[175] As a result of their view of his teachings, many Pentecostals judged that Branham had "stepped out of his anointing" and had become a "bad teacher of heretical doctrine". A female hog can't be immoral, a female dog can't be immoral, a female bird can't be immoral. Attendees reported seeing him "staggering from intense fatigue" during his last meetings. And she can sway more of them to hell than any other instrument Satan has got. He was 90 and had been a priest for 65 years. 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". [268] While most churches adhere to a common set of tenets, the "extreme local authority" of the church promoted by Branham has led to widespread differences in interpretation of Branham's prophetic teachings. For one vision, he saw Mussolini invading Ethiopia and the African country falling at the Italian dictator's feet. [214] Steven Hassan described Branham's Serpent Seed teachings as "rebranded" Christian Identity theology.[33][214]. He claimed reports of the baptismal story were carried in newspapers across the United States and Canada. Hollenweger was disappointed that Branham refused to acknowledge the numerous failed pronouncements of healings. As a result of his teachings, many of Branham's followers believe that Jesus Christ returned in some form in 1963. [98] During international campaigns in 1954, Branham visited Portugal, Italy, and India. It is a record of one vison after another which God gave to His servant John, the beloved, concerning world events both Jew and Gentile. [160] Branham also began to criticize Oral Roberts and Billy Graham. William Branham, February 17, 1954 Jesus On The Authority Of The Word, Jones ultimately rejected all of Christianity as "fly away religion", rejected the Bible as being a tool to oppress women and non-whites, and denounced the Christian God as a "Sky God" who was "no God at all". [281] The organization disbanded in 2018 following widespread allegations of sexual molestation of children. Resides in Mesa, AZ. This led to people professing to be healed at the meetings, while still suffering from the condition. The second best result is William F Brennan age 80+ in Canton, MA. [10] Supported by the KKK's Imperial Kludd (chaplain) Caleb Ridley, Branham traveled with Davis and they participated together in revivals in other states. Branham was baptized and ordained a minister by Roy Davis, the National Imperial Wizard (leader) of the Ku Klux Klan; the two men maintained a lifelong relationship. "[136] Another case was four-year-old Donny Morton, who was diagnosed with a rare brain condition. [145], Some attendees of Branham's meetings believed that some healings were staged and accused him of selectively choosing who could enter the prayer line. His parents were extremely poor farmers. [193] As Branham began offering his own viewpoint, it led to the alienation of Pentecostal groups adhering to Trinitarianism. [161] The bad feelings and breakdown of cooperation between the leaders of the movement contributed to the end of the healing revival. [207] He believed that the serpent was an intelligent human-like ape he described as the missing link between the chimpanzee and man. According to her death certificate, she was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis in January 1936, beginning a period of declining health. [66] The fascination of most of American Christianity with divine healing played a significant role in the popularity and inter-denominational nature of the revival movement. He served his country for 30 years as an Army Chaplain. Some even claimed he was the Messiah, treated him as deity, and began to baptise and pray in his name. According to Pearry Green, The broader Pentecostal movement considers Branham's version of the serpent seed doctrine repugnant and in their point of view, it was the "filthy doctrine that ruined his ministry. [210] In his recorded sermons, Branham first publicly hinted at his belief in the serpent seed doctrine in 1953. [265] Each of the men claiming to be his successor have established new sects of Branham's followers. Father Brennan, a native of Louisville, served as a pastor, chaplain and associate pastor during his ministry. Authorities have gone so far as to raid one church and threaten members with legal action for violating bigamy laws. It's not sensible. [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. Branham was lambasted by critics who asked how it was possible the deaf man could have heard his command to stop smoking. [182][177][139], Branham's death stunned the Pentecostal world and shocked his followers. [39][40], Belief in the baptismal story is a critical element of faith among Branham's followers. He died in prison in 2021. [63] Christian writer John Crowder described the period of revivals as "the most extensive public display of miraculous power in modern history". Related To Sharon Brennan, Amanda Brennan. [179], Throughout his ministry, Branham taught a doctrine of faith healing that was often the central teaching he espoused during the healing campaign. [123] According to historian Ronald Kydd, Branham evoked strong opinions from people with whom he came into contact; "most people either loved him or hated him". According to Hagin, God revealed that Branham was teaching false doctrine and God was removing him because of his disobedience. [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. [15] He claimed that at his birth, a "Light come [sic] whirling through the window, about the size of a pillow, and circled around where I was, and went down on the bed". "[127] One such case was Carol Strubler, who at age nine in 1954 was prayed for by Branham at a recorded revival in Washington, D.C., when he preached a sermon entitled "The Deep Calleth Unto The Deep". [67], Branham held massive inter-denominational meetings, from which came reports of hundreds of miracles. At recorded meetings in California during April 1951, Branham pronounced Morton healed, but the child subsequently died in October. [38] His followers believed his ministry was accompanied by miraculous signs from its beginning, and that when he was baptizing converts on June 11, 1933, in the Ohio River near Jeffersonville, a bright light descended over him and that he heard a voice say, "As John the Baptist was sent to forerun the first coming of Jesus Christ, so your message will forerun His second coming". William married Ettie Jane Yeo (born Gordon) on month day 1905, at age 34. [189] He believed the rapture would occur at the culmination of this process. [201] Citing the creation story in which Eve is taken from Adam's side, Branham taught that woman was not part of God's original creation, and she was a byproduct of man.[199]. Branham claimed that he had received an angelic visitation on May 7, 1946, commissioning his worldwide ministry and launching his campaigning career in mid-1946. [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. 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. 1950), and Joseph (b. [15] The couple began dating in 1933. His family was unable to pay for his medical bills, but members of the Indiana Ku Klux Klan stepped in to cover the expenses. [193] Branham shifted his theological position on the Godhead during his ministry. [222] As described by Branham, the characteristics of the Laodicean age resemble the modern era. Matthew Brennan. American historian, David Edwin Harrell Jr. described him as: an unlikely leader.his preaching was halting and simple beyond belief. "[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. Pohl stated that many people Branham pronounced as healed later died and produced witnesses to validate his allegations. [g] Upshaw had limited mobility for 59 years as the result of an accident, and said he was miraculously healed in the meeting. [248] His funeral was held on December 29, 1965,[248] but his burial was delayed until April 11, 1966; Easter Monday. [124][125] Kydd stated that it "is impossible to get even an approximate number of people healed in Branham's ministry. Dyck reported that people who published material critical of Branham's teachings have been threatened by his followers and warned they may be killed. On September 22, 1992, Bill Brennan came to work at the Stardust Casino in Las Vegas like he did any other day. In 1960, Branham preached a series of sermons on the seven church ages based on chapters two and three of the Book of Revelation. [11] Branham told his publicist Gordon Lindsay that he had mystical experiences from an early age;[10] and that at age three he heard a "voice" speaking to him from a tree telling him "he would live near a city called New Albany". He served as associate pastor of St. Ann and Holy Name churches in Louisville. [68], Herald of Faith magazine which was edited by prominent Pentecostal minister Joseph Mattsson-Boze and published by Philadelphia Pentecostal Church in Chicago also began following and exclusively publishing stories from the Branham campaigns, giving Branham wide exposure to the Pentecostal movement. They had 9 children: Isobel Wigglesworth (born Yeo), Gordon Hamilton Yeo and 7 other children. Louis. [239], Branham's responses and statements on the subject of his divinity were contradictory leaving his followers divided on the subject. [151] During the early years of his campaigns, donations had been able to cover costs, but from 1955, donations failed to cover the costs of three successive campaigns,[8] one of which incurred a $15,000 deficit. [172], Branham came to believe that trinitarianism was tritheism and insisted members of his congregation be re-baptized in Jesus's name in imitation of Paul the Apostle. [242] He argued that continued allegiance to any denomination would lead to an acceptance of the mark of the beast, which would mean missing the rapture. Separating himself from the things of the world and everything, and come into one purpose, Jesus Christ. [10][37] On June 2 that year, the Jeffersonville Evening News said the Branham campaign reported 14 converts. [89] Roberts said Branham was "set apart, just like Moses". [158] Several perspectives on the decline of the healing revival have been offered. Followers of Branham's son expect the resurrection of Branham to fulfill unfinished prophecies. I. [216] Some African followers of Branham's teachings have embraced the racial components and openly call for the "submission of the black man to the white man". [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". [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. July 30, 1997. [212], Branham's followers consider the serpent seed doctrine one of his greatest revelations, and his most original; despite its racial nature, most are unaware of the origins of the teaching within the white supremacy movement. [47] At first Branham preached out of a tent at 8th and Pratt street, and he also reported temporarily preaching in an orphanage building. Dr. William J. Brennan was born and raised in Mineville, N.Y., the eldest son of William and Helen Brennan. Dr. Godfrey has taught church history at Westminster Seminary California since 1981 and served as the seminary's third president from 1993 to 2017. [105][94], Bosworth argued in favor, while Best argued against. [145], I remember in the beginning of the healing movement, simply to report a healing would produce great jubilation and praise from congregations. William Brennan, in full William Joseph Brennan, Jr., (born April 25, 1906, Newark, N.J., U.S.died July 24, 1997, Arlington, Va.), associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (1956-90). He was buried at burial place. [182], Branham issued a series of prophecies during his lifetime. [162] According to Historian Catherine Wessinger, while rejecting Christianity as a false religion, Jones covertly used popular Christian figures to advance his own ideology. The FBI reported that, "rather than using the investors' capital to support the two funds, the defendants used the vast majority of investor money to purchase lavish gifts for their friends and themselves"[302][303][304][305][306], In 2020, Vinworth Dayal, a minister who promoted Branham's teachings in Trinidad was arrested and charged with money laundering through his church. [60] Their obituaries reported Branham as pastor of the Pentecostal Tabernacle, the same church where their funerals were held. [184] Unlike his views on the Godhead and Annihilationism, there was no precedent within Pentecostalism for his views on predestination, and opened him to widespread criticism. [10][29] Branham had no experience with religion as a child; he said that the first time he heard a prayer was at his brother's funeral. [l] Charismatics are apologetic towards Branham's early ministry and embrace his use of the "sign-gifts". [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". [94] As a result of the meeting, Lindsay rejoined Branham's campaigning team. Also known as Bill C Brennan, Brennan Bill. said, "Dr. Davis, the one that ordained you in the Baptist church, was the one who sent me here to see you." [182] Many of his followers regard his sermons as oral scripture and believe Branham had rediscovered the true doctrines of the early church. [193] Early in his ministry, Branham espoused a position closer to an orthodox Trinitarian view. Despite Branham's objections, some followers of his teachings placed him at the center of a cult of personality during his final years. [256] In 2018, Voice of God Recordings claimed to serve Branham-related support material to about two million people through the William Branham Evangelical Association, and estimated there were 24 million total followers of Branham's teachings. Branham's campaign produced photos of an emaciated woman who they claimed to be Nightingale's granddaughter. Born: April 25, 1906, in Newark, N.J., the second of eight children of William Brennan and the former Agnes McDermott. 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. [186] Charismatic writer Michael Moriarty described his teachings on the subject as "extremely significant" because they have "impacted every major restoration movement since". [169], As the healing revival began to wane, many of Branham's contemporaries moved into the leadership of the emerging Charismatic movement, which emphasized use of spiritual gifts. Peter Duyzer presented evidence that Branham falsely claimed to be hunting in Arizona when the cloud appeared, and was actually in Texas where he was assisting with efforts to have the death sentence of Leslie Elaine Perez overturned. [98] He insisted his calling was to bring unity among the different churches he was ministering to and to urge the churches to return to the roots of early Christianity. [248] About three miles (4.8km) east of Friona, Texas, and about seventy miles (110km) southwest of Amarillo on US Highway 60, just after dark, a car driven by a drunken driver traveling westward in the eastbound lane collided head-on with Branham's car. Alvin : I done forgot the Lord! He claimed the king was healed through his prayers. [175] Branham acknowledged their rejection and said their organizations "had choked out the glory and Spirit of God". Michael van der Veen and William Brennan, members of Donald Trump's second impeachment trial legal team. See Photos. [228] Weaver wrote that "the importance of the revelation of the seals to Branham's 'prophetic' identity cannot be overestimated". 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. Donny Reagan Apologizes; Church Explains His Message Saying He's Not Racist, He 'Simply Does Not Marry Interracially', "Apostle of self-styled 'only prophet of God on earth' arrested in West Africa", "The Impact of William Branham's UFO Theology on Peoples Temple", "William Branham and the Pentecostal Prediction", "Brief History of William Branham and Message Church Cult", "Return to Amish What cult did Jeremiah Raber's wife Carmela belong to? [177], Pentecostal churches which once welcomed Branham refused to permit him to preach during the 1960s, and those who were still sympathetic to him were threatened with excommunication by their superiors if they did so. Gumbura and his followers were polygamous. [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. [203] Branham was deeply anti-Catholic, and viewed the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church as the agents of Satan who would bring about the end of the world. [200], Branham strongly identified with the lower-class roots of Pentecostalism and advocated living an ascetic lifestyle. Daren Bryk, CC 506-433-8402 frdbrykccgmail.com Rev. [107], In January 1951, former US Congressman William Upshaw was sent by Roy Davis to a Branham campaign meeting in California. [188] Branham taught the doctrine widely from the early days of the healing revival, in which he urged his audiences to unite and restore a form of church organization like the primitive church of early Christianity. [193], By the early 1950s, he began to privately preach the Oneness doctrine outside of his healing campaigns. [190], He believed that "eternal life was reserved only for God and his children". Weaver suggested that Branham may have become acquainted with the serpent seed doctrine through his Baptist roots. 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