement proves that it
is the Holy Ghost that adds people to the Body of Christ and opens our
understanding about the word of God. This is why so many people do not
understand the bible because they do not have the Holy Ghost. The Bible
clearly tells us who the comforter is and yet the identity of the
"Comforter" has been the subject of debate among theologians, who have
proposed multiple theories on the matter which
has led to much false teaching and false doctrine deceiving many people in
the world.
John 14:25 - 27 These things have I spoken unto
you, being yet present with you. 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. Peace
I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give
I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
The Apostle's Doctrine teaches us that God has
given his
Holy Spirit unto us". The
receiving the Holy Spirit like
Christ at his baptism by John the Baptist and
God being Holy Spirit himself is
the Apostle's Doctrine in
what a person does to establish a relationship as Christians
with God.
1Thessalonians 4:7 - 8 For God hath not called us
unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth,
despiseth not man, but God, who
hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
Romans 8:4 and 8:11: "But
if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you,
he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your
mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
John 15:26:
"whom I will send unto you from the Father, the Spirit of truth ... shall
bear witness of me"
The
coming of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost and the power and gifts that
are received through the indwelling Holy Ghost is focus of what is
sometimes called Apostolic Faith or Pentecostalism.
Oneness Apostolic Pentecostalism teach that the Holy Ghost is the
Spirit of God, rather than a distinct or separate person in the godhead,
and that the Holy Spirit is another name for God the Father. The Holy
Spirit is the Father operating in a certain capacity or manifestation. The
Apostolic Faith teaches that there is no personal distinction between God
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The two titles "Father" and
"Holy Spirit" are not separate "persons" within the Godhead, but rather
two different ways in which the one God reveals himself to his creatures.
The Oneness view of Bible verses that mention God and his Spirit teaches
that they do not imply two "persons" in the same way that scriptural
references to a man and his spirit or soul as in Luke 12:19 do not imply
or teach two "persons" existing within one body.
Isaiah 48:15 - 17 I,
even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he
shall make his way prosperous. ISA48:16 Come ye near unto me, hear ye
this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that
it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.
ISA48:17 Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am
the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the
way that thou shouldest go.
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?” (part 3)
Let
us turn again to the Word of God (Acts 19:5). When the Apostle Paul met
John's disciples who had not received salvation under this dispensation,
he said unto them, "Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?"
Acts19:1 - 5 And
it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed
through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
ACT19:02 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.
I want to say here, dear reader, there are thousands of people who
have some kind of belief but except they believe as the Scriptures have
said (St. John 7:38), their belief is in vain. They said unto Paul, We
have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Paul then said unto them, "Unto what then were you baptized?" He
goes on then to explain the truth unto them as I am explaining it unto
you. They obeyed and were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and were
filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke in other tongues. (Acts 19:5 - 8)
Acts 19:5 - 8 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the
Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost
came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the
men were about twelve. And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly
for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things
concerning the kingdom of God.
Now, dear reader, if you will take the word of God for it, you will
see plainly that the apostles did not use the methods men are using today,
to get people saved. Nowhere can it be found in all the Bible, that any
of God's ministers told the people to bow their heads and raise their
hands and receive Jesus right where they are, without mentioning
repentance, baptism or receiving the Holy Ghost.
The Apostle Paul said: "If an angel from heaven preached any other
gospel except that which they have preached, let him be accursed."
(Galatians 1:8-9)
Galatians 1:8 - 9 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other
gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be
accursed. GAL1:09 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach
any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
I want to say in my conclusion to you, nobody is saved regardless of
who he or she may be without having the water, spirit and the blood.
These three agree in one (I John 5:8).
1John 5:8 - 11 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit,
and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive
the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness
of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son
of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made
him a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this
life is in his Son.
If you have the spirit and refuse the water, you yet aren't saved.
You can't have the blood and refuse water and the spirit. The Bible says
one Lord, one Faith and one Baptism (Ephesians 4:5)
Ephesians 4:4 - 6 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called
in one hope of your calling; Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one
baptism, Ephesians 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and
through all, and in you all.
Dear reader, if you haven't got it like the Scriptures have outlined
it here, you, too, need to cry out in the language of the jailer: "What
must I do to be saved?" May God open your understanding that you may
understand the Scriptures, is my prayer.
We will
continue with the Actions and Teaching of the Biblical Apostles in part
4……
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 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,
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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,
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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.