The Nazarite Birth
William Branham claimed to have been born a Nazarite:
- Now, I don't say all ministers have to be that. I was born under Nazarite birth, of course, and so it's just a little different. And so, many things that I do in my life, I wouldn't ask other people to do. I wouldn't say they had to do that to be Christian, because it was a different... altogether.
- And many of you understand that, don't you? See? It's just... That's just for me on-- or me privately, things that I have to do, and things, the way I have to live, and the things that I have to do. It's a Nazarite birth. And so we--we don't... it's not... You can't teach that all people have to be that way. See? But I mean for myself.[1]
- I said, "But, you see, I was born under a Nazarite birth. I wasn't supposed to smoke, chew, or drink anything."[2]
- Samson, another man very perseverant. He was born a Nazarite birth. A Nazarite means "separated to the Word." What a nice thing it would be tonight if all Christians would be Nazarites to the Lord; separated not to creeds, but to the Word. Christ is that Word. Separated to the Word![3]
The Biblical Meaning of "Nazarite"
Nazarite was the name of Israelites that on them the vow prescribed in Numbers 6:2–21. The word denotes generally one who is separated from others and consecrated to God. Although there is no mention of any Nazarite before Samson, yet it is evident that they existed before the time of Moses. The vow of a Nazarite involved these three things:
- (1) abstinence from wine and strong drink, wine vinegar, grapes, raisins or any part of the grape plant;
- (2) refraining from cutting the hair off the head during the whole period of the continuance of the vow; and
- (3) the avoidance of contact with the dead.
For some reason, probably in the midst of his work at Corinth, Paul took on himself the Nazarite vow. This could only be terminated by his going up to Jerusalem to offer up the hair which till then was to be left uncut. (Acts 18:18).
On another occasion (Acts 21:23–26), at the feast of Pentecost, Paul took on himself again the Nazarite vow.
As to the duration of a Nazarite’s vow, every one was left at liberty to fix his own time. There is mention made in Scripture of only three who were Nazarites for life, Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist (Judg. 13:4, 5; 1 Sam. 1:11; Luke 1:15). In its ordinary form, however, the Nazarite’s vow lasted only thirty, and at most one hundred, days.[4]
It should also be added that Jesus was from Nazareth and therefore was a Nazarene. But that does not mean that he took a Nazarite vow. There is no indication that Jesus ever took a Nazarite vow.
The apostle Paul did make a temporary Nazarite vow in Acts 21:20-25 but that was only for a short period of time.
Problems with William Branham's Claim
While William Branham said that he was under a Nazarite vow for life, it is clear that he wasn't.
Why did he say that he was?
Was it part of trying to convince people that he was a prophet? Someone that was in the same category as the three other people in the bible that were born under a Nazarite vow - Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist?
One thing is clear, he was not born under a Nazarite vow and he also had no understanding of what a Nazarite vow was.
William Branham drank wine
Drinking wine or grape juice, eating grapes or anything from the grape vine was forbidden to someone under a Nazarite vow, but that did not seem to have any impact on William Branham:
- The Bible said, "In like manner He took the cup. And when He had supped, He took--said, "Take and drink; this is the cup of the New Testament. As oft as you do this, you show forth the Lord's death till He come." As I hold in my hand tonight this wine, made from the--from the life of grapes that's been brought together here to represent the Blood of Jesus Christ. There's never a time yet, that I've ever picked up the communion tray, but I didn't look in there and see my sin's gone.[5]
William Branham cut his hair
William Branham obviously cut his hair on a regular basis,
William Branham conducted funeral services
Unclean animals
God states that cud-chewing animals with split hooves can be eaten (Leviticus:11:3; Deuteronomy:14:6). These specifically include the cattle, sheep, goat, deer and gazelle families (Deuteronomy:14:4-5).
He also lists such animals as camels, rabbits and pigs as being unclean, or unfit to eat (Leviticus:11:4-8). He later lists such "creeping things" as moles, mice and lizards as unfit to eat (Leviticus:11:29-31), as well as four-footed animals with paws (cats, dogs, bears, lions, tigers, etc.) as unclean (Leviticus:11:27).
He tells us that salt and freshwater fish with fins and scales may be eaten (Leviticus:11:9-12), but water creatures without those characteristics (catfish, lobsters, crabs, shrimp, mussels, clams, oysters, squid, octopi, etc.) should not be eaten.
God also lists birds and other flying creatures that are unclean for consumption (Leviticus:11:13-19). He identifies carrion eaters and birds of prey as unclean, plus ostriches, storks, herons and bats.
Other quotes of William Branham
When we go into Germany... I was in Germany sometime ago in a great meeting where the Lord was giving us around--around ten thousand souls a night. And I was so amazed one night when I come from the meeting, and--and down the street to a place where I was invited for a little luncheon, and it was the closing of the meeting, and all the Christians setting around, drinking beer. Well, America, Canada, and England is the only nations I know that refuses the Christians to drink. They don't get drunk; but we Americans... Then when... I didn't drink it. So after while there come a question around the table, "What was the matter," that I wasn't drinking my beer, "was it because it wasn't good?"
And Doctor Guggenbuhl setting next to me, which provided me an interpreter. I said, "What they all murmuring about to me?" And he said, "They're wondering why you don't drink."
Now, I know it's written: when you're in Rome, be a Roman. But I said, "Tell them this: 'I do not condemn them. But I was borned under a Nazarite birth; I'm not supposed to drink.'" I didn't want to hurt them. And they understood it, went right on drinking. And then in Italy we found almost the same thing. And many different parts of the world, when you go into the nations, you find the spirit of the nation.[6]
I believe, tonight, that every man and woman, every boy and girl, that's born of the Spirit of God, is a Nazarite unto the Lord; because they have separated them things, themselves, from the cares of the world and whatever the world has got to say.
You live in this city here where there is great schools. And, and we see our nation calling for higher standard of education; which is all right, nothing to say about that, but that education cannot give you salvation. A scientist can split a grain of wheat and tell you how many different chemicals is in it, but it can't find the life that's in there. An education can learn you, or teach you mathematics, and--and it can teach you history and whatevermore, but it cannot bring Light to you. Your education will not do that.
God has one way of bringing Light to you: that's when you're ready to separate yourself from all the things of the world, and all the--the cares of the world, and cling only to God's promised Word.
Paul was a Nazarite unto the Lord. He was separated from his orthodox church, to the Word of the living God.
Aaron was a Nazarite unto the Lord. He was separated from among the brethren, to bear the birthstones and to be the high priest.
...But in them ages, God has always sent forth His prophet. And the Word of the Lord comes to the prophet and vindicates the Word to that generation. And the prophets was always the Nazarite, separated from everything else to obey the Word of God.
But when a man is borned in the world, for a--a believer, he becomes a Nazarite when he separates himself from anything that's contrary to the Word. A total separation! Jesus said, "I come to separate a man from his wife, tear up a family. And he that won't take up his cross, and follow Me, is not worthy to be called Mine." A separation, from everything, anything; from church, from--from a community, from a belief, or from family, or anything that would stand between you and believing the entire Word of God. If your soul will not punctuate every promise for this hour, with an "amen," there is something wrong somewhere. You need a separation.
But what was His credentials? That the Word was with Him, the Word promised of that day was living through Him. He said, "Which one of you can condemn Me of sin? Which one of you can say that what I have claimed hasn't happened?" That, for He showed that He was a separated Nazarite of the Lord. He was the Lord Himself in flesh.
Listen, we say about Satan's big machine up there, ready to move, that's right, to crush down; but, remember, God's little flock that believes the Word, its mechanics is ready too. It's ready for the Dynamics to set it afire with the Holy Ghost. "Fear not, little flock, it's your Father's good will to give you the Kingdom." The Holy Ghost will strike a little Church that's come out from the world, women that wears long hair, Nazarite, to prove they've separated themselves from the...
The Nazarite is one who... What? A one that separates themselves, for the Word of God; not short-wearing, painted faces, Jezebels, calling themselves Christians; no, sir; man, so wishy-washy, that'll stand for a denomination, and hold onto their coat tails, of some Caesar or Herod, instead of standing for the Word of God. But God has got loyal people, genuine flock of God, who don't care what the world says. They believe that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.[7]
A Nazarite means "separated to the Word." What a nice thing it would be tonight if all Christians would be Nazarites to the Lord; separated not to creeds, but to the Word. Christ is that Word. Separated to the Word![8]
Listen. A hair to a woman is a Nazarite vow. Hair to Samson was a Nazarite vow. And when a woman cuts off her hair, she--she absolutely denies her Nazarite vow that she is a Bride to Christ. Because, there, that one thing, she spoils the whole Picture. Correctly! A Nazarite is "one that is consecrated for a purpose." Is that right? Samson was consecrated to a age and to a purpose, therefore he had long hair. The woman that's a child of God, lets her hair grow, to show that's she's consecrated to every Word of God.
If she cuts it off, I don't care how much she dances, sings, is in the choir, speaks in tongues, runs up-and-down, or has all kind of aid societies, she is dead. That's THUS SAITH THE LORD, the Word of God. First Corinthians 14. Yeah. She has denied her Nazarite vow and sold out to the god of this modern age. She does it. Now, shame on you, lady, or woman![9]
Footnotes
- ↑ EXPERIENCES_ ZION.IL SATURDAY_ 52-0726
- ↑ JEHOVAH.JIREH_ LONG.BEACH.CA THURSDAY_ 61-0209
- ↑ PERSEVERANT DALLAS.TX 64-0305
- ↑ M. G. Easton, Easton’s Bible Dictionary (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1893).
- ↑ COMMUNION_ JEFF.IN SUNDAY_ 63-0707E
- ↑ THE.ONCOMING.STORM_ PHOENIX.AZ V-15 N-2 MONDAY_ 60-0229
- ↑ GOD'S.WORD.CALLS.FOR.A.TOTAL.SEPARATION.FROM.UNBELIEF_ PHOENIX.AZ V-3 N-20 TUESDAY_ 64-0121
- ↑ PERSEVERANT_ DALLAS.TX V-19 N-9 THURSDAY_ 64-0305
- ↑ THE.GOD.OF.THIS.EVIL.AGE_ JEFF.IN V-4 N-9 SUNDAY_ 65-0801M