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edits
The Token: Difference between revisions
→What the Bible teaches
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:''And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation)—when you believed in Christ—you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit, who is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.<ref>Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Eph 1:13–14.</ref> | :''And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation)—when you believed in Christ—you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit, who is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.<ref>Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Eph 1:13–14.</ref> | ||
It doesn't say "when you've cleaned yourself up". It says, "''when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation)—when you believed in Christ—you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit." | '''It doesn't say "when you've cleaned yourself up".''' It says, "''when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation)—when you believed in Christ—you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit." | ||
How many in the message have tried to "apply the token" to their home with William Branham's long list of rules? How many people have lived in fear that "the token" was not properly applied to their | How many in the message have tried to "apply the token" to their home with William Branham's long list of rules? How many people have lived in fear that "the token" was not properly applied to their household? | ||
But when you look closely | But when you look closely at Acts 16:31 (which William Branham referenced relating to the token) you get a different picture: | ||
:''They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”<ref>Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Ac 16:31.</ref> | :''They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”<ref>Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Ac 16:31.</ref> | ||
In other words, there is nothing we can do to justify ourselves to God. The only righteousness that God accepts comes “apart from law” (Rom. 3:21). | |||
It has nothing to do with meeting a set of laws and ordinances! | It has nothing to do with meeting a set of laws and ordinances! | ||
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If the token for Israel was the blood of a lamb over the doorpost, and the token for us is the Blood of Jesus Christ on the doorpost of our hearts, then we must honor what the Blood of Christ represents: | If the token for Israel was the blood of a lamb over the doorpost, and the token for us is the Blood of Jesus Christ on the doorpost of our hearts, then we must honor what the Blood of Christ represents: | ||
:'' In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, | :'' In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight...<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Eph 1:7–8.</ref> | ||
The Bible specifically tells us that '''it is not by works'''. | The Bible specifically tells us that '''it is not by works'''. | ||
:''So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. | :''So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ro 11:5–6.</ref> | ||
:''Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded! By what principle? Of works? No, but by the principle of faith!<ref>Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Ro 3:27.</ref> | :''Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded! By what principle? Of works? No, but by the principle of faith!<ref>Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Ro 3:27.</ref> | ||
William Branham also referenced Ephesians 4:30 | |||
:''You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.<ref>Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Eph 4:29–30.</ref> | |||
There is no reference to a list of rules, but rather 'speaking so that it MAY GIVE GRACE to those who hear'. The Christian is under one law - the law of love: | |||
:''...for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ro 13:8–10.</ref> | |||
William Branham created his own "gospel" based on his own idea of "holiness", and this is the focus of his followers. | William Branham created his own "gospel" based on [[The Rules of the Message|his own idea of "holiness"]], and, not surprisingly, this is the focus of his followers. | ||
The problem? It's not Biblical. | The problem? '''It's not Biblical.''' | ||
It's unfortunate that so many wonderful and sincere people are striving to follow the 'Branham laws' when the beautiful Grace of Jesus Christ is sufficient. | It's unfortunate that so many wonderful and sincere people are striving to follow the [[The Rules of the Message|'Branham laws']] when the beautiful Grace of Jesus Christ is sufficient. | ||
==Detailed examples of William Branham's teaching== | ==Detailed examples of William Branham's teaching== | ||