Question 2 (BM2) - Was William Branham a prophet?
The following are a series of questions and answers between one of our editors (referred to as BTS Editor 2 or BTS 2 in the discussions) and a message minister from the progressive revelation sect of the message (referred to as BM2 - Branham Minister #2). Click on the link to go to the specific question and answer. You are currently on the topic that is in bold:
Question 1 - What is a prophet?
Question 2 - Was William Branham a prophet?
Question 3 - Moving on to other issues... like the Bible
Question 4 - The Trinity and other issues
This is the second in our series of questions and answers with ministers of the message. Please click here to go to the first in our Q&A series.
QUESTION #2 - Was William Branham a prophet?
We believe that there are many scriptural references to the attributes and characteristics of a prophet of God against which one who proclaims to be God’s prophet is examine. We take this from scripture:
1 John 4:1 (HCSB) 1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
And we act as the Bereans did in the Book of Acts:
Acts 17:10-11 (HCSB) 10 As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas off to Berea. On arrival, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 The people here were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, since they welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
Of all of the examinations of a prophet of God which may be construed as interpretation or opinion, we know that there are three absolutely objective measures which are backed by scripture, and which will always point to whether someone who proclaims to be a prophet of God, as William Branham did over 400 times in over 1100 sermons, really speaks with God’s authority or whether they are a false prophet. I describe them here:
1) A prophet of God ALWAYS teaches that which aligns with the Word of God.
Deuteronomy 13:1-5 (HCSB) 1 “If a prophet or someone who has dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you, 2 and that sign or wonder he has promised you comes about, but he says, ‘Let us follow other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us worship them,’ 3 do not listen to that prophet’s words or to that dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul. 4 You must follow the LORD your God and fear Him. You must keep His commands and listen to His voice; you must worship Him and remain faithful to Him. 5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he has urged rebellion against the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the place of slavery, to turn you from the way the LORD your God has commanded you to walk. You must purge the evil from you.
2) A prophet of God NEVER lies in God’s name.
Ezekiel 13:1-9 (HCSB) 1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD! 3 This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing. 4 Your prophets, Israel, are like jackals among ruins. 5 You did not go up to the gaps or restore the wall around the house of Israel so that it might stand in battle on the day of the LORD. 6 They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘⌊This is⌋ the LORD’s declaration,’ when the LORD did not send them, yet they wait for the fulfillment of ⌊their⌋ message. 7 Didn’t you see a false vision and speak a lying divination when you proclaimed, ‘⌊This is⌋ the LORD’s declaration,’ even though I had not spoken? 8 “Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: I am against you because you have spoken falsely and had lying visions.” ⌊This is⌋ the declaration of the Lord GOD. 9 “My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and speak lying divinations. They will not be present in the fellowship of My people or be recorded in the register of the house of Israel, and they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord Yahweh.
3) When a prophet of God speaks a vision or prophecy, that vision or prophecy must ALWAYS come to pass.
Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (HCSB) 20 But the prophet who dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods—that prophet must die.’ 21 You may say to yourself, ‘How can we recognize a message the LORD has not spoken?’ 22 When a prophet speaks in the LORD’s name, and the message does not come true or is not fulfilled, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.
Of the three examinations of a prophet of God, we wish to address first visions or prophecies which do not come to pass, specifically the vision concerning the Municipal Bridge over the Ohio River.
William Branham told of a vision he had as a boy of the construction of a bridge and of its supernatural fulfillment. This story was used to bolster his claim to be a prophet. I was playing marbles out with my little brothers, out in the front yard. And all at once I had a strange feeling come on me. And I stopped and set down aside of a tree. And we were right up on the bank from the Ohio River. And I looked down towards Jeffersonville, and I seen a bridge rise up and go across that, the river, span the river. And I seen sixteen men (I counted them) that dropped off of there and lost their lives on that bridge. I run in real quick and told my mother, and she thought I went to sleep. But they kept it in mind, and twenty-two years from then the Municipal Bridge now (that many of you cross when you cross there) crossed the river at the same place, and sixteen men lost their life building that bridge across the river. It's never failed to be perfectly true. (My Life Story, Los Angeles, April 19, 1959)
From his various retellings of the vision, we can draw the following conclusions about the vision and its fulfillment: • The vision occurred while playing marbles with one or more of his younger brothers when William Branham was a young boy. • William Branham saw the Municipal Bridge being built across the Ohio River between Jeffersonville and Louisville. He clearly identifies it was this specific bridge. • William Branham counted 16 men falling to their deaths from the bridge. He indicated they all drowned. • He saw a sign or heard someone say 22 years. • He told his mother about it and she wrote it down. • Twenty-two years later the municipal bridge was erected and 16 men fell to their deaths and drowned during the construction process just exactly as the Lord had shown William Branham in his vision. However, the only evidence that anyone died during the construction of the municipality bridge is two men who lost their lives in separate incidents: • On Wednesday, June 19, 1929, Richard Pilton died after being hit in the temple with an iron crank. He did not drown. • On September 10, 1929. Lloyd McEwen lost his footing and fell, landing on a barge below the bridge. He did not drown, but rather, died from the injuries caused by his fall. These two deaths were reported on the front page of the Jeffersonville Evening News on June 19, 1929 and September 11, 1929 respectively. The final engineering report on the bridge was delivered by Ralph Modjeski and Frank Masters to the Louisville Bridge Commission in 1930. The report discussed the construction of the bridge and a variety of issues encountered during the construction. There are no mentions of collapsing cranes or spans, and no records of any major failures or catastrophic accidents. The statement of costs does not contain any additional unplanned costs that would be associated with a major accident or collapse. The specifications for the materials used in the bridge were very specific and required industry standard tests to be performed. The report includes the documented test results for these materials and there are no significant defects documented in the test results. In a phone conversation with Pearry Green prior to his death, Pearry told me that William Branham stood underneath the Municipal bridge, and pointed out the exact section of the bridge that fell into the river. This is the reason that Pearry specifically points out on a video (from 32:04 to 35:14 at https://youtu.be/QxJsbVsOUBg ) the exact section of the bridge that William Branham told him fell into the river and which resulted in the deaths of the 16 men. The problem is that a section of the bridge never fell into the river. The bridge was completed on time and on budget. I also tried to confirm the facts relating to the fulfillment of the vision with George Smith, William Branham’s son-in-law. He admitted to me in a private telephone conversation that 16 men did not die during the construction of the municipal bridge. When I asked how he could explain this, his only response was, “I can’t explain it, but I still believe." William Branham stated that this was a prophecy and that his prophecies had never failed. But the evidence points to the failure of this prophetic vision. How can you claim that William Branham was a true prophet of God when this vision clearly failed?
I look forward to hearing back from you.
RESPONSE FROM BM2
Brother BTS2,
You said >>>> We agreed that we would speak directly to William Branham being a prophet of God. I asked this question, and would ask you to respond to it in your good time.
I say......Certainly......and that from either personal experience..... or from close friends and family. My wife's Brother was at the point of death with leukemia. Her parents went to one of the Full Gospel Businessmen's meetings...... here in Phoenix. They slipped out a side door....after Brother Branham had finished speaking and caught Billy Paul and asked if he could have Brother Branham pray for a desperate need. Billy took them to Brother Branham..... as he was getting into the car. He prayed for the special need and then told my wife's mother....don't worry mother...your Boy won't die. They hadn't even told Brother Branham what the exact need was. My wife's Brother...who wasn't even there.....was made well and the astonished doctors were nearly speechless. That's just one thing that identifies a Prophet of GOD.
Florence Shakarian was dying of cancer and Brother Branham saw in a Vision....that it was her time to go .....to be with the LORD and the Vision gave to the minute...when she would pass. In a meeting sometime afterwards in California....after Brother Branham had spoken.....there was a man who claimed to be a prophet named Kenneth Hagin...who stood up before hundreds of people and prophesied that Sister Shakarian would live and not die. She died at exactly the minute that Brother Branham had seen in the Vision. That identifies a Prophet of GOD and shows the other prophet to be a false one.
On scores of occasions.....When dreams with spiritual content of/by individuals....that would trouble them......Brother Branham would tell them the dream that they had....without them telling him the dream...and many times remind them of parts they had left out. Then he would tell them the meaning of the dream and it would come to pass every time....exactly as he told them. That was part of the Biblical Joseph's identification as a Prophet of GOD. This happened to personal friends of mine....scores of cases.
My bosom friend....the late John Martin...lived for some time down the street from me and I sat for many hours with him and he told me of scores of Supernatural experiences....that he had witnessed and that not one time ......did a "Thus Saith The LORD" from William Branham's mouth fail...that he had seen and examined. Events...... like Brothers who were traveling with Brother Branham in separate cars and one would run out of gas in some isolated spot. How Brother Branham would tell someone to get water out of a ditch or some other source and for them to pour the water into the gas tank. The car would start and run perfectly to the destination. Maybe not water into wine...but the need was there and GOD's Prophet stood in the gap. I could write a book on the things that I have seen and experienced...one...of Brother Branham walking into my home church..... just after he preached the Seals. My Sunday school teacher was criticizing Brother Branham's ministry and the Seals teaching. I stayed after the class to pray...because I believed what I had heard on the teaching. They had played the Seals teachings on several consecutive nights previously...as a personal friend of my family....the old prospector John MacAnally .....was sent all the then current teachings of Brother Branham. Just a few minutes after the heated exchange with my Sunday school teacher.....she came busting into the room where I was praying and apologetically tried to tell me....that Brother Branham had just walked in the door. After the service...Brother Branham waited and took my Brother and myself aside. One of the things that he said....I will never forget....STAY WITH THE TAPED MESSAGES! Some of the other things he told me are personal...but it had to be GOD...sending His Prophet...to give instructions and encouragement.... in the face of the critics. These are just a very few of my personal experiences just skimming the surface.... some with those who were there and others I am a personal witness to. NOW....you tell me how the prophets in your church operate. I gave examples of Bible identifications of GOD sent Prophets abilities....such as were demonstrated thousands of times in William Branham's ministry....now you give me examples of your group's prophets operational identification! FAIR ENOUGH? I remember a man criticizing the way we cast out evil spirits...which has been many...many cases over the years. Someone presented the question to the critic. How do you cast them out....to which the critic answered. I don't have that experience. The other Brother then said....If you don't have that experience...then just how can you criticize the way we cast them out.....until you can demonstrate something better.....wisdom dictates..... that you keep your mouth shut...lest you be found fighting against GOD!
Brother BM2
BTS 2 RESPONSE AND CLARIFYING QUESTION
BM2,
I can provide a response which is mercifully short.
In your email, you provide instances where Branham is said to have healed. We think that’s wonderful. But healing by itself does not a prophet make. In fact, we are told that there will be false prophets who will do wonders and miracles:
Matthew 24:24 (HCSB) 24 False messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
We are also aware that the Holy Spirit gives a Gift of Healing as His Spirit was poured out upon the people in a very broad way. If William Branham had come as a minister of God and not a prophet and had healed, we could be agreeing or disagreeing respectfully about whether we believe he was truly of God and there would be no website, no forum to discuss his ministry.
But William Branham presented himself as THE prophet of God prior to the coming of Christ, not just a minister. And as this is the case, then we examine him as a prophet… his words in his sermons and on his tapes compared against the Word of God.
Branham told us this about another couple of healings which he performed:
September 2, 1953, Sermon: Testimony “Now, look friends, think of King George of England, when he was healed with multiple sclerosis, when we had prayer for him. Think of Florence Nightingale, her grandmother, the founder of the Red Cross, was about sixty pounds of weight, laid dying yonder with a cancer on the duodenal of the stomach, laying there dying. A little dove flew into the bush there and the Spirit of God come and said, "THUS SAITH THE LORD, she shall live." And she weighs a hundred and fifty-five pounds in perfect health.”
Here's the issue with this excerpt from Branham’s sermon… King George VI of England never suffered from MS. And Florence Nightingale, ignoring that she wasn’t the founder of the Red Cross (Clara Barton was), never had children. So, where did the granddaughter come from? Branham claimed, not once, but six times, that he healed both of these people. One from a disease that he never had, and one who never existed. And he spoke with the Authority of God (THUS SAITH THE LORD) when he told this story.
How are God’s people supposed to be confident of what is true and what is not true from William Branham’s sermons when he lied in God’s Name as he delivered them? God is not confused.
Now, we know that God has a zero-tolerance policy for someone who claims to be a false prophet, but whose words “fall to the ground”:
1 Samuel 3:19-20 (KJV) 19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.
Recalling that the Word of God tells us that a what a prophet proclaims as a vision or a prophecy must always come to pass (Deuteronomy Chapter 18, Verse 20-22), my clarifying question is this:
Because we know that William Branham’s vision of the incident as he told it several times concerning the Municipal Bridge over the Ohio River did not come to pass, and knowing what scripture tells us concerning prophets whose prophecies do not come to pass, how does William Branham qualify as a prophet of God?
BTS 2
RESPONSE
Brother BTS 2,
You said >>>> Branham told us this about another couple of healings which he performed:
September 2, 1953, Sermon: Testimony “Now, look friends, think of King George of England, when he was healed with multiple sclerosis, when we had prayer for him. Think of Florence Nightingale, her grandmother, the founder of the Red Cross, was about sixty pounds of weight, laid dying yonder with a cancer on the duodenal of the stomach, laying there dying. A little dove flew into the bush there and the Spirit of God come and said, "THUS SAITH THE LORD, she shall live." And she weighs a hundred and fifty-five pounds in perfect health.”
Here's the issue with this excerpt from Branham’s sermon… King George VI of England never suffered from MS. And Florence Nightingale, ignoring that she wasn’t the founder of the Red Cross (Clara Barton was), never had children. So, where did the granddaughter come from? Branham claimed, not once, but six times, that he healed both of these people. One from a disease that he never had, and one who never existed. And he spoke with the Authority of God (THUS SAITH THE LORD) when he told this story.
I say......I think your misdirected statement..... that Brother Branham claimed HE HEALED ANYONE is kind of a cheap shot and disrespectful to common sense. He NEVER claimed he healed anyone at any time....IN FACT....he lifted up the name of JESUS CHRIST...more than any of the so called greats of the 50's era...that I was familiar with. As to King George...there were 6 King Georges and the one in the 50's who Brother Branham prayed for....was the 6th. I will tell the story the way it actually happened. There was a man who had multiple sclerosis 10 years and was completely healed in one of Brother Branham's meetings....who knew the secretary of King George the 6th. The man who was healed....told the secretary of his miracle and the secretary...knowing that George the 6th....had what the secretary called multiple sclerosis.... along with several other ailments. George the 6th was a heavy smoker and had many serious health problems.
Factually....as the matter unfolded....the secretary told George the 6th about his friend in the U.S. and his healing. George the 6th then had the secretary contact Brother Branham....who told them that he could not go to England at the time because of scheduled meetings here. In the process of time...Brother Branham went on a scheduled campaign in Finland and made a stop in England...where preparations had been made by Brother Baxter and Bosworth..... the campaign managers...for him to pray for King George the 6th. After landing in England...Brother Branham was told that some relative....probably (Grand niece)...... of Florence Nightingale had been flown in from Africa and was near death. The relationship of the woman WAS NOT RESEARCHED by Brother Branham....but was information supplied by others. Brother Branham didn't whip out his cell phone and google it to see if what he was told was indirect or direct fact. FACT IS....that he couldn't even get through the crowd..... to get to her airplane...so it was arranged for her to be taken to another location to be prayed for. He was taken to that place....prayed for her and she was completely healed. Then he was taken....to pray for George the 6th. King George was healed...according to his own confession....to those present....as was Brother Bosworth's personal testimony. In time...George did die of coronary thrombosis later....because of a failed surgery. We have only the testimony of now dead witnesses....no differently than what is written in Scripture. You or no one else can PROVE the record of 2000 year old written Scripture.....neither can you disprove by innuendo what happened less than 100 tears ago...of which I am a living witness to some of it and am a living witness as to the testimonies by many who were there.
Concerning your claim that your group represents the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST....I take issue with your claim. Let's go to Scripture to see if you and your group..... of destroy William Branham's influence.... meets the criteria of Scriptural requirement to even be qualifies to give an opinion on/about another man's ministry! Just a simple to understand requirement that our LORD JESUS made in Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
The identification of a TRUE BELIEVER is established by the LORD HIMSELF...for the New Testament church and how they could identify the TRUE representative of the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST. That's why I asked you about prophets in your group and the working of the Supernatural in your church.....of destroy William Branham agenda.
Another identification of TRUE representatives of the Gospel...further establishes witness to the TRUE Believer. Acts 4: 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
Paul even further cinches how to identify the Believers that are His church. 1Corinthians 2: 1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
If your group cannot demonstrate the POWER of the Gospel by the manifestation of the Supernatural....you do not in any way represent the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST! Just in case you fall back on the weak and powerless excuse....that the false church can also do miracles...to which I agree 100%......The problem lies in that if your group cannot demonstrate the supernatural....your group/groups wouldn't even be on par with the false prophets level and that is a SCRIPTURAL FACT!
Brother BM2
BTS 2 RESPONSE
Thank you for your thoughtful reply.
I wanted to make sure I gave you some information about which you appear to have a misapprehension. We don’t have a group. The administrators of this page come from many countries, many walks of life, no particular assembly or gathering, and we have no commonality in any way, except that we have all been in the message of William Branham in the past, and discovered that reading the Bible and comparing William Branham’s words to the Bible shows that he is not a prophet of God. We all got to this point from different places, but we all got here to this same place. We aren’t a group, we are just a bunch of people who are dedicated to knowing Christ and helping others to know Him better as well. We all go to different assemblies as we are led in our local areas, and we all worship in different places and in different ways. In the various assemblies and churches in which we worship separately, there are Gifts of the Holy Spirit frequently exhibited. But we don’t collect them into a group event as we aren’t a group. We just worship in different places around the world. So, I wanted to clarify that for you before we address some of the other issues. And this discussion isn’t about us. We don’t claim to be prophets of God. It is Branham who proclaimed over 400 times in over 1100 sermons that he was a prophet of God, the “last sign” as we saw earlier. And we agree that people are healed by God, not by the person who stands before them. But we see here where Branham said that you needed to believe in him in order for the “gift” to be of any value:
“And I want all you dear people, setting out in the audience there, I want you to believe me with all your heart. Now remember, that’s the only way I can help you. How many believes God? Let’s see your hands. How many believes the Son of God? Believes the Holy Spirit? That’s fine. That’s good. But now, friends, you can believe that, which you have to, to be a Christian. You have to believe in God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost in order to be a Christian. But believing that still won’t help you in this gift. You’ve got to believe that I’ve told you the truth, not believe me as Them, but believe that They have sent me for this purpose. Now, you could be a renowned Christian, and fail to believe what I’ve told you to be the truth, and you’d never be able to reap a bit of benefit from it. Now, I’m sorry to have to say that, but it’s the truth. When Jesus was on earth, the people that killed him, believed in God the Father, and were great worshippers of God. Is that right? But He could not help them, because they did not believe in Him. Is that right? And He said with His Own mouth, “As you have believed in God, believe also in Me.” Is that right? Now, if you have believed in God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I want you to believe that He sent me here to pray for you, and He will testify whether He has or not. And if He testifies, then you believe it.” 50-0713 - "Obey The Voice Of The Angel" So it is Branham himself that tells us that HE is responsible for healing.
We know from scripture that we are to examine what a prophet SAYS against the Word of God. Branham told the stories about the grand daughter of Florence Nightingale more than once. He told the story about healing King George VI of England specifically of MS more than once. This story telling wasn’t an isolated instance where he failed to know details. And now we are being told that Branham wasn’t given the correct information about those who he prayed for, or what diseases they actually had? The notion that a prophet of God who prayed for someone and their healing didn’t know the disease they had, or the impact the prayer had on their life sort of flies in the face of Branham’s claims of discernment doesn’t it? His errors in discernment aren’t isolated to people who he never met. Here, Branham is facing people who came through a prayer line and Branham said this:
“Now, just with your heads bowed just a moment. How long have you been that way? Hear me now? Can you... Amen. Two years...?... You hear? Yes. Amen. He can hear now. Let's say, "Praise the Lord." God bless you now. Go on your road rejoicing and be happy. Amen. [Lady says, "Brother Branham, Brother Branham."] Yes? ["He isn't deaf, he has hardening of the arteries; he can't talk."--Ed.] Can't talk? Well, he's sure doing a good job of it now. He's... Let me see him just a moment. I thought it was your hearing. Can you...?... It was his hearing and his speech. Say, "I" [I] "Love" [Live] "Love," [Love] "Jesus," [Jesus.] Sure you can say it. Say, "Thank You." [Thank you.] All right. It's over now. You can go on rejoicing. All right. Do you believe with all your heart?” THIRSTING.FOR.LIFE_ INDIANAPOLIS.IN 57-0613
AND –
“Now, when He come to Simon, He told him who he was. You believe God can tell me what your name is? Would it make you believe more? It would? Mrs. Strong... [The sister says, "Stout."--Ed.] Stout, would you believe? Go and believe, and you... It's all over. Amen.” A.TESTIMONY.ON.THE.SEA DALLAS.TX 64-0307
These are just two of many many many examples of where Branham didn’t get it correct. And there are too many to recount here.
Ministers of his day also had reservations about Branham’s ministry and voiced them:
“...Mr. Branham pronounced her healed. Again there was much rejoicing. I remember that the pastor handed me a cheque of a sizable sum of money to pass on to Mr. Branham. As he did so, he remarked that he couldn't afford to give that much, but that Mr. Branham deserved it because his wife was now healed, and he had spent thousands of dollars on doctors that didn't help her. It was several weeks later... when in the vicinity of this pastor's home city, I made inquiry as to his wife's state of health, only to be told that she too had passed away. What a blow that must have been to that dear brother? But that was not all. I was told that he had a good radio ministry in his city. When he had returned from the healing meetings in Saskatoon, he announced over his radio broadcast that his wife had been wonderfully healed. However, just a short while after that he had to inform his radio audience that his wife had died. I was told that it dealt a severe blow to his radio ministry. My friends, what kind of a testimony is this to the world? To them it "does not add up." And there is something wrong! Did this pastor's faith fail? Let me ask, did this sort of thing happen to those who were healed by the Lord Jesus or by His apostles? Where, then, is it recorded? As Christians we sometimes think that we're "charitable" if we overlook these things, but is this real "charity" or love? Is it loving to permit this type of thing to be carried on in our churches, to the needless suffering, agony, disappointment, and expense of the sick? And more importantly, is it scriptural not to deal with the false, the counterfeit?”
Alfred Pohl's entire testimony is available from the Berean Research Institute
AND –
Walter Hollenweger, a noted Pentecostal historian who worked as translator for Branham in one of his campaigns in Switzerland, wrote of Branham:
“He possessed an extraordinary diagnostic gift and could identify the illnesses (sometimes even the names) of persons he had never seen. Unfortunately, his healing prognosis was accurate only in rare cases. The excuse of healing evangelists in such cases has always been: The patient did not really believe; for they were convinced that faith leads automatically to health.” Hollenweger, Walter J. (1997). Pentecostalism: Origins and Developments Worldwide. Baker Academic. ISBN 978-0801046605.
Hollenwegger also stated that however generously Branham is judged:
“...it must be admitted that his sermons were not merely simple, but often naive as well, and that by contrast to what he claimed, only a small percentage of those that sought healing were actually healed."
There were men who were contemporaries of Branham, and who actually saw him. And these are not the only ministers who spoke out against what they saw in Branham’s campaigns.
The written and spoken testimonies in this same direction concerning Branham’s healing is powerful and voluminous. But even if Branham was correct the vast majority of the time, and even if these people were actually healed, healing does not a prophet make.
We know for instance that God expects that His prophets do not teach that which is not aligned with scripture.
So, let’s look at that for a moment. William Branham said this:
“God's wrote three Bibles: one, the Zodiac, one in the pyramids, one on paper. Now, He's writing His first, the Zodiac. It starts off with a virgin, ends up with Leo the lion: Jesus' first coming and His second coming. If we had time to run down through it, you'd see it.” 53-0509, The Pillar Of Fire
Are there really three Bibles? Is one of the Bibles which God wrote the Zodiac as Branham states? First, let’s be clear about what the Zodiac is. The Zodiac is define here:
Meriam Webster: ZODIAC: an imaginary belt of the heavens, extending about 8° on each side of the ecliptic, within which are the apparent paths of the sun, moon, and principal planets. It contains twelve constellations and hence twelve divisions called signs of the zodiac. Each division, however, because of the precession of the equinoxes, now contains the constellation west of the one from which it took its name.
The Zodiac is used by ASTROLOGERS in order to predict future events by divining these events in relation to the movement of the star signs.
This differs from ASTRONOMY. Astronomy define thus:
Meriam Webster: the branch of science that deals with celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole.
Notice that ASTRONOMY deals with celestial objects such as the stars, and everything which was created by God in the heavens. Notice also that the Zodiac (ASTROLOGY) deals with divining the future through reading star signs.
What does the Bible tell us about ASTROLOGY and the Zodiac?
Isaiah 47:12-14 (HCSB) 12 So take your stand with your spells and your many sorceries, which you have wearied yourself with from your youth. Perhaps you will be able to succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror! 13 You are worn out with your many consultations. So, let them stand and save you— the astrologers, who observe the stars, who predict monthly what will happen to you. 14 Look, they are like stubble; fire burns them up. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. This is not a coal for warming themselves, or a fire to sit beside!
It would seem that the Bible would have something very different to say about the Zodiac than William Branham does. Which is correct? Was Branham correct? Or was the Bible correct?
And how about the Bible written about the Pyramids? The pyramids are not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. Where did Branham get the notion that God wrote a Bible in the mystery of the pyramids?
There is no scriptural support for these assertions by Branham. You were concerned about our assertion that Deuteronomy Chapter 13 applied to William Branham. As you remember, that chapter speaks about false prophets who teach other gods. Which god is it that Branham teaches when he speaks about a bible in the Zodiac and the mystery of the pyramids?
And this is not the only place where Branham taught things which are directly opposed to scripture. For example, Branham taught this:
“And when the... John wept. Now, someone, as I said last week, they said, "John wept because that he could find nobody worthy." It wasn't that. A man under the influence of the Holy Ghost wouldn't weep for that. Thought that, "'Cause he wasn't worthy," maybe John himself wasn't worthy. There's nobody worthy. But he didn't weep because of that. I believe he was weeping for joy because that he had seen the whole plan of redemption was wrote in this Book here. It wasn't because there wasn't nobody worthy, because there stood a Lamb right there was worthy. So he was weeping there, he said, "Oh, Glory to God." Listen at him directly when he goes to shouting. Now, but we find him here weeping because that he was so happy because that the Lamb had taken the Book for the--out of the hand of Him that set upon the throne.” REV.CHAP.5.PART.2 JEFF.IN ROJC 747-793 61-0618
What does the Bible say?
Revelation 5:4 (HCSB) 4 And I cried and cried because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to look in it.
Which is correct? Was Branham correct? Or was John the Revelator correct?
Here again, we see one instance of what Branham taught which directly opposes scripture. There are many many many others, these are just a few.
You see, Mr. Macgraw, we aren’t the issue. Ignoring Branham and attacking us individually doesn’t face the issue. You can attempt to explain Branham’s lack of ability to do the very thing which is pointed to as direct vindication that he is in fact a prophet of God by telling us that he just didn’t have all of the information concerning who it was, or what he was praying for. This of course does not account for the vociferous manner in which Branham spoke of these incidences to his audiences in his sermons even when he didn’t have the “facts”. And you can remind us pf that which we are keenly aware… that Branham didn’t heal, God does. But Branham tells us that you need him for that gift to manifest itself. We didn’t say those words, Branham did.
I am not sure how you can say that Branham didn’t teach those things were directly anti-scriptural like the couple of the many many many instances which we showed here. We have demonstrated what God says in His Word about what Branham taught.
God isn’t confused. These things which we have pointed to are direct evidence that William Branham does not pass the examination as a prophet of God, in any COVENANT of God.
So, the question remains… Branham told many times of the vision of the Municipal Bridge over the Ohio River. We are yet to see your explanation of that vision coming to pass. And we know from scripture that when a prophet claims to be of God, his visions ALWAYS come to pass, without exception. So, given all that has been presented herein, and adding that to the Municipal Bridge and other visions which failed, how does William Branham qualify as a prophet of God?
As a side issue, Mr. MacGraw, you speak about the knowledge of the Lord and wisdom and study as if these are bad things. The Bible is full of instances where we are told to aspire to these things as is here an example:
Proverbs 1:2-7 (HCSB) 2 For learning what wisdom and discipline are; for understanding insightful sayings; 3 for receiving wise instruction ⌊in⌋ righteousness, justice, and integrity; 4 for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced, knowledge and discretion to a young man— 5 a wise man will listen and increase his learning, and a discerning man will obtain guidance— 6 for understanding a proverb or a parable, the words of the wise, and their riddles. 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Wisdom and study of the Lord’s Word is a good thing. And those who would counsel against being closer to the Lord’s Word counsel foolishly:
Proverbs 4:10-13 (HCSB) 10 Listen, my son. Accept my words, and you will live many years. 11 I am teaching you the way of wisdom; I am guiding you on straight paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; when you run, you will not stumble. 13 Hold on to instruction; don’t let go. Guard it, for it is your life.
As always, I appreciate your time and look forward to your response.
BTS 2
Response from BM2
Brother BTS 2,
You said >>>>So it is Branham himself that tells us that HE is responsible for healing.
I say......Your conclusion is only partly true. If GOD sends a preacher...or any GOD sent man for any purpose....the people are to hear him. Scripture is plain....that if anyone receives whom GOD sends....they are receiving GOD. The man sent..... certainly would/should expect the people to believe/receive him...or they couldn't act on his message...NOW COULD THEY????
If GOD sends any gift...the man isn't the one who makes it fulfill...but GOD confirms the message/Gift.... through the man!
You said >>>> I wanted to make sure I gave you some information about which you appear to have a misapprehension. We don’t have a group. The administrators of this page come from many countries, many walks of life, no particular assembly or gathering, and we have no commonality in any way, except that we have all been in the message of William Branham in the past, and discovered that reading the Bible and comparing William Branham’s words to the Bible shows that he is not a prophet of God. We all got to this point from different places, but we all got here to this same place. We aren’t a group, we are just a bunch of people who are dedicated to knowing Christ and helping others to know Him better as well. We all go to different assemblies as we are led in our local areas, and we all worship in different places and in different ways. In the various assemblies and churches in which we worship separately, there are Gifts of the Holy Spirit frequently exhibited. But we don’t collect them into a group event as we aren’t a group. We just worship in different places around the world.
I say......I am beginning to wonder what kind of mixed up mess....that I am communicating with. Your WEB PAGE..... against the ministry of William Branham isn't a group...but a bunch.....all belonging to a specific internet PAGE.....with nothing in common with each other etc! Yet every one of you are in some sort of united effort to destroy...with nothing in common?????? Your bunch....are working fervently to kill/destroy the effects of a ministry....that has won millions to Christ.....gave nearly all his time and effort to pray for the sick and destitute....went off of the field for quite some time...because the sponsors couldn't meet the expenses and because he refused to ask for personal offerings...in spite of what you have said. He had angelic visitations .....witnessed by living witnesses today being in the room and also foretold scores of events...while riding in an automobile with acquaintances....by their own testimony by them..... in my hearing.
You and your BUNCH..... compass the whole earth and find 5 or 6 incidents...which can't be proven either way.....then add your opinion without knowing the facts surrounding them and use your manufactured conclusion ....in an attempt to destroy. I see a Scriptural pattern here....exactly as was done to the LORD JESUS in His day....a BUNCH of Pharisees sent out a BUNCH of critics.....in a concerted effort.... to trap the LORD in his words. No differently than your BUNCH has done..... in this time. They may be sincere...that.... no one but that individual knows...but I would venture to say....that if they had the recorded life of Moses...early on in his life...they would attempt to assassinate his ministry as being a false prophet...since it is obvious that he used murder early on....to accomplish his purpose. Paul was also guilty of murder early on and taught the doctrines of the Pharisees...until he met the LORD on the road to Damascus. Even after his conversion...along with all the errors of his early teaching...he commanded his followers to do this...in his prediction of the time of the Coming.
1Corinthians 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
Brother Branham never hurt anyone physically and gave his life early on.... to the service of the LORD. Why don't you and your BUNCH .....call Paul a false prophet...since he erred in his prediction. That was nearly 2000 years ago and what he predicted at/for that time.....hasn't happened yet! I believe BUNCHES like yours...are the perfect fulfillment of this Scripture below....for today. In all honesty...I see a BUNCH of spiritual anarchists...out to destroy a ministry..... that they haven't the ability to understand anything about how GOD works.
As it is written......Matthew 13: 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
This is my honest conclusion .....of our exchanges so far.
BTS 2 RESPONSE
BM2,
I will do my best to respond to your email. You seem to think that being part of a “group” is somehow relevant. We, all of us, have this in common; we were once dedicated to the message of William Branham, believed him to be a prophet of God, and worshiped in message assemblies. We, all of us through different circumstances and at different times came to discover that there were issues with the message of William Branham that could not be reconciled with the Word of God. We, all of us, left our assemblies, some of us at great cost. But we have found liberty and fullness in salvation through Jesus Christ without the requirement of a prophet of God or human intercessor. We have all found that we are no longer bound by a doctrine of man, but are set free by the Word of God which extends to all parts of the earth, and through the Promises of God through guidance and fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
I think you have lost sight of what the Holy Spirit has done since He arrived on the scene at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit has been “poured out” onto the whole world for the benefit of everyone who confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior:
Acts 2:17-21 (HCSB) 17 And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. 18 I will even pour out My Spirit on My male and female slaves in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will display wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below: blood and fire and a cloud of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and remarkable Day of the Lord comes. 21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
How is it that we need a “group” to participate in that outpouring of the Holy Spirit throughout the world?
Perhaps it is that you focus your attention on someone who places themselves incorrectly between men and God that you can’t see the wider, more spiritual events of God which are happening around you.
I certainly don’t consider Paul the Apostle as being a prophet messenger. He stated quite clearly, and I showed you several examples of where Paul would disagree with your characterization of his holy office.
I can understand your frustration. You are confronted with sermon upon sermon, quote upon quote, from William Branham which is shown to be false, which directly opposes scripture, and which demonstrates quite clearly that Branham can\not pass the scriptural examination concerning his qualifications as a prophet of God. Since these are HIS words which we show you, and HIS sermons which we compare to scripture, then you turn your attention to those who would show you the quotes instead of considering whether William Branham actually was a prophet of God according to scripture. And I understand. It’s an investment that has been made by many of us over the years. It so happens that there are some of us that have looked to the Word of God instead of the sermons of William Branham.
So, let’s recap… we are exhorted to examine what the person who claims to be a prophet of God says (not what we would like to think he meant, but what he actually says reportedly with the Authority of God) against the Word of God to determine if what he says actually aligns with the God’s Word:
1 John 4:1 (HCSB) 1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
We discover that what he says is not true, even when he proclaims these things using the Name of the Lord (THUS SAITH THE LORD).
We see what Branham taught in his sermons, not on a single occasion, but on multiple occasions, that which opposed directly what the Word of God tells us.
We see that what William Branham told as a prophecy with God’s Authority as a prophet of God (THUS SAITH THE LORD) does not come to pass, just like this example:
“Then just then, He taken me out in the Spirit. Listen, Brother Jackson, you never heard this, none of the rest have. And He set me down at Durban, South Africa, in that same booth, standing there before those tens of thousands, and thousands of people there. And I looked and I seen all that meeting gather together, and fade off to my right. Geographically, I was standing this way. And it faded to the left going this way, turning blue. And then right before me, stood blocked off streets like that, with people standing there, with their hands up praising God. Then He turned me to the east, and looked that way. And I seen people standing there with clouts, like on, like the Indians wear. And there were thousands of them, and they had their hands up air, just a praising God and screaming and praising God. And I couldn't even see the end of them. And just about that time, come a great Angel from heaven, and stood be--over the top of me here, with a big Light. And that Light like on the end of one of these here operating lights on the front of a--of a big locomotive, and begin to throw. And the hillsides were sitting black and standing with people for a mile away nearly. And I said, "Oh, are they all black people?" Then He turned my face here in front of me, to Durban again, and there was beautiful white men and women, standing with their hands up in the air, praising God. Then He turned me back again, and the great Light started going way back over the hills and showing. Then the Angel drew near. And I heard Him scream with a Voice, that shook me from the vision. Said, "There'll be three hundred thousand of them in that meeting. THUS SAITH THE LORD mark it in your book." I come out of it. I said, "My Lord and my God. Thanks be to You. I appreciate the stripes and the whipping that You give me for disobeying You. But from this on, Lord, knowingly, if I ever know again, I will never tie myself up with a bunch of nobody else preachers, managers, or no one else, but what I will be free to do what You say do. And I will go just where You say go, and do just what You say do the rest of my life. And I will always try to do just as You say do." And about that time, here He come again. And I seen my Bible rise off the table, and come over to me like this. It was turned over to the place where Paul, in the storm, said, "You should have listened to Me, and not have loosed from Crete, but nevertheless, the Angel of the Lord Who stood by me, and so forth..." ...And I said, "Sister Broy, the Angel of the Lord has appeared to me and told me, 'Forget about the ameba. It's going to be all right. And I'm going to have a meeting that's going to consist of three hundred thousand people.' And God," I said, "my ministry is just now beginning." I said, "I want to base it; I want to tear that thing out from where it was, and get rid of all these here leeches, and things a hanging on, so I can get to the people and tell them what's the truth." And that's right. I said, "I'm tired of this and the man-made stuff anyhow. And I'm going to be where God can use me. I'm going to live right in that channel, as long as I live."” EARLY.SPIRITUAL.EXPERIENCES_ HAMMOND.IN SUNDAY_ 52-0713A
He spoke of the prophecy of a meeting in South Africa 9 times in 1952, 8 times in 1953, 5 times in 1954, 2 times in 1957, 3 times in 1958, 1 time in 1964, and 2 additional times in 1965. In total, Branham repeated this prophecy 30 times in sermons, in many of those sermons using THUS SAITH THE LORD, that he would absolutely go and hold the meetings of which he spoke. Then in 1965 he admits that he didn’t go. In fact, he told us this:
“I had planned on, so hard, coming back; burdened in the heart. I just returned from Africa, as you all know. And when I got over there, I had a restricted visa, and wouldn't let me, wouldn't let me preach because it gathers too many together. They're expecting an uprise there at any time, and--and they--they wouldn't let me preach because of that gathering too many people together. The only way I could, would to have some organization that's represented by the government, in the government, to invite me over, then that would automatically let the government send out a militia for protection. See, they're just... There is just going to be an uprise, and that's all there is to it. It's just right in hand, see. That government man said, "The last time he was here, he had about a quarter of a million people together." And he said, "Then, you see, that would just be the very thing that communism is looking for, for an uprise." So, I couldn't preach. And so I, when I started to go over, I'm telling you, I never had so much trouble in all my life, of trying to get there. And then at the very last minute, very last minute to go, here was wrote across my visa, "Cannot anticipate in any kind of religious service; can only come hunting." Well, then, it was rank. But I said, "I don't care what the Devil does, I--I can't... I can't voucher for what Brother Jackson said about yellow-mane lion, and this, that, or the other. I--I can't vouch it. But I do know God told me to 'see Sidney Jackson, and go hunting.'"And I said, "I'm going." And sometime... And I had one of the greatest trips. I found out what the trouble was. Now I think, about October, the Lord willing, I can go back and have a meeting and everything, full cooperation, everything else, see, in Africa now. I got to the bottom of it and found out where it was at, what caused it. Up here, writing, this one has got this to say, and something's got something to say, and this one there. The best thing to do, is go find out, yourself. And I know where the trouble was, and what the reason of it was; it was because of so many people gathering together, the government wouldn't let me have it.” ASHAMED JEFF.IN 65-0711
Curiously, he tells us that he wasn’t able to go. But here’s what we know from scripture. You see, we find the story of Jonah very instructive here. You may remember that Jonah, a true prophet of God, did everything he could to avoid telling the king and people of Nineveh the judgement of God. Jonah went the opposite direction intentionally in his attempt to avoid going to Nineveh. Did you notice from scripture that God “helped” Jonah to get to Nineveh? After God told Jonah to go and despite his best efforts, Jonah ultimately went to Nineveh. We see that God forestalled His judgement on the people of Nineveh because of their repentance. But that wasn’t the prophet’s call. God gave Jonah instructions with His authority. As was the case with other true prophets of God, His words did not fall to the earth. Jonah WENT to Nineveh, like it or not. When we compare this to Branham’s situation in South Africa, we see that even though Branham spoke of this prophecy 30 times using God’s Authority, even Branham had to admit that ultimately IT DID NOT COME TO PASS. Do you think if God had intended the meeting to take place ANYTHING ON EARTH COULD HAVE STOPPED THE EVENT FROM TAKING PLACE?
We even see here where Branham tells us how we should view him if this should ever happen:
“...here was the test of a prophet: if a prophet prophesied, and that what he said come to pass, then hear him. But if it don't come to pass, then God hasn't spoke. That's all. So don't--don't fear him. That's right. "If there be one among you who's spiritual or a prophet, I, the Lord God, will make myself known unto him in visions, speak to him in dreams. And if it comes to pass, then I--that's Me speaking." Sure, God ain't going to lie. You know He can't lie there's nothing in Him to lie.” 62-0407, THE SIGNS OF HIS COMING CLEVELAND TN SATURDAY
I can appreciate the fact that this is frustrating for you to see in Branham’s own words. But, it's not us you should be frustrated with, Mr. MacGraw. We aren’t the problem.
And still you have no response to the original question concerning another of Branham’s prophecies or visions which failed to come to pass, the Municipal Bridge vision which Branham spoke of several times as well and about which I have now asked you multiple times.
If we aren’t going to address the issues concerning William Branham’s qualifications as a prophet of God, then how can we in any confidence at all discuss any thing else related to his life or his ministry? That’s why I asked initially what the qualifications of a prophet of God are in your view. You have told us of great works, signs, and wonders. We have shown you scripturally where Jesus and the Apostles warn of false prophets who will come with great signs, wonders, and works. You have told us of his power to discern. We have shown you instances where his discernment had failed and was seriously called into question.
This isn’t assassination of Branham’s ministry. We don’t have to do that. Branham himself does that with his own sermons, his own words, when compared to the very Word of God. We aren’t the problem, Mr. MacGraw. Branham was a liar, a fraud, and a false prophet. And that’s the problem.
I cannot see how this discussion is going to be profitable for you, me, or anyone if we aren’t going to tackle head-on the issues concerning the discrepancies of Branham’s ministry compared to God’s Word. I make no claims about you or those who worship with you as you do about me. You aren’t the issue either. The issue was, is, and will be William Branham.
Let me know if you believe continued discussion will be in your interest. If it is, then perhaps you could answer the question concerning the Municipal Bridge vision so we can move forward.
Thank you for your time.
BTS2
Post Script: You should also be aware that we are in possession of the financial statements represented by the Branham family after the death of William Branham concerning his ministry. Branham passed millions of dollars to his family and his ministry after his death. We also have the documentation which shows quite clearly that during his life Branham received many material gifts. Branham was by no measure of wealth a poor man. And his family in the main has not suffered for financial support because of the wealth and resources accumulated by William Branham during his life time. We would not wish you to be under the misapprehension that Branham did not take offerings or gifts during his life time. While there is nothing wrong with the accumulation of wealth, it is important that we don’t operate with incorrect information, and it would be imprudent for us to ignore the facts.
Footnotes