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The Message: Difference between revisions
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=The true status of followers of William Branham= | =The true status of followers of William Branham= | ||
We will cover in some detail as to what message believers think of themselves. But the question is what | We will cover in some detail as to what message believers think of themselves. But the question is what is their actual status? '''Are message believers special or are they members of a cult?''' | ||
==Is the message a cult?== | ==Is the message a cult?== | ||
A “cult” | A “cult” has been defined as a religious group founded by and built upon the teachings of a religious leader whose authority is viewed as being equal to or greater than the Bible and whose teachings are in opposition to the doctrines of biblical and historic Christianity. | ||
The crucial part of the above definition of the word cult is, “whose authority is viewed as being equal to or greater than the Bible.” '''The founder of the cult is viewed as being a “prophet”''' or “prophetess” of God. '''Since he or she is the “voice of God,” the person’s teachings are authoritative.''' Thus the cult is based solely upon the religious authority of the founder. Everything depends on the validity of that authority. | The crucial part of the above definition of the word cult is, “whose authority is viewed as being equal to or greater than the Bible.” '''The founder of the cult is viewed as being a “prophet”''' or “prophetess” of God. '''Since he or she is the “voice of God,” the person’s teachings are authoritative.''' Thus the cult is based solely upon the religious authority of the founder. Everything depends on the validity of that authority. | ||
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The issue of religious authority is the most basic problem one encounters when witnessing to a cultist. While the child of God looks to the Scriptures as the ultimate standard by which to decide religious truth, the cultist looks to his leader to decide the truth for him. As long as the Christian and the cultist are looking to different religious authorities, there is no common ground between them where they can begin.<ref>Robert A. Morey, How to Answer a Mormon: Practical Guidelines for What to Expect and What to Reply When the Mormons Come to Your Door (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1983), 12–13.</ref> | The issue of religious authority is the most basic problem one encounters when witnessing to a cultist. While the child of God looks to the Scriptures as the ultimate standard by which to decide religious truth, the cultist looks to his leader to decide the truth for him. As long as the Christian and the cultist are looking to different religious authorities, there is no common ground between them where they can begin.<ref>Robert A. Morey, How to Answer a Mormon: Practical Guidelines for What to Expect and What to Reply When the Mormons Come to Your Door (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1983), 12–13.</ref> | ||
==Do message believers put William Branham's teachings on par with the Bible?== | |||
It is clear that some followers of William Branham believe that he was Jesus Christ. Many followers of William Branham do put his sermons on equal standing with the Bible because they believe that he was infallible. These groups would include most of the followers of Joseph Branham. | |||
While such people may think that they | But some message believers say: | ||
:''...I have never put Brother Branham's teachings above the Bible! That is not what I believe. | |||
While such people may think that they place the Bible above William Branham's teaching, this is in fact not the case. Why? Because here is what they actually believe: | |||
#William Branham was one of the greatest prophets of all time. Exactly how great he was may vary between message believers '''BUT''', at the very least, they will state that William Branham was one of the seven church age messengers and therefore at least the equal of Paul the Apostle. In addition, his ministry as the [Seventh Angel]] puts him in a league that surpasses the other church age messengers. | #William Branham was one of the greatest prophets of all time. Exactly how great he was may vary between message believers '''BUT''', at the very least, they will state that William Branham was one of the seven church age messengers and therefore at least the equal of Paul the Apostle. In addition, his ministry as the [Seventh Angel]] puts him in a league that surpasses the other church age messengers. | ||
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#Message believers hold that the only true evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is believing the Word for your hour. This means the teachings of William Branham. As a result, if you think that William Branham's message has any significant errors, it proves that you don't have the Holy Spirit. | #Message believers hold that the only true evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is believing the Word for your hour. This means the teachings of William Branham. As a result, if you think that William Branham's message has any significant errors, it proves that you don't have the Holy Spirit. | ||
==The "Bride" is not a special category of Christian== | |||
=What do followers of William Branham think that the message is?= | =What do followers of William Branham think that the message is?= | ||