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For those who have been in the message for long, to question the honesty of William Branham appears almost blasphemous. But the Bible says that we are to discern all things and, in particular, those that claim to be prophets are to be judged (1 Cor 2:15, 1 Cor 14:29). | :'''''“I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you.”''''' - Friedrich Nietzsche | ||
For those who have been in the message for long, to question the honesty of William Branham appears almost blasphemous. But the Bible says that we are to discern all things and, in particular, those that claim to be prophets are to be judged (1 Cor 2:15, 1 Cor 14:29) and those in leadership in the church are held to a high standard (Titus 1:6-8, 1 Tim. 3:2-9). | |||
:'''''“If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.”''''' ― Mark Twain | |||
=Questions regarding William Branham's Honesty= | |||
'''A person making things up tries to make himself look good. But someone trying to honor the one who sent him sticks to the facts and doesn’t tamper with reality.'''<ref>Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005), Jn 7:18.</ref> | |||
{{Credibility Questions}} | |||
=The Biblical standard= | |||
Proverbs 14:5 states: | |||
:''A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.<ref>The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Pr 14:5.</ref> | |||
'''If''' William Branham told lies, that would make him a false witness, according to the Bible. | |||
Revelation 3:14 tells us: | |||
:''And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God...<ref>The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Re 3:14.</ref> | |||
'''Could William Branham be the messenger to the Laodicean church if he was not honest? If he was a false witness?''' | |||
=Problems with William Branham's Credibility= | =Problems with William Branham's Credibility= | ||
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|''We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.'' ~ 2 Corinthians 4:2 (NLT) | |''We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.'' ~ 2 Corinthians 4:2 (NLT) | ||
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Was William Branham honest? If he can be shown to have distorted the truth or if his stories are constantly changing over time such that they vary significantly from their first telling, this would cast doubt on virtually everything that he said. The following list contains issues that raise questions regarding his honesty and truthfulness. Some of these concerns have only recently come to light but they are now sufficient in number that they should raise genuine concern on the part of anyone who is a follower of William Branham. | Was William Branham honest? If he can be shown to have distorted the truth or if his stories are constantly changing over time such that they vary significantly from their first telling, this would cast doubt on virtually everything that he said. The following list contains issues that raise questions regarding his honesty and truthfulness. Some of these concerns have only recently come to light but they are now sufficient in number that they should raise genuine concern on the part of anyone who is a follower of William Branham. | ||
==[[Congressman Upshaw]]== | ==[[Congressman Upshaw]]== | ||
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There is a heartbreaking story that is familiar to all followers of William Branham. Bro. Branham first encountered Pentecostal people at a convention in Mishawaka, Indiana. While he was drawn to them and was invited to speak in their churches, he refused to join with them because he listened to his mother-in-law instead of God. And, as a result, his wife and daughter died as a direct result of his disobedience to God. | There is a heartbreaking story that is familiar to all followers of William Branham. Bro. Branham first encountered Pentecostal people at a convention in Mishawaka, Indiana. While he was drawn to them and was invited to speak in their churches, he refused to join with them because he listened to his mother-in-law instead of God. And, as a result, his wife and daughter died as a direct result of his disobedience to God. | ||
[[ | [[Image:1935PenTabAd.png|200px|thumb|right|Pre-1937 Ad for Pentecostal Tabernacle]] | ||
But, is this the truth? | But, is this the truth? | ||
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==[[The Cloud]]== | ==[[The Cloud]]== | ||
Why did William Branham state that [[The Cloud|the cloud]] was directly above him while he was hunting, when it actually appeared 8 days earlier 200 miles away? Why did he say that Life Magazine said the cloud appeared at the same place that he was hunting when it clearly didn't? Why does William Branham state that the pictures in Life Magazine were taken on the day that he heard the blast when they were actually taken over a week earlier? | Why did William Branham state that [[The Cloud|the cloud]] was directly above him while he was hunting, when it actually appeared 8 days earlier 200 miles away? Why did he say that Life Magazine said the cloud appeared at the same place that he was hunting when it clearly didn't? Why does William Branham state that the pictures in Life Magazine were taken on the day that he heard the blast when they were actually taken over a week earlier? | ||
==[[1933 Ohio River Experience]]== | ==[[1933 Ohio River Experience]]== | ||
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On December 23, 1962, William Branham relates [[Prophecy of the Cloud|a vision in which he sees five angels in a constellation]]. One week later, he changed the number to seven. Why? | On December 23, 1962, William Branham relates [[Prophecy of the Cloud|a vision in which he sees five angels in a constellation]]. One week later, he changed the number to seven. Why? | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
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|''Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.'' ~ Ephesians 4:25 | |''Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.'' ~ Ephesians 4:25 | ||
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<br> | <br> | ||
= | =Quotes= | ||
:''In the big lie there is always a certain force of credibility; because the broad masses of a nation are always more easily corrupted in the deeper strata of their emotional nature than consciously or voluntarily; and thus in the primitive simplicity of their minds they more readily fall victims to the big lie than the small lie, since they themselves often tell small lies in little matters but would be ashamed to resort to large-scale falsehoods. | |||
:''It would never come into their heads to fabricate colossal untruths, and they would not believe that others could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously. Even though the facts which prove this to be so may be brought clearly to their minds, they will still doubt and waver and will continue to think that there may be some other explanation. For the grossly impudent lie always leaves traces behind it, even after it has been nailed down, a fact which is known to all expert liars in this world and to all who conspire together in the art of lying. These people know only too well how to use falsehood for the basest purposes."<ref>Adolf Hitler</ref> | |||
=Conclusion= | |||
If you try to say that William Branham was a true and faithful witness, then you aren't following Jesus. And if you are following Jesus, then you can't follow William Branham. It's one or the other. | |||
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[[Category:Honesty and Credibility]] | |||
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