Experiences #2

1 I tell you what was brought to me today. Was about... tried to make me so weak. I just could not understand how I would get so weak. Always when I would have a meeting... I--I never want to be a sickling. Everyone knows that heard me tell my life story, and how it was caused; the fever caused it, not smoking and so forth, when I was just a young man. And I--I never wanted to be a sickling...?... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] to God, and do everything, played football, and broken me...?... It just pull games out on the...?... out there, and just pulling me...?... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

And I wondered why that was. I couldn't not understand; I get so weak sometimes I'd pass completely out, you know. Had them take me out, may be hours before I'd even come to myself and knowed what was wrong...?... I think... Somewhat about...?... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

2 That I was too sincere about it, that I thought too much on it, set my mind on it too much. Said, "You pray for John Doe's baby; forget about it. That's God's business to heal it." Said, "You just think too much sincerely of it." Said, "Then when you do, going to cause to have a mental collapse."

My nature is not... Well, more like carrying on, but I... They told me I'd have to forget about the thing; I was too sincere for them. I don't believe you can get too sincere about the work of God. That's right. More sincere you are, the better God can lead you.

So I... They told me that I might have a mental break-up. But I--I went along. And many of you that know me, know that from the first time I was here, for a while, I would try to stick things in my mind...

3 [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]... preaching Divine healing, probably before I was born. And I--I seen him at seventy-one years old, and yet was more needful then than my first...?... Now, I looked and then and I heard him say that he could hold a meeting for a year, night after night... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

I believe It would take my very life. Well, I did not understand why that was. I knew that I had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. And Brother Bosworth said, "He'd received the baptism of the Holy Spirit." That made us brothers. And God was the One Who saved us both. And then I wondered why he could hold up and I could not hold up. And I thought, "Well, maybe that he was just--had more of the Holy Spirit, and more than I would." Then I thought... Well, that's the way I kind of--kind of consoled myself with it.

And I thought, "Well, I'm going to pray today. I'm going over in the meeting, and I'm going to see if God won't give me more of the Holy Spirit then, so I can hold up more." So last night in the services, I was really just the same, even when miracles was done.

4 I went home. I--I did not say anything to the loved ones. But this morning, I got up early. I went out to the desert, and I just had to talk it over. I just couldn't understand. And He understands. And He--He knows all about it. So while out there on the desert praying, after a bit, after a prayer, it never spoke with a audible voice as you hear mine, as sometimes He does speak.

But it just seemed as if Something just come down and just said it. And it just settled in my mind forever what it was. Something said, "Those men preach by the Word and this is a gift. Each person depended on their own faith and this is by the gift. So was I, take from Me."

Now, I am not the gift. You see. I believe that there's gifts (That's true.), that's in this world. But the gift is what God sends down out of heaven. And this is just occupied then by a human body, or by anything that God wishes to put it on.

One day, it was His choice to put it upon a--a brass serpent on a pole... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

5 [This portion of tape, here transcribed, is from an unidentified message possibly dated December 3rd--Ed.]

I thank you all. Now, while we're standing, and remain standing just a moment for prayer while we bow our heads if you will.

Our heavenly Father, we thank Thee tonight, because that this is another hour that we've been permitted this side of eternity to meet together and to worship Thee in this Phoenix meeting. And we pray, Father, that Thou will be with us tonight, and may many great things be accomplished for the glory of God. Bless every one that's here in Divine Presence now. Bless the service, the healing, and may the great Name of Jesus grow, O God, until It spreads forth, till all the ransomed Church of God be saved to sin no more. Grant it, Father. Bless us now and the farther part of this service, for we ask it in the Name of Thy Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

6 I don't know any place I'd rather be this side of heaven, than where I am now, standing here again tonight. Tomorrow night will be the--the one year, tomorrow night, since I met you all. When I come here, I wondered; they--they told me I was going to a Spanish church. And I thought, "Well, I imagine they won't receive me." But when I got that hearty welcome, I've always wanted to come back again. So for three nights now we'll have the service here. And then Sunday, to be with another church over at Sunnyslope, I believe it's called. And then Monday, or the eleventh and twelfth, down in old Mexico, at Tijuana.

And I just want to have plenty of time to call the countries everywhere. And this is supposed to be my vacation now. I... I was in Miami last week. And they had quite a service in Miami. I was very tired, especially last night. Several hundreds of people passed through the line. The Lord did work a great work in Miami. That...

7 Then they told me to go home and rest, because this would be a very hard stand. I'm to begin now the twenty-ninth again at Pensacola, and be there for five nights where they're putting two of the big circus tent together, because there's no auditorium to seat the people in. And then from there, I have four days to go about, I guess two thousand or better miles to Kansas City, at the municipal auditorium at Kansas City. And then from there to Topeka, and back to--to Elgin, Illinois, and then over to Chicago, and then out to Washington, and up into Canada. Then we--the services continue on up until November, the--the fifth of November--of October, rather. And then from there, I get three weeks vacation. And then the next place to begin in South Africa. I'm to go from there then to Australia, and all the European countries through next year. And I'm sure that I--I'll... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

8 Life as it is burning out, and one more year has passed by, I'm thankful for this extra time to have seen that many things has been accomplished for Christ in this last year. And as I think it now, that we're facing a time such as never been known. The nations everywhere are breaking. They're in such a--an awful turmoil. And I truly believe that it will not be long until we see Who we really love, coming in power--Jesus. And it's my determination by His help to try to do more this year than I did in the year before, by His grace.

Some... After leaving here, and the end of the year coming, it's some thirty-five thousand definite cases of healing was done in my services by Jesus, last year alone. That isn't just what someone testified that's been healed. That's doctor's statements. And I don't know how many hundreds of different things of cancers, deaf, dumb, blind, almost everything.

9 Now tonight, we--we're--we certainly have services come ten o'clock out there. Tomorrow night... Remember to get to the meeting tonight. And tomorrow night, we go right on, also the messages. Each day, it's... Every morning at ten o'clock, Brother Garcia...?... here to instruct for the Spanish people on healing. And on the way of giving your hearts to Christ:...?... for all people who understands Spanish, to come out for those services. Maybe I could come in here, maybe tonight's services...?...

Just at this time, I would like to introduce a guest of mine. I guess, one of the most Biblical authorities on Divine healing. Been in the United States for many years. Many of you know I was raised...?... and that makes it...?... And I never thought when I was a little boy, of reading his book, that I'd ever meet him. I heard that he was gone on to heaven years ago. But in Miami the other day, I met this dear sister and brother. And they were setting at the meeting, in the services of mine. And then to be with my other friends, or met the opportunity to...?... there. And he met me last Sunday.

10 Many of you know him. I want him to step up here and say "Hello" to the people. And I'm sure he couldn't speak it in Spanish, so he will have to say it in English also. And that's Dr. F. F. Bosworth. How many in here ever heard him, Dr. F. F. Bosworth? All right, Brother Bosworth, come, sir.

[Brother Bosworth speaks--Ed.]

Thank you, Brother Bosworth. It makes me feel good for a man of that caliber to say those words, Brother Bosworth. I think... I guess he was preaching Divine healing before I was born. So that's quite an authority, isn't it?

11 So now, I guess there's quite a few here to be prayed for tonight. How many would understand English here could say--raise your hand and say, "I'm here to be prayed for." Let's see your hands, that's to be prayed for. Well, that's quite a few. And of course there's some here that don't... not understand English.

I'm glad to see some of the little Choir in here again tonight. And I wonder if tomorrow night if I come a little early, if you'd sing, "Only Believe" for me. You understand English, don't you? That's fine. That's fine. I got your pictures in the--I have them in my study. And I never look at it but what I pray for God to bless the young lady. She was so nice. A little young man that's been there also, he sang bass, I believe there's something here, that I don't know nothing about singing.

So every time I think of that Spanish word, "Oh, yes," or something like... "Oye, Oye," wasn't it? I never heard one... hear me, or something...?... You all gave me your laughs. I know I sure butchered it up.

And then I said that, there was some lady that was deaf. And I'd felt the vibration leave her hand, and I knew that she was healed. But I couldn't make her understand. She was looking at me and smiling. And I kept saying, "Do you hear me? Do you hear me?"

And the little brother says, "Tell her, 'Oye'"

And I said, "Oh, yes," or something like that.

And the lady ever what was it, the young lady laughed. And I... Well, anyhow, she heard, didn't she? That was fine. That was just... That was so she was healed.

And I was going down to Mexico next week with knowing two words, "Oye" and "Phoenix." Anyhow, we're going to visit with the people who knows God.

Now, just for a few moments to the English speaking people and to all around, I want to speak to you just a few minutes, reading just a little bit of the Word. I think that faith cometh by hearing, and hearing the Word. Is that right? The Word is... If you can get your faith based upon one certain thing.

12 Here not long ago, I was facing a very hideous demon that was cursing me and spitting on me, trying to, and biting at me, in a straitjacket. And when I went to meet that demon, I knew that one thing, that first, Christ died to free that man from that demon. That's the Word. I know the Angel of the Lord came to me that night and spoke to me, telling me that nothing would stand before the prayer if I could get the people to believe me, and would be sincere when I prayed. Therefore, I had a double witness. Then I could ask him through the Name of Jesus Christ to come out of the person. And the man was took out of his straitjacket and went home normally in his right mind.

Why? Because in the authority of the Name of Jesus Christ. Oh, my. Every demon in hell is subject to that Name. That's right. It's the Name of all names, Jesus. It wasn't given by human lips. The Holy Ghost, the great Gabriel it was, came down and told Mary to call His Name Jesus.

13 And the first time that Name was ever spoke by mortal lips, went into the ears of a mortal, a dead baby in the mother leaped for joy...?... John the Baptist. Is that right? It was six months without life, received life. Then as soon as these words come into her...?... her babe leaped for joy.

And if it'll make a dead person leap for joy, what ought it to do for one that's already alive. Is that right?

And now, over in the Gospel of Saint John, the 4th chapter and beginning at the 46th verse, just to explain some. Now, I do not wish for anyone to be in a hurry. Always be just as quiet, and just as calm and cool.

Now, many things upon this gift has increased, and many things I have learned in the past year that I knew not while I was here the other time... And of course, I believe that as we go on, it'll just keep moving on and on. I trust that way. Anyhow, I--I believe that He will. And now, as you come to a closer, don't never come... Don't ever come in a hurry...?... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

14 If I would come back and send a plane and get... bring me down there and back. Of course, I--I could not do that. So I... they send him back word, the secretary. I don't guess they answer any of the letters. So secretary sent him a handkerchief, or otherwise, a little piece of ribbon, 'cause we send out several thousand a week of them, and instructions on what to do with it.

And they placed it upon the baby. And even the Army doctor said it would never be normal again. In four hours from the time that the handkerchief was pinned on the baby, it was a normal child again. See? Oh, God can do all things.

I was just speaking last night... evening after leaving at the...?... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

What's the name? It was on one of their little newspapers, said, "One as good as the dead, raised by prayer." And I sent her a handkerchief, or a ribbon, and she was in the last stage of a cancer. And in three weeks later, her doctor pronounced her well. She was perfectly well. And it told all about the service. That just spread throughout. And literally hundreds and hundreds of letters from them parts of the country pour in asking for these handkerchiefs.

15 Now, at the beginning of next November [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] willing [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] in foreign missions, out of the North American continent to South Africa, from Australia, and down through there. You'll be praying for me, won't you?

Now, I'll do it. And if any time if I could do anything for you...

Now, in writing me letters, personally letters, you understand why I can't answer personal letters. They're come in. There's hundreds and hundreds a day come. So I couldn't answer them personally. But they'll be attended to.

16 And now, remember, these handkerchiefs, you've wondered about them. "Now, Brother Branham, what about them?" Your letter might be a form letter. Your answer to your letter might be a--from the secretary, but your ribbon has been personally prayed over by myself. Now, if you'll notice, many people anoint letter--anoint handkerchiefs. But if you'll examine the Bible, they wasn't anointed, they taken from the body of Paul (Is that right?) handkerchiefs or aprons.

Now, what that is, is a blessing. Just like Elijah. He took his staff and told Gehazi, "Go, lay it upon the child." For he knew what he touched was blessed.

You say, "Well, Brother Branham, how do you ever do that?"

Well, when I'm in meetings, I go down, and they send me hundreds of yards of half inch white ribbon. And I take those and go to myself in the daytime, take each one of them in my hands and pray for them, and pray that God will heal the person. And then send them back to the secretary and the different offices, and they rush those right out to the sick. The letter is a form letter, but the--the ribbon has been individually prayed over, praying with all the sincerity that I know to pray. For I think, "What if my baby was sick and I sent for some man to pray for it, I'd expect him to do it." Wouldn't you? And I try...?... as I can. And likewise, with your prayers tonight.

17 Now, this claim... Now, so far as I know of, I've only knowed of one person that passed this pulpit and said... I couldn't absolutely know that was perfectly delivered from whatever they had. And that was a young man with epileptic. He passed over the pulpit, the spirit left him, come back. It left him again; it come back. Well, I--I tried it even the third time. The boy would brighten up. He'd smile. He'd look around. In a few moments, I'd see it on him.

Now, that you might know, friends. Now, listen real close. I'm going to get right down...

18 [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]...?... house is given for the glory of God. Now, as I say, this being our last night together maybe for some time, you heard me make this statement, that from anything... I see nothing left that I did not do if he stayed there, unless I knew that the person was going to die, I would reveal that.

But do you know, you can get in trouble with that? Do you know Moses did? Moses had power to smite the rock, even the second time, which was firmly against the will of God. And he even broke the whole program of God. Is that right? But he had power before God to do it. He smote the rock first, and the water didn't come, and he smote it again and called for the water.

And--and I never did think that he...?... do not... Many of us know that that wasn't the will of God. But the prophet had power to do it. But it kept him from going over into the promised land with the children of Israel. See?

19 Now, many times when these things are cast out and I feel them come back, I--I just leave them alone, for I'm afraid. See up in... one of the meetings up, I believe it was in Vancouver recently, a blind woman, German woman, blind for years. As soon as the blind spirit was cast away from her, she begin to speak out in German, showing her daughter standing there. They were all screaming and crying. She turned her head to walk away; it went back on her again. She come back, it cast out again, and it went... And she could see again. She was so elated. When she went away, it come back again. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

When those people come up different doctrines, not the same [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]... but with one heart and one accord. Let every man greet you. As long as you're...?... by one Spirit and member of the Body.

Now, my body couldn't operate tonight with a big cancer on it, or with a big sore. Or if I was upset somewhere, my whole body would be tore up. That's the way it...?... all around.

20 Now, there's coming a confederation of churches. It's already national. You know, you...?... And they're confederating. And there's two great powers a moving in the world. You know what they are without telling. There's one combination of power, and the other one is Catholicism and communism coming together. One against Christ, the other, the Catholic church. Those two powers are coming together. It's... Every person in the world is going to be under obligation to take sides with one or the other.

That's when the little Holy Ghost Church will come together. That's when... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]... the hall of critics for a long time. And I believe that God is going to hang It in the hall of fame one of these days. Persecutions...

21 Now, this is pioneering. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

Speaking with a man here. I spoke with him this morning, a minister, belongs to another organization of churches. He came in here, and he stood on the platform. You know how the Holy Spirit fell last night in our meeting. He was setting here, he belongs to ano... He said, "Brother, if..." He said, "I just rejoiced with all of them." Now, that's the way to do it. It done something else; it was then told. Just in a few moments, it'd been a--a hurt place, because he was a minister. He was in the body. See? He'd been a sore place on the body. But instead of that, he just gave his spirit in with It. And the Holy...

Now, if that would work like, in one little group of people like this, what would it work in the God's Church. You see? Well, if they'd all come together, it's hard to tell what would take place. Is that right? All with one accord in one place, and started up in heaven as a rushing mighty wind, and It filled all the house where they were setting.

22 Sister Garcia, now you got your... all ready? I know all of you will like... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

Setting on the other side of the hill. I'll be over there just setting under that bush listening at you. So I--I want to... So look for me when you get there.

That's very fine. How'd you like that? Fine. Oh, my. We got a record of that now, and we're... The brother's going to bring it... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]

23 [This portion of tape, here transcribed, is from an unidentified message.--Ed.]

How many believes It's the Word of God? All of us do, don't we? All right. You that have it now, turn with me to Saint Luke the 5th chapter. A little familiar Scripture here we wish to read and speak on it just for a few moments before going into the prayer line. Now, listen close as we read the Word.

And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, that he stood by the lake,

And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

And he entered into one ship, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little into the... a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

Now when he left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down the net for the draught.

Simon answered and said unto him, Master, we've toiled all night, and taken nothing: but nevertheless at thy word we'll let down the net.

And so when they had thus done, they pulled a great multitude of fishes; and their nets brake.

And they beckoned to their partners, which were in the ship, that they would come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

24 Shall we bow our heads just a moment for prayer. Our heavenly Father, we thank Thee tonight for this, another opportunity that we're permitted to be here in the house that's called by Your Name, the house of God. We realize that this is a house of correction, a sanctuary, a place where we're indicted, and our indictments are pleaded. Now, we pray, Father, that You'll forgive us of every sin and every trespass that we've done...