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1933 Ohio River Experience: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Image-rs-038 - Br Br baptizing in Ohio River.jpg|thumb|right|250px|William Branham baptising on the Ohio River]] | [[Image:Image-rs-038 - Br Br baptizing in Ohio River.jpg|thumb|right|250px|William Branham baptising on the Ohio River]] | ||
=What William Branham and his followers believe= | |||
In the Tract, [[Life Story Tract|''"Jesus Christ the Same, Yesterday, Today and Forever"'']], William Branham first tells of a light appearing on the Ohio River in 1933: | In the Tract, [[Life Story Tract|''"Jesus Christ the Same, Yesterday, Today and Forever"'']], William Branham first tells of a light appearing on the Ohio River in 1933: | ||
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::''"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."'' | ::''"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."'' | ||
:''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. '' | :'''''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= | |||
===Some things stay the same, and some things change=== | ===Some things stay the same, and some things change=== | ||
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 | 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. | ||
And the critical "prophecy" that all message followers focus on was not told by William Branham until August 1952, which was after Gordon Lindsay published his book. William Branham, in his first telling of the voice which spoke, says that it said the following: | |||
:''"As John the Baptist was sent to warn the people of the first coming of Christ, so is this Message to warn the people of the second coming."<ref>52-0817E - Do You Now Believe?</ref> | |||
Gordon Lindsay's book, ''A Man Sent From God'', and Julius Stadsklev's book, ''A Prophet Visits South Africa'' | |||
==John the Baptist== | |||
Both Gordon Lindsay's book, ''''A Man Sent From God'''', and Julius Stadsklev's book, ''''A Prophet Visits South Africa'''' record the light appearing during the baptism, but omit the voice. It is obvious that they received this information directly from William Branham without any checking of the facts. | |||
However, Gordon Lindsay's book does include the following similar prophecy: | |||
:''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 S'''ister Anna Schrader''' whom we later learned to appreciate deeply. Truly, these words penetrated our hearts.” (Gordon Lindsay, A Man Sent From God) | :''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 S'''ister Anna Schrader''' whom we later learned to appreciate deeply. Truly, these words penetrated our hearts.” (Gordon Lindsay, A Man Sent From God) | ||
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It is also interesting to note that the person that gave the prophecy, [[Hagin Prophecy#Kenneth Hagin's Account of Anna Schrader's Prophecies|Anna Schrader, also prophesied William Branham's death]] in 1965. | It is also interesting to note that the person that gave the prophecy, [[Hagin Prophecy#Kenneth Hagin's Account of Anna Schrader's Prophecies|Anna Schrader, also prophesied William Branham's death]] in 1965. | ||
== | One must conclude that the since the voice was not mentioned in William Branham's own early retelling of the story that it never occurred and that he simply used the language from the Lindsay book. | ||
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). | |||
==William Branham initially said he didn't know what it meant!== | |||
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). | |||
== | ==What was reported in the newspapers== | ||
[[Image:14Converted.jpg|right|thumb|300px| Jeffersonville Evening News, June 2, 1933]] | [[Image:14Converted.jpg|right|thumb|300px| Jeffersonville Evening News, June 2, 1933]] | ||
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 | 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. Microfiche sources in Indiana have also been searched. However, we 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. It should be noted that this article does not mention a light or the Ohio River and casts serious doubt on the number of people that William Branham claims to have baptized. | ||
We must reasonably conclude that the story of the light appearing on the Ohio River was never reported in any newspaper. | We must reasonably conclude that the story of the light appearing on the Ohio River was never reported in any newspaper. We must also conclude that William Branham estimates of numbers were wildly exaggerated. | ||
==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. | 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. | ||
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=Quotes= | |||
The following are a few of the quotes of William Branham relating to his experience: | The following are a few of the quotes of William Branham relating to his experience: | ||
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[[Category:Honesty and Credibility]] | |||
[[Category:Supernatural vindication]] | |||