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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 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
November 12, 2020, the City of Atlanta, Georgia remains in Phase II of the
Reopening Plan.
Georgia’s “shelter in place” orders have expired for the majority of Georgia
businesses. However, statewide orders state
that businesses
must continue to operate with social distancing and sanitation rules to keep
customers and employees safe. The Public Health State of Emergency remains in
effect through December 9, 2020.
We are
continuing limited in-person gatherings to maintain the requested social
distancing and online service through Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube. The “shelter
in place” order has expired for Georgians over the age of 65 unless they are
“medically fragile. Baptism and prayer service is continuing using 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:
Sound Doctrine
That Cannot Be Condemned (Part 2)
By Apostle
Dennis G. Smith
Romans 12:1 - 3 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that
ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is
your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but
be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that
good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through
the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself
more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath
dealt to every man the measure of faith.
The outward or
external profession of Godliness seems to be so difficult for some people. But
when there is an inward change by a renewed mind it should produce an outward
expression of that change. We can see this in the human body. Usually
when a person is happy on the inside it produces a smile on the outside of their
face which can be seen by all people. When a person is angry on
the inside or in their mind, it produces a frown on the outside that everyone
can see. Even though smiles and frowns can be faked, we know that
there is an outward expression to the way we feel. This should
also take place in our walk with Christ. When we change to having
holy thoughts by a renewed mind, it should produce a holy appearance that
everyone can see.
Saints
should not want to reflect the look of the harlot unless the desire for
fornication is in your heart or mind. There should be no debate
about the reflection of what we believe or who we are. When we
look in the mirror who is looking back at you the Child of God, or the Child of
the devil. The doctor dresses in medical attire, so also the
nurse. The police dresses in the attire of law enforcement
officers. The Judge dresses in the court room attire. Then why are
so-called Christians proclaiming they do not understand. The word
tells us to beware of false prophets that come to you in sheep clothing but
inwardly they are ravening wolves.
MAT7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but
inwardly they are ravening wolves.
This shows us
that the false individual will dress to appear to be someone that they are not
within. Likewise, someone who dresses like the world, behaves like
the world, resisted righteous and holy ways is not a child of God even if they
put on Godly attire and appear holy in appearance. Why? Because
their outward conduct indicates that they are not who they appear to be. And
yet someone with a holy conversation in speech that sounds Godly yet dresses
like the harlot is not true to what is coming out of their mouth. This
is why holiness standards are encouraged in order to teach us to reflect who we
are. The standards do not save us, but they reflect that we are
true and committed to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We present
our bodies, and our life as a living sacrifice that is holy and acceptable to
God which is our reasonable service. We reflect righteousness,
holiness, love, and long suffering in our appearance and conduct. This
is sound teaching that cannot be condemned. It makes no different
what false teacher say that you do not have to reflect holiness in your attire,
conduct, and lifestyle you can see clearly that they are not teaching sound
doctrine.
1Peter 2:1 - 5 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and
hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire
the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have
tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living
stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as
lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
The True Saints
of God are not hypocrites, fakers, and pretenders but we have genuinely put away
all evil ways and grow by feeding on the word of God.
We reflect in our
life that we have changed and turned away from the ways of the world. We
promote the things that produce righteous attitudes and Godly conduct. When
the people who proclaim to be Saints of God do not reflect Holy conduct and
appearances, they must examine themselves asking the question, “Is this
acceptable to God?” Since we are all a spiritual House, then all
who are a part of that house should teach and reflect the same thing.
We continue
with a Message from Apostle S. C. Johnson ……...ADD NOT!!………
Add NOT! (part
2)
By Bishop S. C. Johnson
Now hear me, here is what everybody is to do. Everybody. What
is written in the book is written in the book for you, sister. It
is written in the book for you, brother. It is in the book and who
is it for? It is here for everybody. Just like that
red light hanging up there. It is hanging up there for everybody.
There was a man—a colored man once who ran over a red light and then tried to
play ignorant. The officer got at him. He said,
didn't you see that red light—Why did you run over it?" The man
said, "Officer, I thought it was for colored folks." It was put up
there for everybody. And everybody whether you are colored,
brown-skinned, black, red or whatever you are, you will stop at that red light. If
you do not, you are going to have trouble.
Here is the Word of God handed down from heaven through the
apostles and prophets and at last God has come with it. God came down after the
prophets and gave it to the Apostles. Who is going to obey this? WHO
IS GOING TO OBEY THIS? You are going to do it. If
you do not do it… some people say some time, "I will, never do it; I will never
be baptized. I do not believe Jesus is God. I do not
believe in washing feet." And it is written in the book. You are
just a fool. You are going to get baptized in water in the name of
Jesus Christ. You are going to do it gladly. Sometimes the women
hear this gospel at my mouth, they say, "I never wear those old dresses. Oh
yes, you will or go to hell. “Those old hot cotton stocking,” hell
will be hotter than the cotton stockings. You are going to obey
what the Word says. Why do we have to do it? Because
the Bible says to dress modestly.
"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in with shamefacedness and sobriety; . . . (I Timothy 2:9)
And to be modest, it means you keep back from the extreme. You go
after the things that will kill you. Nylons give you life. All
right! Here is what everybody is going to do. Nobody
is going to get away.
You all of these little old churches, big churches, medium churches, everything. Man has jumped up and made up some. He takes a piece of crayon and marks on a "church". He takes a piece of cardboard (a big old cardboard box) and marks up on that—he sticks a sign up "church".
Let us see what Jesus said here. "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:11) Are they here? You know they call me; they write to me. They get so angry with me sometimes. They write to me and say the Bible says, "Many false prophets shall come…" I say, "It is not talking about me. I am not many, I am only one." I am not in that class. There is nobody else like me. You have not found one yet. Have you? If you do, tell me. Just say, "l have found one." But this does touch me.
Walk through this city and look at the little signs stuck up with "church" on
the front door; "church" in the store front; "church" everywhere "church." On
the corner "church." church, church. Why is it? Here
it is: “And many false prophets…” Not one of them speaks the same
thing. Why? Because
Jesus said, “…many false prophets shall rise…” (Matthew 24:11) He
did not say many true prophets would come. That is the reason when they get
here, all of them have lies in their mouths. Each one speaks
something different. Each one has something different to tell you.
One comes along and tells you one thing, another changes it and tells you
something different, another comes along . . . This is the fulfilment of what
Jesus said. "And many false prophets shall arise." Are
the people following them? They like them.
Oh, they will flood the little place over. If it does not hold but twelve, they will be in their singing—following an old false prophet. What is that—that is the fulfilling of the scripture.
Bible says… “after their own lust shall
they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away
their ears from the truth, and shall turned unto fables." (II Timothy 4:3 - 4)
The people want a preacher today that will tell them what they believe. “I
do not want you to tell me what I do not believe and convert me, I will not
follow you. If you want me to follow you, tell me what I believe and I will
follow you.” That is what the scripture meant when it said, "They
heap to themselves teachers. "For the
time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…." (II Timothy 4:2 - 3) Is
that the truth?
My God, you might think when I got here in this city, why you
could not get through the streets. You know why you get through so
easily? The city is full of hypocrites. If people were here that meant it, and
loved the Word of God, my God why you would not get a place standing. No,
but when I got here, they knew I was here. Some came to look me over; to see
what I like: how old I was; how big, how tall. Whether I was brown
skinned or dark. Curiosity—and they up and go on back their false
church, and play the television and the smack chewing gum, paint
their lips, and wear their spike heel shoes—do whatever they want. For
those who are not familiar with the Holiness Standards during the decades of the
1940’s, 1950’s, and most of the 1960’s these activities was promoted in the
lifestyle of worldly people at that time. The doctrinal emphasis
was non-conformity to the world, modest apparel and moderation in all things
which transcends all decades, ages, and cultures. The Holy people
of that day shunned and avoided many things that would give them a worldly
appearance. Though most of us have televisions and other media
technology today, we view them with cautiousness and maintain modesty in the use
of cosmetics, wearing apparel, and moderation as the eternal standard of
doctrine.
"I just went out to see him. He looked just like I thought he
would." All right and walk away and on your way to hell. Oh,
God, but I am warning you. .I am here to tell you the truth. You are going to
come in this. You that have been baptized in water in the name of
Jesus Christ and say you have the baptism of the Holy Ghost, you know what you
are going to do—and you will do it if you are real. You are going
to come into this according to what is written here and get the "right hand of
fellowship" in the Truth and then walk with it. If you do not come
in, you are going to hell. If you come in and go out, you are
going to hell. I want to leave this with you, Now, throw it off and say, "Oh, I
do not believe that. All right! That is all right,
it is written though.
Galatians 2:1 - 9 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with
Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. And I went up by
revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the
Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I
should run, or had run, in vain. But neither Titus, who was with
me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: And that because of
false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty
which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: To whom we
gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel
might continue with you. But of these who seemed to be somewhat,
(whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s
person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was
committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (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.
(Galatian 2:1- 9) Is ship that written? Well, what is it written
for?
People now jump out—one jumps out here—a little bunch, he gets a name; another
jumps out here—talking about representing God. God is going to get
all of them together; and get them under what He ordained. When
you come under what God ordained then you are right. That is the
reason Paul had to go to Peter, James, and John because God called them and sent
them, and they were right. And for Paul to be right, Paul had to
get with them. That is what you have to do and you are going to do it. Don't
you go to anybody's church. Don't go to anybody's church anymore!
Many false prophets ... Many. Is that true? Are
they here? My God, they are here now. The country is infested with false
prophets. When they hear the
truth of God, the false prophets do not believe it and neither do the folks. But
God said what? "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall
deceive many." (Matthew 24:11) Why deceive many? Because
the people rather have a lie preached. Paul said they would be turned unto
fables. “…they turn away their ears from the truth, and shall
turned unto fables. (II Timothy 4;.4)
Lies! Is that true. Look at the world-—not just this city. Look at the world. Every time you turn your head, you look at a false church. Every time you turn, you look at a false church. Look behind you—false church. I was in Los Angeles the other day; there were three churches side-by-side. And they were all different. But here is the fulfilling of it. Oh, God, but in the midst of it; God has raised the truth up.
We will continue with these messages next in part 3……………
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
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 followed and enforced where practical
· Small
private gatherings of no more than 10 people, with social distancing
· 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.