Ministers of Jesus Christ
Assemblies of The Apostolic Faith
Atlanta, Georgia - USA
Apostle Dennis G. Smith, Pastor and Spiritual Overseer
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Ministers of Jesus Christ Assemblies of The Apostolic Faith Atlanta, Georgia - USA Apostle Dennis G. Smith, Pastor and Spiritual Overseer |
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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 February 4, 2021, the City of Atlanta, Georgia remains in Phase I of the
Reopening Plan due to the increasing spread of the coronavirus.
Throughout the State
of Georgia businesses
must continue to operate with social distancing and sanitation rules to keep
customers and employees safe. Covid-19 vaccinations are available and
distributed under phase 1A+ plan in Georgia. The vaccine is in limited supply
and currently offered to health care workers, first responders, individuals ages
65 and older and their caregivers, residents and staff of long-term care
facilities, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and 911operators.
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:
New Testament
Apostles and Prophets From God Almighty (part 2)
By
Apostle Dennis G. Smith
We are continuing from the point of how the Apostles are or were chosen by God
Almighty? …
Joses whose surname was Barnabas the one that stood up for Apostle Paul when the
others at Jerusalem did not believe that Apostle Paul was a follower of the Lord
Jesus Christ because of his past persecution of the Church was chosen by the
Holy Ghost and separated to stand with Apostle Paul on a mission from God. In
other words, some Apostles were chosen by God Almighty after he was no longer
bodily present in the flesh as son. The Apostles at Jerusalem
later acknowledged that Apostle Paul and Apostle Barnabas were Apostles to the
heathens.
Acts 4:36 - 37 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is,
being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of
Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the
apostles’ feet.
Acts 9:17 - 27 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting
his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto
thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy
sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there
fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and
arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was
strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at
Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues,
that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and
said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem,
and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief
priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded
the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. And
after that many days were fulfilled; the Jews took counsel to kill him:
But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and
night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let
him down by the wall in a basket. And when Saul was come to
Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid
of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But
Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto
them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how
he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
Acts 13:1- 3 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets
and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of
Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As
they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the
Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have
called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and
laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So,
they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto
Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
Acts 14:12 - 15 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because
he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was
before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done
sacrifice with the people. Which
when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they
rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs,
why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach
unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made
heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein.
Galatians 2:8 - 9 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship
of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And
when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that
was given unto me, they gave
to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the
heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
70 Others disciples were sent out by
the Lord Jesus Christ during his earthly lifetime sometimes referred to as the
Seventy Disciple or the little commission and were told that if the cities they
went to would not hear them they in all essence had rejected the Kingdom of God.
Notice that they are given the same instructions as was given to the first
twelve Apostles. This is one of the clearest proof texts of men
sent by God and commanded to speak the same thing that there be no divisions
among the Church, the universal Body of Christ. This is also why
you can easily know or recognized those who are sent by God Almighty in that
they will all speak the same thing taught in the Bible which is the Apostle’s
Doctrine. If they make a mistake, they will correct it when shown
as Apollos did when Priscilla and her husband expounded the way to him more
perfectly.
Luke 10:1 -12 After these things the Lord
appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into
every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore,
said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray
ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into
his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among
wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no
man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say,
Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your
peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And
in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the
labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And
into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set
before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The
kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatsoever city ye
enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same,
and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off
against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come
nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable
in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
Acts18:24 - 26 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent
man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was
instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and
taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And
he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had
heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more
perfectly.
From the Biblical example you should see that the disciples
were clearly followers of the Master Teacher; our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
and their goal was to imitate Christ in love, lifestyle, conduct and to copy the
things that he taught and did for the purpose of lifting up the Lord Jesus
before the whole world for the salvation of all those who believed in him.
The New Testament records many followers of Jesus during his earthly bodily
ministry as the Son of God. Some disciples were given a mission,
such as the Little Commission which was the commission of the
seventy in Luke's Gospel. Some were given a commission after
his resurrection from the dead such as the Great Commission given to the
Apostles to teach all nations to obey his commandments and baptizing them in his
name. Some were given a commission after his ascension into
heaven and return as the Holy Ghost such as the conversion of Paul, the choosing
of Barnabas by the making them apostles and
charging them with proclaiming the gospel (the Good News) to the world. The Lord
Jesus Christ informed them of what they would face in the world by being his
disciples as it pertains to their natural life and the response from unbelievers
in the world.
There were also women who followed our Lord Jesus Christ and
ministered unto him out of their substance… which reveals that the Lord Jesus
also uses women according to their role.
Luke 8:1 - 3 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city
and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and
the twelve were with him, And certain women, which had been healed of evil
spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others,
which ministered unto him of their substance.
One of the women who received him into her house was hindered
from hearing the words of the Lord Jesus because of her service to the guest she
had received, but the other woman went to hear the words of the Lord Jesus which
he said was the good part. This is the reason why women should not
allow anything to move them from the word of God because the word is the most
important thing. Service in the house should not be put before the
word of God. Many people try to use the caretaker role of women in
front of her knowing and living by the word of God which is not what true
followers of God should do. Women should be trained in the word as well as men
but learn that the male and female role is not interchangeable. In
other words, a Father can never become a Mother just as a Mother can never
become a Father.
Luke 10:38 - 42 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a
certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And
she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But
Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost
thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that
she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha,
thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful:
and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
There were women
who followed the Lord Jesus Christ and witnessed the crucifixion and the
resurrection. This should establish in your mind that women are
also faithful and loyal to the Lord Jesus. When we acknowledge the
faithfulness of women, we can realize that God also uses women, and we must
learn to understand and respect their role in the Body of Christ. We
should see clearly that God uses male roles and female roles in the body of
Christ according to his order of creation.
Mark 15:37 - 41 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And
the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And
when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and
gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. There
were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the
mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; (Who
also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many
other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
Women at the resurrection…
John 20:1 - 20 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So, they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith
unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have
laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and
saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith
unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be
the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him, hence, tell me where
thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus
saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni;
which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I
am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I
ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary
Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he
had spoken these things unto her. Then the same day at
evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the
disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the
midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so
said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad,
when they saw the Lord.
Mark 16:1 - 14 And when the sabbath was past, Mary
Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had
bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very
early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at
the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall
roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when
they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And
entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side,
clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he
saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was
crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But
go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee:
there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. And they went out
quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither
said they anything to any man; for they were afraid. Now
when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary
Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And
she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And
they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed
not. After that he appeared in another form unto
two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they
went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Afterward
he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their
unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen
him after he was risen.
We continue with a Message from Apostle S. C. Johnson …. Who Hath Believed Our
Report? ………
WHO HATH BELIEVED OUR REPORT? (part 2)
By Bishop S. C. Johnson
Our thought is: WHO HATH BELIEVED MY REPORT? The
people today is just as far from what the prophets and teach as the east is from
the west. When the Church was first started on the Day of Pentecost, Peter did
not tell them to bow their heads and raise their hand accepting Christ as their
personal saviour. That is the wrong report. Peter did not report
such! They came with the gospel given by the Spirit following all
that which the prophets
said. Then Peter went. back into prophecy to get a background and a support. When
they heard the Gospel preached by Peter with the Holy Ghost sent down from
heaven, they cried out to him and to the rest of the Apostles, "Men and
brethren, what shall we do?
Acts 2:37 - 38 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.
The information given by Peter on the Day of is what the world has to hear now. Once
they have obeyed Peter, they will have also lined: up with the prophets. The
world today is not accepting a report. When the people did not get
the report through the prophets, Isaiah said,
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his
own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
The Lord showed us the one plan of salvation by which the world must be saved. When
the Gospel was preached on the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem, they were told to
repent.
Acts 2:39 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.
Apostle Peter lined up with the prophet because he believed the prophet's
report: therefore he (Peter) said,
2Peter 3:2 “That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the
holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and
Saviour:”
So, the world does not believe the words of the prophets and
now they lay in darkness. In the religious world today, no one has
the truth (unless you preach the Apostle's Doctrine). When you
check behind the false preacher, you find they have done nothing like the Bible.
Now, my listeners, you have a chance to hear, get your Bible and check up on me. Here is my doctrine according to that of the Apostles and Prophets. I believe the report of the prophets. Their report was so good until Jesus Christ called everyone “fools”.
Luke 24:25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow
of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
That which was spoken of by the prophets went into the hearts and mouths of the Apostles, who came telling the entire world what they must do saying,
"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."
(Galatians 1 :8)
We have to line up according to II Peter 3:2 with the
prophets and apostles and Jesus Christ Himself, the Chief cornerstone. Peter
tells us to mindful. You do not have any salvation until you line up with the
Word of God. The apostles did not tell anyone to baptize using the
term: "I will therefore baptize you in the name of the Father. and of the Son.
and of the Holy Ghost." In other words, using the titles and
leaving off the name. NO! The Apostles used the
name. Baptizing the people in the name of the Father: Son, and
Holy Ghost which is "Jesus Christ". Followed by that, they
received the baptism of the Holy host speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of
God gave them utterance. That, which began on the day of
Pentecost—in this time. Nothing else was started.
Bear in mind that everyone which practices a religion apart
from what the Prophets and Apostles teach, has a damnable religion. It
will not stand the test when you go to meet the Lord. Everyone
under the sun will give an account to the Lord for what they have heard. If
you do not have it like the Bible says, then you are eternally lost forever. You
are lost—practicing religion; lost—in a false church; lost because the Bible
tells me when they received it on the Day of Pentecost, they continued
steadfastly in the Apostle’s doctrine.
Apostle Paul said in 1Corinthians
1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye
all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye
be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. May
God bless you, and open your understanding that you might the obey the Word.
With perfect
love,
Apostle Dennis G. Smith
Present
Guidelines for Individuals and Businesses in Phase 1:
· Stay
home except for essential trips.
· Wear
face coverings in public.
· Frequent
hand washing.
· Social
distancing followed and enforced where practical.
· To-go
and delivery orders from restaurants.
· Continue
practicing teleworking.
· Frequent
cleaning of public and high touch areas
Social
Distancing guidelines:
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:
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.