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. Dear Theo

    So you think its best to follow both William Branham and Jesus Christ. You place William Branham on Jesus’ level. If they are the same lelvel according to you, then Braham must also be a mediator just like Jesus Christ is?

  2. Stones says:

    Ray wrote:

    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.

    Tell us what happened then bro. Was it apples or what? that would make them to realise they are naked.

  3. Genesis 2:25 and 3:1 are typical examples of a Hebrew wordplay. Adam and eve were naked (‛ârôm) and unaware of Satan’s craftiness (‛ârûm) and therefore vulnerable to deception. The only safeguard they had against being deceived was to obey God’s command not to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. No one knows what the fruit was. Nonetheless, there was nothing supernatural in the tree’s fruit. God merely used it as a vehicle to represent his command. The notion that Eve had sex with the serpent is not only unbiblical but ludicrous to its very root. it makes a mockery of God and his command.

  4. thomas t says:

    as it was in the days of Noah so shall it be………. people hardly believe fulfillment in their day, Jesus Christ was named king of devils; servant is not more that his master.

    the foolishness of the gospel is power to the saved.if you do not believe him, his accounts shall be a witness against you. remember, every move of God brings life to his chosen and Death to the lost. we live to see…!

  5. Thomas t

    I cannot make out what you believe. You half quoted Scripture without telling us what you believe. If you are a Branhamite and following a stranger the following applies:

    And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. (Joh 10:4-5)

    Are you following the stranger called Branham?

  6. Schadrac says:

    Salut,
    je connais pas vraiment l’anglais mais je peux comprendre quelque écrite là dessus.
    frères et soeurs écrivains, on ne preche pas Christ avec esprit de dispute. il nous faut être humble devant Dieu pour Le comprendre.Alors si Branham a raison de tout ce qu’il a prêché, vous qui le comprenez mal, où serez-vous après l’histoire terrestre. Apôtre Paul avait dit qu’il était romain alors qu’il ne l’était pas, Moïse a frappé le roché deux fois, David avait pris la femme d’autrui, la nudité de Noé était vue par son fils pendant qu’il était soulé, Sarah avait ri quand le Dieu tout puissant était allé les visité, … Alors tous les noms que jeviens de cité sont des saints vivant au ciel. il faut faire attention quand vous jugez les affaires ou les hommes de Dieu.
    laissez moi vous dire que, quand quelqu’un vole, Dieu n’est pas dans son vol; Dieu n’est pas dans les injures, ivrognerie, tabac, viol, assassinat,…
    Dieu est là où il y a sa Parole: la fourmie est la Parole de Dieu exprimée, la pierre est la Parole de Dieu exprimée, c’est claire que Dieu puisse la voire.
    Ne rejetez pas la Parole de Dieu quand il vous est offerte.
    God bless you!

  7. William Branham was a false prophet. Period!

  8. Tito says:

    I belief in William Mario Branham and he is the only profect of the hour.
    Made the Lord forgive everyone who said he is a False prefect.

    I said it again he is the profect of the hour,
    God bless you

  9. You are not supposed to believe in anyone or anything for your salvation other than Jesus Christ.

  10. S E Batchelor says:

    Just some scriptures
    4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.

    5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:

    6 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.

    Prophecy Fulfilled

    Matthew 17

    1And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 6And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 8And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

    9And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. 10And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? 11And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. 12But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. 13Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

    My interest is especially focused on ‘This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased hear ye Him’ Peter wanted to build a tabernacles to Moses and Elijah They disappeared and left Jesus only. Jesus was the one spoken of in the law (of Moses) and the Prophets (represented by Elijah) he was the fulfillment of the law and the prophets and we were told to hear Him.

    Rev 11
    11 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.” 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

    7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

    11 But after the three and a half days the breath[b] of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.

    This has yet to be fulfilled.

    Salvation comes through Jesus Christ. Whoever believes in his heart that Jesus Christ is Lord then you shall be saved.
    Paul admonishes us not to engage in disputings that only engender strife. Let a person search the scriptures.. They speak of me (Jesus) Luke 16 v 39Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
    The thief on the cross understood the crux of the matter when he said ‘Lord.. Then one of the criminals who was hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’ But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.’” (Luke 23:39-43)

    The thief acknowledged Jesus Christ as Lord. He did not have time to be baptized, believe any particular doctrine He was a thief breaking the commandment Thou shalt not steal. However he was saved.
    Many there are who believe wrong or right things do wrong or right that even on their death ‘bed’ accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and go to heaven leaving many religiously righteous ones not accepting him as Lord and savior. I remember seeing a man who was very convincingly arguing in the distance against the bible and Christianity. Many people took out the bible and had heated arguments which were unconvincing and the man seemed to be winning the argument. I asked the Lord to send him over to me. He immediately left the large crowd and came over to where I was, with his back to me. I said how do you know that what you are saying is true. He said he would not speak to anyone who was a Christian. I told him I was saved as a child when Jesus himself came and saved and washed me from my sin. I grew up in a non Christian household. Anyhow he said OK I will listen to you. He came up to me and I said When you are dying no matter what sins you have committed, if you accept Jesus Christ as Lord he will save you and take you to heaven. He nodded, went completely quiet and stood staring off into the distance then went on his way. So my belief is that argument is not necessary. Tit for tat and getting emotionally hyped in putting forward our viewpoint is unnecessary and causes divisions and strife. I always remember the scripture James 3 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
    18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
    God Bless you all.
    Remember God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him shall be saved. Amen. Peace… I’m out!

  11. You wrote a very long comment just to say “So my belief is that argument is not necessary. Tit for tat and getting emotionally hyped in putting forward our viewpoint is unnecessary and causes divisions and strife.”

    Was Jesus causing strife and division when He said: “Take heed that no man deceive you”? (Matthew 24:4)

    Was Paul causing division and strife when he said: “For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.” (1 Corinthians 11:18-19).

    Was Paul causing strife and division when he wrote:

    But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Gal 1:8-9)

    William Branham preached a false Christ. Read this article.

    You wrote your comment in response to “William Branham – A False Prophet.” Are you a Branhamite who believed that he was Elijah and do you believe he was the prophet Elijah returned?

  12. S E Batchelor says:

    I am so sorry for being long winded but I just wanted to share the scriptures Malichi 4 referring to ‘ the Elijah’ that would come to herald Jesus Christ, namely John the Baptist as stated by Jesus in Matthew 17. It also emphasizes that the Father wanted us to know that we should ‘hear’ Jesus and that he was fulfilling what was prophesied in ‘the law’ (of Moses) and ‘the prophets’ (represented by Moses). I wanted to present the surrounding scripture verses to reveal the concept. The third scripture reference Rev 11 is for those who believe that a person in the recent past was one of the two prophets mentioned in Rev 11 are mistaken as this has not occurred as yet. Again I apologize for being too long winded.I hope this helps somewhat. God Bless!

  13. John the Baptist denied that he was the prophet Elijah.

    And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. (Joh 1:21)

    You didn’t answer my question. Are you a Branhamite?

  14. Paul says:

    With so many denominations and different doctrines, which is the true church of Jesus Christ? She needs to be here… this was to receive the groom.

    “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”
    1 Corinthians 11:2.

    “….just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
    26 to make her holy, cleansing [^2] her by the washing with water through the word,
    27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” Ephesians 5.

    What theologian will bring the word exactly as it was believed and understood in the apostles’ time?

    Paul

  15. Hi Paul. You asked:

    What theologian will bring the word exactly as it was believed and understood in the apostles’ time?

    When Peter did not walk uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, Paul rebuked him before all the others (Gal 2:14; 1 Tim 5:20), Peter did not rebel or refused to obey Paul. He immediately repented. That’s the difference between the true apostles of that time and today’s false apostles. First of all, I don’t believe that any of today’s so-called apostles, pastors, and teachers who preach another Gospel and another Jesus are saved. Paul wrote about these charlatans in 2 Corinthians.

    For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2 Co 11:13-14)

    Moreover, it is your duty as a Berean to study the Word of God for yourself so that you may be able to discern whatever anyone else says or preaches is in harmony with God’s revealed Word. None of us on this site claim to know everything and we too may err. Therefore, it is your duty to scrutinize everything we say here in the light of God’s Word. If what we say is not in harmony with God’s revealed Word, then you should show us from Scripture that we are in the wrong, in the very same way Paul did with Peter.

  16. Kranti Satuluri says:

    Absolute Right information to be aware of False Prophets and This kind of Wolfs under Sheep skins. I 100% agree with you Ms. Deborah. God Bless you greatly and thanking you so much for sharing such a valuable information. Now a days people are believe in this kind of self centered propaganda in the name of God thorough Prosperity, Prophecy, Healing and Blessings out of the scripture and against the Scripture. When i heard about Branham i was astonished how foolish this whole story and false ministry carrying of Branham. There is no Prophet after Jesus Christ, whatever we do receive from God is through only Spirit of God. If its not been based on Scripture then its against word and will of God. If people study Holy Bible and understand with mind and heart “we do not need any Prophet but servants of God to preach Gospel and lead the Church towards like individual daily transforming lives.

  17. Elyssa Barrett Estes says:

    False. Definitely false. I am very intune and empathetic- I cannot “connect” with this fellow and feel no love. The only reason I found out about this dude was the book ‘our nation is God.” You need to be careful who and what you believe. I follow Jesus and no one else. I also published a book, about cults and deceptive religion, Bondage To Shalom. In fact, the Israeli author wrote some things that made me angry that my spirit could never agree with. When I read him adulatting his…guru, I thought Uh oh- and I know better. I believe this man is to be investigated not to be capitulated to. Don’t toss your Bibles folks! Remember that God IS with us and praying in the name of Jeses IS valid!

  18. Mark says:

    Once again William Branham is full of inconsistencies and engrossed errors which is shown in his denial of the Biblical Trinity. He is a false prophet that made predictions that never came through proving that he is a liar.

  19. Mark says:

    People need to read the Word of God for themselves and stop relying on those that claim to have TRUTH when then they don’t have it at all. William Branham is not God and he is not a real prophet neither. Only Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords and King of Kings and the one and only true God in the Bible.

    Isaiah 42:8;
    I am the LORD: that is my name: my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

    William Branham is being shown reverence as if he is the complete authority that is infallible in his teachings which is erroneous in itself. Anyone who denies the Father also denies the Son and you can’t circumvent that which is in accordance to the Word of God. The Bible is TRUTH, the Word of God is TRUTH and William Marrion Branham is not the TRUTH.

  20. Kenneth Mutale says:

    God bless you. I hope by writing as you do will get you closer to the Kingdom of God. Ignorance is not an excuse. One of these days there will be a showdown. There will be a RAPTURE and only genuine believers will be taken. I hope you have a Message and a LIFE that is worthy going into this Rapture. Our prophet has taught us that: “NOTHING WILL MAKE IT EXCEPT PERFECT LOVE”; even as our Lord Jesus Christ said: “…BE YE PERFECT AS YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT.” (Matthew 5:48)

    While we are busy saying that we will go to Heaven, let us examine our lives. Are we living according to God’s Word? Remember God will not judge us by our denominational standards. He will use His Word. For His Word is His LAW that we are required to abide by and failure to do so will result in condemnation on the Day of Judgement. (John 12:48; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:16; Romans 3:6; 1Corithians 4:5; 1Peter 4:4-7) Remember Satan got kicked out of Heaven due to sin (iniquity). Ezekiel 28:15.

  21. Enzo della corte says:

    Im not following any church right now,, and have not enough knowledge to have a discussion, but i remember when i was younger reading that Branham empasized that he PREDICTS not PHOPHESIDE that the world wil end in 1977″ so if you write that inacuratley about Branham who’s to say everything else you wrote is accurate???

    Discerning The World wrote:

    Samuel

    The article is self explanitory, like reading an article in a magazine..not that difficult to understand, just like the bible, easy to undertand.

    Go read this never the less…

  22. Enzo

    You say you ‘remember’? How do we know your memory is good? Find me proof please.

  23. enzo della corte says:

    it’s in one of his booklets, imfrget which title,it’s in, it may be in the 7’church ages, you must know more about him so i’m sure you can find where he predicted not phophesied, ?

  24. Dear enzo della corte :hi:

    Following a false teacher after ignoring ALL the evidence that proves him false is not smart.

    I went to check, seeing that you could not or would not. Branham had 7 prophetic visions in Jun 1933 where a voice spoke to him. That is a prophecy.

    By the way Satan can too predict/prophecy the future and give visions to people that are accurate. He can ‘prophecy’ the future that he (Satan) creates – bringing evil men to power to destroy. So don’t bet all your money on Branham being a true prophet of God because he ‘predicts’ the future correctly.

    Magicians in Pharaoh’s court turned sticks into live snakes (Exodus 7:12), how more so can Branham predict the future with Satan’s help.

  25. Leticia Moodley says:

    Deuteronomy 18:21-22; 1 John 4:1 says that we are to test prophets and their subsequent prophecies. Since W Branhams prophecies were documented and made (on his tapes) AFTER the acts had already taken place, how can you justify them as being true? And even when he did prophecy after the fact his accounts were still inconsistent whenever he retold them. On the rare occasion that W Branham made a prophecy BEFORE hand (e.g egg shaped cars after the war, sinking of LA after the Alaskan earthquake, meetings in India of a certain capacity, having a large tent for his ministry etc.) All of which he punctuated with a “Thus saith the Lord”, none of these prophecies were fulfilled. Now you can argue that they are still to be fulfilled but the fact is that according to the Bible they must take place EXACTLY as the prophet stated them. In a later account relayed to his son by W Branham: William Branham told his son Billy Paul that sharks would swim in downtown Los Angeles before he was an old man. Billy Paul was born in 1935 and is now 83 and LA has not sunk.

    W Branhams prophecies have been tested and found to be untrue, the Bible says that if that’s the case you should not be afraid of them. You dont need Jesus and W Branham, you just need Jesus, Him alone, He who came to die on the cross and save you from your sins. And dont let anyone tell you otherwise, this is not the Old Testament, we are no longer lead by “Major” prophets as they were, because we already have the Word of God available to us and that is the Bible. Full and complete, requiring no additions like W Branhams bizarre moral codes.

  26. Praveen says:

    @Deborah, Praise God for you. My father’s brother has been caught by Brenham militants and has converted him to one of them, he has been pestering me to listen to Brenham’s teaching and sends me endless messages of his followers. I first listened to him just to understand his side of the story as I didnt know anything about this dangerous cult, but my God, I mean are the believers of Brenham drugged to believe his nonsense? I couldnt stand the hollowness of his and his follower’s understanding of the scriptures who twist and turn the biblical truth as waxed nose to serve their purposes.

    I am happy i find this blog and this article in particular. And reading the comments I still can’t believe brenhamites still have something to say and defend nonsense they spread.

  27. Dear Praveen

    Yes it is shocking isn’t it. What’s more shocking is that Branham’s teaching has infiltrated the entire Pentecostal church as it stands today, it’s called Latter Rain doctrine.

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