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List of Issues with the Message: Difference between revisions
→Was William Branham really a prophet?
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[[Image:Answers small.jpg|thumb|250px|right]] | [[Image:Answers small.jpg|thumb|250px|right]] | ||
This page summarizes virtually all of the research we have conducted since | |||
This page summarizes virtually all of the research we have conducted since 2004 with respect to William Branham and his message. Click on any of the questions or colored links to read further details on the issue. | |||
=What is the motivation for this website?= | =What is the motivation for this website?= | ||
The development of this website started out in 2004, and was ultimately published in 2007, with the purpose of being a sane voice in defense of the message of William Branham. | |||
We left the message church we had attended for 37 years after it turned out that the pastor of the church had covered up the sexual abuse of a minor. The majority of the congregation also left within a month after our leaving and a new church started up. It did not differ doctrinally from the church we left, yet the pastor believed all those who left were apostate. The most problematic issue was the fact that not a single message minister stood up publicly against the egregious sin of our former pastor. | |||
How could this be? Wasn't the purpose of the message to create a pure bride that could stand above sin and the world? We began to think that the message had somehow been perverted by the ministers of the message. To determine whether this was the case, we went to the very foundation of our faith and started examining what we believed. | |||
Because the message was basically a "King James Version Only" denomination (and, yes, we believe the message is a "denomination" as that word is commonly defined), we started examining the Bible and which versions we could consider as trustworthy. Through our research, it became readily apparent that the Bible was very trustworthy, although our understanding was changed somewhat as we clearly understood how the New Testament had been passed down to us today. | |||
We then started to research the message. Our sole purpose was to prove the message to be true so that we could determine how it had been perverted by the message ministers who refused to stand up against sin in the pulpit. | |||
While the Bible had stood up well to intense scrutiny, our research into the message started raising some very difficult questions - visions that had apparently failed, prophecies that had changed over time, credibility issues and doctrinal problems. | |||
Paul considered those that searched scripture to prove things true to be more noble than those that did not: | Paul, in Acts 17, considered those that searched scripture to try to prove whether things were true to be more noble than those that did not: | ||
:''The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ac 17:10–11.</ref> | :''The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ac 17:10–11.</ref> | ||
The research we did to try answer to the | The research we did to try answer to the questions we encountered raised even more questions, '''so we became even more diligent in our efforts to prove that the message was correct and that William Branham was a true prophet of God'''. The ongoing results of our research continued to raise even more questions. We spent several years researching these issues which in turn raised multitudes of questions. | ||
==What happened next...== | ==What happened next...== | ||
Our biggest problem was that '''no one in our church''' was prepared to sincerely consider our questions and try to answer them. We talked to many well known ministers that also followed William Branham, but they didn't have any answers either. A few of the more honest ministers actually admitted that we had stumbled onto some questions that they couldn't answer (at least in a way that reflected positively on William Branham). So we kept searching for answers. | Our biggest problem was that '''no one in our church''' was prepared to sincerely consider our questions and try to answer them. We talked to many well-known ministers that also followed William Branham, but they didn't have any answers either. A few of the more honest ministers actually admitted that we had stumbled onto some questions that they couldn't answer (at least in a way that reflected positively on William Branham). So we kept searching for answers. | ||
What was important to us was the Bible and it has always been our sincere desire to follow Christ regardless of the cost. That is more important to us than family, friends or work. Our questions were driven by our desire to know Jesus Christ in his death, burial and resurrection. | What was important to us was the Bible and it has always been our sincere desire to follow Christ regardless of the cost. That is more important to us than family, friends or work. Our questions were driven by our desire to know Jesus Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. | ||
==What does the Bible say about sincere questions?== | ==What does the Bible say about sincere questions?== | ||
[[Reason and the Message#Jesus' reaction to someone who questioned him|What | Read our article on [[Reason and the Message#Jesus' reaction to someone who questioned him|What Jesus had to say about asking questions?]] | ||
The Book of Acts contains numerous examples of Paul reasoning with the Jews in their synagogues about the Messiah. Paul was dealing with tough questions being put to him by Jews that did not believe the message of Christ. | The Book of Acts contains numerous examples of Paul reasoning with the Jews in their synagogues about the Messiah. Paul was dealing with tough questions being put to him by Jews that did not believe the message of Christ. | ||
When someone comes to us with a tough question, how are we supposed to respond? | When someone comes to us with a tough question, how are we supposed to respond? Peter gives us the answer in 1 Peter 3:15 (shown below from several translations): | ||
:''But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and '''be ready always to give an answer to every man''' that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear...<ref>1 Peter 3:15-16 (KJV)</ref> | :KJV - ''But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and '''be ready always to give an answer to every man''' that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear...<ref>1 Peter 3:15-16 (KJV)</ref> | ||
:''...but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, '''always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you''', yet with gentleness and reverence...<ref>1 Peter 3:15-16 (NASB)</ref> | :NASB - ''...but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, '''always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you''', yet with gentleness and reverence...<ref>1 Peter 3:15-16 (NASB)</ref> | ||
:''Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And '''if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it'''. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.<ref>1 Peter 3:15-16 (NLT)</ref> | :NLT - ''Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And '''if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it'''. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.<ref>1 Peter 3:15-16 (NLT)</ref> | ||
I am not sure why those in our church did not seem to believe or practice this verse, but we have found this attitude through out the message - message believers refuse to answer, or even discuss, our questions in an open and honest manner. | I am not sure why those in our church did not seem to believe or practice this verse, but we have found this attitude through out the message - message believers refuse to answer, or even discuss, our questions in an open and honest manner. | ||
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'''THE PROMISE''' - If you are aware of any errors/problems/concerns with information on this list or in the related articles on our website, please let us know [[Contact information|by email]] or by [https://www.facebook.com/BelieveTheSign a message to us on our Facebook page]. We will correct any factual errors as quickly as possible. | '''THE PROMISE''' - If you are aware of any errors/problems/concerns with information on this list or in the related articles on our website, please let us know [[Contact information|by email]] or by [https://www.facebook.com/BelieveTheSign a message to us on our Facebook page]. We will correct any factual errors as quickly as possible. | ||
People have also asked us whether it is wrong to highlight all of the issues with William Branham and his message. We have looked at this issue carefully and believe it is not only right but we are [[Are we wrong to highlight the problems with William Branham and his message?|required to tell people what we found.]] | |||
Here are the issues we found: | |||
=Was William Branham really a prophet?= | =Was William Branham really a prophet?= | ||
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'''How can William Branham be a true prophet of God if he failed the test of Deut 18:20-22?''' | '''How can William Branham be a true prophet of God if he failed the test of Deut 18:20-22?''' | ||
#[[Question 1 (ABM) - The Municipal Bridge vision|'''NEW - Q&A with a message minister relating to William Branham's prophetic ministry''']] | |||
#[[William Branham and Billy Graham|What did William Branham prophesy about Billy Graham?]] Did the prophecy come to pass? (this is either a failed prophecy or William Branham lied about the prophecy). | |||
#[[Proof of the Prophetic|Did William Branham make any '''REAL''' prophecies?]] '''(We can't find any ''before the fact'' prophecies on any tape!)''' | #[[Proof of the Prophetic|Did William Branham make any '''REAL''' prophecies?]] '''(We can't find any ''before the fact'' prophecies on any tape!)''' | ||
#[[The Municipal Bridge Vision|Why did William Branham say that the municipal bridge vision was fulfilled when it clearly wasn't?]] '''(Failed Prophecy)''' | #[[The Municipal Bridge Vision|Why did William Branham say that the municipal bridge vision was fulfilled when it clearly wasn't?]] '''(Failed Prophecy)''' | ||
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#[[World Council of Churches|Was the prophecy of the World Council of Churches accurate?]] '''(Failed Prophecy)''' | #[[World Council of Churches|Was the prophecy of the World Council of Churches accurate?]] '''(Failed Prophecy)''' | ||
#[[Plum and Apple Trees|If the vision of the Plum and Apple Trees was from God, why did William Branham change his mind about it in 1965?]] '''(Prophecy Changed)''' | #[[Plum and Apple Trees|If the vision of the Plum and Apple Trees was from God, why did William Branham change his mind about it in 1965?]] '''(Prophecy Changed)''' | ||
#[[Fulfillment of Prayer for Great Men of the World|Did William Branham ever pray for "kings, monarchs, potentates, and great men of the world."]] '''(Failed Prophecy)''' | |||
#[[The Alaska Earthquake|Was the prophecy of the 1964 Alaska earthquake made after the fact?]] '''("After the Fact" Prophecy)''' | #[[The Alaska Earthquake|Was the prophecy of the 1964 Alaska earthquake made after the fact?]] '''("After the Fact" Prophecy)''' | ||
#[[Third Pull|What is the Third Pull? Was it prophetic?]] '''(too vague to qualify as a bona fide prophecy)''' | #[[Third Pull|What is the Third Pull? Was it prophetic?]] '''(too vague to qualify as a bona fide prophecy)''' | ||
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William Branham portrayed himself as a simple, honest, uneducated man who was sent from God as a prophet to fore-run the second coming of Christ. However, many of the stories that he told have been proven to be untrue and many of the doctrines that he said he received directly from God were, in fact, plagiarized from other ministers. If you click on the individual items below, they will take you to a detailed explanation of each issue. | William Branham portrayed himself as a simple, honest, uneducated man who was sent from God as a prophet to fore-run the second coming of Christ. However, many of the stories that he told have been proven to be untrue and many of the doctrines that he said he received directly from God were, in fact, plagiarized from other ministers. If you click on the individual items below, they will take you to a detailed explanation of each issue. | ||
#[[Question 7 (ABM) - William Branham's visit to Rome|'''NEW - Q&A with a message minister relating to William Branham's credibility''']] | |||
#[[Did William Branham visit the graves of Muhammad, Buddha, and Confucius?]] | |||
#Did William Branham visit the Vatican and see the inscription "''[[VICARIVS FILII DEI]]''" above the throne of the Pope? | |||
#[[William Branham and Billy Graham|Did William Branham lie about his prophecy regarding Billy Graham?]] | |||
#[[1933 Ohio River Experience|Did anyone hear the voice on the Ohio River in 1933?]] | #[[1933 Ohio River Experience|Did anyone hear the voice on the Ohio River in 1933?]] | ||
#Did William Branham see [[Stories about Eagles|a mother eagle carry her babies on her wings?]] | |||
#[[The Cloud|Why did William Branham say that he was under the cloud when they took its picture, when he clearly wasn't?]] | #[[The Cloud|Why did William Branham say that he was under the cloud when they took its picture, when he clearly wasn't?]] | ||
#Did William Branham travel [[William_Branham's Travels#Around the world seven times?|around the world seven times?]] | |||
#[[Bible saved from the flood|Was William Branham's Bible saved miraculously in the 1937 flood?]] | #[[Bible saved from the flood|Was William Branham's Bible saved miraculously in the 1937 flood?]] | ||
#[[The Man from Windsor|Why did the story of the man from Windsor change so drastically over time?]] | #[[The Man from Windsor|Why did the story of the man from Windsor change so drastically over time?]] | ||
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If you study the message, you will find that William Branham departed significantly from the plain meaning of scripture in many things that he taught. If you click on the individual items below, they will take you to a detailed explanation of each issue. | If you study the message, you will find that William Branham departed significantly from the plain meaning of scripture in many things that he taught. If you click on the individual items below, they will take you to a detailed explanation of each issue. | ||
#[[Question 6 (ABM) - Revelation 10:7|'''NEW - Q&A with a message minister relating to William Branham's doctrine''']] | |||
#[[Was Time Created as a Result of Sin?]] | |||
#[[Who got naked first?]] Adam or Eve? | |||
#[[Christians that were required to believe Satanic doctrine|Why did William Branham teach that some Christians were required to believe Satanic doctrine to be saved?]] | #[[Christians that were required to believe Satanic doctrine|Why did William Branham teach that some Christians were required to believe Satanic doctrine to be saved?]] | ||
#[[Elijah and Elisha did pray|Elijah and Elisha prayed. So why did William Branham say they didn't?]] | #[[Elijah and Elisha did pray|Elijah and Elisha prayed. So why did William Branham say they didn't?]] | ||
#Why did William Branham disagree with the doctrine | #Why did William Branham disagree with the doctrine of [[The Clarity of Scripture|the clarity of scripture]], a long held doctrine of the church? | ||
#[[Revelation 10:7|William Branham believed he was the fulfillment of Revelation 10:7. Was he correct?]] | #[[Revelation 10:7|William Branham believed he was the fulfillment of Revelation 10:7. Was he correct?]] | ||
#[[Did God change Saul's name to Paul?]] | #[[Did God change Saul's name to Paul?]] | ||
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#[[Can you lose your healing?]] | #[[Can you lose your healing?]] | ||
#[[Enoch and Noah#The Seventh from Adam|Was Enoch the seventh from Adam]]? Is this proof of the Serpent Seed doctrine? | #[[Enoch and Noah#The Seventh from Adam|Was Enoch the seventh from Adam]]? Is this proof of the Serpent Seed doctrine? | ||
#[[Mystery Babylon#The Identity of the Woman|Is the harlot in the Book of Revelation the Roman Catholic Church?]] | |||
#[[Are Christians considered amateur gods?]] | #[[Are Christians considered amateur gods?]] | ||
#[[Michael the Archangel|Is Jesus Christ the same as Michael the Archangel?]] | #[[Michael the Archangel|Is Jesus Christ the same as Michael the Archangel?]] | ||
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*[[How many will be saved?|Millions will be saved... or maybe only 50.]] | *[[How many will be saved?|Millions will be saved... or maybe only 50.]] | ||
*[[Are you going to the wrong church?|Don't leave your church... No! Leave your church now!]] | *[[Are you going to the wrong church?|Don't leave your church... No! Leave your church now!]] | ||
*[[Can you tell if someone has the Holy Spirit?|You can't tell if someone has the Holy Spirit... Yes you can! Only people that | *[[Can you tell if someone has the Holy Spirit?|You can't tell if someone has the Holy Spirit... Yes you can! Only people that believe me have the Holy Spirit!]] | ||
*[[Did he blow the horn?|Did William Branham blow his horn... or not?]] | *[[Did he blow the horn?|Did William Branham blow his horn... or not?]] | ||
*[[The confused teachings of William Branham|Other confused teachings of William Branham]] | *[[The confused teachings of William Branham|Other confused teachings of William Branham]] | ||
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#[[Joseph Branham]] | #[[Joseph Branham]] | ||
=False Doctrine Taught by Message Churches= | =False Doctrine and Misinformation Taught by Message Churches= | ||
These doctrines may not have been taught directly by William Branham (or at least we have not found quotes yet) but are widely held by Message ministers/believers and are taught in a variety of message churches (please note that they may not be found in all message churches). | These doctrines may not have been taught directly by William Branham (or at least we have not found quotes yet) but are widely held by Message ministers/believers and are taught in a variety of message churches (please note that they may not be found in all message churches). | ||
#[[Is the Message a Cult?#William Branham's message > the Bible|ALL message churches place the words of William Branham above or at least equal to the Bible]]. | #[[Is the Message a Cult?#William Branham's message > the Bible|ALL message churches place the words of William Branham above or at least equal to the Bible]]. | ||
#Excuses for the failure of the Municipal Bridge vision - [[The Municipal Bridge Vision#The men drowned in concrete|The sixteen men drowned in concrete]] | |||
#The use of red herring arguments when [[Failed Prophecies]] are pointed out (see video) | #The use of red herring arguments when [[Failed Prophecies]] are pointed out (see video) | ||
#[[The Message|The message]] is Jesus Christ. | #[[The Message|The message]] is Jesus Christ. | ||
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#[[Message Urban Legends|'''Urban legends''' of the message]] | #[[Message Urban Legends|'''Urban legends''' of the message]] | ||
#[[Questions and Answers with a Message Minister|Q&A with a message minister]] | |||
#[[Bethel Tabernacle|An open letter to Jason Watkins]] | #[[Bethel Tabernacle|An open letter to Jason Watkins]] | ||
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To help those who are now confronted with these issues and wonder what the next course of action should be we would recommend the following links: | To help those who are now confronted with these issues and wonder what the next course of action should be we would recommend the following links: | ||
#Listen to the [http://offtheshelf.life Off The Shelf] podcast! | |||
#[[Reason and the Message#Jesus' reaction to someone who questioned him|What did Jesus say about asking questions?]] | #[[Reason and the Message#Jesus' reaction to someone who questioned him|What did Jesus say about asking questions?]] | ||
#Should we abandon Christianity? Does it still make sense to follow Jesus after leaving the message? | |||
##[[Is belief in God rational?]] | |||
##[[Is the New Testament historically reliable?]] | |||
#[[Testimonies of Former Followers]] | |||
#[[Here we stand, corrected|'''You are not alone!!!''']] | #[[Here we stand, corrected|'''You are not alone!!!''']] | ||
#Further research on William Branham - [[Research Sources for William Branham and His Message]] | #Further research on William Branham - [[Research Sources for William Branham and His Message]] | ||
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#[[If you need help]] | #[[If you need help]] | ||
#[[What should we believe?|So what should I believe?]] | #[[What should we believe?|So what should I believe?]] | ||
#[[BelieveTheSign:What We Believe|What we believe]] | |||
#I have a spouse/family member/friend in the message, [[How to help those in the message|how do I help them]]? | |||
#If you want to ask us a question, you can [[Contact information|email us]]. | #If you want to ask us a question, you can [[Contact information|email us]]. | ||