Believers Church

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Believers Church, or Believers Assembly, are the modern day followers of the religious leader William Marrion Branham. William Branham (1909-1965) was associated with the Latter Rain Movement, a Pentecostal movement that began after World War II. The Believers Church is also associated with the terms "True Bride Doctrine", "Evening Light Believers", "Restored Word", "Spoken Word", "Cloverdale Bibleway Ministries", and "Laodicean Church Age."

1 Beliefs and Influences
2 References
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Beliefs and Influences

Believers Church is somewhat Pentecostal in nature and non-Trinitarian, that is, not accepting the standard Christian belief of the Doctrine of the Trinity, or Godhead. While nominally Christian, the practices and beliefs of the church (including Branham) are allegedly cultic. Branham had many visions from an early age, and asserted he was destined for greatness in spiritual revival. He proposed the "7 Church Ages Theory" in which he placed himself along side Biblical forefathers such as Martin Luther and Charles Wesley, and even the apostle Paul of the Bible. In 1963, Branham reported seeing a cloud over Arizona which was supposedly in the shape of Jesus' head, the face of Jesus that appears in the painting "Hoffman's Head of Christ." This painting is most often associated with the Believers Church and her related doctrines, and appears on websites tied in with Branham teaching. The famous cloud also appeared in Time Magazine.

"Believers" are focused on end times and apocalyptic themes, and believe themselves to be the "True Bride" of Christ, that is, a select denomination of individuals destined for salvation, in contrast to the salvation of other Christian denominations. They place emphasis on world mission work and loyalty to Branham and his teachings. Unlike some other denominations, Believers churches appear in a variety of settings from obscure locations (deserted strip malls), to small rural churches, to giant mega churches. The meetings may be as varied as the settings, from small congregations with informal gatherings, to large congregations with a whole network of structured activities. The degree to which Branham is promoted as the backbone of their teaching varies also. Some churches and websites pay great tribute to their leader in abundance, while many other members of Believers Church have never even heard his name. As with any denomination (Christian or otherwise) individual churches or members may not agree with all Branham doctrine or be aware of its existence or part it plays in their church or church history. Also, followers are referred to as simply "Believers", not "a believer." ( The latter being synonymous for a born-again Christian.) Various churches (under different names) appear from the U.S., to Canada, to India, to The Philippines.

Branham's work and legacy is called "The Message." "The Message" is also the name of a paraphrase of the Bible by Eugene H. Peterson.

"Believers" have also been referred to a "Message Believers", however, this title is generally not used in their mainstream.