Was William Branham's discernment ministry genuine?

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Was William Branham's discernment infallible or were there errors?

Front and back of a signed prayer card, asking for all the information he would later 'discern'.

If there were errors, what caused them?

And now, I want that lady here, just to stand right here by the microphone. I know the lady. I--I think her name is Sutton; I'm not mistake... [The sister says, "No. Cobb, now."--Ed.] Oh, Cobb, I'm sorry. I've seen the woman before, so she comes here to the Tabernacle once in a while. And now... But I know nothing of what's wrong with her. But now, the only way that I would have of knowing that, would be some way that God would have telling me. Isn't that right, Mrs... Cobb? All right. Cobb, would be, is your name now? All right. All right, Mrs. Cobb, the only way that I'd know that what was wrong with you, would be God would have to reveal it to me.

You believe? If thou canst believe, all things are possible. You're from out-of-town too, but do you believe? You're scared, aren't you. You are to be mother, and the reason you're scared, you got a rupture; and you are afraid of this baby whether it'll be right or not. Only if you won't doubt, Mrs. Hoffman--Huffler, then you can believe--healed. You believe it? How does He know your name and know who you are? Do you believe it with all your heart? All right, Mrs. Huffler, you can go home and bring forth the baby in peace.

Say, will you do me a favor, sister, that God done you one? We're strangers, aren't we? Lay your hand on that woman behind you, call her Mrs. McAlister. She don't know me. McAllen, rather. She's got trouble with her head. But it's going to leave her, and she's going to be all right. She don't hear too well. All right. It's all over now, Mrs. McAllen, you can go home too. You believe Jesus Christ now makes you well. All right. Then go home, be made well.

What about in this section, somewhere in here? Have faith. There is a man standing before me, he's had a operation for hemorrhoids; didn't do any good. Mr. Day, I beg your pardon, Mr. Short, stand up and receive your healing. With my Bible before me, I never seen the man in my life, we're total strangers one to the other.

What do you think? You're up for an operation, too. You're a stranger to me. Is that right? [The sister says, "Yes."--Ed.] You're not from here. ["I know you, but you don't know me."] You know me, but I don't know you. ["You don't know me."] But God knows you. You believe that? ["Yes, I do."] You're up for an operation. You don't live here. You're near Bedford, Springville, something like... That's where it's at, Springville. Mrs. Burton... No, no, I beg your pardon, I didn't mean that. Mrs. Parker, that's your name. Isn't it? Greater is He that's in you, than he that's trying to kill you. Is that right? Do you believe with all your heart? Then you won't need your operation, if you do.

Here is a lady right out here in front of me. And she is very sick, perhaps sicker than what she thinks she had. She is actually suffering with hemorrhoids, and they're becoming cancerous. Mrs. Morgan... not Mrs. Morgan, I'm sorry. It's Mrs. Anderson. If you'll believe with all your heart, Jesus Christ will make you well. Do you believe that, lady?

Stand up on your feet, if that's right. I don't know the lady. She is exactly in line with this other lady, and I could see that still hanging there. That's the reason. The other night... You may sit down, if you wish to, sister. And believe, and you'll be made well.

Now, when He come to Simon, He told him who he was. You believe God can tell me what your name is? Would it make you believe more? It would? Mrs. Strong... [The sister says, "Stout."--Ed.] Stout, would you believe? Go and believe, and you... It's all over. Amen.

Why prayer cards?

Why did William Branham require people to fill out prayer cards before he prayed for them? And why were people required to line up in numerical order in the prayer line?

Jesus never did this...

Now, 53? 54? 55? 56, 57, 58, 59, 60? You line right up along here, right in--in numerical order just the way you are. All right. All right, 60? Is that about...

You believe the Lord? You people with your prayer cards now, Z 1 to 50, line up here, numerical order, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and on like that. When you're praying for the sick and talking to them, more you pray, more you talk to the person, the more you know of them.

I'm going to have my minister brothers, if they will, to stand right back here behind me just a moment. The reason that I said someone without a prayer card, some of them think, you know, that looking at the prayer card that the person thinking about what, it'll be mental telepathy. But it is not. It is--I take those who don't have prayer cards. That doesn't matter. Anybody in the audience, wouldn't make a bit of difference; you know that. The people come here and told of things they done when they were little children, and so forth. Isn't that right? And that's not mental telepathy, anyone. It's the power of Almighty God.

Now, if you don't believe it, it'll never do you any good. But if you do believe it, it's healing for you. Everybody be reverent.

Now, bring those with prayer cards Z-1 to Z-50. And let them line up in numerical order, right along here: Z-1, Z-50. And then immediately after that, when those go through, we're going to line up all that wants to be prayed for in that aisle, then all that wants to be prayed for in this aisle, then all that want to be prayed for in this aisle, and all that wants to be prayed for over there. And bring them right around, and pray for everybody tonight. You believe we can do it? Are you going to accept it as your healing? Now--now, just let those stand up first who have prayer cards.

Let the first fifteen, from D-1 to D-15... You people setting near them that's got cards, they may be deaf. You look at their cards and examine it, 'cause they wouldn't be able to hear me. And line up here according to your number in numerical order. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 up in... D-10, or D-15 rather. D-1 to D-15. We'll begin with them to start and just pray for as many as we possibly can.

How many cards did you give? All right. Start right from this, just line up the line. He give F from 51. Get start it right here, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, just as many as you can crowd in there, I guess. Let it get up to about... Well, you can get... Can you get more than ten in there? All right, try the first ten, and then maybe we can get some more after that. 51 to 60, that's six... 51 to 60. And then as soon as that crowd gets down, as soon as they level down, if there's more room, step right up. Just start 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, up to 70. That crowd gets down, start right on to 80, like that. And then when that gets... By that time, every one of you ought to be in the right position, the Holy Ghost falling over this building for every one of you to be healed.

What was that 50 to 60, I... 60, 60? 60 to 70, D-60 to 70. Come down in this way if you will as you're come out. The line's forming this a way and so it's... 60 to 70. The ushers will place you just in your position. We never know... The reason we do that, we never know where, what's going to happen. You see? The Holy Spirit might do something (You see?), and He might stop the line at a second. He might... We've had much experience in eight years. 70 to 80, D-70 to 80. That's good. Come this way, everybody. Line up this way with your--your cards in this way. 70 to 80, 80 to 90, 80 to 90. Uh-huh.

All right. Now, from 50 to 100 in B's, let them go right back in the back, and start going back that way, and taking your place.

Now, if anyone here's got one of those prayer cards that's crippled and can't walk, well let them just be brought right up here and I'll--I'll come down and pray for them.

Now, let's us who are waiting now, let's just bow our heads. And the organist, if you will give us a little chord of that "Only Believe," will you?

Every one real reverent now as we're making the lines ready, and making everything just in order as we possibly can to make it easy for each person to get into the line. Each person will have their place and position.

everyone keep your position and just reverently pray. What say? Huh? I've ten back there now? 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15... Would prayer cards 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25... That ought to make a pretty good line, if we... I hope we don't have to keep you here very long, but now... Be with ten then... That's all right; just let...

What was that 22? 23, 23, prayer card 23, 24, 25, 26? Good. 27, 28, 28, 29, 29, 29, 30? Thank you. 31, 32, 33, 33? I didn't see it. 34, 34, 35, 36, 36, 37, 37? I didn't get it. 37, 37? Look around at your neighbor. He might have a prayer card. 37? He might be deaf, might be able... can't get up. See? He's paralyzed, and can't move. 37?

Somebody must've got it and went out. If they come in, put them in the line, position them in their place now. The ushers will be there to help. 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 47? That's good. 48, 49, 50, 50, the man back there.

Now, is all the people that has prayer cards up? Has anybody else got a prayer card? All prayer cards standing in the row? I want to be sure of this now. We called one, 37. I seen a couple of brethren come in since then. I just wonder. I've called prayer card 37, and it didn't answer. That's the only one that I seen myself that didn't answer. Prayer card number 5? Did it answer? Brother Vayle said he didn't notice prayer card number 5. Number 5, is it there, and 37?

Now, if you will just give us a moment or two, friends. Now, we'll... Someone coming in again with a baby. Maybe it might be some of the women and brothers has to step out with their little ones. And--and if they're out now and that number comes in, put them right in line, right in their place, put them where 37 and 5 belongs. And that makes everything just right then. 37 and 5. Everybody now be alert, be ready, be willing.

The prayer cards in this section, come over here and stand now. The prayer cards over in that booth, come over and stand. And as soon as that line goes down, let this side come, and that. Then let the balcony come down next. And now, everybody now, while they get in their position and place, let's... And then, if we have time left, the rest of them come.

If there are no errors, why are there so many blank spots on the tapes?

We have heard that “It’s never failed one single time.” And outside of a few people out of order in the prayer lines, foreign names Branham struggled to pronounce when under the “anointing,” and the lady who corrected Branham during the prayer line, this would appear to have some validity when you listen to the recordings.

But have you ever stopped to consider how differently a prayer line might seem if you heard the unedited versions?

Here are a few examples. Can fill in the blanks? (Blank spots on tape, that is)

But now, dear friends, here's what it is. The vibrations move just the same as... That's God's Divine gift. Now, if He's going to take that away from me, I'd rather not come out to this pulpit this afternoon. 'Cause when I can't be a help to someone else, I don't want to stay here.

There's got a vibration...?... in his hand. All right. Bow your heads, every one. Now, here's the vibration. This I can tell which way it...?... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed]

Now, there's a vibration. I want you to look. Can you see my [Blank.spot.on.tape.] like in here [Blank.spot.on.tape.]... this one looks. See, now I put my hand [Blank.spot.on.tape.]

Thou art here tonight to heal our sister [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]... Do you believe? [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

Friends, you'll have to keep your head bowed. As I raised my head, at least two dozen cold waves of vibration struck across me [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.].

...thought I'd tell you something's happening right now that you would know, and that you would know that... Now, that's right, isn't it? [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

Now, you can raise your head, audience. Now, 'fore I raise my head or look, sister... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

How do you do? Are you the patient? [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

All right, come forward, sister. Let's have your hand, just... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

All right, bring the lady, and everybody be real reverent now. God bless you sister, have faith now. You're just a little...?... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

Good evening, young lady. You have a very...?... faith to be healed. What are you... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

God bless you, sister. But how do you...?... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

Yes ma'am. That shows in a vibrations can... trying to cross there...?... Watch when you take your hand off, look at my hand now. Put your hand over here on mine. Now, put this hand here on there and watch it. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

Come forward, sister. Here...?... Look this way. Yes, ma'am. You have many... Been failing lately, haven't you? Oh, I see another thing. You have stomach trouble too, don't you? Yes, ma'am. I see the two of them. You're nervous too, aren't you. Is that right? A palsy like... All right. Do you believe now that Jesus is going to... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

Now, watch. You take your hand off and I'll put my hand on...?... Is that right? Now, you put his hand on. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

All right, brother. I'm... After speaking, makes me just a little shook up, you know, I get... I guess that's humanly nervous, you know, just it's... It just happens that way, I guess. But, anyhow, I've got to get myself quietened down to the anointing of that Angel of the Lord.

Now, I don't mean that that would heal you. That has nothing to do with your healing: only might make your faith greater (You see?), or something like that. 'Cause I presume that you and I are strangers. I don't believe I ever met you. I don't know you. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]/ref>51-0721 LIFE.OF.DEMONS.AND.VISIONS</ref>

I want you to walk just a little closer. I see you're very frail. I don't know what's wrong with you. But I just want you to talk to me, as I talk to you. I don't want you to be [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

Good evening. You come forward just... May I have your hand just a moment. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

That's when your faith healed you. You haven't got stomach trouble now. Jesus Christ has healed you. Now, looky here [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

All right, lady, you come ahead. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

Well, all right. Come, lady. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

All right, lady, get ready to get your braces off your child. All right. Every one of you believe it? Put your hands over on one another now. Are you ready to make a confession? Are you ready to believe God? [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

That was the woman with the goiter. I can see, I just give her something to do, so it just...?... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

How do you do, sister. Do you believe me as God's prophet? You have sufferings... There's more than one thing. One thing, a heart trouble that's been bothering you, and another thing, you're a... anemic... [Blank.spot.on.tape—Ed.]

All right. Come, lady... [Blank.spot.on.tape—Ed.]

Every one be reverent. I want to talk to you just a moment. You stand back in this way, if you will. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

52-0718 FOR.HIM.WILL.I.ACCEPT_ HAMMOND.IN FRIDAY_

Do you believe me to be His prophet, sir? [Blank.spot.on.tape—Ed.] 52-0719 MAKE.THE.VALLEY.FULL.OF.DITCHES

God has mercy on you. And now, He's revealed to me your life... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 52-0719 MAKE.THE.VALLEY.FULL.OF.DITCHES

Come, lady... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 52-0720E WHO.HAS.BELIEVED.OUR.REPORT_ HAMMOND.IN SUNDAY_

Come, lady. You like to be healed? [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 52-0727 LED.BY.THE.HOLY.SPIRIT

All right. Come, sir. You believe Him? Are you believing, lady? Oh, what can happen now? [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 52-0727 LED.BY.THE.HOLY.SPIRIT

Now, this... The person don't have to be on the platform here. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 53-0510 TESTIMONY

I don't--don't know you. I believe we may be strangers. We're strangers, yes, ma'am. Well then, your life is [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 53-0602 THE.AUTHORITY.OF.THE.WORD

All right, now the--the patient. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 53-0604 THE.ANGEL.OF.THE.LORD

Come here. I want to talk to you again, just a minute. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 53-0604 THE.ANGEL.OF.THE.LORD

See? Just to talk just a little. Now, I want you to be real reverent out there now and believe with all your heart. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] Do you believe it was the truth? 53-0605 THE.BEGINNING.OF.JESUS.FAME

All right, bring the lady. Come ahead, lady. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 53-0606 AN.ENSIGN

[Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] Two? There's nothing I can do. 53-0607E A.TESTIMONY

All right. Are... You and I are strangers. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 53-0610 JESUS.CHRIST.THE.SAME.YESTERDAY.TODAY.AND.FOREVER

May the Lord bless you, sister; both of you, come right up here. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 53-0611 SHOW.US.THE.FATHER.AND.IT'LL.SATISFY.US

Come now. All right, come, lady. Lord, I pray that You'll bless her and may she get well. In Jesus' Name I bless her for her healing...?... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 53-0613 GOD'S.PROVIDED.WAY

All right, come. Now, I know you, honey, I know who you are. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 53-0613 GOD'S.PROVIDED.WAY

All right, come brother. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 53-0613 GOD'S.PROVIDED.WAY

Come believing now. Lord, I pray that You'll bless our sister and may she get well; in Jesus Christ's Name I ask it. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 53-0613 GOD'S.PROVIDED.WAY

Brother Boze, you bring the lady if you will. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 53-0902 TESTIMONY

God grant it and may our brother...?... Satan... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 53-0907E HEALING.LINE

And you got something wrong with the--the--the--the side of your face (is paralyzed), and your ear. Is that true? If that is, raise up your hand. Now, just a moment, there was something... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] Ever what It said was right. Now that was--that was my voice but it wasn't me speaking. See. Do you believe me?

What is your number, sir? What? Q. All right, who has Q number 1? I don't know who you are. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 54-0401 GOD'S.PREPARATION

All right. Howdy do, sir? [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 54-0403 THE.HAND.OF.THE.LORD.CAME.UPON.HIM

I, just don't be in any hurry (See?), just be reverent. The woman is really sick, for there's a dark shadow hangs between me and her. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 55-0120 THE.SEVEN.COMPOUND.NAMES.OF.JEHOVAH

You're the patient, are you? All right. We're strangers to each other... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 55-0609 A.GREATER.WITNESS.THAN.JOHN

What cards was give out? [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]... here for your first time? 55-0818 BLIND.BARTIMAEUS

Now, they bring the patients. Now, just a word with my interpreter. I... We're strange... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 55-0818 BLIND.BARTIMAEUS

If we disobey Him, and reject the Blood of His Son. Now, as the Lord Jesus [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] and know what's wrong [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 55-0826 THE.SAME.JESUS.TONIGHT

All right, come right here, lady. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 55-1119 REDEEMER.REDEMPTION

Here's a woman lying here, stretched on a stretcher this morning in a serious condition. Well, if God doesn't touch her, she'll die. She's aged; she's an old mother, gray hair, wearing glasses, a very godly looking person. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 56-0101 WHY.ARE.PEOPLE.SO.TOSSED.ABOUT

We'll have to line you all up, but we're, we'll--we'll line up over here on this side. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]... woman, I don't know. I've never seen her. 56-0401M THE.MIGHTY.CONQUEROR_ JEFFERSONVILLE.IN SUNDAY_

You bring the person..?... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 56-0415 THE.DEEP.CALLING.TO.THE.DEEP

You know there might just that one woman. You say, "Maybe she come with me." I don't know the woman, but... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 56-0415 THE.DEEP.CALLING.TO.THE.DEEP

Now, the man before me is a stranger. I don't know him. I've never seen him. Is that right, sir? If it is, raise your hand. The man is a stranger, not a stranger before God. Now, sir, you're here for something [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 56-0415 THE.DEEP.CALLING.TO.THE.DEEP

Who has G-number-1, raise up your hand. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] And don't doubt, and you'll see the glory of God, if you can believe. But you must believe. 56-0422 SHOW.US.THE.FATHER.AND.IT'LL.SATISFY

Come, lady. Do you believe with all your heart? You do? You just answer me, 'cause I'm contacting your spirit. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 56-0613 JEHOVAH.JIREH

Here's another man. You're... This is the... Now, sometimes it's kindly subconscious [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 56-0814 DIVINE.LOVE.AND.SOVEREIGN.GRACE

And what's yours name?... You're a junior. And your last name? McCloud. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 56-0923 SPIRITUAL.ADOPTION

Lady, come right here. 51, would you...? [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 56-1206 A.SECONDHANDED.ROBE

Now, if Jesus was here today, and you come down to where He was... You heard He was down here in Brooklyn, and you come to Him, and He come to you, now, He would know you, wouldn't He? He--He would what you--what was your...?... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 56-1206 A.SECONDHANDED.ROBE

Dark skinned lady setting right here. She's suffering with a bladder trouble. That's right. I never seen you in my life. But Christ let me catch your prayer. You believe me to be His prophet? His servant, rather. You do? [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 56-1209E JEHOVAH.JIREH

Now, if you trust me to be God's servant, if you believe me to be God's... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 57-0226 SIRS.WE.WOULD.SEE.JESUS

Look here, sir, just a moment. This is our first time meeting. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 57-0228 A.GREATER.THAN.SOLOMON.IS.HERE

How do you do, little girl? You know, honey, when Jesus was here on earth, He seen little, sweet looking, little girls like you. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 57-0810 JEHOVAH.JIREH

Your healing is already purchased. Healing is a finished work. I have no healing in my hand. I have... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] You must be mistaken, brother.

If I could see number 5, the gentleman here, would you come? Number 6, would you... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] How they do it, they come right down and shuffle the cards out between you, and mix up... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 57-1229 FAITH_ JEFFERSONVILLE.IN

And He will let me know something about you [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 58-0110 THE.MIGHTY.CONQUEROR

The lady right here. Number 3, would you raise your hand? [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] We are strangers. 58-0309E WILL.THE.CHURCH.GO.BEFORE.THE.TRIBULATION

You've saw me before. All right. But I don't know you. So the audience will know that, sister (See?), would you just raise up your hand? I do not know you, have nothing, no more than... We're just meeting. You've saw me some... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 58-0324 HEAR.YE.HIM

The boy is your son, and he has a mental condition. That's THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 58-0328 GOD.KEEPS.HIS.WORD

I never seen you in my life. That's right. If it is, raise up your hand, that I'm a stranger to you. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] 58-0500 THE EAGLE STIRRING HER NEST NEW ENGLAND ... Of course, things change a bit after 1958: ... Now, there's a change in my ministry coming. And how many... Would there be one here that remembers when I first started on the field? Let's see your hand. Oh, my, there's several. You remember how it was given to me by the Angel of the Lord, that I would take my left hand and lay it onto the--the person was standing sick, and not use my own voice, and It would speak out and tell them what was wrong with them? You remember that? And you remember, I told you that the Holy Spirit told me that night when I talked to Him, what it would be. And said, "Then if you'll be sincere, it'll come to a place that you'll know the very secret of their heart." How many of you that was in my first meetings heard me tell that before that ever come to pass, raise up your hands high. That's good. Now, has it come to pass? Then He said, "If you'll continue to be sincere and humble, it'll grow greater and greater." And now, this ministry is going to step higher now, into another realm, where it'll be far beyond what it is now. I don't know just what it is, but I'm warned of the Holy Spirit to quickly now, close my meetings off (My last one will be in Philadelphia), and go into the hills and wait on the Lord to see which a way to conduct this ministry. When I come out again, it'll be in a new ministry. This ministry will never cease; this ministry will continue on. This first will continue on; it's still just the same. 58-0620 THE.QUEEN.OF.THE.SOUTH

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