The Bride of Christ
Are message believers really "the bride of Christ" as William Branham claimed? "Now the humble little Bride of Christ just simply believes the Word, whoever She is. It's individuals. I hope and trust that there's many setting present, many listening in. And I hope that myself, and every one of you all, are part of that Bride. I hope many. And, it will, all that's been ordained to that will be that, 'cause it's their nature. They see. The Word can only recognize the Word. It can't recognize a denomination or a perversion. It knows better; It's the Word." 65-0801M At first, this sounds great, but you have to ask what "Word" William Branham is actually referring to? "The Word of the Lord comes to the prophet, and him only." That is, the Word that's spoken for that day is made manifest by the prophet of that age, always has been." 65-0124 "You, setting here in front, you believe me to be God's prophet? A prophet is a messenger to an age. You believe I have God's message?" 59-0812 He also claims: "Only the ones that's been made part of this Word (see, will be their part and their position in this Word for their age) will be the only one will be there." 64-0816 232 He even says: "The Word, the word in the days of the apostles does not work in this day." 64-0112 This is Branham-speak and it is nonsense. WHAT DOES YOUR BIBLE SAY? Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the Gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. BY THIS GOSPEL YOU ARE SAVED, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. OTHERWISE YOU HAVE BELIEVED IN VAIN. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. (1co.15.1-4.niv) Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring THIS TEACHING, do not take them into your house or welcome them. (2jn.1.9-10.niv) But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, which are able to make you WISE FOR SALVATION THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (2ti.3.14-16.niv) I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I PROMISED YOU TO ONE HUSBAND, TO CHRIST, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. (2co.11.2-4.niv) I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the One who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a DIFFERENT GOSPEL— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the Gospel of Christ. (gal.1.6-7.niv) Interestingly enough, the churches William Branham condemned are actually preaching Paul's Gospel. Why? Because the Word of the apostles DOES work in this day. These people know their Bible and they know there is only ONE GOSPEL.
Quotes of William Branham
Waving of the sheaf! What was the sheaf? The first one that come to mature, the first one that proved it was a wheat, that proved it was a sheaf. 96 Hallelujah! I'm sure you see what I'm talking about. It was waved over the people. And the first time there will come forth, for the Bride age, for a resurrection out of dark denominationalism, will be a Message, that the full maturity of the Word has turned back again in Its full Power, and being waved over the people, by the same signs and wonders that He did back there.
65-0418M - It Is The Rising Of The Sun Rev. William Marrion Branham
Footnotes