William Branham
This article is one in a series on William Branham's early life - you are currently on the topic that is in bold:
Life Story: Introduction • Early Life • First Pastor • The KKK • Father's Death • Ministry
Who was William Marrion Branham? In the late 1940's, his healing ministry skyrocketed him from a pastor in a small church outside Louisville, Kentucky to an international evangelist. However, as his ministry progressed his visions and doctrine became increasingly controversial until his death on December 24, 1965.
Introduction
William Marrion Branham was an evangelist who has been called the "pacesetter of the healing revival" [1] and a "prophet"[2]. He was born in rural Kentucky, raised in Indiana, and in the 1940’s his healing ministry skyrocketed him from a rural pastor to an international evangelist.
William Branham's legacy
Views on William Branham's legacy can be grouped into the following main categories:
- Most Christians have never heard of William Branham and have no idea he even has a legacy.
- Some older Pentecostals and "charismatic" Christians view him as a great evangelist and gifted healer who strayed from Christian orthodoxy in the latter stages of his ministry. They believe this is the reason for his obscurity today.
- His followers (estimated at between 500,000 and 1,000,000 people) believe him to be Elijah the Prophet, the fulfillment of Malachi 4:5. There are many different sects within William Branham's followers, although they all refer to themselves as believers of the Message of the Hour. Some of his followers believe that William Branham's every word was infallible, while others will admit that he did make some minor errors but he was infallible with respect to his visions, prophecies and his interpretation of the Bible.
- Some, as a result of facts coming out of research by us and other former message followers, view William Branham as a charlatan who was either willfully deceptive, or had untreated mental health issues.
By his own admission, William Branham was prone to exaggeration and he often embellished his stories.
William Branham's life story account as related on this website is based on both his recorded sermons and as many historical documents as we could find. Any statements that can be substantiated by written historical documents are referenced.
Footnotes
- ↑ The Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements: (Zondervan, 1988, p. 372) ~ Branham filled the largest stadiums and meeting halls in the world.’ ... As the pacesetter of the healing revival, Branham was the primary source of inspiration in the development of other healing ministries.
- ↑ The Full Gospel Men's Voice Magazine (February, 1961) ~ "In Bible Days, there were men of God who were Prophets and Seers. But in all the Sacred Records, none of these had a greater record than that of William Branham."