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1933 Ohio River Experience: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:Image-rs-038 - Br Br baptizing in Ohio River.jpg|thumb|right|250px|William Branham baptising on the Ohio River]]
[[Image:Image-rs-038 - Br Br baptizing in Ohio River.jpg|thumb|right|250px|William Branham baptising on the Ohio River]]
=What William Branham and his followers believe=
In the Tract, [[Life Story Tract|''"Jesus Christ the Same, Yesterday, Today and Forever"'']], William Branham first tells of a light appearing on the Ohio River in 1933:
In the Tract, [[Life Story Tract|''"Jesus Christ the Same, Yesterday, Today and Forever"'']], William Branham first tells of a light appearing on the Ohio River in 1933:


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::''"As John the Baptist was the forerunner of the first coming of Christ, so your message is the forerunner of the second coming of Christ."''
::''"As John the Baptist was the forerunner of the first coming of Christ, so your message is the forerunner of the second coming of Christ."''


:''Of course he alone heard the words though others heard the sound. This is exactly as it was when Paul was blinded by God and heard His voice. Others heard a sound but not the actual voice or the words of the voice. ''
:'''''Of course he alone heard the words''' though others heard the sound. This is exactly as it was when Paul was blinded by God and heard His voice. Others heard a sound but not the actual voice or the words of the voice. ''


==Concerns with the experience==
=Concerns with the experience=


===Some things stay the same, and some things change===
===Some things stay the same, and some things change===
William Branham retells this story many times. Each time he tells the story, a light always appears when the 17th person is being baptised, and a voice says "Look up".  However, there are some differences in each retelling.  Originally, 130 people came to be baptized in August 1933 while 3,000 people watched.  In later retellings, 500 people came to be baptized in June 1933 while 10,000 people watched. William Branham first tells of the voice which says "As John the Baptist was the forerunner of the first coming of Christ, so your message is the forerunner of the second coming of Christ." in August 1952.
William Branham retells this story many times. Each time he tells the story, a light always appears when the 17th person is being baptised, and a voice says "Look up".  However, there are some differences in each retelling.  Originally, 130 people came to be baptized in August 1933 while 3,000 people watched.  In later retellings, 500 people came to be baptized in June 1933 while 10,000 people watched. William Branham first tells of the voice which says "As John the Baptist was the forerunner of the first coming of Christ, so your message is the forerunner of the second coming of Christ." in August 1952.


===John the Baptist===
==John the Baptist==
Gordon Lindsay's book, ''A Man Sent From God'', and Julius Stadsklev's book, ''A Prophet Visits South Africa'' both record the light appearing during the baptism, but omit the voice.  Gordon Lindsay's book does include the following similar prophecy, however:
Gordon Lindsay's book, ''A Man Sent From God'', and Julius Stadsklev's book, ''A Prophet Visits South Africa'' both record the light appearing during the baptism, but omit the voice.  Gordon Lindsay's book does include the following similar prophecy, however:


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It is also interesting to note that the person that gave the prophecy, [[Hagin Prophecy#Kenneth Hagin's Account of Anna Schrader's Prophecies|Anna Schrader, also prophesied William Branham's death]] in 1965.
It is also interesting to note that the person that gave the prophecy, [[Hagin Prophecy#Kenneth Hagin's Account of Anna Schrader's Prophecies|Anna Schrader, also prophesied William Branham's death]] in 1965.


===I Do Not Know===
==William Branham initially said he didn't know what it meant!==
The third time William Branham relates this story, (1951) he says that a voice spoke and that ''“many asked me what it meant. And I said, "I do not know.”''  If Bro. Branham did not know what it meant in 1951, why then does he know exactly what it means in August 1952?  (see quotes below).
The third time William Branham relates this story, (1951) he says that a voice spoke and that ''“many asked me what it meant. And I said, "I do not know.”''  If Bro. Branham did not know what it meant in 1951, why then does he know exactly what it means in August 1952?  (see quotes below).


===Story in the paper===
==What was reported in the newspapers==
[[Image:14Converted.jpg|right|thumb|300px| Jeffersonville Evening News, June 2, 1933]]
[[Image:14Converted.jpg|right|thumb|300px| Jeffersonville Evening News, June 2, 1933]]
William Branham said that the story was carried by a paper (1950), the "Courier Journal" (1951), the "Sunday Visitor" (1954), the "Louisville Herald", and the "Associated Press" (1961). We have conducted numerous searches in online newspaper archives but have been unable to find any references to William Branham in 1933 other than an article from the Jeffersonville Evening News on June 2, 1933.  However, this article does not mention a light or the Ohio River.     
William Branham said that the story was carried by a paper (1950), the "Courier Journal" (1951), the "Sunday Visitor" (1954), the "Louisville Herald", and the "Associated Press" (1961). We have conducted numerous searches in online newspaper archives but have been unable to find any references to William Branham in 1933 other than an article from the Jeffersonville Evening News on June 2, 1933.  However, this article does not mention a light or the Ohio River.     
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We must reasonably conclude that the story of the light appearing on the Ohio River was never reported in any newspaper.   
We must reasonably conclude that the story of the light appearing on the Ohio River was never reported in any newspaper.   


===Who is Edward Colvin?===
==Who is Edward Colvin?==
Willliam Branham mentions that Edward Colvin was being baptized when the light came down.  If anyone would be a great witness to this event, Edward would be.
Willliam Branham mentions that Edward Colvin was being baptized when the light came down.  If anyone would be a great witness to this event, Edward would be.


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==Quotes==
=Quotes=
The following are a few of the quotes of William Branham relating to his experience:
The following are a few of the quotes of William Branham relating to his experience: