Examining the Message of William Branham
An examination of the prophecies, teachings and experiences of William Branham
from the perspective of a former follower who has found new life in Jesus Christ
The first to plead his case seems right,
Until another comes and examines him.
(Proverbs 18:17)
William Branham*
"I've got to leave here. You've got to leave here. And if I go as a false prophet, I'll lose my own soul and lose yours with me."
— William Branham ("Questions and Answers on the Holy Ghost," tape #59-1219)
"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
— Jesus
Dear Reader,
Do you believe that William Branham was a prophet that brought a Message from God? If so, what led you to reach that conclusion? Was it his teachings that convinced you? Or maybe certain signs of prophecy or healing? Were you convinced from biblical evidence? Have you ever considered exactly what the Bible says about how we are to know if a man is truly a prophet of God? Have you ever searched the scriptures for possible reasons why Wm. Branham might not have been a true prophet of the Lord? That's just as important as knowing the biblical characteristics of a true prophet. Have you considered such serious questions as:
- Did Wm. Branham ever make a predictive prophecy that did not come to pass as predicted? (Deuteronomy 18:21-22; Jeremiah 23:16)
- Did he ever teach doctrine as coming from the Lord that doesn't agree with Scripture, or that takes Scripture out of context? (Romans 16:17-18)
- Were any of his teachings self-contradictory or contrary to God's Word? (2 Peter 2:1-3)
- Did he ever describe certain amazing supernatural events he experienced without any witnesses to attest to them? (John 5:31)
- Were any of his prophecies or revealed teachings similar to those of false prophets who came before him? (Jeremiah 23:30-31)
If the answer to one or more of these questions is yes, then please consider carefully what Jesus said:
Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.
(Matthew 7:15-20)It isn't always obvious that false prophets are deceivers. Jesus said they would appear as sheep, but inwardly—in their secret motives and ambitions—they are ravenous wolves. False prophets might actually appear like humble, sincere servants of the Lord. We cannot judge their hidden intents, but we can judge what they are by their fruits. A "yes" answer to any of the above questions identifies bad fruit in the Message, of which WMB often said was one and the same as the messenter.
Every predictive prophecy made by a true prophet would be "THUS SAITH THE LORD", whether he said those words or not. Everything a true prophet teaches are implied revelations from God to his followers. As Jesus said, a true prophet cannot produce bad fruit. Only wolves in sheep's clothing produce bad fruits; fruits which identify them as false. We cannot judge Wm. Branham by his motives and ambitions, but Jesus said we can and must judge him by his fruit. **
To follow a false prophet and his teachings after we see elements of error in his message is sin because Jesus told us to beware of them. Jesus did not say that humility was a defining test of a true prophet. As humble and sincere as Wm. Branham may have seemed, he attributed false prophecies and teaching errors to God while leading us into thinking they were true. That is the definition of a false prophet.
The purpose of this website is not to ridicule William Branham or his Message, nor to delve into details of his private life or associations that are not relevant to the actual content of his Message. It is to warn people about a man who distorted the character and nature of God, undermined the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, prophesied falsely in God's name, and caused many to doubt the integrity of the Bible through his poor theology. My goal is to point Message believers to the true and living God and the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes! (Romans 1:16)
Study your Bible. Don't let what you perceive as humility in William Branham's personality impair your ability to objectively discern truth from error in his Message.
My plea is that you Examine the Message of William Branham thoroughly before you commit to embracing it as truth!
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.
(Hebrews 13:8-9a)For the Glory of God,
John Kennah
Webmaster, Examining the Message of William Branham
Email me at: JohnK63@comcast.net
Because I see this website as a work the Lord has graciously allowed me to be part of, anyone is welcome to use, copy, or distribute anything I have authored here without permission or restriction.* Still shot from the Voice of God Recordings film, "The Twentieth Century Prophet" (1953).
** In the 1960s TV series called, "The Outer Limits," there was an episode titled, "The Boarderland." In it is a scene where a medium is holding a seance and is caught faking a supernatural act. When she is accused of faking it for money, she justifies her sincerely motivated actions, saying, "I did not mean to trick you, Mr. Hartley. A medium must have the belief of those around her. I would do anything to increase that belief because out of it comes hidden energy." This brings to mind what WMB has often said his angel told him when it first appeared to him: "If you can get the people to believe you..."
Ultimately, we must leave the salvation of those to whom we witness up to God. It is God's power and grace that saves people, not our efforts. While it is good and wise to be prepared to give a vigorous defense and have knowledge of false beliefs, neither of these things will result in the conversion of those trapped in the lies of the cults and false religions. The best we can do is pray for them, witness to them, and live the Christian life in front of them, trusting that the Holy Spirit will do the work of drawing, convincing, and converting.
(https://www.gotquestions.org/cult-evangelism.html)One of my favorite evangelistic ministries is "Living Waters." Please click on the image below to watch any one of their excellent videos for free!
Background, divider bars, and button graphics at this Site provided by:
aaabackgrounds.com
"Undertake nothing from motives of ambition or love of fame."
— Adoniram JudsonMay God use this website to reach Message believers who the Father is drawing to Christ.
To God be the Glory!
