[229] The sermons focused on the Book of Revelation 6:117, and provided an interpretation of the meaning of each of the seals, which Branham connected with his prior sermons on the church ages. [248] Most eulogies only tacitly acknowledged Branham's controversial teachings, focusing instead on his many positive contributions and recalled his wide popularity and impact during the years of the healing revival. [90] After one year of campaigning, his exhaustion began leading to health issues. The sermons used the dispensational system of C. I. Scofield, Clarence Larkin, and Jehovah's Witness founder Charles Taze Russel. [182] Many different followers of Branham's teachings have claimed to be his immediate successor, or an Elisha to his Elijah. [179], Scholar Robert Price and Doug Weaver suggested that Branham's stance on denominations was developed in response to their rejection of his teachings in an attempt to maintain the loyalty of his closest followers. [177] Following the 1964 prophecy, Branham again predicted the rapture would happen by 1977 and would be preceded by various worldwide disasters, the unification of denominational Christianity, and the rise-to-power of the Roman Catholic Pope. In the United States, Branham was charged with tax evasion for failing to account for the donations received through his ministry; admitting his liability, he settled the case out of court. Many also believe that Branham's son Joseph has claimed the inheritance of his father's ministry. Reporters subsequently found no evidence of a resurrection; no funeral parlor in the city corroborated the story. As a result of his teachings, many of Branham's followers believe that Jesus Christ returned in some form in 1963. [191] Prior to 1957, Branham taught a doctrine of eternal punishment in hell. There was also evidence that Mercer sexually abused children. Branham told his audiences that his wife and daughter had become suddenly ill and died during the January flood as God's punishment because of his failure to embrace Pentecostalism. [240], Branham, however, adopted the teaching of Charles Taze Russell which associated the image of the beast with Protestant denominations. I am too. [133], In 1948, W. J. Taylor, a district superintendent with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, raised concerns again following another wave of Branham meetings and asked for a thorough investigation. [1][315][2][316][317] In 2021, they were reported in the news again as fugitives who were evading arrest after attacking women at a Presbyterian Church in Canada. Some even claimed he was the Messiah, treated him as deity, and began to baptise and pray in his name. Founder of the religious movement known as Branhamism and the William Branham Evangelistic Association (Branham Tabernacle - Jeffersonville, Indiana). 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. "[5] He made a lasting influence on televangelism and the modern charismatic movement,[6] and his "stage presence remains a legend unparalleled in the history of the Charismatic movement". [264][142], Branham's followers do not have a central unifying leadership. In total, critics of Branham identified many claims which appeared to be false when investigated. Authorities have gone so far as to raid one church and threaten members with legal action for violating bigamy laws. "[25], According to Hassan, Branham's followers use "deceptive tactics to recruit and indoctrinate unsuspecting people. [47], Branham continued traveling and preaching among Pentecostal churches while serving as pastor of his new church. [181] The doctrines Branham imported from non-Pentecostal theology and the unique combination of doctrines that he created as a result led to widespread criticism from Pentecostal churches and the Charismatic movement. Even to this day, people are affected.
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