1933 Ohio River Experience: Difference between revisions

<mediaplayer width='800' height='300'>http://youtu.be/Zcx7KVwizew</mediaplayer>

:''It was during June of 1933 that as he was baptizing the converts in the Ohio River that a most amazing and well documented phenomenon occurred. As he was baptizing the seventeenth person before a crowd estimated at about 4000 there appeared a blazing whirling star out of heaven with the sound of rushing wind audible to all, and it came and hovered over him. As many ran in fear, and others knelt in prayer, a voice spoke out of the pillar of fire to him and said...''

:''Of course he alone heard the words though others heard the sound. This is exactly as it was when Paul was blinded by God and heard His voice. Others heard a sound but not the actual voice or the words of the voice. ''

==Concerns with the experience==

William Branham retells this story many times. Each time he tells the story, a light always appears when the 17th person is being baptised, and a voice says "Look up".  However, there are some differences in each retelling.  Originally, 130 people came to be baptized in August 1933 while 3,000 people watched.  In later retellings, 500 people came to be baptized in June 1933 while 10,000 people watched. William Branham first tells of the voice which says "As John the Baptist was the forerunner of the first coming of Christ, so your message is the forerunner of the second coming of Christ." in August 1952.

===John the Baptist===

Gordon Lindsay's book, ''A Man Sent From God'', and Julius Stadsklev's book, ''A Prophet Visits South Africa'' both record the light appearing during the baptism, but omit the voice.  Gordon Lindsay's book does include the following similar prophecy, however:

:''The next incident was a stirring message given in the Spirit and interpreted, almost identical to two others which were to be given in other Branham meetings in different places, a sure testimony of the authenticity of this anointed ministry. It was uttered with such rousing force that it almost seemed unearthly, and this was the gist of the message… that as John the Baptist was sent as a forerunner of the Lord’s first coming, so was He sending forth this evangelist and others like him to move the people and prepare them for His second coming. Months later we heard this same message interpreted amidst a large crowd of people attending the Branham meeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Sister Anna Schrader whom we later learned to appreciate deeply. Truly, these words penetrated our hearts.” (Gordon Lindsay, A Man Sent From God)

This provides witnesses to the prophecy of Jesus' return.  However, the prophecy as retold by Gordon Lindsay refers to "this evangelist and others like him", while the prophecy as retold by William Branham only refers to himself.  

===I Do Not Know===

The third time William Branham relates this story, (1951) he says that a voice spoke and that ''“many asked me what it meant. And I said, "I do not know.”''  If Bro. Branham did not know what it meant in 1951, why then does he know exactly what it means in August 1952?  (see quotes below).

===Story in the paper===

[[Image:14Converted.jpg|right|thumb|250px]]

William Branham said that the story was carried by a paper (1950), the "Courier Journal" (1951), the "Sunday Visitor" (1954), the "Louisville Herald", and the "Associated Press" (1961). We have conducted numerous searches in online newspaper archives but have been unable to find any references to William Branham in 1933 other than an article from the Jeffersonville Evening News on June 2, 1933.   

We must reasonably conclude that the story of the light appearing on the Ohio River was never reported in any newspaper.   

===Who is Edward Colvin?===

Willliam Branham mentions that Edward Colvin was being baptized when the light came down.  If anyone would be a great witness to this event, Edward would be.

==Quotes==

{{Portal Navigation}}