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The Status of Message Believers: Difference between revisions

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=The Many Problems with Wiliam Branham's message=
=The Many Problems with Wiliam Branham's message=
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==Heretical Teaching==
==Heretical Teaching==


Some have a distorted, even heretical, view of basic truths that most would assume have to  must be believed properly in order to be a Christian.  For example, is it possible for a person to be saved if they do not believe that Jesus Christ was God in flesh (Matthew 1:23)?  Certain followers of [[Vaylism|Lee Vayle]] hold to a heretical view of the Godhead – that Jesus Christ was not deity.  Such doctrinal beliefs are against the plain teaching of scripture (John 20:28), and therefore put those who believe such teachings at risk of missing the basic tenets of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Apostles.
Some have a distorted, even heretical, view of basic truths that most would assume have to  must be believed properly in order to be a Christian.  For example, is it possible for a person to be saved if they do not believe that Jesus Christ was God in flesh (Matthew 1:23)?  Certain followers of [[Vaylism|Lee Vayle]] hold to a heretical view of the Godhead – that Jesus Christ was not deity.  Such doctrinal beliefs are against the plain teaching of scripture (John 20:28), and therefore put those who believe such teachings at risk of missing the basic tenets of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Apostles.
[[File:MessageWarning.jpg|500px|thumb|right|450px]]


Others view William Branham's message as being superior to the Bible.  How can one really be considered a Christian when they hold William Branham's teachings as superseding those of the Bible?
Others view William Branham's message as being superior to the Bible.  How can one really be considered a Christian when they hold William Branham's teachings as superseding those of the Bible?
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Many message believers condemn denominational and non-denominational churches on the basis that those congregations are lukewarm.  However, message congregations can also fall within the same classification as lukewarm.  The message of Revelation 3:16 is crystal clear when the Lord states “''because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth''.”  The peril of being lukewarm is the same, whether in relation to a message church or a non-message church!     
Many message believers condemn denominational and non-denominational churches on the basis that those congregations are lukewarm.  However, message congregations can also fall within the same classification as lukewarm.  The message of Revelation 3:16 is crystal clear when the Lord states “''because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth''.”  The peril of being lukewarm is the same, whether in relation to a message church or a non-message church!     


==Legalism==
The legalistic teachings of William Branham have a decidedly negative impact on believer’s spiritual development.  So while there are those in the message that have experienced Christ’s redemptive work, they are weighed down by a theology that is inconsistent with Paul’s teachings regarding the grace of Christ.  Paul states that such beliefs can alienate a person from the grace of God – “''Those of you who try to be put right with God by obeying the Law have cut yourselves off from Christ. You are outside God’s grace''.”  (Gal 5:4 GNT)
A man named Simon thought that he could buy the Holy Spirit with money.  It appears that some message believers are trying to buy the Holy Spirit by public demonstrations of their own righteousness.


==Lack of Love==
==Lack of Love==
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Another evidence of a lack of love is a church's response to the poor, or a catastrophe.  When disaster strikes, do you say "Thank God no believers were hurt", or do you extend a helping hand to those that were hurt?  When the poor come into your church, do you lead them to the deacon (the policeman of message churches) or help them yourself?  When the poor don't come to your church, do you find it easy to ignore their problems?   
Another evidence of a lack of love is a church's response to the poor, or a catastrophe.  When disaster strikes, do you say "Thank God no believers were hurt", or do you extend a helping hand to those that were hurt?  When the poor come into your church, do you lead them to the deacon (the policeman of message churches) or help them yourself?  When the poor don't come to your church, do you find it easy to ignore their problems?   
==Legalism==
The legalistic teachings of William Branham have a decidedly negative impact on believer’s spiritual development.  So while there are those in the message that have experienced Christ’s redemptive work, they are weighed down by a theology that is inconsistent with Paul’s teachings regarding the grace of Christ.  Paul states that such beliefs can alienate a person from the grace of God – “''Those of you who try to be put right with God by obeying the Law have cut yourselves off from Christ. You are outside God’s grace''.”  (Gal 5:4 GNT)
A man named Simon thought that he could buy the Holy Spirit with money.  It appears that some message believers are trying to buy the Holy Spirit by public demonstrations of their own righteousness.