William Branham – False Prophet

William Branham  Fire Halo

William Branham

William Branham – False Prophet

I have decided to write this article on William Branham for 2 reasons and that is this: William Branham’s influence on the church today is nothing but a vile attack on the True Body of Christ. This article will also serve as a reference to some articles that I will be writing soon on some supposed ‘men of God’ aka ‘Prophets’ in South Africa – who claim that they have William Branham’s Mantle. Any ‘pastor’ who says that William Branham was truly a man of God or says they have anything from William Branham (mantle, angel, follows his teachings, etc) should be avoided like the plague.

Who was William Branham:

William Branham was born in 6th April 1909 in Kentucky and died on 24 December 1965. His ministry was founded in May 1946. But this legacy lives on in his followers and the hundreds of sermons that were recorded or transcribed. Most people read his sermons more than they do they bible. Most people believe William Branham’s words more than the bible. This is obviously concerning, but what is more concerning is what William Branham preached and the strange signs and wonders that accompanied him.

The young William Branham:

William Branham’s mother was 15 years of age, and his father was 18 years of age. When William Branham was born something rather unusual happened on that day – a few rays of light shone into the room and a huge halo, one foot in diameter appeared above William’s mother and baby. Because of this his mother took him to a Baptist church in the local community. That was the first and the last time he went to church in years. –Carl Dyck, William Branham: The Man and His Message (Saskatoon: Western Tract Mission, 1984), page 3.

It should be noted (and keep this in your mind at all times) that Branham’s parents both believed in fortunetelling (so they were not Christian) and this of course means that William Branham was raised in an occult environment. –Kurt Koch, Between Christ and Satan (Grand Rapids: Kregal Publications, 1962), page 150

Branham’s life was influenced by numerous visions and angelic visitations. He recalled that he heard a voice at the age of seven, “Well, I started up the lane again. And I turned to look at this again. And when it did, a human Voice just as audible as mine is, said, `Don’t you never drink, smoke, or defile your body in any way. There’llbeaworkfor you to do when you get older.’ Why, it liked to scared me to death!” –Brother Branham, taped sermon transcript, p. 24

This would not be the last time Branham heard this voice, later this voice would identify itself as an angel and later he ends up receiving extra-biblical revelation concerning future events.

William’s family and Ministry:

William Branham was influenced by a few obscure people/religions before he fully established his ministry in 1948, one of these was the ‘Jesus Only’ Pentecostals. –Brother Branham, p.39

At this time William Branham was married and had a baby daughter. Many family members and other ministers warned him not to associate with the ‘Jesus Only’ cult for this group did not believe in the Trinity amongst other thing. Branham must have broken away from then for later when his Wife and baby daughter died in 1937 from Tubercular Meningitis he attributed their deaths to the fact that it was because he had not continued in fellowship with the Pentecostals and had missed God’s will. –Brother Branham, p.47

Never the less, the ‘Jesus Only’ cult was a great influence on Branham as he adopted many of their heretical doctrines into his own.

Another influential person in Branham’s ‘doctrine to be’ was Franklin Hall who wrote on the ‘Atomic Power with God through Fasting and Prayer’. Hall had a great influence on almost all the healing revival preachers of that time, of which Branham was his best disciple, in so much that Branham’s followers believed him to be the apostle of the final Church age.

In 1946 while Branham was baptising followers in the Ohio river he heard a small voice say ‘Look up!” Looking up he saw it descending toward him – it looked like a blazing Star, a Pillar of Fire. The Supernatural Pillar of Fire hovered just above his head and that voice he had been hearing since he was little spoke out of the Pillar of Fire saying, “As John the Baptist was sent to forerun the First Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, so you are sent to forerun His Second Coming.” –Brother Branham, p.71

That was that, Branham called this his ‘charge’ – that he was called by God and soon many believed him to be Elijah. In fact when Branham passed away in 1965 due to a head injury from a car accident many of his followers (and still today, believe it or not) truly believe he came in the spirit of Elijah, some believed him to be born of a virgin, some believed him to be God and most expected him to actually rise from the dead in three days. –All Things Are Possible, p.164

Not long after Branham was told by the Pillar of Fire that he was the forerunner for the Second Coming of Christ he was visited by the voice manifested in the form of an angel. This angel told him that he had been given two gifts; the gift of healing and the gift of words of knowledge / restore biblical truth. As time went by Branham also came to believe that this angel was the source of all his visions and extra-biblical revelations as well. But of course Branham was very discerning (as he claims it was also one of his gifts) and he asked the angel why he should believe the angel to be from God and the angel told him that the people in Jesus’ day called Jesus a devil, so he (Branham) should not worry about others in his family or ministry saying the same thing about the message/angel. The angel mentioned that Branham had been told by fortunetellers in impromptu meetings that he had a special gift from God and was born under a sign. The angel assured Branham that demons had confirmed that Jesus was the Christ and he should not be concerned by testimony of fortunetellers. –Brother Branham, pp. 74, 75, 79

Well I suppose that settles it then – the angel must be from God, phewww and all this time I thought otherwise. You see in 1 John it explains very clearly what Branham was supposed to ask the angel, ‘”has Jesus Christ come in the Flesh”. I guarantee this angel would have come up with every excuse in the book to say otherwise. But then, what’s the bible anyway? eh? Just useless info…not to be adhered to.

So Branham decided to test out his new ‘powers’ and found himself confronted with a women who had cancer. Just as a matter of interest the angel told Branham about this woman in a vision. So he prayed for her and she was ‘healed’. He shot to Superstardom overnight and from then on claimed his angel was with him day and night.

Two things here; Who said she had cancer? Was there any medical proof of this and secondly who could prove she was healed? Or did Branham proclaim she was healed and everyone just accepted it? So either this was one big lie or worse we have a demon (posing as an angel of light) telling Branham about a women who has cancer, i.e., this woman’s cancer was demonically inflicted. Talk about being set up, William Branham that is, and again so much for his discernment. So Branham prays for her and she is ‘healed’. What actually happened was the demonic affliction was lifted and who knows what else this woman received in its place.

From then on William Branham’s ministry was built on supernatural manifestations and was empowered by a spirit being / angel. The angel accompanied him throughout his lifetime and even directed him in every aspect of his personal life. It was the angel Branham said gave him his power – not the Holy Spirit. In fact Branham knew that if he didn’t do what the Voice told him to do he would suffer greatly.

But if that has not convinced you even slightly that there was something horribly wrong with Brenham, lets go look at his teachings and see just how much they contradict the Word of God.

He believed he was the Last Days Prophet:

This I find rather funny because since starting my blog I have come across at least 20 others who think they are too. Who’s right? Fortunately, non of them, Branham included. Anyhow let’s stick to the story shall we – so Branham said, “Now, I’m just your brother, by the grace of God. But when the Angel of the Lord moves down, it becomes then a Voice of God to you…But I am God’s Voice to you… Now, see, I can say nothing in myself. But what He shows me.” –Footprints On The Sands Of Time, p. 214

His followers believed him to be the spirit of Elijah based on Malachi 4 and the seventh angel in Revelations 10.

Unfortunately for him and his followers, William Branham has to under no uncertain terms be labelled a False Prophet for a lot of things he prophesied did not come to pass for example: He prophesied that Jesus would return in 1977 along with the destruction of America . Branham said, “Jesus did not say no man could know the year, month or week in which his coming would be completed. I sincerely believe and maintain as a private student of the Word along with divine inspiration that 1977 ought to terminate the world systems and usher in the millennium.” –7 Church Ages, p. 322.

As we can see, Jesus Christ has not come back, America is still standing and it’s the year 2008. So you the reader have 2 choices here; 1) William Branham received this information from a lying demonic source aka his angel who’s father is Satan or, 2) God lied.

The bible says, in Deuteronomy 18 v 20-22

“20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. 21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? 22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

Branham preached the ‘Serpent Seed’ teaching:

The Serpent Seed teaching is a belief that Cain was produced through sexual intercourse between Eve and the serpent in the garden. The curse of the Serpent’s Seed he believed is the cause of all mankind’s problems and women are to blame and it is evident in their temptation of men. –William M. Branham, My Life Story, p. 19.

Branham also believe that the Serpent Seed was the missing link between man and monkey.

Hitler also believed in the Serpent Seed teaching and this was the main reason why Jews needed to be eliminated, for the Jewish nation was of Satan. Now if Hitler believed in this and Branham believed in this, and Hitler was of Satan and Branham is of God then….we have a HUGE problem here.

It is also noted that Branham despised women and on one occasion stated, “But I remember when my father’s still up there running, I had to be out there with water and stuff, see young ladies that wasn’t over seventeen, eighteen years, up there with a man my age now, drunk. And they’d have to sober them up and give them black coffee, to get them home to cook their husband’s supper. Oh, something like that, I said, ‘I…This was my remarked [sic] then, THEY’RE NOT WORTH A GOOD CLEAN BULLET TO KILL THEM WITH IT.’ That’s right. And I hated women. That’s right. And I just have to watch every move now, to keep from still thinking the same thing.” –M. Branham, ‘My Life Story’ (Spoken Word Publications, undated), p.27.

So now we can see why he was so adamant to preach this Serpent Seed teaching for he had an immense animosity towards women. This would also explain why he preached a rigid ‘moral code’ for women with regards to dressing, hair etc, etc. Branham also had a ‘revelation’ that allowed for divorce. –All Things Are Possible, p.162.

The bible says in Genesis 4 v 11;

1 “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.” …. not from the Serpent/Satan.

Branham believed the Zodiac and the Egyptian Pyramids are EQUAL to scripture:

So as far as Branham is concerned the Zodiac and Egyptian pyramids are equal to Scripture in the revelation of God’s Word. This might I add is also one of Franklin Halls strange beliefs that was passed onto Branham. –‘Adoption’, pp.31,104.

Now we know that the Zodiac and the Pyramids play a huge part in the occult. So how on earth can the occult be equal to Scripture? Witchcraft, Astrology and New Age all use the pyramids and the zodiac for divination i.e., predicting the future. The pyramids are an essential holiday spot for occultists, witches, magicians, necromancers and many a demon/spirit. The narrow passages through-out the pyramids allowed for occult soul travel were mummified Kings and other notable people were buried with gold, food and other worldly possessions in the belief that their soul would need these things in the after-life. Pyramids also have an occult alignment with the stars i.e., the Zodiac.

Let’s see what the bible says about this: Deuteronomy 18 v 9-12

“9 When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.”

William Branham a Freemason

After Branham’s death a tombstone in the shape of a pyramid was placed on his grave.  On top of the tombstone is what appears to be an eagle, but it is in fact a Pheonix.

 Branham Grave - Freemason

Branham believed that ALL denominations were the Mark of the Beast:

Except for his ‘denomination’ of course which was pure. Hence if you follow anyone eles teachings and not his you are doomed. Branham believed that some humans are descended from the serpent’s seed and are destined for hell, which is not eternal, however. The seed of God, i.e., those who receive Branham’s teaching, are predestined to become the Bride of Christ. There are still others who possess free will and who may be saved out of the denominational churches, but they must suffer through the Great Tribulation. He considered denominationalism a mark of the Beast (Rev. 13:17). –Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, pp. 95,96.

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!

Branham believes he was the ONLY Prophet:

Branham said, “There never was in the age, any two major prophets on the earth at one time. There were many minor prophets, but there were one major prophet. And Elijah was the prophet until Elisha came. Then when Elijah was taking off, a portion, double portion, of Elijah’s Spirit, Elijah’s Spirit came upon Elisha.” —Our Hope is in God, 1951 (tape #51-0929)

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)

Many historical prophets did indeed prophesy at the same time as others. Several minor prophets did as well (e.g., Hosea & Micah; Haggai & Zechariah. Ezra 5:1,2 actually says, “Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a descendant of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadakset to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, helping them.” See also, Numbers 11:25-29). In fact, some Minor prophets prophesied at the same time as Major prophets (e.g., Hosea & Micah were contemporary with Isaiah; Habakkuk was contemporary with Jeremiah). But Mr. Branham’s most obvious error was in saying that God never sent two Major prophets at the same time. Of the four Major prophets, Daniel, Jeremiah and Ezekiel were all contemporaries during the years 595-587 BC. –http://people.delphiforums.com/johnk63/1prophet.htm

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 preaches a DIFFERENT gospel.

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)

“He’s [God]–He’s infinite, and He’s–He’s omnipresent, omniscient, therefore He knows all things. He can’t be present everywhere. By being omniscient, knowing all things, then He can be present everywhere.” –The Harvest Time, 1964 (tape #64-1212)

So because Branham believes that God is a ‘being’ and not ‘spirit’ he can’t be in more than one place at a time. He does however believe that God knows ‘all things’ hence He is omniscient, so it seems like God is everywhere, but He is not.

The bible says: Jeremiah 23:23-24

“Am I 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 not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.”

Branham DENIED the Deity of Jesus Christ:

Branham said; “The man, the body was not Deity, but Deity was in the body.” –God’s Gifts Always Find Their Places, December 22, 1963 (tape #63-1222)

“Jesus was not God, but He was God. He was a Man, yet He was God. He could cry, and yet He could raise the dead. He could cry for a man being dead and raise him back up again. He was Jehovah-jireh, Jehovah-rapha, Jehovah Manasses; He was Jehovah, all completely. He was Jehovah, and yet He was a Man.” –Questions and Answers #3, August 30, 1964 (tape #64-0830M)

“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 on 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.”

William Branham’s unsolved mysteries:

The Seventh Seal:

Branham believed that his interpretation of the 7 seals (Revelation, chapters 5-8) was essential in preparing his followers for Christ’s soon return. He spent the week of March 18 thru the 23, 1963, “revealing” the meaning of the first 6 seals from Revelation 6. However, on the evening he was to reveal the 7th seal, he did not explain its meaning. It remains a mystery to his followers to this day.

The Seven Thunders (Revelation 10:3,4):

Likewise, Branham spoke of the 7 Thunders, but never revealed what the voices spoke.

The Third Pull:

Although not a biblical mystery, Branham created a new mystery, speaking of a future phase of his ministry which he called the Third Pull. Not only did he fail to say what this phase of his ministry would accomplish, but he never fulfilled it before his death.  –http://people.delphiforums.com/johnk63/teachings.htm#unrevealed

William Branham’s terrible inconsistencies about a man who tried to prove him to be false:

William Branham sometimes warned his listeners against testing the authenticity of his gifts. Which is odd because the bible tells us to test the spirits. Never the less Branham indeed had an active imagination and most definitely liked to instill the fear of God into his follows too NOT test him. Branham would frequently tell his congregation about a man who tried to prove him to be false by writing fictitious illnesses on his prayer card, and then would stand in the prayer line expecting Branham to correctly identify his illnesses as mentioned on the prayer card. Every time Branham told this story, the outcome of what happened to his man would change:

  1. The man received the diseases that he wrote on his card and was still suffering from them (1953).
  2. The man had died from his diseases (1954).
  3. The man was bedfast “to this day” (1956).
  4. The man ran screaming from the auditorium when Mr. Branham publicly exposed his plan (1956).
  5. The man died a year after the incident (January 1957).
  6. The man was still in “serious condition” (June 1957)
  7. The man died 6 months after the incident from cancer (1958).
  8. The man was carried from the auditorium paralyzed and is still paralyzed (1958–note that in 1956 Mr. Branham said he ran screaming from the building).
  9. The man died on the platform sixty seconds after Mr. Branham exposed him (1961).
  10. The man died six weeks after the meeting (1962).

— http://people.delphiforums.com/johnk63/teachings.htm#unrevealed

So much for being man of God. This is called manipulation people, manipulation and lies belong in the same basket of rotten apples.

William Branham’s vision and the Cloud:

Once again it would seem that William Branham has a very over active imagination, or he just lied as went along to ‘prove’ himself to be a man of God. I have received a few emails over the last couple of months from people sending me images of this famous cloud as proof that Branham is a prophet. So I went and did some research and found out that this cloud appeared over Flagstaff which was 352 km / 219 miles from where Branham was having his vision on a mountain in Tucson. Now from what I have read it says this cloud was huge and could be seen from very very far away. However…

Branham says he was standing below it: “And now, the “Life” Magazine picked it up. And I have the–the article here this morning in the “Life” Magazine there, of the show… Now, here it is, the same time I was there. See the pyramid or the Cloud? I was standing just below this.” —William Branham, “Standing in the Gap,” TSW (sermon preached 6-23-63), 6:7, pp. 20-21

Hmmmm…. How could he be 219 miles from this cloud but yet at the same time be standing just below it…now that is a miracle!

Also Branham’s account or ‘count’ of how many angels he saw appear changed from 5 to 7 over a period of time. It changed from 5 to 7 angels so he could say these angels represented the ‘The Revelation of the Seven Seals’.

5 angels in vision on the mountain:   “And I, still in my … the two consciences together, I knew I was standing here, and I knew I was somewhere else. And I thought, “Now, this is a vision, and I must learn what this means.” And no more than the second group of birds came by, I looked to the west; and it looked like in the form of a pyramid—like two on each side with one in the top, came five of the mightiest angels I ever seen in my life. Such a terrific speed I never seen…. Their heads back and their pointed wings just sailing quickly.” –William Branham, “Reproach for the Word,” The Spoken Word (TSW), Spoken Word Publications (Jeffersonville, IN, sermon preached 12-23-62), 2:16, pp. 4-7

7 angels in the vision on the mountain:   “In December 1962 God gave William Branham a vision of an angelic visitation which he foretold in a message “Sirs is this the Time?” On February 28, 1963, the vision and prophecy was fulfilled when a constellation of seven angels, formed as the head of Christ, met him with a commission to speak the opening of the Seven Seals of Revelation. Life Magazine (May 17th 1963) carried the photograph (left figure) of this supernatural event, describing it as a “Mystery Cloud over Arizona.” –http://www.bibleway.org/wmb

I seem to be hmmmm’ing a lot while writing this article. It’s amazing, people will believe all sorts of lies and even when presented with the truth continue to hold fast to these lies for dear life. What for? Do you like to be lied too? Do you like to be deceived? Do you like to be made a fool of by non other than William Branham? But then I suppose that’s what deception does, it blinds one to the truth.

Conclusion:  1)  This cloud has absolutely nothing to do with William Branham’s vision,   2)  Satan can perform wonderous signs to capture the imagination of people who pretty much believe anything, except the Word of God.

The famous CloudWilliamBranhamCloud1 If you turn the cloud sideways you can apparently see an image of Jesus.WilliamBranhamCloud2

*  I am sure if one is on some hallucinatory drug you will be able to see a face of some kind.

William Brenham denies the Trinity:

Like the ‘Jesus-Only’ Pentecostals, Branham denied the Trinity doctrine teaching a form of Modalism. Instead of three Persons in the Godhead, Branham taught that there was only one Person (Jesus) going under different titles or modes at various times in history. Branham’s teaching is a variation of a second century heresy taught by Sabellius know as Modalistic Monarchianism or Patripassianism. –Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, pp. 727-28) and www.watchman.org/prOfile/branpro.htm.

Monarchianism: View found primarily in the third century that denied the Trinity, arguing that because God’s nature is one He cannot exist eternally in three Persons. The two most popular forms of monarchianism were dynamic monarchianism and modalism. –www.watchman.org/cat95.htm#Monarchianismm

The Trinity doctrine cannot be fully comprehended by finite man. However, any other view of the Godhead will not satisfy God’s self revelation in Scripture. Modalism teaches that there is only one Person in the Godhead functioning through relational “modes.” When He is in the Father mode, the Son and Spirit modes are not functional. In Matthew 3:13-17, however, the Son is baptized, the Spirit descends and the Father speaks. Also, “in the name of” (Matthew 28:19) or in the authority of does not limit the nature of God’s unity to one Person but connotes equality of essence within the Godhead (2 Corinthians 13:14).  –www.watchman.org/prOfile/branpro.htm

William Branham view on baptism:

Branham claimed that proper baptism was needed to avoid the “Mark of the Beast” of denominational churches and escape the danger of missing the rapture and entering the Tribulation. Proper baptism must be in the name of Jesus only. Baptism with the Trinitarian formula of Matthew 28:18 (“in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”) is unacceptable to God.

If an incorrect formula was spoken during baptism, Branham felt the convert would go into darkness. “But a tritheist, triune baptism was never recognized in the Church, the New Testament… Now you know what to do, that’s right; and if you refuse to walk in Light when Light’s brought forth, you turn to darkness. Right! Amen!” –Conduct, Order, Doctrine Q and A, pp. 178, 181, 182, 184, 190).

Baptism in the name of Jesus only may have been the early practice in the Jerusalem church. However, all manuscripts of Matthew 28:19 have the Trinitarian formula as being commissioned by Jesus. One document, dating from A.D. 60, the Didache, prescribes the Matthew formula (Father, Son and Holy Ghost) for baptism within the church. Regardless of the formula, baptism is not a requirement for being raptured or avoiding the Tribulation. Full salvation is by grace though faith and not of works such as baptism (Ephesians 2:8-9).  –www.watchman.org/prOfile/branpro.htm

Something interesting William Branham once said:

“167 I was talking on the Name of Jesus Christ baptism. That’s right, a revelation of that come. That’s the Truth. But what did a bunch of people do? Gathered it right out here and put a denomination out of it, made another tower of Babel, same thing, throw edit right into it. Certainly. Luther done the same thing. Wesley done the same thing; John Smith done the same thing, Alexander Campbell done the same thing. Pentecost done the same thing. God deals with individuals keeping His Word. God’s only plan to bring believers to Himself in a true oneness is receiving the Holy Ghost. Then here’s how…You say, “Well, Brother Branham, I spoke in tongues. I shouted. I did this.” If you still got that kind of a spirit and deny the Word of God, you haven’t got the Word of God in you; you haven’t got the Spirit. If you’ll set and hear the Truth preached, and look It up in the Bible, and see It’s the Truth, and then refuse to do it, that’s not the Spirit of God. I don’t care how much you spoke in tongues, how much you shouted, how much churches you belonged to, or how many times you was baptized, or anything else. The Word is truth. That’s what vindicates the truth. If you got all these other truths and then with the Word (Amen.), then you know you’re coming home.” –Oneness (62-0211)

So if we reversed this and said, “Well, William Branham, you spoke in tongues, you shouted, you did this and that, and you healed, and you prophesied, and you had visions, and you saw angels, and you had revelations and you spoke words that God supposedly told you to speak. Then surely if you’ve got that kind of a spirit but at the SAME TIME deny the Word of God / deny Jesus Christ, then you William Branham haven’t got the Word of God in you; you haven’t got the Spirit.


William Branham - A man and his Angel - by Mike Oppenheimer

Discerning the World had this to say:  “Mike Oppenheimer from Let us Reason Ministries has released an extraordinarily well researched book exposing the incredible practices and false teachings of William Branham. Branham is the father of the satanically inspired Latter Rain Movement that has completely engulfed the church with it’s ‘unholy spirit of fire’.  I urge all to get this book and read it, you will not be disappointed if you are seeking the Truth – your eyes will surely be opened.”

PDF book on William Branham (over 900 pages)

A Man and His angel- A Biblical examination of William Branham’s Practices and Teachings

Click here to get book:  http://www.letusreason.org/bookw.branham.htm


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Deborah (Discerning the World)

Deborah Ellish is the author of the above article. Discerning the World is an internet Christian Ministry based in Johannesburg South Africa. Tom Lessing and Deborah Ellish both own Discerning the World. For more information see the About this Website page below the comments section.

420 Responses

  1. Discerning The World says:

    Ahhh so you’re expecting Branham to rise from the dead and be this prophet?

  2. Discerning The World says:

    >> Notice that God places william Branham in Mal 4 to the gentiles.

    Really?? Then why can’t I see his name in Malichah 4? Did he drum this into his little followers like a broken record and now they are battling to think for themselves?

    Lets think a bit, all prophecies in the bible point towards Jesus Christ the Son of God. Then Jesus was born of the Holy spirit and died on the cross that his blood will wash away our sins for those who REPENT only. Jesus then rose and is now seated at the right hand of our Heavnely father.

    Jesus then sent us the comforter – being the Holy Spirit for those who are truly save. The Apostles and Disciples went out and preached the message to far places. Probably 98% Geniles…So what you are saying is that Branham is now the prophet for the gentires? Hmmmmmmm so he replaces Jesus and the Word of God, because Jesus IS the Word and the Word was made flesh.

    I find it exceptionally disturbing when mere humans come along…oopppsss sorry Branham was an Angel? eh? Anyhow I find it disturbing when people try do their best to get their names mentioned or interpretated into scripture.

    That’s like knocking Jesus and the bible out of the way to be replaced by Branham’s scriptures which he then wanted included in the bible. Thank goodness for smart people out there who turned him down.

    Shame, I’ll give him some credit though, he really did try hard to deceived the masses and he did succeed rather wll. Thanks to Branham we would not have the likes of Todd ‘the tattood’ Bentley, Kenneth ‘I am God’ Copeland, Benny ‘How Great thou art’ Hinn. and a few hundred other false teachers.

    That indeed does take skill. I am impressed lol.

  3. conrad edwards says:

    according to the scripture, mal 4 v 5+6, rev 10v7, math 17 v11, zech 14v7, Acts 3v21, joel 2 v25, between the 6th and seventh trumpet a prophet is to appear. who hath ears to hear will hear.

  4. conrad edwards says:

    This prophet is not to the jews but to the gentiles.
    Math 24 v 31 is the fifth time the spirit of elijah is used. Notice that God places william Branham in Mal 4, to the gentiles, Being the 4th time the spirit of elijah is used. Not even a fool could miss that.

  5. Seth Tetteh says:

    That is God made flesh; Eligah

  6. Discerning The World says:

    Seth

    >> That is God made flesh; Eligah

    Eligah Wood the actor?? No way!! PS it’s not Eligah, it’s Elijah.

    Listen Seth, go read your bible. And God made flesh is Jesus Christ!

  7. Eleazar says:

    The very problem with American is that they do not know the Bible. William Branham did some mistakes but he had the best understanding of the Bible.

    I am sure that you don’t know about modalism or sabellianism.Nor about the historical background of ontological trinity.

    You don’t know that some of our rabbis like Eliezer agree in some point about the Serpent Seed.You have not any knowledge about some medieval traditions. You will repeat that Branham got it from Moon.

    You can only repeat what your pretentious theologians can teach you about Nicea and other doctrines. Maybe you ignore that some of your nicean fathers were sabellian. That before Nicea, there were not any ontological trinity?

    We cannot accept the the trinitarian God is the G.od of our fathers. It is not possible… You have better to worship Zeus or Odin but don’t pretend that Paul or Peter were trinitarian

  8. Discerning The World says:

    Wt? Welll….that says a lot…or not.

  9. Discerning The World says:

    Rufus

    I wonder if you comment like this about people who preach a false gospel? Nahh…
    I wonder if you think you are the only sober person around? Does that include or exclude being drunk in the spirit?

    Btw, make sure you make sober comments because the, “I am yet to make my judgement on….” and the “I suggest you leave the judgment to…open minded researches” is just plain stupid.

  10. rufus says:

    Am yet to reach my jugment on William marion Branham. I have been researching on the man for sometimes now, but one thing that is emerging consistently in all his critics is the hollowness of their attacks. They are empty of scriptural basis and basic theology!. I suggest you leave the jugment, prying and analysis on sober, neutral and open minded researchers.

  11. Discerning The World says:

    Eleazar

    >> Oriental can more appreciate….Our manner to study the Scriptures is more transtextual than contextual….But let me tell you….If you study the history of the Church you will understand the there is not any trace of ontological trinity before Constantinople….the trinitarian doctrine is the result of 10 centuries debates….About the Serpent Seed, some rabbis agree with it….

    See how I managed to summarise all your nonsense above into 3 sentences. You could have saved yourself so much time.

    >> As you are American……you cannot pray in order to have a revelation of that

    And no I am not American. If you pray more I am sure you will receive more reveltation about this instead of just guessing like you did with everything else you wrote.

  12. Eleazar says:

    There is something that a Oriental can more appreciate than an American. Our manner to study the Scriptures is more transtextual than contextual. I was surprised to see that an American without any theologian background could understand the Scriptures better than a lot of so-called learned pastors.

    The very reason of the rejection of Branham is his non-trinitarian doctrines. But let me tell you that all important theologians like Karl Barth, Karl Rahner, Emile Brunner and Alexandre Westphal rejected implicitly(Karl Barth and Karl Rahner) or explicitly the trinitarian doctrine. If you study the history of the Church you will understand the there is not any trace of ontological trinity before Constantinople. Ireneaus is clear when is writing that the “Son is the visible of the Father and the Father is the invisible of the Son”. Tertullian believed in the economical trinity, there are some traces of immanent trinity in him after he accepted Montanus as the Pareklete. Origen and Justin were explicitly tritheist.

    You ignore that the orthodox form of the trinitarian doctrine is the result of 10 centuries debates, the last step being the adoption of the famous “Filioque”. As you are American, you will accept the “Filioque”. You may ignore that Calvin explained the trinity in prenicean terms rejecting implicitly the ontological trinity. Jan Huss rejected the traditional doctrine of trinity.

    About the Serpent Seed, some rabbis agree with it. There are a lot of suggesting elements about the doctrine in the Bible but as you are full of a so-called knowledge, you cannot pray in order to have a revelation of that.

    Branham did some mistakes. But do not forget that Augustin was racist and he was the father of the “christian” terrorism. Calvin lead Geneva as Mollah Omar and killed Servetus. Luther agree with the murder of thousand poor Germans. Try to be honest with yourself: Branham had an authentic christian life. What about you?

    Eleazar

  13. Eleazar says:

    Ok, before to criticize William Branham, start with your fathers like Justin and Augustin. The writings of Augustin remind me sometimes the sermons of Ben Laden.

  14. Discerning The World says:

    >> your fathers like Justin and Augustin

    Guessing again…

  15. Ray says:

    Didn’t William Branham says that Eve had sexual intercourse with the serpent?

    How can some people be the descendents of Cain today (per Branham’s teaching) when all of the descendents of Cain would have died in the flood?

    Didn’t Branham say that there were three primary ways that God revealed truth to man: The Bible, the Zodiac and the Giza Pyramids?

    If one goes to google images, one can see pictures of the larege stone pyramid that Branham was buried under.

    What say you?

  16. Ray says:

    Oops… I meant to say “large” concerning the stone pyramid.

    Google the following at Google Images: William Branham pyramid grave

    Very interesting.

  17. Discerning The World says:

    son,o,God

    I could not be bothered if he is under the pyramid or not (which he is and proves he follows occult teaching)….The main point is that basically everything he taught is utterly disturbing. I gave enough examples in the article. And yes he is gone, thanks goodness, but his false teachings continues as on as though it has a life force. And this force is of a false spirit spreading false teaching via people who point blankely refuse to listen to the Word of God.

    *Ponder* Oh heck no, please don’t all go running around telling the B-Mites that Branham’s life carries on in the Latter Rain.

  18. son,o,God says:

    truely some of you folks need to do your home work,Bro,Branham is not buried under that pyamid,its just a memorial!,,,Along side of it is His and his wifes grave,,Call Voice of God Recordings and ask! or go look for yourself. I cant beleive any of yous are true beleivers and run some one down with out checking the Facts,,Mostly the Baptist denomiation who dont beleive in gifts of the Holy Spirit are the loud mouth persecutors of W.Branham,,,And exactly what signs and wonders follow you people??Mark 16; read whole ch. If you care to,,These signs will follow those who truely beleive,,And finally yous are like beating a dead horse,This guy has been gone for over 40 years!!!

  19. Ray says:

    son,o,God,

    People need to do their reasearch?

    Puhleeze. You are one to talk…

    You need to research the word of God and see that Branham’s teaching on Eve having sexual relations with the serpent was obviously false.

    It was perverted of Branham to entertain the tought, much less teach, that Eve had sexual relations with the serpent.

    Barf.

  20. Discerning The World says:

    Eleazar

    >> God gives the possibility for the pagans to understand something of his will.

    You kidding? So God uses the occult so pagans will understand Him. Rigghtttttt….

  21. Eleazar says:

    My fathers are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Your fathers proved to be the spiritual sons of Cain because they killed a lot of non-trinitarians.

    About the stars, the very problems you are ignorant of the rabbinical teachings. God freed Israel from their influence, but no the pagans.

    God used stars to lead wise men, “magos” in greek or “mogh” in Persian to Bethlehem but He used Angels with the Word to announce it to shepherds. This is the difference that you are able to understand.

    God gives the possibility for the pagans to understand something of his will.

  22. Discerning The World says:

    Eleazar

    Not sure what you are trying to say. Pick one:

    * So what you’re saying is that Wiliam Branham was one of the wise men hence he could never peach lies?
    * That Matthew 24 actually means nothing and Jesus’ warning is null and void because ‘so called’ wise men like Branham could in no way be of the devil?

    The Bible tells us that the THREE wise men from the east came to find Jesus Christ the Son of God. They were used by Herod who lied to them that he wanted to worship the child, instead Herod wanted to kill Him.

    Then God warned the 3 Wise men by saying:

    Matthew 2:2

    12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

    They were called WISE because they were godly men, they came to find Jesus based on biblical prophecy.

    >> Maybe you think like Jehovah witnesses that the Devil sent the star?

    Righttttttt….remember you are the one who believes in William Branham who believes in cult teaching. Come now, pay attention.

    —-

    Right no more answers from me Eleazar, you speak nothing but nonsense, you in no way quote scripture correctly, not that you have actually quoted verses…and I am not here to sit and hold your hand while I constantly un-twist the scripture you keep twisting. The Holy Spirit speaks to everyone, everyone knows the truth, but you have the choice to listen to the truth of the Word of God or reject it.

    Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, repent of your sin, be genuinely born again.

    If you don’t want too…then that’s your problem.

  23. Eleazar says:

    Read again Matthew 2, I am sure that the wise men were not possessed by the Devil. Maybe you think like Jehovah witnesses that the Devil sent the star?

    [Edited by DTW] I see you edited you post and fixed the end of your sentence “Maybe you think like Jehovah witnesses that the Devil sent the star?” I will reply below accordingly.

  24. Discerning The World says:

    truebride99

    >> message believer

    It would appear any message

  25. truebride99 says:

    hi iam a message believer and i recently passed on this website if you could only allow me to comment on something

    first of all at any one point in time Br. Branham never implied himself to be a prophet if thereis a messeage please hand it over to me. this is a title many people gave as a result of supernatural vindications of his ministry

    from 1947 -1963 his post-world war healing evangelical ministry swept across the world . it is notable hard to refute that fact many were raised from the dead ,blind men recieved their sight and the true gospel as did during pentecost by the apostles peter paul apollos was preached
    during his his revival ministry

    remember in the book of Joel 2.28 God gave a promise all the years the palmerworm cankerworm cartepillar and locusts had eaten God was to restore

    all his mnistry brought made the scriptures john 14.12 hebrews 13.8 to be true to form

    as supposedly the spirit of elijah was to come before the the great and dreadful day of the lord and restore the pentecostal faith that was once experienced in the days of peter and the great apostles to turn the hearts of the children to the pentecostal fathers “malachi 4:5-6”

    FURTHER VINDICATION

    Consider these scriptures: MALACHI 4:5-6: “Behold, I
    will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great
    and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart
    of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to
    their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”

    “Only God’s ELECTED few will be able to receive the full
    understanding of these mysteries in the Scriptures.
    Others who are not, will simply continue to hold to manmade
    dogmas, creeds, rituals, and religious traditions
    to merit their own salvation. “In vain you do worship Me,
    teaching for doctrine the commandments of men”. That’s
    what Jesus told the Pharisees. “There seemeth a way
    that’s right to a man, but the end thereof is the ways of
    death.” It’s always death to trust in the sinking sands of
    man’s ideas. The elect will only walk in the way of God’s
    Bible. The elect of God will hunger and thirst only for the
    fresh manna of the Word that’s revealed in the age that
    they are living in. And this is that Word. Receive it.”

    Is This Ministry A
    Fulfillment Of Prophecy?
    “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his
    secret unto his servants the prophets.” -Amos 3:7

    God’s pattern of dealing with His people has always
    included the sending of prophets. The prophet Amos informs
    us that God does “nothing” without a prophetic forerunner,
    and even a surface study of scriptural history will uncover this
    to be exactly as stated. Seldom was there a prophet who spoke
    the words of God who was not greeted with skepticism,
    rejection and abuse!

    the world’s attitude towards God doesnt change neither does the ways of Almighty God change himself
    “I am God and i change not” malachi 3

    remember even our lord jesus predicted his coming that is elias of malachi 4 not of malachi 3 because of malachi 3 was john the baptist

    Matthew 17:10-12 “Why then
    say the scribes that Elias must first come?” “… But I say unto
    you, That Elias is come already and they knew him not …”
    speaking of John the Baptist. Secondly, “And Jesus answered
    and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all
    things.” Speaking of a future forerunner to precede Christ’s
    second coming.
    Mark 16:17-18 a reality to us which state this,
    “And these SIGNS shall follow them that believe;
    In my Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak
    with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if
    they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them;
    they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

    remember his teachings on
    1.serpents seed
    2.the rapture
    3.true & false vine

    though hard to digest

    they fuflill

    revelation 10:7

    one last point is i lay the challenge across on any man who can stand up to his feet and said pointing directly to himself that he William Marrion Branham was the messenger
    of malachi 4 rev 10:7

  26. Kelvin says:

    GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOU ALL FOR BELIEVING THIS IGNORANT AND UNLEARNED PERSON WHO WROTE THIS. REVELATION 3:14-18 ALL YOU WHO BELIEVES THAT THIS PRECIOUS BROTHER IS OF THE DEVIL, YOU ARE THE ONES FULLFILLING THIS!!! NO WONDER SO MANY CHURCHES ARE DEAD NOWADAY BECAUSE YOU ALL ARE REJECTING JESUS AND ARE ABOUT TO CRUCIFY HIM!!! I PRAY FOR YOU ALL THAT GOD ONE DAY WILL OPEN ALL YOUR EYES.BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD.AND NO I AM NOT A BRANHAMITE. I BELIEVE THAT BROTHER BRANHAM WAS A MAN THAT GOD WAS IN. USING HIM AND VIDICATING HIS WORD.GOD BLESS YOU ALL MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON US ALL

  27. Discerning The World says:

    Kelvin

    >> I BELIEVE THAT BROTHER BRANHAM WAS A MAN THAT GOD WAS IN

    We know, we know…I already said this in the above article, that Branham thought he was the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.

  28. Bloodwashed says:

    Hi all, new to this blog. The Branham adherants must “Awake to righteousness!” Beware you build on another foundation, (1 Cor3). Beware you heed seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, (1 Tim 4v1). Beware you test not the spirits to see if they be of God (1 John 4v6). Beware for in the last days many shall be decieved (Mat 24v5). Beware you follow another Jesus, with another spirit and another gospel (2 Cor 11 v 3-4). Beware the ministers of light! Beware the subtlty of Satan! Beware the wrath of God! Beware!

  29. Bloodwashed says:

    Did I forget to say BEWARE!

  30. AriseMyLove says:

    Branham and Bill Hamon need to be exposed, unveiled shown up for the liars of Christ they are.

    Branham, like all prophets of Baal, sees women through hatefilled eyes. He was an illiterate misogynist. He did not know the Word well either; I remain astonished at his poor understanding of the Bible and his tendency to “add” words and phrases that were not in the Scripture text.

    This is due to the fact that Branham was demonized by that weird “angel” he spoke to when he asked people to shut their eyes so he could “pray” for them.

    He certainly is the forefather of other brute and women haters like Todd Bentley and Bob Jones and Paul Cain.

    Women in the charismatic church need to take note that Jesus was no misogynist; He actually elevated the position of women in the culture.

    I’ve noticed that Branham’s NAR brand of female hatred breeds the whorishness and simony of Cindy Jacobs and other women in the movement.

    This alone shows the real spirit behind Branhamism.

    And thanks DTW, I haven’t been here for months and I think this is the first time I’ve posted. I really want to help show up WMBranham for the liar he was. I remain astonished at what a boring ignoramus he was.

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