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Stories from the Message: Difference between revisions
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The following true stories raise serious questions about the integrity of ministers in the message. | The following true stories raise serious questions about the integrity of ministers in the message. | ||
==Lies about a pastor== | |||
A pastor of a message church in the U.S. became aware that there were some serious issues with the teachings of William Branham. He had known for several years that [[The Timing of Cloud Events|William Branham was not under the cloud in Arizona]], that there was [[1933 Ohio River Experience|no voice at the river]], and that [[The Municipal Bridge Vision|his bridge prophecy failed]]. He attempted to reason away these issues, but ultimately had to admit they were outright lies. | |||
He recognized that preaching 'salvation through William Branham's teachings' was far from Biblical and that it undermined the true Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. He also realized that William Branham had taken many Scriptures out of context to try and proclaim himself a modern-day "Elijah" the same way Alexander Dowie, Joseph Smith, and Herbert Armstrong did. | |||
The fact that [[Proof of the Prophetic|all William Branham's "prophecies" were told after the fact]] and that he had [[Failed Prophecies|several failed prophecies]] was evidence that he did not fit the description of a Biblical prophet. | |||
This pastor brought some of these issues before his deacons and associate ministers. Rather than look into any of the issues their pastor presented to them, these men were determined to immediately replace their pastor with someone who would continue exalting William Branham, making excuses for his lies and failed prophecies, and ignoring the Scriptures proving him wrong. | |||
'''BUT... THAT'S NOT ALL.''' | |||
To be certain that no one would ask their pastor (of over 30 years) any questions concerning his resignation, the preachers and deacons told the people that their pastor had a complete nervous breakdown and was not in his right mind. This was an outright lie and nothing could have been farther from the truth. If anyone had actually asked their former pastor how he was doing, he would have told them that he was "thinking more clearly than he ever had in his life." And if they had been willing to sit down and talk with him, he could have shared the truth with them. | |||
By lying to the people about their pastor, the preachers and deacons could rest assured that everyone would discredit anything he might share with them, and hopefully avoid him altogether. What's interesting about this situation (and should be duly noted) is how quickly the congregation, who had looked to this man as their gentle shepherd for so many years, could so easily dismiss him without even asking him why he chose to resign. And the fact that they swiftly replaced him with a man who exalted Branham and man-handled the people is evidence that this is a man-movement and that people must be man-handled in order to feel spiritual. | |||
Rather than enjoy the freedom that comes from the grace of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, they demand 'another gospel' that consists of law, condemnation, and self-imposed rules. Instead of exalting Jesus Christ, they insist that their man-idol be raised higher and higher. | |||
It's truly heartbreaking to watch message people with their elitest attitude and self-righteous pride. As Christians we should be reflecting the beautiful grace of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. | |||
==Lies about a song leader== | ==Lies about a song leader== | ||