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==Facts surrounding the picture==
==Facts surrounding the picture==
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It was about midway in the Houston campaign in 1950, and God was moving in a very powerful way. None could deny that there was an element of the Supernatural moving in the Sam Houston Coliseum. Most were convinced that it was Almighty God, but a few were skeptical.
It was during the Houston campaign in 1950, that a skeptic, Rev. W. E. Best, who opposed divine healing, became hostile against Rev. Branham and [[F.F. Bosworth]] (who spoke during many of the day services) teaching on the subject of divine healing. The hostile clergyman issued a public challenge through the newspapers, to debate with Rev. Bosworth on the subject of "Divine Healing Through the Atonement." Rev. Bosworth asked and received Bro. Branham's permission to accept the challenge. Bro. Branham cautioned Brother Bosworth against being argumentative over "the Word". The whole matter was given front-page publicity in the Houston newspapers. The January 24th, 1950 issue of The Houston Press hit the news stands with the headline: "Baptist Cleric To Challenge 'Miracle Man'".  
 
One of the skeptics was Rev. W. E. Best who opposed divine healing and became hostile against Rev. Branham and [[F.F. Bosworth]] (who spoke during many of the day services) teaching on the subject of divine healing. The hostile clergyman issued a public challenge through the newspapers, to debate with Rev. Bosworth on the subject of "Divine Healing Through the Atonement." Rev. Bosworth asked and received Bro. Branham's permission to accept the challenge. Bro. Branham cautioned Brother Bosworth against being argumentative over "the Word". The whole matter was given front-page publicity in the Houston newspapers. The January 24th, 1950 issue of The Houston Press hit the news stands with the headline: "Baptist Cleric To Challenge 'Miracle Man'".  


As the debate got under way, it was quite apparent that the sympathy of the vast audience was almost entirely on the side of the visiting evangelists. Large numbers of members from the same denomination as Rev. Best stood to their feet as witnesses that they believed in Divine healing and had in fact been healed. This sentiment became increasingly evident throughout the service.
As the debate got under way, it was quite apparent that the sympathy of the vast audience was almost entirely on the side of the visiting evangelists. Large numbers of members from the same denomination as Rev. Best stood to their feet as witnesses that they believed in Divine healing and had in fact been healed. This sentiment became increasingly evident throughout the service.
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To record what he thought would be a great milestone in his career, the opposing Rev. Best secured the services of Mr. James Ayers and Mr. Ted Kipperman, professional photographers from Douglas Studios in Houston. They were to take a series of pictures of him while he was speaking. After taking several photos of Rev. Best, the photographer snapped only one picture of Rev. Branham, who spoke briefly just before the service closed.
To record what he thought would be a great milestone in his career, the opposing Rev. Best secured the services of Mr. James Ayers and Mr. Ted Kipperman, professional photographers from Douglas Studios in Houston. They were to take a series of pictures of him while he was speaking. After taking several photos of Rev. Best, the photographer snapped only one picture of Rev. Branham, who spoke briefly just before the service closed.


Immediately following the meeting Mr. Ayers went to the darkroom of his studio to develop the negatives that had been exposed. To his surprise every one of the negatives turned out to be absolutely blank with the exception of the one which had been taken of Rev. Branham.  His surprise turned to amazement when he noticed that on this negative, immediately over the head of Rev. Branham, was apparently a supernatural halo of light. Mr. Ayers called the others of the studio to look at the negative; but when they did so, each was equally puzzled and no one could explain the presence of this halo.
Immediately following the meeting Mr. Ayers went to the darkroom of his studio to develop the negatives that had been exposed. He was surprised that over the head of Rev. Branham, was apparently a supernatural halo of light. Mr. Ayers and others who viewed the photo were puzzled by the presence of what appeared to be a halo of light.
 
The following morning the photographer sent word to Rev. Branham to inform him of the strange phenomenon that had occurred in connection with the photograph he had taken the night before. Rev. Branham explained to the young man that he was not greatly surprised. He testified that just before the picture was taken he heard the Pillar of Fire descend into the building with a sound of rushing wind.


==Local newspaper reporting==
==Local newspaper reporting==
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