Credibility: Difference between revisions
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Credibility refers to the believability, trustworthiness and reliability of a person. | Credibility refers to the believability, trustworthiness and reliability of a person. | ||
=But didn't Abraham lie?= | =But didn't Abraham lie? And David commit adultery?= | ||
We have had many message | We have had many message follwers deflect the issue of William Branham's credibility by pointing to the flaws of some of the prophets in the Old Testament. Such a response is clearly coming out of [[Cognitive Dissonance]] (if you don't know what this is, please click on the link). | ||
When a message | When a message follower, confronted with the clear facts that William Branham lied, states, "''Abramham lied and he was the father of faith,''" they are effectively admitting that William Branham lied but that it is not a big deal. | ||
The problem with this argument is that it is a [[Failed Prophecies|red herring]]. | The problem with this argument is that it is a [[Failed Prophecies|red herring]]. | ||
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Why did Abraham lie? Because he feared that his life was in danger. | Why did Abraham lie? Because he feared that his life was in danger. | ||
William Branham, on the other hand, appeared to have lied to uphold the claim that God spoke to him and that his | William Branham, on the other hand, appeared to have lied to uphold the claim that God spoke to him and that his prophecies were authentic. William Branham lied to make himself look like a prophet so that people would follow him. | ||
Under the new covenant as outlined in the New Testament, lying is not acceptable behaviour because the Bible plainly tells us what is expected of Christian leaders: | Under the new covenant, as outlined in the New Testament, lying is not acceptable behaviour because the Bible plainly tells us what is expected of Christian leaders: | ||
:''Therefore an overseer must be above reproach...<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Ti 3:2–3.</ref> | :''Therefore an overseer must be above reproach...<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Ti 3:2–3.</ref> | ||
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:''Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, '''liars''', perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Ti 1:8–11.</ref> | :''Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, '''liars''', perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Ti 1:8–11.</ref> | ||
A church leader blatantly disregards the truth is disqualified from any position of leadership in the church. PERIOD. THE END. | |||
Also, because many of William Branham's prophecies failed, we must also deal with [[Prophecy|Deuteronomy 18:20-22]]. | Also, because many of William Branham's prophecies failed, we must also deal with [[Prophecy|Deuteronomy 18:20-22]]. | ||