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Who on earth is Pentecostal Minister Steven Williams?

Writer's picture: Reginald SpannReginald Spann

Updated: Mar 1, 2024

Minister Steven Williams of the First Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc.
Minister Steven Williams locates a Bible verse


Minister Steven Williams serves as the reader of the Holy Bible for the brimstone and fire preaching Pentecostal Pastor Gino Jennings from the First Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc.


Williams, an expert reader of the Scriptures, is known for shouting "Hallelujah" as his shoulder contorts in what appears to be a reaction to a tingling sensation running through his body. The biblical exclamation of praise usually comes from Williams while he is either reading a Bible passage, delivering an oration or hearing one of Jennings' bold sermons.


Minister Williams is usually either standing or sitting near Jennings' right hand side and reads Bible verses for emphasis and source while the latter preaches to enthralled listeners.


For the majority of Christians, Jennings' preaching style is quite different from other orators who are seen on television, heard through the radio or viewed in person. The unique style has been the norm for Jennings, 61, since he was a 13-year-old Bible reader for his former pastor: Bishop Haywood Hinton.


Jennings eventually led his own church starting in his parents' basement while he was still in his early 20s. Williams was a regular attendee then at Jennings' home and has known the great orator for over 40 years.


While speaking during the Saturday evening service of the FCOLJC's 31st International Holy Convocation, 35th General Assembly Church & Pastoral Anniversaries in 2019, Williams delivered a speech that credited his reading ability to Jennings' prayers for him: prayers God Almighty answered, according to Williams.


"God blessed me with that ability that when [Jennings] is up preaching, Scriptures [are] in my head," Williams said.


He further explained how he became convinced through conversations with Pastor Jennings that Jesus Christ was the one God Almighty.


"'[The conversations] put me on a spiritual biblical Bible tour about one God, and after that tour I knew that there was one God, after believing for so long that there was three in the Godhead. Now I know it's one. Nobody can tell me different. God used a man of God to show me the truth," Williams declared while seemingly holding back tears of joy.


Those in attendance roared their approval of his testimony.


Williams, a former Trinitarian, explained how he was baptized in the "name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."


He was referring to the method of baptism that is often a point of disagreement among Pentecostals themselves and also between Oneness Pentecostals and the Roman Catholic Church.


According to Catholic.com, "The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches in paragraph 1240 that a proper form for administering baptism is 'I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.'”


Some Pentecostal preachers, including the late Dr. Charles Stanley used or now use the Trinitarian formula to baptize people in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Here is the cited Scripture:


"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20)


Pastor Jennings, whose dad was a Pentecostal bishop, baptizes only in the name of Jesus Christ. He references Acts 2:38:


"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." (Acts 2:38)


Jennings often explains to viewers his reasoning for not baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.


"God is the Holy Ghost but that's not His name. That's a function," Jennings said during a teaching occasion. "Father, Son and Holy Ghost are titles," he continued while referencing three of Jesus' appellations.


Pastor Jennings believes Matthews 28:19-20 was fulfilled by Acts 2:38. Williams often has the latter verse ready to read.


The two men are great friends and their chemistry has led some viewers to ask whether or not the two practice their delivery. Jennings denies that they do.


The two of them together form an electrifying tandem for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the rest of the Lord's teachings quoted directly from the Bible.


Tell us what you think. Do you believe baptism is necessary to obtain eternal life in the coming kingdom of God?


___________________________


Reginald Spann is the Publisher and Senior Content Editor of both The Christian Commander and Seven Angels Sentinel. He has been writing and editing professionally for over 20 years and is the author of the book: The Healing of a Nation.


A graduate of the University of Missouri - St. Louis' school of psychology (BA) with a minor in communications, he is a freelance journalist who is available for editing and writing about a variety of content including sports, religion, politics, entertainment and pop culture.


You may contact him through our Partnership page at christiancommander.com



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wyoung1949
Feb 28, 2024
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