The Token
One of the most confusing teachings of William Branham was his concept of "the token".
William Branham's teaching on the token
William Branham said the token is the seal, the Holy Spirit:
- A Token, the Holy Spirit, will be the seal.[1]
He also instructed the people on how to "apply the token":
- Yes, clean out the cupboard, clean out this house, oh, we have a good old-fashion housecleaning! Let the Blood be applied, and then the Token will come in. Clean it out! Sanctify it! Then apply the Token in prayer, with confidence, when you've cleaned yourself up.[2]
William Branham also said that the token had to be applied to the whole family:
- Then when we pray, we must have the Token to present with our prayers, as I said, and now believe for ourself and apply the Token to the whole family, like in Egypt, Jericho, or either in Acts 16:31.[3]
William Branham attached to the token his own idea of 'holiness' by turning it into a list of rules (rules that aren't even in the Bible!) He even claimed that it was "God's requirement of the hour" and tied it directly to his "evening-time message".
- "But when I see the Token, I'll pass over you." It's God's requirement of the hour. The evening-time message, is to apply the Token.[4]
He also referenced Ephesians 4:29-30 in reference to the token:
- The Token seal, of the Holy Ghost, is our promise. Ephesians 4:30, said, "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you're sealed until the day of your redemption."[5]
What the Bible teaches
In Ephesians, the Bible tells us what the seal of God is and who receives it:
- 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.[6]
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 homes?
But when you look closely the passage in Acts that William Branham referenced you get a different picture:
- They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”[7]
It has nothing to do with meeting a set of laws and ordinances!
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, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight...[8]
The Bible specifically tells us that it is not by works.
- So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.[9]
- Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded! By what principle? Of works? No, but by the principle of faith![10]
Look closely at Ephesians 4:29-30
- 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. 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.[11]
There is no reference to a list of rules, but rather 'speaking so that it MAY GIVE GRACE to those who hear'.
William Branham created his own "gospel" based on his own idea of "holiness", and this is the focus of his followers.
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.
Footnotes
- ↑ 63-0901M
- ↑ 64-0208
- ↑ 64-0308
- ↑ 63-0901M
- ↑ 63-1128E
- ↑ Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Eph 1:13–14.
- ↑ Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Ac 16:31.
- ↑ The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Eph 1:7–8.
- ↑ The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ro 11:5–6.
- ↑ Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Ro 3:27.
- ↑ Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Eph 4:29–30.