[46] Sometime during March or April 1934, the First Pentecostal Baptist Church was destroyed by a fire and Branham's supporters at the church helped him organize a new church in Jeffersonville. Branham interpreted the cloud to be the face of Jesus Christ, and a fulfillment of 1 Thessalonians 4:16: "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout". [194] Branham believed his doctrine had a nuanced difference from the Oneness doctrine and to the end of his ministry he openly argued that he was not a proponent of Oneness doctrine. ($761,518 in 2020 dollars)[150] Comparatively, Oral Roberts earned a salary of $15,000 in the same years. [163] Jones needed a religious headliner to endorse his ministry and invited Branham to share the platform with him at a self-organized religious convention held at the Cadle Tabernacle auditorium in Indianapolis from June 11 to 15, 1956. [260], Edward Babinski describes Branham's followers as "odd in their beliefs, but for the most part honest hard-working citizens", and wrote that calling them a cult "seems unfair". He required supplicants to claim to be healed to demonstrate their faith, even if they were still experiencing symptoms. Luc 9.20 Et vous, leur demanda-t-il, qui dites-vous que je suis? [251] Most believed he would have to return to fulfill a vision he had regarding future tent meetings. [96][103], This caused many in the healing revival to view Branham as a "seer like the old testament prophets". Charismatic writer Michael Moriarty stated, "Branham's aberrational teachings not only cultivated cultic fringe movements like the Latter Rain Movement and the Manifested Sons of God, but they also paved a pathway leading to false predictions, revelatory madness, doctrinal heresies, and a cultic following that treated his sermons as oral scriptures". [184] As a result, the theology he developed in the later years of his life seemed "complicated and bizarre" to many people who admired him personally during the years of the healing revival. Some thought he was a dupe of the devil. [172] Weaver also attributed Branham's eschatological teachings to the influence of a small group of his closest followers, who encouraged his desire for a unique ministry. "272 God don't deal with organizations, He don't deal with groups. [177] James McDonald of the University of Arizona Institute of Atmospheric Physics was present when the 1963 cloud phenomena appeared. Branham identified historical Christian figures as church age messengers, naming some of the same men as Russel. [158] Several perspectives on the decline of the healing revival have been offered. [318], In 2018, Pastor Thodore Mugalu, a leader of Branham's followers in the Democratic Republic of Congo encouraged his followers to violence against Catholics in his country. [112][94] Attendance at the meetings generally exceeded 7,000 despite resistance to his meetings by the state churches. [54] Branham's popularity began to grow following the 1942 meetings in Milltown, Indiana where it was reported that a young girl had been healed of tuberculosis. Qui est william marrion branham selon la bible. Only a piece, scrap, made of a man, to deceive him by; God made it, right here has proved it. [8][150] Even after he became famous, Branham continued to wear inexpensive suits and refused large salaries; he was not interested in amassing wealth as part of his ministry[12] and was reluctant to solicit donations during his meetings. In March 1924, Branham's father was arrested for his criminal activities; he was convicted and sentenced to a prison. [193] Early in his ministry, Branham espoused a position closer to an orthodox Trinitarian view. The tribe filed a racketeering case against them to recover their money. [88][8], During early 1947, a major campaign was held in Kansas City, where Branham and Lindsay first met Oral Roberts. [67], Branham held massive inter-denominational meetings, from which came reports of hundreds of miracles. Elle offre aux tlspectateurs, auditeurs et internautes des programmes d'missions, d'informations, de socits, et de divertissements la lumire de la Parole de Dieu. Hollenweger was disappointed that Branham refused to acknowledge the numerous failed pronouncements of healings. In some of Branham's biographies, his first son's birth date is reported as September 13, 1935, but in government records his birth date is reported as September 13, 1934. [28] Branham returned to Jeffersonville in June 1929 to attend the funeral. [98][7] According to Lindsay, the altar call at his Durban meeting received 30,000 converts. [195][172][j] Branham stated that he was not opposed to organizational structures; his concern focused on the "road block to salvation and spiritual unity" he believed denominations created by emphasizing loyalty to their organizations. Supporters of polygamy claim Branham authorized the practice in his 1965 sermon entitled "Marriage and Divorce". [8] From 1955, Branham's campaigning and popularity began to decline as the Pentecostal churches began to withdraw their support from the healing campaigns for primarily financial reasons. [212] When confronted with the accusations of racism, some of his followers have denied the teaching of serpent seed has any connection to white supremacy or racism, and have pointed out that non-white followers of Branham accept the doctrine and its implications. [81] Following the Shreveport meetings, Branham held a series of meetings in San Antonio, Phoenix, and at various locations in California. German protestors picketed in front of Frank's church to protest his actions. [25], After holding a very successful revival meeting in Shreveport during mid-1947, Branham began assembling an evangelical team that stayed with him for most of the revival period. They've always been a segregation. [123][128] Pohl also claimed Branham was frequently given and accepted large financial gifts from individuals who he pronounced as healed, including those who subsequently died. Allen. [68] Branham's fame began to grow as a result of the publicity and reports covering his meetings. [206][204], Barkun and Schambers also connected Branham's teaching to the white supremacy movement and Christian Identity preacher Wesley Swift. Les Ouvriers de la 11e heure selon la bible et le prophete william branham [35], Branham claimed to his audiences he was first exposed to a Pentecostal church in 1936, which invited him to join, but he refused. "[25] Leaders in Branham's movement have taken actions to prevent followers from discovering the true origin of the serpent seed teaching. [97] Kydd reported that by watching films of the revival meetings, "the viewer would assume almost everyone was healed", but "results were less promising whenever follow-up was made. However the swelling number of competitors and emulators were further reducing attendance at Branham's meetings. 3-14303", "$10 million bail for pastor charged with money laundering", "Johnson City preacher's video against biracial marriage goes viral", "Today's court appearance marks a new chapter in London's response to street preachers", "Street preachers' mission inside churches could be recruitment: Expert", "Radical street preachers disrupt Upstate church, scream insults at women, pastor says", "London street preachers sought by police on near year-long arrest warrant: court documents", "DRC: a minister denounces an "attack" with rosaries", "DRC: The revival churches called to the rescue by the power", "William Branham Evangelistic Association", Evangelical Times: 'William Branham', by Eryl Davies, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_M._Branham&oldid=1152590255, This page was last edited on 1 May 2023, at 04:24. [192] Branham's teaching was particularly damaging to his relationship with Pentecostals denominations who were angered that he would associate them with the mark of beast. Throughout his healing revivals, Branham was accused of committing fraud by investigative news reporters, fellow ministers, host churches, and governmental agencies. [109] Upshaw died in November 1952, at the age of 86. Branham eventually criticized the Voice of Healing magazine which he had helped create as a "massive financial organization" that put making money ahead of promoting good. Some seemed to experience a momentary relief from pain, but all too many would discover no lasting benefit. [170], At the same time the Charismatic movement was gaining broad acceptance, Branham began to transition to a teaching ministry. Unlike his contemporaries, who followed doctrinal teachings which are known as the Full Gospel tradition, Branham developed an alternative theology which was primarily a mixture of Calvinist and Arminian doctrines, and had a heavy focus on dispensationalism and Branham's own unique eschatological views. [184], As Branham's ministry progressed, he increasingly condemned modern culture. He began speaking on the controversial doctrinal issues he had avoided for most of the revival. "[136] Another case was four-year-old Donny Morton, who was diagnosed with a rare brain condition. [129], At his 1947 meetings in Winnipeg, Branham claimed to have raised a young man from the dead at a Jeffersonville funeral parlor. [65], Divine healing is a tradition and belief that was historically held by a majority of Christians but it became increasingly associated with Evangelical Protestantism. [141] Allegations in Norway led authorities to limit Branham's ability to hold meetings; the Directorate of Health forbade Branham from laying hands on the sick and sent police to his meetings to enforce the order. [239], Branham believed denominationalism was "a mark of the beast", which added to the controversy surrounding his later ministry. [182], Branham issued a series of prophecies during his lifetime. [261] Though Branham is no longer widely known outside Pentecostalism,[260] his legacy continues today. [157], Branham has been called the "principal architect of restorationist thought" of the Charismatic movement that emerged from the healing revival. [68] By August his fame had spread widely. [210], Branham believed the term "predestination" was widely misunderstood and preferred to use the word "foreknowledge" to describe his views. [115] Durban Sunday Tribune and The Natal Mercury reported wheelchair-bound people rising and walking. [63] Christian writer John Crowder described the period of revivals as "the most extensive public display of miraculous power in modern history". [217][218] Hassan wrote that Branham's followers use "deceptive tactics to recruit and indoctrinate unsuspecting people," and that "recruiters do not tell new members" about the historic "deep ties to white supremacy groups. He investigated the phenomena and discovered that the cloud had been created by an exploded Thor rocket carrying a classified spy satellite launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base that failed to make orbit. Branham was saddened that his teaching ministry was rejected by all but his closest followers. [8][156], By the mid-1950s, dozens of the ministers associated with Branham and his campaigns had launched similar healing campaigns. [32][33], At the time of Branham's conversion, the First Pentecostal Baptist Church of Jeffersonville was a nominally Baptist church which adhered to some Pentecostal doctrines, including divine healing and speaking in tongues; Branham reported that his baptism at the church was done using the Jesus name formula of Oneness Pentecostalism. His visions ended with the apocalyptic destruction of the United States that left the nation's cities in smoldering ruins. Joseph Coleman, a follower of William Branham in the United States with influence over multiple churches, was connected to "a multi-million dollar fraud through an investment management company". [91] Branham's illness coincided with a series of allegations of fraud in his healing revivals. Branham would often tell supplicants what they suffered from, their name, and their address. The news of the reported healing was slow to spread, but was eventually reported to a family in Missouri who in 1945 invited Branham to pray for their child who was suffering from a similar illness; Branham reported that the child recovered after his prayers. [23] The help of the Klan during his impoverished childhood had a profound impact on Branham throughout his life. [124] Criticism of Branham's use of this gift was primarily around its nature; some asserted that it was a non-Christian practice and accused him of witchcraft and telepathy. Because of the Great Depression, it was often short of funds, so Branham served without compensation. See? [179] Branham's doctrines are a blend of both Calvinism and Arminianism, which are considered contradictory by many theologians; the teachings have been described as "jumbled and contradictory and difficult to categorize". They were the tools of the Devil. He died in prison in 2021. Branham's sensational claim was reported in the news in the United States and Canada, leading to a news media investigation to identify the funeral home and the individual raised from the dead. [132], Branham was also accused of fraud by fellow ministers and churches that hosted his meetings. Branham later claimed he saw a car in 1960 that fulfilled his vision. Branham obtained a truck and had it painted with advertisements for his healing ministry which he toured in. However, Florence Nightingale never married and had no children or grandchildren. Authorities have gone so far as to raid one church and threaten members with legal action for violating bigamy laws. God be merciful to him. [39][34] Peter Duyzer noted that Branham's story of the events surrounding the death of his wife and daughter conflicted with historical evidence; they did not die during the flood, he and his wife were both already Pentecostals before they married, and he was pastor of a Pentecostal church at the time of their deaths. "[25], According to Hassan, Branham's followers use "deceptive tactics to recruit and indoctrinate unsuspecting people. [96] Branham's audiences were often awestruck by the events during his meetings. [94] As a result of the meeting, Lindsay rejoined Branham's campaigning team. His followers might refer to themselves as Branhamites or Message Believers. [200] Branham did not view financial prosperity as an automatic result of salvation. PART 34 - THE SEVEN DIMENSIONS - End Time Message.org [94][111] Branham held his first series of campaigns in Europe during April 1950 with meetings in Finland, Sweden, and Norway. After 1956, attendance at Branham's meetings dwindled and his appeal became limited to the loyal following that developed around him during the earlier years. "[7] The many revivalists who attempted to emulate Branham during the 1950s spawned a generation of prominent Charismatic ministries. Seven is "completion," like the world.". "[4] Ses enseignements continuent d'tre promus par le biais de la William Branham Evangelistic Association, qui a rapport en 2018 qu'environ 2 millions de personnes recevaient leur matriel. Her fingertips were burned so she would know what hell felt like. Let it alone the way God made it. [269], Some groups of Branham's followers refuse medical treatment because of their divine healing beliefs. [6] The belief is widely held in the modern Charismatic movement,[6] and the legacy of his restorationist teaching and ministering style is evident throughout televangelism and the Charismatic movement. [161] The bad feelings and breakdown of cooperation between the leaders of the movement contributed to the end of the healing revival. Shortly after Branham's death, his followers divided in multiple feuding groups. "[25], "Branhamism" redirects here. Some critics accused Branham's team of sharing prayer card information with Branham before he began his prayer lines. William Branham, Called Out January 9, 1958, " he is now operating to produce a Protestant 'image of the beast' with life, which will cooperate with the chief Antichrist" Russel, The Finished Mystery, p. 272. [47] At first Branham preached out of a tent at 8th and Pratt street, and he also reported temporarily preaching in an orphanage building. I sure would. A dog can't do it, a hog can't do it, a bird can't do it. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, "Not all Branham churches are racist or embrace the anti-race-mixing position," "but the theology clearly invites racism. At the peak of his popularity in the 1950s, Branham was widely adored and "the neo-Pentecostal world believed Branham to be a prophet to their generation". [38] Newspaper articles reported the original name of Branham's new church to be the Pentecostal Tabernacle. Rev. But he has to cause great fusses now calling our causing riots, and big fusses, and everything else across the nations, and across the world just because he wanted to stick his head out about something. [24] Branham would go on to maintain lifelong connections to the KKK. So men could have many wives, but women only one husband. After the world failed to end in 1977, Time Magazine included the failed prediction as one of the "top ten end-of-the-world prophecies". [99] After completing his sermon, he would proceed with the prayer line where he would pray for the sick. [150] The Charismatic movement is a global movement within both Protestant and non-Protestant Christianity that supports the adoption of traditionally Pentecostal beliefs, especially the spiritual gifts (charismata). [69][96], This second sign did not appear in his campaigns until after his recovery in 1948, and was used to "amaze tens of thousands" at his meetings. [8] Branham briefly stopped campaigning and said he would have to take a job to repay the debt, but the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International ultimately offered financial assistance to cover the debt. There is nothing designed to stoop so low, or be filthy, but a woman. The church was built on the same location reported by the local newspaper as the site of his June 1933 tent campaign. [197] The rigid moral code associated with the holiness movement had been widely accepted by Pentecostals in the early twentieth century. [263][n] In 2000, the William Branham Evangelical Association had missions on every inhabited continent with 1,600 associated churches in Latin America and growing missions across Africa. [185], Branham believed that all sickness was a result of demonic activity and could be overcome by the faith of the person desiring healing. [45], Branham took over leadership of Roy Davis's Jeffersonville church in 1934, after Davis was arrested again and extradited to stand trial. The percentage of healings that stood up after investigation was embarrassingly low. [177] Branham lamented Mercer and the actions of his group as he worried that a cult was potentially being formed among his most fanatical followers. He is a segregationalist [sic]. [35], During June 1933, Branham held tent revival meetings that were sponsored by Davis and the First Pentecostal Baptist Church. Branham reported that in his visions he saw seven major events would occur before the Second Coming of Christ, including the prediction of the rise of Adolf Hitler, the Second World War, the Italian occupation of Ethiopia, and the rise of communism. William Branham dont le ministre de la parole avait trois tapes : la . [228] Weaver wrote that "the importance of the revelation of the seals to Branham's 'prophetic' identity cannot be overestimated". [127][122], In 1955, Branham's campaigning career began to slow following financial setbacks. Attendees reported seeing him "staggering from intense fatigue" during his last meetings. [171] By the 1960s, Branham's contemporaries and the Pentecostal denominations that had supported his campaigns regarded him as an extremely controversial teacher. However, according to multiple Branham biographers, like Baptist historian Doug Weaver and Pentecostal historian Bernie Wade, Branham was exposed to Pentecostal teachings from his conversion. [174] Branham argued that his entire ministry was divinely inspired and could not be selectively rejected or accepted, saying, "It's either all of God, or none of God". Their tactics prompted officials to pass legislation targeting their activities in 2019. [8], In January 1950, Branham's campaign team held their Houston campaign, one of the most significant series of meetings of the revival. That's exactly right. Crowder suggested Branham's gradual separation from Gordon Lindsay played a major part in the decline. Reporters subsequently found no evidence of a resurrection; no funeral parlor in the city corroborated the story. [210], Doug Weaver, Jon Schambers, and Michael Barkun have investigated Branham's serpent seed doctrine to identify its origin. By her beauty and her sex control, her shape that was given to her by Satan, the by-product that Satan did, she is sent to deceive sons of God. [181][182] His unique arrangement of doctrines, coupled with the highly controversial nature of the serpent seed doctrine, caused the alienation of many of his former supporters. [265] Peary Greene (19332015) in Arizona, and Ewald Frank in Germany both held influence over a significant number of churches. Weaver suggested that Branham may have become acquainted with the serpent seed doctrine through his Baptist roots. "[279], "In one instance,Mercer ordered that [a girl's] hair be cut off to punish her because he had had a vision from God that she was being sexually inappropriate with young children. [209][210][122], Branham reported discussing the possibility that blacks were descended from apes as early as 1929, but claimed to reject the belief at the time. [227], Branham claimed the sermons were inspired through an angelic visitation and the appearance of what he believed to be a supernatural cloud in Arizona that was visible in the American Southwest on February 28, 1963. [193] As Branham began offering his own viewpoint, it led to the alienation of Pentecostal groups adhering to Trinitarianism. [199], Weaver wrote that Branham's attitude to women concerning physical appearance, sexual drive, and marital relations was misogynistic,[202] and that Branham saw modern women as "essentially immoral sexual machines who were to blame for adultery, divorce and death. [81], Lindsay was a successful publicist and manager for Branham, and played a key role in helping him gain national and international recognition. [274] According to Enroth, Branham's followers believe subjecting themselves to this treatment is necessary for them to "be refined and perfect" and "ready to meet Jesus" at this second coming. [87] The location of their first meeting was too small to accommodate the approximately 8,000 attendees, and they had to relocate to the Sam Houston Coliseum. [10][11] According to Branham, that year his family moved to Jeffersonville, Indiana. [114], Branham's meetings were regularly attended by journalists,[115] who wrote articles about the miracles reported by Branham and his team throughout the years of his revivals, and claimed patients were cured of various ailments after attending prayer meetings with Branham. [181][182][183], The Full Gospel tradition, which has its roots in Wesleyan Arminianism, is the theology generally adhered to by the Charismatic movement and Pentecostal denominations. [146] Branham generally attributed the failure of supplicants to receive healing to their lack of faith. [285] William Branham's second sermon during his visit to Karlsruhe, Germany, left a deep impression on Schfer. [82][f] The story of Samuel the Prophet, who heard a voice speak to him in the night, inspired Branham's name for the publication. [157], Amid the financial issues in 1956, Lindsay left Branham's campaign team. [190] Not all Pentecostal sects accepted the idea. Luc17.30 Il en sera de mme le jour o le Fils de l'homme paratra. Although he had hinted at it many times, Branham publicly stated for the first time that he was the return of Elijah the prophet in his final meetings in Shreveport. Followers of Branham's teachings in Colonia Dignidad were portrayed in the 2015 film Colonia. As late as 1963, Branham continued to speak highly of the them saying, "the Ku Klux Klan, paid the hospital bill for me, Masons. [282], In 2002, Ralph G. Stair, a leader of a Branham's followers in United States, was arrested and convicted of molesting minors, raping multiple women in his church, and financial crimes. QUI DITES-VOUS QUE WILLIAM MARRION BRANHAM EST-IL ? Branham claimed Walker failed to recover his hearing because he had disobeyed Branham's instruction to stop smoking cigarettes. [238] In 1964 and 1965 he began to make special emphasis that the Son of Man could only be revealed through the ministry of a prophet. Weaver based his estimate on numbers reported by Branham's son. [192] By 1957 he began promoting an annihilationist position in keeping with Parham's teachings. [194] Branham lamented that more so than any other teaching, Pentecostals criticized him for his predestination teachings. "[268] "The Message cult has always been deeply connected to white supremacy groups. [271][1], In his book Churches that Abuse, Ronald Enroth wrote that some churches use Branham's teachings to "belittle, insult, and berate" their members as part of their discipleship teachings on submission, humility, and obedience. [241][k] In his later years, he came to believe all denominations were "synagogues of Satan". [293][294][295] Homicide detectives working the case said the group was radicalized by Branham's teachings, leading to their deaths. [10], Branham told his audiences that he grew up in "deep poverty",[10] often not having adequate clothing, and that his family was involved in criminal activities. [81] Ern Baxter or F.F. Bosworth usually filled this role, but other ministers like Paul Cain also participated in Branham's campaigns in later years. [15] The couple began dating in 1933. [172][235] Branham did not directly claim to be the end-time messenger in either of his sermons on the church ages or the seven seals. [116][117] Winnipeg Free Press reported a girl was cured of deafness.
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