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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APOSTLE'S MESSAGE

 

Date: March 13, 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 7)
 
By Apostle Dennis G. Smith
 
     We are emphasizing the core doctrines of the Apostles so all people will be able to examine themselves by what the Biblical Apostles taught and did.  This should enable all people to spread the truth to the entire world. Some writers and preachers claim that certain gifts were limited to the Biblical Apostolic times and therefore are not necessary today.  This is the way they deceive people by not denying what the Apostle’s doctrines teach, but saying that it is unnecessary today.  But if each person in the world, examine your own self based on the word of God, you will recognize that the Lord Jesus Christ said these signs shall follow those that believe, and he did not limit them only to the biblical Apostles and those that lived during their lifetime. Once again this should enable all people to recognize false prophets and false teachers anywhere in the world.
 
The Apostle’s Doctrine teaches us that believers will speak in Tongues…
Speaking in tongues means speaking miraculously in a language unknown to the speaker, as the Spirit gives utterance. Tongues can be classified in two ways, according to function:
 
     1. Speaking in other tongues as the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost…
Speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance is the manifestation God has given as one of the signs of the baptism of the Holy Ghost also known as the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4 ; 10:46; 19:6).
 
Acts 2: 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
 
Acts 10:45 – 46 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. ACT10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God..
 
Acts 19:06 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
 
Tongues as the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost was prophesied by the Prophet Isaiah as the rest and the refreshing in Isaiah 28:11-12.
 
Isaiah 28:11 - 12 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. ISA28:12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
 
 Tongues as a sign that would follow believers of the Gospel was foretold by the Lord Jesus Christ in Mark 16:17 and it was experienced by Jews and Gentiles alike.
 
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.
 
2. The gift of tongues was taught by Apostle Paul in I Corinthians.
The gifts of the Spirit of God and divers kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues is taught in I Corinthians 12:1-11
 
1Corinthians 12:4 - 11 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 1CO12:05 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 1CO12:06 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 1CO12:07 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 1CO12:08 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;  1CO12:09 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;  1CO12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:  1CO12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
 
The proper order of Tongues and prophesy in the Church is taught in I Corinthians 14:1-40,
1Corinthians14:1 - 40 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 1CO14:02 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 1CO14:03 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
 
Tongues given for self-edification (I Corinthians 14:4)
1Corinthians 14:4 - 5 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 1CO14:05 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
 
Regulations given for speaking in Tongues so that all can understand the words…
1Corinthians 14:6 - 20 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?  1CO14:07 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?  1CO14:08 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?  1CO14:09 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. 1CO14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. 1CO14:11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. 1CO14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 1CO14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 1CO14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 1CO14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 1CO14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?  1CO14:17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 1CO14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:  1CO14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. 1CO14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
 
     Apostle Paul gave regulation for the use of Tongues so that all would have proper understanding and recognize Tongues in its various functions and for the edification of the Church. (I Corinthians 14:23-28).
 
1Corinthians 14:22 - 28 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 1CO14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?  1CO14:24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:  1CO14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. 1CO14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 1CO14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 1CO14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
 
     Not all believers exercise the gift of tongues, which is different in function from tongues given by God as the initial sign or the sign following as evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
 
Apostle Paul said, "Forbid not to speak with tongues"….
 
1Corinthians 14:39 - 40 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 1CO14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
 
     From these references all can clearly see that speaking in tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterances is the correct teaching of the Apostle’s Doctrine. Speaking in tongue is not to be forbidden in proper Church order as some of the false prophet and false teachers have said, and this experience remains available to believers today. This teaching also indicates that prophesy is the speech that is readily understood by all believers and unbelievers alike and is the preferred speech that can cause the change of a man’s heart when speaking before all people.
 
 We continue with a Message from Apostle S. C. Johnson … “You Can’t Discourage God’s Sons and Daughters”
 
 
“You Can’t Discourage God’s Sons and Daughters” (part 4)
by Bishop S. C. Johnson
 
 Some saints have kept their faith, although the sea was blowing waves and were leaping and the winds were blowing but he said, Sirs, I believe God. What happen to him came to pass, for the bible says, the scriptures be fulfilled. Thus, all things be fulfilled. When the word of God says faith get down on that, just sit there and don’t doubt if the sun stops shining, if the green does not grow and the waters dry up, you sit down on what God said and contend for it. Don't be put off, don't let the devil tell you, Well, you might get it later and you slack up and stop your earnest contending. When your earnestness ceases, it puts a breach in it. It is a hindrance because the Holy Ghost said, EARNESTLY CONTEND. Don't care how impossible it looks, you contend.
 
     Hearing things stops some people; seeing things or feeling things stops others. The devil will tell you this thing is not getting any better and you ought to have a doctor and see what he has to say. There is no harm in doing that if you don't take any medicine.
     People hear what I say, but they come back and question me. Don't question me, just do whatever is in your mind to do. Do that. What I have preached, I have preached. It has not changed since you heard me last. It is the same thing now.
 
     The thing we must do, (and know maybe so about it) is to contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints and remember that the saints of old had faith for everything. Is not that, right? They had faith for everything. He is the same God right now. The people have grown cold and formed a habit of going to church without any reality behind it. They spend hours in slothfulness and worldly talking, and unprofitable conversation. If they would spend them in prayer, then when they want anything and really want it, they will contend for it and be willing to die to obtain it. Amen. But they are too far away, entirely too far until that worldly and carnal mind takes possession because of the lack of offering the body up as a sacrifice.
     The sacrifice was not in vain. There was something that followed the offering up of the sacrifice when it was made complete.
      What did they say about Simeon and Levi?
     And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;  Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him;  neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children:  for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant. They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law:  they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar. Deut. 33:8-10

     You have to offer upon the altar even as the poet has said, Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid? Are you listening? Your all.
     There is so much draw-back in folks until they don't have it all on the altar. If you are not walking according to this, you don't have it all on the altar. This has been preached to you and if you haven't accepted it or obeyed it, you don't have it all on the altar, therefore you can't expect results.
     If you have one cable tight on a battery and one loose, you are not going to get any results.
     Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
     Be careful of nothing, but in all things by prayer and supplication and intercession and giving of thanks, let your requests be known unto God. Tell it all to him and you keep praying, then you will fulfill my text. "Earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints.”
     Examine yourself and see if your all is on the altar. Look around and see if anything is dragging and put it all on the altar. That is what God is calling for. He is calling for your whole body, and spirit to be presented blameless. You must put all on the altar.
     While the choir is singing ' 'Is your all on the altar of Sacrifice Laid" Bishop pleads: “He wants all of it, not part, but all of it. He blessed the people as they gave Him all.
     Jephthah decided whatever God called for (if he gave him victory when he went to battle) whatever he called for, he would give it to Him, give Him all. (Judges 11:30)
     Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them. And Samson called unto the Lord and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. (Judges: 16: 26, 28, 30.)
    He gave up, to die he put all on the altar and when he did, his strength returned, and his prayers were answered.
     God wants all of it. Are you listening? You can't serve him half-handed; you must give him all. If you let God, have it all, you will get results.
     Are you here and want to be baptized? Is there anyone here who wants to offer everything on the altar? That is what God is calling for. He is calling for everything.
 
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 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, 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.