Apostle Elijah J. Cephas

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Apostle Elijah J. Cephas was born and raised alongside four siblings by his mother. He is a proud alumnus of the illustrious Delaware State University hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice. He is also a proud alumnus of Regent University holding a master's degree in business and administration (MBA) and is currently pursuing his Juris Doctorate. Prior to the birth of Apostle Cephas, an elderly prophet from the Baltimore, Maryland area called Apostle Cephas's mother while she was pregnant with him and told her that she is pregnant with a male child and that he would be a prophet sent to the world and a great man of God. She doubted the prophecy at the time as it was a low time in her life. The call of God upon Apostle Cephas’ life began at the young age of 12 when the Lord Jesus Christ audibly called his name on multiple occasions. It was during this time that the Lord began revealing heavenly visions to him, showing him True Vine Holiness Church—the people, the campus, and the future growth of the ministry. However, much like Abraham, who was called to journey without knowing his destination (Genesis 12:1), the specific location of the church was not revealed at that time. Apostle Cephas only knew that God had chosen him for a divine work and that in due season, the full plan would be revealed.

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Years later, a life-changing event brought Apostle Cephas into a deeper encounter with God. In a moment of desperation, he made a vow that if the Lord would perform a miracle in his life, he would serve Him for the rest of his days. The Lord honored this covenant, and Apostle Cephas, true to his word, surrendered his life completely to God. In his season of repentance, fasting, and tarrying, the Spirit of the Lord moved mightily upon him. During one of these intense moments of seeking God, the Lord took Apostle Cephas’ consciousness into Heaven in the Spirit of the Holy Ghost and revealed Himself unto him. This divine encounter left an indelible mark on his soul, affirming his call and deepening his consecration to the work of the ministry.

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After tarrying and being filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues as the Spirit gave utterance, Apostle Cephas was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. As he came up out of the water, the power of God overtook him again, and his consciousness was once more snatched from the flesh into the Spirit. In this heavenly vision, the Lord reaffirmed his divine assignment and declared to him the words of John 20:21 (KJV):

"Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."

From that moment forward, Apostle Cephas knew that he had been sent by God to introduce Holiness to the world, just as Christ had been sent by the Father.

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The call upon Apostle Cephas’ life was so evident that, even at a tender age, he operated in the office of eldership within the local ministry under the leadership of his grandfather faithfully. Though young, it was acknowledged and agreed upon that there was a great call upon his life, and many recognized that the Lord had chosen him for a greater work. Throughout his early walk with God, he was blessed with the unwavering support of his beloved Spiritual Mother/Great Grandmother, the Late Mother Cephas, who repented, and was water baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and received the gift of the Holy Ghost speaking in Tongues as the spirit of God gave her the utterance and served faithfully under the ministry of the late Bishop S.C. Johnson (The Church of The Lord Jesus Christ Inc.) in the 1940's-60's.

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On many occasions, God would use Apostle Cephas’ spiritual mother to prophesy to him, speaking words that directly confirmed the visions, revelations, and Holy Ghost encounters that the Lord had already shown him. These divine affirmations strengthened his resolve and deepened his faith in the work God had ordained for him.

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The Holiness Work and Growth

Known for his preaching and teaching on Faith, Healing, Deliverance, Holiness, Righteousness, and Sanctification, Apostle Cephas remained obedient to the call of God.  At the age of 22 years old the specific location of the church he had seen in visions as a child was finally revealed. The Lord spoke to him clearly that he was to pastor God's people in Virginia Beach, Virginia. At the time, Apostle Cephas was residing in Maryland, but after sharing the vision with his former minister, it was confirmed that this was indeed the will of God. In obedience to the heavenly vision, Apostle Cephas left behind everything familiar and relocated to Virginia Beach with no congregation, no building, and no financial support—only faith in God’s command.

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Upon arriving in Virginia Beach, he began preaching on the street corners, knocking on doors, and witnessing in the streets, fulfilling the mission of Christ. As he often says, “I have never preached to just myself in a room since I have been pastoring.” Through faith, obedience, and unwavering commitment, the Virginia Beach location grew from 0 to 30 members on record in approximately two years. During this time God has used Apostle Cephas to raise the dead, pray for the sick and they recover, prophecy, cast out demonic spirits, and much more.

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While pastoring in Virginia Beach, God confirmed Apostle Cephas' apostleship in another heavenly vision, reaffirming his divine calling and mission. Since that time, the work of God through Apostle Cephas has expanded beyond borders. Through broadcasts and outreach, the message of Holiness continues to spread worldwide. Many souls have repented, been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and received the Holy Ghost—speaking in tongues and living a holy, sanctified life. God has blessed Apostle Cephas ministry and True Vine Holiness Church Inc. to expand in Virginia, Delaware, and Maryland. Apostle Cephas has always said "Mega is NOT the mission; Introducing Holiness to the Entire World is the mission". During the beautiful beginning phase Apostle Cephas references Isaiah 60:22 "A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time". 

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The March 2025 Vision: The Ship and the Multitude of Fish

In March of 2025, the Lord took Apostle Cephas into another vision—a profound revelation concerning the work that lies ahead. In the vision, Apostle Cephas was aboard a ship. The ship was grand and powerful, possessing the beauty of a yacht or cruise ship, yet it was neither. It was a divinely crafted vessel, one that moved with strength and authority across the waters.

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As the ship began to move toward its destination, something miraculous happened fish of all sizes and species began to leap out of the water. Some of these fish were creatures never before seen by mankind, rising from the deepest parts of the sea. The numbers were beyond trillions, covering the ocean as far as the eye could see, responding to the passage of the ship through the waters.

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Apostle Cephas began to grab the fish, pulling them aboard in great numbers. However, as the multitude of fish increased, it became evident that it was dangerous to continue loading the ship—not because of a lack of space, but because there was no need to rush. The sheer volume of fish had the potential to hinder the ship’s safe passage, and wisdom dictated that the mission had to be handled in divine order.

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As Apostle Cephas continued to take in the fish, some fish became angry at the ship’s presence. These fish boarded the ship, not to be saved, but to try to cause destruction, knowing that if they could disrupt the ship’s journey, they might sink the vessel and devour Apostle Cephas.

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But the Captain of the ship God Himself took control. Seeing the danger, the Lord increased the speed of the ship, and it began to glide effortlessly as though floating on thin air above the waters. The ship continued on its divine course, unshaken, unstoppable, and unwavering, pressing forward toward the glorious destination that lay ahead.

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This vision was a heavenly confirmation of the work ahead that as the message of Holiness continues to go forth, multitudes will respond, but opposition will also arise. Yet, the mission will not fail because the Lord is at the helm, guiding His chosen vessel to its divinely appointed destination.

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The Mission Remains

The mission of Apostle Elijah J. Cephas remains steadfast: To Introduce Holiness to the Entire World, fulfilling the divine sending of Christ as declared in John 20:21—“As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” As the scripture says in Habakkuk 2:3 "For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry". Surely, this vision and work cannot be denied.