The Message of Truth

If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. --Jesus Christ (John 8:31-32)
11/27/14

What to Think of William Branham

"Virtually every theological heresy begins with a misconception of the nature of God."
--Hank Hanegraaff

William Branham had a huge misconception of God. His view was so wrong that it led him to claim that the biblical revelation of God's being was a concept invented by the Devil. Throughout his "ministry," William Branham repeatedly rejected the doctrine of the Trinity. John MacArthur once said that to deny the Trinity is to redefine Christ. To deny the Trinity is to believe in a god of one's own making.

Jesus said, "All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." (Matthew 11:27)

WMB's biggest problem is that he didn't know the Father. His rejection of the triune Christian God reveals that fact. His false representation of God was foundational to his Message. His false view of the Father led to his redefinition of who who Jesus Christ was, just as Dr. MacArthur said it would.

So, was WMB a false teacher? "It's wrong to judge. Nobody has a right to decide if someone isn't saved!"

When I recently raised the question of whether it was wrong for us to reject as a fellow Christian a Bible teacher who taught a heretical view of God's very being, I got the following response:

"Judging does not equal discernment. You don't know his heart but you know his words. And discernment tells you the words he is using need to be addressed and if he refuses to accept reasonable loving correction then he should be considered a wolf for practical purposes."

That makes perfect sense. The Bible tells us to beware of wolves in sheep's clothing. How do we know who the wolves are without making a judgment of some sort? We don't judge the false teacher's heart, but we can discern his beliefs based on his own words and whether he accepts correction or not.

The Apostle Paul said to Titus, "As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned." (Titus 3:10-11) WMB's false view of God was divisive. With it, he cut himself off from the Church, and the Church left him far behind. But his influence continues. 

WMB is no longer here, so it's impossible to admonish him. Besides, he had been warned far beyond the biblically allotted first and second time. He condemned himself. But there are thousands of his followers who believe and teach the same thing. Many have left his Message but continue to espouse his false view of God. Some were teachers in the Message and continue to teach WMB's false view of God even after having left the Message. And they have a following who continue in WMB's error. They need to be admonished in Christian love. But they must not be encouraged to find comfort as fellow believers in Christ if they refuse to be corrected because they continue to reject the biblical revelation of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit--the triune God of Christianity.

Was WMB a false teacher. Definitely. Do I have a right to say he wasn't saved? Only God can pronounce eternal judgment on a person. But based on his own testimony according to his teaching, we can discern that he was a false teacher and not to be considered a part of the Body of Christ, the Church. Now, what will you do for those who continue in his error?

See also, 


"John MacArthur on Why One Must Believe in the Trinity," discussion between Phil Johnson and John MacArthur
 

Comments (1)

  • 3/20/15 - Craig WheatleyYou hypocrite. Why do you take a single quote from what William Branham said and base how whole...  Show Full Comment
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