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Jesus or Branham - You Must Decide

Posted on 25 June, 2016 at 18:31

comments (10)

JESUS was God Manifest 2000 yrs ago...prophets spoke of Him...there is no major prophet after Him. Branham actually sought to change the Counsel of God...he is not the last antichrist either...but so many are still bound to a Lie. You need to know the Facts!

I am informing you about a self-claimed prophet to the End-Time Church by the name of William Marion Branham and his following referred to as The Message. They often refer to themselves Bible Believers but that is only partly true because they have a book and collection of taped messages by WMB called The Spoken Word they place equal importance to the Bible. In fact, when it comes down to it, most Message people place more importance on these than the Bible. That my friend, is to undervalue God's

Holy Word and place yourself at risk because the Apostle Paul spoke to Timothy saying

that everything must be lined up with and measured by the Holy Scriptures (2 Tim 3:16, 17) and God's counsel has not changed! In Deuteronomy, Moses gave strict guidelines concerning who is a prophet (from God) and who is not. (Deuteronomy 13:1-3)

We would do well to heed these scriptures. Especially in these Last Days because there is all manner of persuasion out there and The Message is the most strongly persuasive and aimed specifically at Christians. The enemy had an agenda, and that was to split, divide and weaken the Church through the false-prophet William Marion Branham who had a very questionable background - his family's affiliations included.

According to his own words, he was actually a boxer, walking in disobedience to a

'divine commission' before he was saved and this was determined by a 'star sign'

(astrology God condemns) to give truth to the End-Time Church. The truth is that he

was actually commissioned by a lady astrologist - he went on her advice after "walking in rebellion". He also delved into the Teachings of the Mormon Church and a

second cult__ a Trinity forsaken one, called Oneness Pentecostals who do not believe

in Deity (the God-Head revealed in scripture - Father, Son and Holy Spirit).

He also held his meetings in the same building as the Masonic Lodge, but that

was OK because his family already associated with people from that cult.

I suppose you are wondering why someone with such a colorful history and affiliations could possibly attract believers in the Living God? EASY, SIGNS and WONDERS!

And of very questionable origin at that. You will know as you read on!

He quoted a lot of verses from the Bible but many were actually out of context.

He was instructed by 'an angel' that he must persuade people to believe he was

God's prophet.......that is the devil's tactics because our God never works that way.......

not with Abraham or Moses or the Apostles: so the writing's on the wall, is'nt it?

Sad to say, followers of The Message weigh everything up by his words (bible comes second in reality). Some will weigh things with the Bible......this is with blindfolds on because they are so indoctrinated (with equal submission to Muslims, through taped messages they hear on a frequent basis).

At the same time I am addressing these things, I must say that despite all this, these followers display more dedication to The Lord in their daily lives and love for each-other than most Christians do__ placing more value on certain scriptures than we do. If that sounds like an indictment, maybe it is! But be careful.

Branham Followers (Message Believers) have Legalistic Demands too - some

of them crippling, at least to their children and family members if not to them personally!

Maybe we would do well to listen closely to the testimonies of those who have come

out of delusions. Three groups rely strongly on a man for Eternal Life and cannot see anything outside that square box until the delusion breaks. It can be very frustrating.

Each one believes in the Infallibility of a Book they deem as more important than the Bible. The Muslim with the Koran, the Mormon with the Book of Joseph Smith and the Message Believer with The Spoken Word and Tapes called the Voice of God.

There is something in common about the three so-called men of God: they all displayed unbalanced character traits and were guilty of sinful relations or affiliations; they all looked for the truth and found a lie and were even found to lie - this can be established. And in fact, WMB was found to be unteachable when preachers sought to help him.

Are you going to respect someone like that more than the Bible that has stood the

Test of Time? Each of these men were actually unstable.

The following material between these lines comes from concerned

servants of God.

_____________________________

Other claims of Branham were:

a) He was Elijah the prophet, the seventh angelic messenger to the Laodicean Church Age (Footprints on the Sands of Time, p. 620),

b) Anyone belonging to any denomination had taken "the mark of the beast" (Footprints on the Sands of Time, pp. 627, 629, 643, 648).

c) He received divinely inspired revelations (The Revelation of the Seven Seals, Branham: Spoken Word Publications, Tucson, Ariz., n.d. p. 19; Questions and Answers, Book 1, Branham: Spoken Word Publications, Tucson, 1964 p. 60.)

Eventually the majority of his followers believed he could teach no error. He was, and still is, idolized by most, even worshiped, by some of his followers.

BRANHAM'S MINISTRY

Even though it can be verified that healings and supernatural occurrences were seen at Branham's rallies we have no scriptural authority to use these manifestations to prove or disprove the man was sent from God. Branham's doctrines and teachings

are what should be examined first. He claimed to be the

"prophet to bring the Christian church into final truth," If his doctrines are unscriptural then the man and his ministry must be re-evaluated.

Well known Pentecostal preachers of the time such as Gordon Lindsey, Oral Roberts, T L Osborn and Ern Baxter seem to have accepted Branham as a "great man of God" because of his humble spirit and his ability to work miracles. Humility and miracles do not have any scriptural justification for acceptance of a persons' claim to be from God. There are many who are not Christians who manifest a meek and humble demeanor such as Buddhist priests. They are noted for these traits and have turned many westerners to their beliefs because of it.

Miracles by themselves are not scriptural indicators of being from God either. The magicians of Pharaoh's court duplicated many of God's miracles performed through Moses (Ex 7:10-13). Paul speaks of lying signs and wonders ascribed to the power of the evil one.

(2 Thess 2:8-9) Satan can work miracles and does not mind God getting the glory

when it suits his purpose - blinding people

to follow after other gods.

Some Christians are quick to point out claimants to be God's prophet such as Joseph Smith, Ellen White or Mary Baker Eddy. We should insist that ANYONE claiming to be 'God's prophet' or spokesperson be examined and apply the same standards to those who are working within the mainstream churches to this same scrutiny lest we be led astray. Branham's teachings about God must be measured against the Bible.

Indeed, Branham fails both the Matthew and Deuteronomy tests.

Evidence exists that Branham was doctrinally aberrant from the inception of his popular healing campaigns. Charismatic evangelist Ern Baxter was with Branham at the height of his popularity from 1947 to 1954. In an article in the December 1978 New Wine Magazine, Baxter wrote: "when he would speak, especially in those early days, he would say some things that were terribly provocative. To me, (they were) unnecessarily so. So when we talked together, we agreed that apart from his giving testimonies and relating his life story, I would do all the speaking and he would do all the ministry to the sick. That was the way it was when we were together" (pg. 56). As time progressed, Branham's doctrine deviated further and further from the standard.

As mentioned above, there is evidence that supernatural signs did occur at Branham's meetings (A Prophet Visits pp. 48-195).

The healings and prophecies purportedly came through an angel that was always with Branham on stage and continually gave him counsel and revelations (William Branham: His Life and Teachings, Kathie Adler; Narrow Way Ministries, Holbrook, N.Y., 1986; pp. 3-5) This has given rise to the charges by some Christian researchers that Branham practiced counterfeit healing (Between Christ and Satan, Kurt E. Koch; Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1971; pp. 149-150).

It is equally evident that Branham taught an unscriptural view of God that would

put him under the "strange god" clause of Deuteronomy 13:1-3:

"What is God? God is a great Eternal. At the beginning, way back before there was a beginning, he wasn't even God. Did you know that? A god is an object of worship, and there wasn't nothing to worship him; He lived alone. And in him was attributes. What is an attribute? A thought." (The Spoken Word, Vol. III, pg. 79)

Moreover, true to his early oneness Pentecostal teachings, Branham denied the biblical Triune Godhead.

He pronounced it a

"gross error"

(The Spoken Word, pg. 79) and as

a prophet with the authority of a "Thus saith the Lord," revealed that "trinitarianism is

of the devil" (Footprints, pg. 606). Signs and wonders? Yes. Strange gods?

Yes. False prophet? Absolutely!

Branham also failed the test of a true prophet in that his predictions did not come true with accuracy: "Based on these seven visions, along with the rapid changes which swept the world in the last 50 years, I predict (I do not prophesy) that these visions will have all come to pass by 1977................." (Seven Church Ages, pg. 322).

Despite the fact that Branham tried to qualify his statement by saying he "predicted" rather than "prophesied" certain events, any time a prophet of God speaks under divine inspiration, it is a prophecy.

It is now 1988. The United States has not been destroyed, the world's systems have not been terminated, and the Millennium has not begun. (at the time this Article was written). Therefore we can conclude that Branham was not a true prophet of God. It is fortunate for Christian researchers that almost every word Branham uttered from the pulpit in Branham Tabernacle was recorded and transcribed.

To the Branham follower, it is the "spoken word," on an equal footing with the Bible. To the investigator, it is confirmation that Branham's teachings were definitely not from God.

Instead of a clearly articulated theology based on inductive Bible study, sometimes the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement has derived its teachings from personal experience and then tried to find scripture to authenticate those experiences. Where no scriptural authentication can be found, "special revelation knowledge" is often appealed to. This has led to a superstar mentality that often pervades the movement.

Branham DENIED the Deity of Jesus Christ:

“He was–He was Jesus when He was born. But when the Holy Ghost came upon Him after His baptism, He was anointed with God. God was in Him, ’cause He come to fulfill the Word.” –The Messiah, January 17, 1961

(tape #61-0117)

“And this little Boy, twelve-year-old Child, no wisdom at all, why, but just a twelve-year-old Boy… The Father didn’t dwell in Him at that time, because He come on the day when He baptized Him; he saw the Spirit of God coming down (See?), and went in Him.” –Paradox, February 6, 1964 (tape #64-0206B

“The Spirit left Jesus in Gethsemane and He became just a man– When God looked down upon the body… (The Spirit left Him in the Garden of Gethsemane; He had to die a man.)” –It Is the Rising of the Sun, April 18, 1965 (tape #65-0418M

Unbelievable! William Branham DENIES Jesus Christ. Anyone who says that William Branham is a man of God is deluded, deceived and follows the teachings of

an anti-Christ.

The bible says, John 1 v 1-14 – The Deity of Jesus Christ:

“1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

Branham taught that God is NOT omnipresent:

Branham said, “Now, you cannot be omnipresent without being omniscient. God’s not even omnipresent; God’s omniscient. Omniscient which means – makes Him omnipresent (He knows all things). But in order to be a being He has to be in one being.” –The Masterpiece, 1964 (tape #64-0705)

The bible says: Jeremiah 23:23-24

“I am a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? Do I not fill Heaven and Earth? saith The Lord.”

Branham believes he was the ONLY Prophet:

Now, God always uses a–a prophet, a man. If you use a bunch of men, you get different ideas (See?); each man, two men. Never did He have two major prophets on the earth at one time. He takes one, so the other one can take its place for another day, another message. He never has two; He has one

at a time.” –The Evening Messenger, 1963

(tape #63-0116)

“God always deals with one individual. Two men’s got two ideas. There never was two major prophets on the earth prophesying the same time. Look back and see if there was. No, sir. Too much scrupled up. He’s got to get one man completely surrendered and use that person. He searches for that person, but there will be one sometime, somebody who’ll listen to Him word by word.” –

The Fourth Seal, Revelation of the Seven Seals, 1963 (tape #63-0321)

IN SCRIPTURE, THIS WAS NOT SO!!!

Surrendered to who?

Read your Bible to see that Prophets

did prophesy in UNITY

because GOD does not make mistakes!

Who was mixed up? Be careful friends.

The difference between Branham and the TRUE prophets of the bible were that the TRUE prophets of the bible were not confused, never presented two different ideas, never got their message ‘scrupled up’ and most importantly their words were God’s words hence they appear in the Word of God. Unlike Branham who preached a DIFFERENT gospel.

Branham believed he was commissioned by God to OPEN the SEVEN SEALS in Revelations:

Branham said, “I saw seven angels in the form of a pyramid that swept down, picked me up and was brought east to open the seven seals of God” –William Branham, Standing In the Gap – 63-0623.1M.

Revelations 5 v 1-10 says;

“1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep!

See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.

He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

So, is William Branham saying he is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David – Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the One and Only Living God? It must be, because William Branham said it, and if William Branham said that God commissioned him to open the book and loose the seals then who are we to argue, I mean really, the Bible must be wrong, completely wrong!

_______________________________

I CALL CHRISTIAN PASTORS TO ACCOUNT WHO HAVE MADE REMARKS OVER THEIR PLATFORMS

THAT BRANHAM'S TEACHING WENT OFF THE RAILS BUT HIS PROPHECIES CAME TO PASS AND HE DID MANY GREAT MIRACLES.

DID YOU KNOW THAT CERTAIN PROPHESIES HE MADE WERE AFTER EVENTS?

BEFORE YOU CONTINUE TO MAKE SUCH STATEMENTS, WE ARE CALLED TO DISCERNMENT,

WHEN SOMEONE SAYS THEY ARE OF GOD.

HOW IS IT THAT HE PRACTICED COUNTERFEIT HEALINGS AND MADE CLAIMS OF AN

ANTICHRIST AND THIS HAS NOT BEEN EVIDENT TO YOU?

AND HOW IS IT THAT PENTECOSTAL PASTORS IN PARTICULAR ARE QUICK TO GIVE THEIR

ENDORSEMENTS TO ALMOST ANYONE WHO STANDS ON TWO FEET AND SAYS

"THUS SAYS THE LORD........." ESPECIALLY IF THEY DO SOMETHING IMPRESSIVE?

YOU HAVE NOT ONLY FAILED TO JUDGE AS PAUL TELLS US TO IN SCRIPTURE - YOU DO NOT

EVEN TEACH THOSE IN YOUR CARE TO DO SO. YOU GIVE A POOR EXAMPLE.

MANY OF YOU RESERVE YOUR JUDGEMENTS FOR PETTY DIFFERENCES AND NEGLECT

THOSE THINGS THAT SHOULD BE JUDGED.

THESE ARE END-TIMES!!!

ALL THAT THE MESSAGE TELLS YOU MY FRIENDS IS DECEPTION and THERE IS NO DECEPTION SO DANGEROUS AS THAT WHICH IS CLOSE TO THE TRUTH because CHRISTIANS WILL FALL

FOR IT MORE READILY!

HE SAID SOME TRUTHS THAT MAKE THE LIES CONVINCING.

WHERE DID HE COME FROM? SATAN IS THE FATHER OF LIES

AND HE HAD THE NERVE TO SPEAK OF A BRIDE.

THE ONLY PURE WORDS ARE THE WORDS OF JESUS

THEY ARE AS PURE AS YOU CAN GET.

Sad to say that WMB doctrine is riddled with demonic error!

It's so important not to follow anyone who is deluded because you can also become deluded -

not being able to discern real Truth when you hear it and your interpretation of scripture so distorted that you find it difficult to see things clearly, even obvious things.

Branham's teachings did not line up with Scripture or bring Glory to God.

He spoke persistent words of persuasion – turning the people's attention on him. How did he do this? He kept asking those who sought to be healed “Do you believe I'm God's prophet?” and upon their confession, he would tell them what's wrong with them and send them away healed.

True healings from Jesus occur when our focus is ON HIM and our confession of faith is in His Words – He is exalted by our praise and worship and man does not get the glory. True healings occur when our trust is wholly ON HIM – our focus is fixed on Him – NO prophet or preacher, just Jesus.

Branham shifted the focus from God to man, from Jesus' Words to his words. He lured people to his doctrines by enticing “signs” making a following for himself of 'do as I tell you' believers, who

hung on his words – never mind God's Word – because he sought to change so much of it:

THE IDENTITY OF CHRIST

SALVATION BY WORKS INSTEAD OF GRACE

BAPTISM TO AVOID THE TRIBULATION

DIVORCING A WIFE IF SHE CUTS HER HAIR

None of these are Scriptural but are Distorted Teachings!

Jesus said “the Holy Spirit will lead you into all Truth” not a prophet or angel.

Scripture says “Looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith” NO man, NOT one.

No prophet, preacher or angel can do these things. God only trusted Himself to this!

"On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. But in these last days He has spoken to us by HIS SON, whom He appointed Heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." (Hebrews 1:1-3)

The prophets of old were moved by His Spirit to speak. Branham got all his instructions from an angel (spirit). He sought to change the Counsel of God the apostle Paul and others in Scripture have given us. YES, Paul did say “But even if we or an angel from Heaven should preach to you a different Gospel, let him be accursed” (let the Judgement of God come on them) Gal 1:8

Even then, when Christianity was New, Paul said “There are some (false apostles) who trouble you and want to pervert the Gospel of Christ”. And he was astonished at these Christians for so quickly turning to a different Gospel after finding God's Grace and Comfort in Christ. Gal 1:6,7 This was in Bible Times and is on the increase Today!

Paul also said that the Gospel he preached came to him by a revelation (unveiling) of JESUS CHRIST – not some angel or anyone else! He never claimed the appraisal of men. YES, Paul and every other Apostle and Prophet ALWAYS turned our attention on CHRIST and GOD ALMIGHTY. That is the Focal Point and Nature of ALL those who ARE called to preach, teach and heal. To settle for any less is to leave yourself open to False Doctrines and Counterfeit Healing.

There are counterfeit healers and workers of 'signs and wonders' in the world who lure people away from Christ. They were in bible times and they are on the increase Today. You have been born again, not of perishable seed (man's words) but of imperishable – the Living abiding Word of God that Abides Forever. “This is the Gospel we preached to you” said Paul. “Heaven and Earth shall pass away but My Words shall never pass away" said JESUS. His Word is referred to as a “Two-Edged Sword, dividing between soul and spirit”. We need to take His Word and separate those other things we have heard – that lure our souls – from our spirit: the candle of The Lord, the place He resides.....so we can hear His Voice CLEARLY once more.

Another thing is that our affections and allegiance belongs to GOD ALONE. Jesus said to “Love The Lord your God with ALL heart, mind and strength”......how can we do this with our affections divided because we're so dedicated to some prophet or platform preacher? You defend him more than you do your God and swear allegiance?

The Lord said that “the people were without a shepherd” - this should not be you. He is the only TRUE SHEPHERD and He said that His sheep hear His Voice, not that of a stranger. Friends, it's strangers who present Him differently than He did HIMSELF – don't heed their teachings!

STAY CLOSE TO THE TRUE SHEPHERD. HIS COUNSEL HAS NOT CHANGED.

(Written by the Author of this Website)