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Three holy words: Difference between revisions
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We searched for the quote you mentioned, and I must say it was very unique. William Branham often repeats ideas and stories in his messages, but it is very different to hear him say something out of the blue at the start of his ministry and never repeat it. | We searched for the quote you mentioned, and I must say it was very unique. William Branham often repeats ideas and stories in his messages, but it is very different to hear him say something out of the blue at the start of his ministry and never repeat it. | ||
What William | What William Branham said: | ||
:''I want to tell you something now. Watch. Here's what takes place. See, it's... I want to know if you all noticed this. We're fixing to close, you know, fixing to go into the meetings. Have you noticed, always, after I ask or rebuke over a spirit, I'm always perfectly silent for a few moments? Who's noticed that in the meetings, let's see your hands. Have you noticed that?'' | :''I want to tell you something now. Watch. Here's what takes place. See, it's... I want to know if you all noticed this. We're fixing to close, you know, fixing to go into the meetings. Have you noticed, always, after I ask or rebuke over a spirit, I'm always perfectly silent for a few moments? Who's noticed that in the meetings, let's see your hands. Have you noticed that?'' | ||
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:''He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.'' (I CORINTHIANS 14:4 ) | :''He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.'' (I CORINTHIANS 14:4 ) | ||
===So what | ===So what are the secret words?=== | ||
William Branham states that '''" No mortal on earth know it".''' | William Branham states that '''" No mortal on earth know it".''' | ||
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This strange passage represents the type of secret knowledge that the Gnostic Jesus supposedly imparted to his disciples when he thought they were ready for it. In many ways this example is not unlike the mantras handed out to the followers of Hindu gurus who have reached a certain level of so-called enlightenment. Hindu mantras, or secret words, like those given to Thomas in the saying above, are not meant to be shared with anyone else. | This strange passage represents the type of secret knowledge that the Gnostic Jesus supposedly imparted to his disciples when he thought they were ready for it. In many ways this example is not unlike the mantras handed out to the followers of Hindu gurus who have reached a certain level of so-called enlightenment. Hindu mantras, or secret words, like those given to Thomas in the saying above, are not meant to be shared with anyone else. | ||
There is a work referred to as ''The Traditions of Matthias'' which is referred to by some ancient writers. According to Clement of Alexandria, a student of John the Apostle, the teachings of Matthias were used by the Basilideans and perhaps other gnostic groups. According to Hippolytus, the heretics Basilides and his son Isidore claimed to have learned “secret words” from Matthias, which he had received in private teaching directly from the Savior. | There is a work referred to as ''The Traditions of Matthias'' which is referred to by some ancient writers. According to Clement of Alexandria, a student of John the Apostle, the teachings of Matthias were used by the Basilideans and perhaps other gnostic groups. According to Hippolytus, the heretics Basilides and his son Isidore claimed to have learned “secret words” from Matthias, which he had received in private teaching directly from the Savior. | ||
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:''But see what they have made of the mass! In the first place they have hidden these words of the testament and have taught that they are not to be spoken to the laity, that these are secret words to be spoken in the mass only by the priest. '' | :''But see what they have made of the mass! In the first place they have hidden these words of the testament and have taught that they are not to be spoken to the laity, that these are secret words to be spoken in the mass only by the priest. '' | ||
===What does this all mean?=== | |||
Isn't it completely out of character for Jesus to behave as outlined in the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas? Jesus freely gave His wisdom to all who would listen and hoped that they in turn would pass on the lessons to others. | |||
Jesus states in John 18:20: | Jesus states in John 18:20: | ||
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:''I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.'' | :''I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.'' | ||
That seems pretty plain. | That seems pretty plain. Jesus did not teach secret words. | ||
So what is William Branham referring to? | So what is William Branham referring to? | ||
Honestly, we don't have a clue but it should make us all take a very close look at what he taught. | Honestly, we don't have a clue but it should make us all take a very close look at what he taught. We have heard [http://seekyethetruth.freeforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=117&hilit=gnostic people claim that William Branham read gnostic texts and that some of his teachings came from gnostic sources] but to date we couldn't see that being true. | ||
However, we now have to ask the question, were some of his teachings from gnostic sources? Doesn't it seem that this is where he got the concept of the "three high words of the Bible"? Doesn't it seem just a bit contrary to the teachings of the real Bible? | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||