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The Message: Difference between revisions
→The true status of followers of William Branham
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The '''Message''' or the '''Message of the Hour''' is how followers of William Branham refer to his teachings. It is also how they refer to themselves generally as a movement. If you are "'''in the message'''" then you consider yourself a true follower of William Branham and a true follower of God. | The '''Message''' or the '''Message of the Hour''' is how followers of William Branham refer to his teachings. It is also how they refer to themselves generally as a movement. If you are "'''in the message'''" then you consider yourself a true follower of William Branham and a true follower of God. | ||
=The | =The real status of followers of William Branham= | ||
Later in this article, we will look at what message believers think of themselves. But the question is what is their actual status? '''Are message believers special? Are they the true Bride of Christ? Or are they members of a cult?''' | |||
==Is the message a cult?== | ==Is the message a cult?== | ||
Some people refer to the followers of William Branham as "Branhamites" or members of the Branham cult. But are they? | |||
===What is 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. | 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. | ||
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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?=== | ====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. | 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. | ||
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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. | ||
==Are William Branham's teaching in opposition to Biblical Christianity?== | ====Are William Branham's teaching in opposition to Biblical Christianity?==== | ||
[[The Status of Message Believers|We believe that some message believers are Christians]]. This is because some message churches do believe in and teach the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the only means for the forgiveness of sins. However, that does not mean that the message represents true or restored Christianity. | [[The Status of Message Believers|We believe that some message believers are Christians]]. This is because some message churches do believe in and teach the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the only means for the forgiveness of sins. However, that does not mean that the message represents true or restored Christianity. | ||
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*But some of his teaching also leans toward an [[Dynamic Monarchianism|Adoptionist]] view of the Godhead. Followers of [[Vaylism|Lee Vayle's]] have essentially espoused this view (which some refer to derisively as the '''"Twinity"''' doctrine). | *But some of his teaching also leans toward an [[Dynamic Monarchianism|Adoptionist]] view of the Godhead. Followers of [[Vaylism|Lee Vayle's]] have essentially espoused this view (which some refer to derisively as the '''"Twinity"''' doctrine). | ||
== | ==Is the "Bride" 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?= | ||