William Branham was an influential Bible minister who is credited with founding the Latter Rain and the faith healing movements (1947) that have influenced today's Pentecostal and Charismatic movements, the Latter Rain Movement, Manifest Sons of God, and Kingdom Now theology. (wikipedia.org)This is a picture of Branham's tombstone. He died in 1965, but he is still referred to by many preachers, ministries and their books today. In fact, his stories and sermons are still around and can be purchased (here).
But what exactly did (does) he teach? Well, it’s not good news.
William Branham thought he was the messenger to the seventh church age. Not only did he claim that an angel appeared to him and told him he had the gift of divine healing and the gift of the "word of knowledge," he was convinced that he was the end-times prophet "Elijah". Many web sites have various pictures of Branham with 'angels' or a halo of light above his head (see here).
He had a lot of very strange teachings. For one, that the doctrine of the Trinity came from Babylon and Roman Catholicism. So basically, he didn’t believe in it. Here is a quote (there are many more):
"Why don't you examine your baptism of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and that false 'trinity' it's so-called..." (William Braham, "Revelation Chapter Four #3 (Throne of Mercy and Judgment)" (Voice of God Recordings, Inc., 1961, audio tape #61-0108, side 2).He also taught some strange things about Eve and the serpent:
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/quotes.html#Branham
"Here is what actually happened in the Garden of Eden. The Word says that Eve was beguiled by the serpent. She was actually seduced by the serpent. He was as close to being a human that his seed could, and did mingle with that of the woman and cause her to conceive" (William Branham, The Original Sin, pp. 2, 3)He taught that the Gospel was given in the Egyptian pyramids, the signs of the zodiac and the Scriptures. His tomb stone is even a pyramid (does this have something to do with freemasonry?) that has the 7 churches of Revelation above 7 men's names, his own name being the 7th, and the prophet for the church age of Laodicea.
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/quotes.html#Branham
For overviews and critiques on Branham, go here:
http://www.apologeticsindex.org/b05.html
http://www.letusreason.org/Latrain3.htm
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/fprophets.html#wbranham
http://letusreason.org/Latrain26.htm
William Branham quotes:
http://www.letusreason.org/Latrain4.htm
http://www.discernment.org/precedin.htm#Actual%20Quotes%20&%20Pictures
Here are some pictures of Branham’s angels and things:
http://jesus-messiah.com/html/hoax.html
William Branham is no longer alive but his methodology and ideas live on in modern day charismatic movements. From time to time you will hear him being quoted or referred to in these circles. When you do, be warned of this self-proclaimed prophet and false teacher and those who promote him.
For example, did you know that Todd Bentley even claims to have seen William Branham’s angel?
“I first saw the angel called Healing Revival on December 5 of 2000 in Grant's Pass. The angel came to me again in Albany the next February. He stood in the church service with his body going through the ceiling of the church. Then the Lord told me the angel's name and that he was the same angel I saw in Grant's Pass earlier. God also revealed to me that this angel was involved in the ministry of John Lake, William Branham, and John Knox in Scotland. This angel, the Lord said, is from the North West Healing Revival and is manifesting again as a sign that God is restoring the Voice of Healing revival and opening up the ancient wells.”Bentley claims that, whenever Branham’s angel shows up at one of his meetings, he gets...
http://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word.html?ID=1785
“a supernatural ability in his left hand to diagnose people’s sicknesses, and he also gets correct words of knowledge about details from their lives — just as Branham claimed…Bentley also talks about another troublesome “angel” named Emma” -spiritoferror.wordpress.comActually, many of these modern day prophets and their angelic visitations are not much different from Joseph Smith.
Speaking of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormons, there is another cult founder who had an angelic visitation and has a pyramid memorial at his gravesite (see here). Yes, isn’t it interesting that Charles Taze Russell, founder of the Jehovah's Witnesses, also has the words “The Laodicean Messenger” on his headstone? Just like Branham! And Charles Russell had the same Pyramid theology too (see here)! Wow. I just learned that today, pretty amazing, huh?
So what’s with the pyramids? Freemasonry? Cults?
Well, Branham didn’t condemn Freemasonry, in fact, I have read that he defended the Masons and said it was okay for a Christian to be one. His remarks and the symbol of the Egyptian tombstone are both good indications that Branham was a member of the Masonic Lodge. By the way, the Mormons also use freemasonry symbols. There are just too many similarities here.
MacGregor Ministries, a Christian Outreach to those trapped in cult groups, says of Branham:
"Whatever good things he might have done, he ended up denying the Deity of Jesus Christ. As such a one he must be identified as a counterfeit Christian and he and his followers as a cult."I think it’s safe to say that William Branham was a false prophet who received a message from an angel alright. But what kind of angel? There are two kinds you know. Seems like his angel has been visiting quite a few people in these last days. Doesn't the Bible warn us about that?
http://www.macgregorministries.org/cult_groups/branham.html
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.
~~~~~~~
For more on Kingdom Now Theology, Latter Rain and William Branham, see here:
http://www.inplainsite.org/html/kingdom_theology_1.html
Update - October, 2007
Related post:
Normal?
Update: July, 2008
Here is a new MUST SEE short youtube video about Branham and Todd Bentley:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=w_bvvSOLW7Q
Update July 2009:
Favoring the supernatural by ignoring the heresy- Endorsing William Branham
http://letusreason.org/Latrain56.htm
15 comments:
Hey Carla,
this post is really interesting. Do you remember the post I did on Darrel E Stott and his orbs of light which are suppose to be angels. You made reference to this William Brahnam being mentioned by Stott.
I revisited Stott's website and he has a lot of pictures of Golden angels and eagles as well.
I may reference your post at some point when I get the time to actually write something.
Thanks for the discernment regarding this wolf in sheeps clothing.
Yes Vee, I was actually thinking of your post on that while I was researching this one. They always seem to have angels and eagles, don't they? So does Rick Joyner's 'ministry'. Hmmm...
A wolf, for sure. Well, a dead wolf perhaps, but dead men speak.
I have done a lot of research into Stott and his angelic, supernatural stones crusade.
Not only is he a concern because he is going to my mums church there is this other couple that are travelling Down Under and are guest speakers at mums church.
See my latest post if you want to. This isn't a plug for my blog, but I know Carla that you would be interested and quite shocked about what is being taught at a Baptist Church.
This church is a Spiritualist church, or is fast becoming one.
I am so righteously angry, I am allowed to be this way when His sheep are being devoured by ravenous wolves.
I feel sick!!!!!
Ps: here is the link to the post I was talking about:
http://livingjourney.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/ok-now-im-scared/
Hello, I am new to this post. however I am interested in any info you can give me on the "angel Emma". There is a church in my town that is claiming to have visitations from this agel and they are swaying many away from God. I have been searching the web for as much info as I can find... leading me here. Please help.... thank You
Hello Aaron,
That's interesting. I will see what I can find out. If I find something I will add it to the comment section here.
I see what you mean in your search for info about this particular angel. There is not much on the internet about an angel named Emma. So I am going to make a post about this so I can post some links, and if you are still reading, Aaron, it will be on April 30th.
http://availablelightonline.com/blog/2006/09/13/an-angel-named-emma/
Aaron, here's something I found about our "Emma." Hope it's helpful.
I made another angel post here:
http://morebooksandthings.blogspot.com
/2007/04/angel-craze.html
I am sure that you have heard of David in the Bible. Although he committed adultery and then murdered a man it is still written that he was a man after God's heart. That is in the old covenant. David's mistakes didn't discredit his heart for God.
Abraham didn't believe the promises of God and had Ishmael as a result. Even after this mistake God still blessed him.
Jacob was a deceiver and yet God still blessed him.
So many "Bible heroes" had flaws that are recorded in the Bible (they could have had more that weren't recorded) and yet Christians look to them as model saints. Jesus was recognized by the religious people of His day as being a false prophet and a heretic for the miracles He did and for claiming to be the Son of God. Today, anyone who has miracles in their ministry is called the same things as Jesus even though He told His disciples to heal the sick (Matthew 10:8). Then He told the disciples to teach others to obey everything He commanded them (Matthew 28:18-20). Even Paul says in Romans 15:18-19, "I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done - by the power of sings and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ." He did miracles through the power of the Spirit. I find it pointless to criticize people who I don't know when they say that God does the things. Sure, I don't agree with everything and I wouldn't do things the exact same way if it were up to me, but what is the point of criticism. Who says you are right and they are wrong (I am not trying to allude that I am right and you are wrong)? Follow God. Be rooted in the Word. Seek Him. The reality is that we serve a God who has no limits on what He can do. He can use people who have bad doctrine and who do things that are wrong. God also heals people today. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hallelujah!
Sorry David, but the bottom line here is the plumbline of God's Word
...whether something is truth or error.
Click on this link:
http://www.radiofreechurch.com/home
Click on Jacob Prasch and find his message called Spirit of Truth Spirit of Error, an indepth look at 1 John 4.
May the Lord give you a hunger for the truth.
I am Living Proof that the Ministry of William Branham was True and Faithful and that He was led by God!
For Over 10 Years my parents were medically unable to have Children. One night my Grandfather got with Billy Paul Branham (William Branham's Son) and explained my parents situation. He got his Dad and Brother Branham came to my Parents car, got in, and prayed for my parents. After the prayer, knowing that they were healed, he told my parents to put thier kids in Sunday School. My Parents were healed and My sister was born less than 10 months later. They went on to have 4 Children.
I tell you this story only to because it is a testimony that there was great healing and anointing on William Branham. My parents traveled across the country to go to his meetings. It Was Real!!
It seems that we as Christians need to use these types of Men: Alan, Branham, Jack Cole, ect... as examples. Just because some people have tried to deify them doesn't mean that the God they had wasn't real!!!!
I know that you will probably block this post but feel free to email me at bhm1pew@bellsouth.net .
Paul,
Thank you for your comment.
re: "It seems that we as Christians need to use these types of Men: Alan, Branham, Jack Cole, ect... as examples."
It seems that we as Christians need God, who has already given us many examples in his Word for us to follow, and many promises to trust. We are not to trust in or follow anyone who preaches anything contrary to what the Lord has already said in scripture.
What was real in your situation was the power of God, not some healing mantle bestowed on a man. God will heal and bring men to salvation because of His mercy and grace, not because of a man or his ministry, but inspite of a man and his ministry.
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. -1 Corinthians 2
I believe that the Word is our plumbline, however, I wonder how the Apostle Paul would have responded considering all of the supernatural things that happened to him, I do not believe he had the Scriptures as we know them, nor did the Gentiles. I am not saying all supernatural things are of God but to make quick judgements on people before we know all of the fruit is "well fruitless"
Barry
He would respond the way he responded to his own experience, which was beyond his capacity to describe. Paul chose to glory in his weaknesses rather than in his experiences, ministry, or spiritual power. (See Chuck Smith's commentary on 2 Cor. 12 at blueletterbible.org)
He "heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 5 On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. 6 For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me."
By the way, Paul did have the scriptures. We Gentiles call them the Old Testament.
By the way, I believe we are already seeing the fruit of Todd Bentley's revival. It is the same fruit that we saw come out of the Toronto Blessing.
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