"Should a pastor alone partake of the tithes, or also the rest of the five-fold ministry can exercise that power?"

Answer: Now there is a dividing line here and that is, certainly I believe, on scriptural grounds, that the other part of the ministry can partake of the tithes and offerings of the church. I believe that even the members can, but then when you speak of exercising power and authority over the tithing and offerings, that's a different subject. The pastor of the church is the full authority over the finance of the church because he is placed there as the steward of God who must give an account of his stewardship. But, I believe a true shepherd and a true pastor does not want to become a millionaire from tithes and offerings. He does not want to be a miser, and he doesn't want to be a greedy fellow.

I believe that the monies that come into the House of the Lord is for the functioning of the church, and although the minister has power over the money, I believe the Lord will direct him how to use it for the welfare of the church of God, the deacons, the trustees, the other ministers, the five-fold ministry and even the people of God. Now you have seen that demonstrated here. [Congregation says, "Amen!"] Well this question is very strange to you.

But what is happening around the world is that some of these hirelings, know the power that is invested in them concerning church funds and they take the church funds and buy four and five motorcars, and the most expensive ones. They build million dollar homes, and take trips around the world for vacation. They are so extravagant in their spending that the tithes and offerings are not enough to send their children to university, buy motorcars for each one of them and wear the best clothing, insomuch that they have to invent other means and different kinds of schemes to collect more money: Pastor's love offering, pastor's wife love offering, and all kinds of excuses to collect money. Now that's a hireling, anointed of the devil and demon possessed with the same spirit of Judas Iscariot. Anytime a man will do that he is after money and he has proven himself to be a hireling and a possessor of the spirit of Judas.

Although that minister has the power over the money, we must get the dividing line. It is not for him to take all. That's the system in organization and that's the same devil that is upon the ministers of the message everywhere. They think that because it is placed that way, it means to take all, and if anybody wants any other funds in the church let them find it some how. Take up a collection or something like that. In other words, "That is mine." Now, that's a devil! What about the assistant pastor? Is he not working for the Lord in the House of God? What about the other ministers? What about the evangelist who passes by? What about the other ministries who pass by, who pay their fares and spend money with their vehicles to come and preach in that church? What about the deacons who function in the House of God? Won't they have need of something? What about the poor people in the House of God? Didn't Jesus say to remember the poor. (Luke 14:13-14).

So now, this money goes into the ministry of Christ. The money is not being paid actually to the person of the pastor; it is being paid to the ministry for the welfare of the church. To run the church you need lights, you want rent, you want to pay the janitor etc. But all these funds and all these other expenses are taken up from the people, beside the offering and the tithes. It is true that nobody could force the pastor and tell him what to do with the tithes, if to give the saints from that or if to do such and such, and it should not be used for the building of the church because that's a separate fund, but yet brothers and sisters, this man must be directed of the Lord and if he has a money spirit, the Holy spirit cannot direct him.

So yes, the other parts of the ministry can partake of the tithes but they do not have the authority to demand the monies from the church, to come there and say, "I am an apostle, give me ten thousand dollars" he has no authority; "I am an evangelist and you give me two thousand dollars", no, or a minister in the House of God come and say, "listen to me, I want a salary every month." They do not have that authority. But if you have a Shepherd there, he will look out and see the needs of the ministry. Neither can a member come up and say, "Now pastor, I have been paying my tithes here faithfully every week and I want to get back something here because I have to make a trip and I want two thousand dollars." You are strictly out of place. That is God's money and the Lord will direct the spending. If that minister thinks that he wants to take all that money and throw it back to the people in the congregation, that is up to him. He will give an account to the Lord for what he done with the Lord's money.

So all these hirelings will one day give an account. They are collecting money under false pretence. A hireling should not get tithes and offerings, because he's a hireling. The tithes goes to the pastor and if he is taking up offerings and tithes then he is an impersonator, a scamp and a schemer, and he's coming into the church under false pretence, pastoring the sheep and taking the Lord's money. Do you see how serious that is?

So the pastor is in full control but that don't mean to say that he should take all the money. There is an Old Testament order. The Bible said that the tithes are for the Levites and the priests (plural). In the New Testament Jesus said, "for the labourer is worthy of his hire." (Luke 10:7). The pastor alone is not a labourer. Although he has control over the money, he alone is not a spiritual work man in the House of God. It is also written, "Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?... For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. (1 Corinthians 9:7-9). There are men other than the pastor who are threading out the corn to feed the sheep here every night, and they must be respected and not be robbed of their hire. So a real shepherd and a real pastor works in harmony with the other ministries and he supplies those needs.

Question#175:"If a servant of God makes a mistake and commits sin, will the Lord forgive him or forsake him like Saul?"

Answer:A minister or a sheep is on the same basis for forgiveness. "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (1 John 2:1). "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9). So like the believer, the minister makes mistakes and if he does the Lord will forgive him and not necessarily cast him away like Saul.

We saw this demonstrated first of all in the life of Brother Peter the apostle when he got so defensive of the Lord that he chopped off a man's ear, and the Lord told him, "…Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." (Matthew 26:52). He forgave him. Then, at the time of real pressure he denied the Lord and cursed and swore, and notice that when the Lord was resurrected he never asked him about that. No! The Lord forgave him and did not depart from him like Saul. However, the Lord deals with His servants in different ways because even though he forgives you many times, as a believer and as a servant of God, he knows what he is trying to work out in you, and he brings certain things upon you as a discipline.

When this servant of God falls, the believers should not go about and use their mouths, because in Romans 14:4 it says, "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand." The Lord will deal with that servant. You just don't go passing judgment, saying this and saying that. So the man could be forgiven and he could get some discipline.

Paul was called from the foundation of the world and when the Lord called him to preach, he made him blind. He was a servant of God foreordained; a light to the gentile, but the Lord dimmed his eyes. That was the messenger that buffeth Brother Paul throughout his life. "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).

Brother Branham made a terrible mistake and listened to his big mouth mother-in-law. He paid dearly by the life of his daughter and his wife, what a terrible punishment, Brother Branham had a wonderful personality, but the Lord had to get him tough. He was very quick to agree with people. Look at Abraham, his nature was reflected in the matters of Hagar and Lot, when he chose the best land. You can pin point the character of several servants of God in the bible. It's a wonderful exercise and encouragement to read your Bible. But the Lord did not forsake him like Saul. So although the Lord forgives his servants and His people, in order to work out the things that caused them to make the mistake he may leave some sickness upon them and leave them in some trouble in order to purge that certain element inside of them. He made a mistake and listened to some big mouth Pentecostal preachers and the Lord departed from him for several months and allowed him to have a sickness of amoeba. At the end of that when his punishment was over, the Lord returned to him and he learned a lesson and never made that mistake again in all his ministry.

Moses made a mistake and instead of speaking to the rock, he hit the rock. Although the Lord forgave him, because of that he never entered the promise land Moses after forty years asked the Lord to enter the land and the Lord refused him, he punished him. So you could do certain things in this life that the Lord punishes you for, in so much that you will never be blessed with a house, land, automobile and other things. That does not mean to say that the Lord forsook you, or that He doesn't love you anymore. He is trying to take out that negative element from in you that your soul may be saved. He alone knows what is going to take you to hell and how to take it out.

So under certain conditions if a servant of God, Deacon, Elder, or Minister makes a mistake then those who are in charge must discipline him too. They got to put him to sit down and say, "Don't do that again". He sits down there, waits on his ministry until he works out those things before he renters the pulpit. If it's a disobedient wife who needs divorcing, he will sit there until that wife is divorced and he has no connection with that woman, then he can use the office of a bishop. So it's not only the Lord who will punish you but also those that are in charge if they are in connection with the Lord.

Question#176:"If a Pastor has an unbelieving father and mother living in his house, can he continue in his office?"

Answer:: If his wife is unsaved or a back-slider or children are unsaved or backslidden, this man cannot use the office of Pastor, Deacon or a Tender in the House of God. Tender means, one who dedicates his service to the Lord. Under those conditions this question is now being asked. Because if the man cannot function under the condition of his own children and the wife being unsaved, what about if his father and mother are living there?

1 Timothy 3 only specified wife and children but did not specify father, mother and other relatives, and I don't think that Brother Paul was so careless as to leave off an important thing like that in instructing the overseer Timothy. So then, it is written in the scriptures, "Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old." (Proverbs 23:22). I believe that doctrine and I believe that though your father and mother are the worst sinners, your duty as a Christian is not to forsake them. Some of them may be unbearable that you cannot even fellowship or communicate with them but at least you must show them that honour. And I'll tell you this one thing, in the back part of your mind you should be praying for them, and look for every opportunity to lead them to Christ. So under those conditions if a father or mother of a Minister are living in his home, and I would say, even an aunt, nephew, or some other relative, that does not disqualify him from using the office of Pastor because the scripture only specified "wife and children." However, there is a middle line. They must live under the Christian principles of the home.

They cannot bring in a television, drink rum, smoke cigarette, curse, and gamble in this Pastor's house because they are father and mother. They must live under Christian principles. Every home is run by Christian principles and that does not only go for the Minister now, it also involves the believer.

If your father and mother are living in a separate apartment, which you own, they are burning their own pot, and living separately, then they could do what they want in their apartment. They must not bring their nonsense over into your apartment. But if they're going to be mixing with your family as a member of the family and your mother (you know how old and nasty they are now) wants to wear shorts, (when you look at them you feel to vomit), wants to smoke cigarette; when you talk about it she wants to cuss you, wants to put on the radio and bring worldly music or have a television; under those conditions she cannot live in the same house. You say, "Where is the scripture for that?" The Bible said, "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26). Under those conditions your father and mother has got to find another dwelling. They may have to go down to the next son who smokes, curses and gambles and you may have to support them over there by giving them some money, buying clothes for them and carrying food for them. You may say, "Well, they don't want to come to church, should I ever give them any money?" That's your duty as a son and as a daughter. If they're sick it's your duty to go over there and clean their diapers. They cleaned yours.

That doesn't mean to say you have to take up full-time duty, because they might have other sons and daughters and different ones to take care of them. And you've got to use discretion before you get put out from your house by your husband because you were married to a husband and his work comes first. His duties come first and you must have his permission. You just cannot take up yourself and say, "I'm going to see about my mother and father and I don't care what my husband says". No, you have a duty at home first. You have a head and you've got to listen to the voice of your husband. So you got to balance that.

So he may have other relatives. They fall under the same category. There might be a brother who died and he has to take in his six year old son, mother died in a crash somewhere and you have to take in a child. What are you going to do? That's my nephew over there. We must learn to show pity.

You might have your mother's sister; she has nowhere to go. As long as she could live under your conditions, you want to show love. If somebody could help out to make it easier upon you, fine. Then it's easier if you could pay a little money sometime, to help take care of her over there. You'll have less problems in your home. I'll tell right here, with all that I said, it's a terrible thing to bring in unsaved people to live with you, whether it's father, mother, brother, sister, cousin, aunt, or uncle. It is not an easy task. You'll have trouble all the days in that house because you have one principle, one vision and they have another vision all entirely. You'd rather support them somewhere else and spend some money. You will come out better.

"Should a pastor beat his wife, daughters and sons, and if they complain to the elders, can he continue to be a pastor?

Answer: Titus 1-7, 1Timothy 3 deals with the qualification of a pastor/elder. Among the requirements he should not be a striker. Strike is to deliver blows, revile, abuse. A striker is one who delivers blows. This question is saying that this pastor is delivering blows to his wife, daughters and sons. To strike your wife? No sir. Love and cherish her. She is not a door mat. She is your sweetheart. God gave her to you as a help mate. As far as striking your wife - No! No believer, whether pastor, lay member or who you are should beat their wife.

"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered." (1Peter 3:7).

Correcting children:
"Fathers provoke not your children to anger lest they be discouraged." (Colossians 3:21)
"Foolishness is bound in the heart of the child but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." (Proverbs 22:15).
"He that spareth his rod hateth his son." (Proverbs 13:24).
"Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell." (Proverbs 23:13-14).
"He that loveth his son chasteneth him betimes." (Proverbs 13:24).
"Chasten thy son while there is hope." (Proverbs 19:18).

By Scripture, the rod is permitted in correcting a child. Children should not take on the law that they have out in the world which says that their parents cannot use the rod on them. Your parents can give you a good licking by using the rod. Some Devil possessed psychologist said, don't use the rod, use psychology. God said use the rod.

Beating children:
How old are they? If they married the pastor or any person is out of place. How do you beat them? With what? Instruments which causes bodily harm? To what extent are you beating? You beat until they have bruises or broken bones? It's child abuse. What's your motive, your purpose? Your purpose must be scriptural. Do you do it in haste or anger? Some have temper fits and go out of control. Correct your children - sure, but not in the wrong way. The whip is permitted but how are you doing it? If you have an unruly son, daughter you will use the rod and put them in place. You must consider how you are doing it. Are you beating them because they made a mistake and you don't want to feel ashamed in the neighbourhood? The whip is permitted but how are you doing it. If you have to correct your son or daughter, you must consider how you are doing it. Being a striker of your wife, married children, or in an abusive manner to young children disqualifies a person from holding the office of a pastor.

Question#178:"If a pastor resigns his office at church, should the people take him back if he want to return, seeing that he acted irresponsible, or should they seek another pastor?"

Answer:Quote: "We pastors will be held responsible for the sheep. What they eat. Their blood will be required at our hand." (Ye Must Be Born Again).

Quote: "And another great thing that we find, 'cause I realize I'm speaking to ministers this morning. And we want when we come before a congregation, knowing this, that perhaps we'll never meet again like we are this morning. And the things that you say, God holds you responsible for them. So you must come praying and asking God what to say, and then depend on Him when you get to the platform, for something to help the people. (COD Vol 17 #8, page 7-8).

Why did he resign in the first place? The question did not say. Did he step down until something is corrected? There are many reasons why he could resign. Or did he step down because of a reproach? The pastor could step down because of unruly children, or his wife is not in the faith, or something in his life to be corrected, or for fornication, adultery, homosexuality and such like sins his life brings a reproach to the cause of Christ and the congregation he should step down. A person living in fornication, adultery, a paedophile, a homosexual and a person living such like sins should be banned from entering the pulpit. He becomes a disgrace, a shame, a reproach and a dishonour to the message and the cause of Christ. Such a person re-entering the pulpit will kill and stagnate the growth of the congregation. The congregation will have no confidence in him. He has disqualified himself from holding such a responsible office. A person living in such sins shows that he has not the born again experience. And if he has not the born again experience he cannot lead a person to the born again experience. Except a man be born again he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 1Titus 3:7, 1Timothy 3, refers to the qualification of a minister.

Why will a person want to re-enter the pulpit after being irresponsible and resigned. Is he looking for a job or is he looking at the tithes and offerings, what is his purpose that he wants to re-enter the pulpit. e.g. A pastor once realized that he was not called to the ministry, and he gave twenty one reasons why he was not called. After some time because of jealousy he wanted the pulpit back. Tithes and offering were good. Jealousy, tithes and offerings can be reasons for a resigned pastor to want to come back to the pulpit. He was going after money. When a person is looking for an easy job and looking for pre-eminence and tithes and offerings he should not be allowed to re-enter the pulpit. He will be a hireling and not a shepherd. A pastor should not abandon the sheep. If he abandons his office he ruins the confidence of the congregation. He has a responsible position to take care of the sheep.

If a person has a genuine call and stepped down because of an error that is to be corrected, when that is corrected he may re-enter the pulpit. There are errors a pastor could make that needs correcting. When it is corrected and the reproach is wiped away then he could re-enter. But there are certain sins that prohibits him from entering the pulpit.

"Should believers or ministers be involved in politics?"

Answer: No Christian should ever be involved in politics, because politics is corrupted, polluted, and rotten, and the antichrist is arising through it, and we cannot rely on politics, but we rely on the solid foundation of God's Eternal Word. All kingdoms of this world are ruled by Satan, and will someday pass away to make way for a new kingdom, Christ's Kingdom, which cannot be moved.

Jesus set the example for us, and never fell to the temptations of this world, or the politics and kingdoms of this world, but rebuked the Devil, and stood on the word, "It is written."

"Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me." (Matthew 4:8-9).

Quote: E-21 "Politics, oh, my, how shaky... People just argue, and argue, and argue about politics. And neighbors will fall out about it, and people that were once good friends... Some president will raise up, or somebody run for the sheriff, or something, and the other fellow on the other side of the political fence, and they'll fuss with one another until they fall out about it. Politics... And I don't... I hope I don't hurt anybody's feelings, but I think the whole thing's rotten. Yes, sir. So why would you fuss and fall out about something that ain't no good anyhow? That's right. It's just awful bad." (Trumpet Gives An Uncertain Sound 63-0114).

Quote: 33 "Now, there is a voice today in the world of politics. That's a great voice. And people, absolutely, in this great day of politics... It's all mixed up in their churches and everything. And many times, that we have just seen recently, that the voice of politics is actually stronger than the Voice of God in the churches, or the American people would've never did what they just done. If the Voice of God would been kept alive in the church, they'd have never made that mistakes. But the voice of politics is so much stronger in the earth today than the Voice of God, until people sold their Christian birthright for a mess of popularity, education, and political power." (Voice of God 63-0120M).

Quote: 376-1 Her daughters are right with her and she will take over absolute authority by the World Council of Churches… right now the churches are controlling politics and at the opportune time will manifest exactly how great is that control… With this great power the church systems will persecute the true bride. This image will try to keep the bride from preaching and teaching, etc. Her ministers will be forbidden to give comfort and truth to the people who need it. But before the antichrist (in person) takes over this complete world system of churches the true church will be taken away from this world to be with the Lord. God will catch away His bride for the great Marriage Supper of the Lamb." (Church Age Book Cpt.10).

Similar quotations can be found on "Thirsting For Life 57-0630, Sudden Secret Going Away Of Church 58-1012, Hear Recognize Act On Word 60-0221, He Careth For You 60-0301, Hearing Receiving And Acting 60-0607, Rejected King 60-0610, Jezebel Religion 61-0319, True Easter Seal 61-0402, Super Sign 62-0708, Falling Apart Of The World 62-1216", where Brother Branham said that politics is rotten, corrupted, is controlled by Satan, people has sold their birthrights for politics, religion entered politics, and If you tie to anything of this any politics and things like that, and trust in that, you'll sink with it.

Believers should not venture into politics because the prophet said politics is of the devil. This is Satan's kingdom; it is against the kingdom of Christ. You'll be pressured to compromise as a believer. In parliament they are very ecumenical you have to watch what you say. Even a truthful prayer can cause offences, you have to compromise. When a Hindu man prays in parliament to his idols, you have to bow your head in agreement. They call that religious tolerance. When the Muslim man pray you have to bow your head also, they don't want anyone praying in the name of Jesus, because it offends some of the religious leaders. They ask them to pray in the name of Lord God Almighty without calling a name. A believer is commanded by the scripture to pray in the mane of Jesus. Therefore parliament is no place for a believer. A true believer cannot be comfortable in that atmosphere. How could a Christian campaign as a brawler, speak evil of other politicians and preach on the pulpit at the same time. It just does not fit the church. Brother Branham said that the church and state has nothing in common. We advise our people to stay clear out of politics.

Question#180:"Should the pastor remain absent from the church for long periods, if he is not sick?"

Quote: "Ministers are shepherds of the flock. It is your place to go get the revelation and go teach your flock. You are the shepherd of your flock. (Throne of Mercy page 15/Sparks Edition)

Quote: Pastors are held responsible for the sheep. We pastors will be held responsible for the sheep. What they eat, their blood will be required at our hands. (Ye Must Be Born Again)

A Pastor is the overseer of the church -"The Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God." (Acts 20:28).

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25). Way back in Brother Paul's day there were some people then that were in the habit of staying away from assembling in church and we should not have that habit of staying away from church. As the manner of some is, they stayed away from church service, prayer meetings. What is the purpose of the pastor being absent? The question does not say why. Is he away because of some emergency? Is he absent from the local assembly and gone to visit another assembly and minister there. He may be absent because of some good reason. A pastor should stay at his post of duty. A pastor should not neglect his responsibility as an overseer and shepherd of the church. He should see that they are fed at all times. If it becomes necessary to stay away he will appoint someone in charge. The person appointed will act according to his principles, advice and instructions. A pastor who stays away from church for no good reason is a poor example of a responsible shepherd. He should refrain from such practice. He is not a good example to the congregation. The congregation will say, if he could stay away then I could stay away also and the church will come to naught. A responsible pastor will see that he is in service. He may miss a couple of services because of sickness or other reasons but he will try to be in service at all times to set the right example for the congregation to follow. He has a great duty.

Question#181:"Can a pastor stay at unsaved relatives- Roman Catholics?"

Answer:It depends on the circumstances. Is he a single pastor who got ill and his relatives took him in? We do not know. Did his house burn down and he is staying there temporary? We do not know the reason why the pastor is staying there. On the other hand if there is no justified reason he should not stay there, because the public would identify him with whatever goes on in that house. If alcohol drinking is going on there it's not the best place for a pastor. If worldly music and other ungodly things are taking place it would discredit his testimony. At the same time if the pastor house burns down and he has to stay there for a week or two I don't see a problem. Living there from week to months to years will discredit his testimony.

Question#182:"When he goes to preach should the evangelist stay at ministers, brethren or at a hotel?"

Answer:The minister, the evangelist must keep before him always how he may best serve the Lord in his ministry. Where to stay during a meeting or series of meetings? There are several considerations to be taken into account when making a decision as to where to stay. First, he must please the Lord. If it pleases the Lord to have him sleep under the stars, drink brook water and eat wild berries in order to be free to bring his message, then he must do so. If it pleases the Lord to have his servant use rooms provided by some sympathetic host and hostess among the brethren then he should do so. It may be that there is none such available but, still, the Lord would have him go and bring his message. A hotel may not be available or may be so overpriced that the humble servant of God cannot afford the cost. He should wait upon the leading of the Lord to decide which lodgings are appropriate. If we have an example set before us, we should consider how it applies to us.

When Jesus sent forth His disciples to preach in the various towns and cities of Israel, He gave them instructions to find a house and stay there, as follows:

"After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." (Luke 10:1-9). (See also Matthew 10:5-15)

The evangelist may be directed by the Spirit to a place where he is not received by the local ministry or where he must wait upon the Lord for inspiration on what to preach. In such a case he needs a place where he can be alone to pray and wait upon the Lord.

In the Scriptures that record the events of the young Christian Church, we find the Apostle Peter staying at the home of Simon the Tanner in Joppa. Just as he was about to receive a call from Cornelius, Peter was alone on the housetop when a vision came to him that gave him direction, although he may not have understood it at the moment. (Acts, Chapter 10) Paul also stayed with various brethren when he travelled but the Scriptures tell us that at least on one occasion when he was in Rome he lived in a "hired house." (Acts 28:30) This gave him the opportunity to be alone with the Lord, do some writing, receive guests and preach the Gospel.

More recently, whenever he travelled, the prophet, William Branham, found it convenient to stay in a hotel or a motel, although he occasionally stayed with friends. When he went to Jeffersonville to preach the seven seals, he felt it was necessary to be alone to wait upon the Lord for the duration of the meetings, leaving only to take care of necessary business matters and to take his meals with close, long-time friends. Here are some of his remarks concerning this time:

Quote: "I have just set these last five or six days just in a little room, don't see no one, just go out and eat my meal with a friend, with some of my friends here. And, of course, you know who that friend is. Its' Brother and Sister Wood. See? And, you know, I went over there and stay with them, and everybody's been nice. There hasn't been anything, just simply…. I'm trying to stay right with that message of these Seals. It's important. I believe it's the hour of its revealing time of revelation of it." (Fifth Seal, 63-0322, Par. 335-4)

Quote: "Now, just look here. You see how perfect everywhere you go. If I could stand here and talk the things that's revealed in that room, I tell you, it'd swing your heads around; but how you going to do it when you got a whole thing here. And then you, somehow or other, when you get away from people, there it begins to open up, mysteries; then you see things that you're daresn't to say to the people too, 'cause (You see?), if they would they'd start little isms." (Questions and Answers On The Seals, 63-0324M, Par. 467-5)

An evangelistic trip is not for the purpose of fellowshipping with the saints but to labor in the harvest of souls for the Kingdom of Heaven. The choice of lodgings should be made with that thought firmly established.

Question#183:"Should ministers send their sons and daughters to universities?"

Answer:: University: means higher branches of learning. I will be speaking about education, primary, secondary and higher learning. By profession I was a teacher, I know what I am speaking about and do not support illiteracy. We at Bethel and our sister churches educate our children, but absolutely not at the expense of their souls. Eternal life has first place, "and all other things are added unto them".

A minister or believer educating their sons and daughters with higher education is lawful, but is it expedient and edifying; Absolutely not, to children and to the congregation in consideration of the word and the message of the hour.

"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not". (I Corinthians 10:23).

When a pastor acts contrary to the word and in a worldly manner, projecting the ambitions of the world for himself and his family, he sets the wrong example to his flock, thus endangering their souls to be involved in the things of the world at the expense of their souls.

"Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever". {1 John 2:15-17}

I want to read quotations from Brother Branham first:

Quote: "I am not supporting illiteracy now, but I am trying to tell you it don't take the education, don't, the wisdom of this world is contrary. (Questions and Answers in the Seals)I'm not here to contradict school and education and try to support illiteracy. I'm not here for that. (God in Simplicity, page 22)Education has been the biggest hindrance the gospel has ever had. (Q&A on the seals, page 492)But as long as you're going towards wisdom, you are going away from Him. (Seals 5, page 342)Our Wisdom here come from Satan, we inherited it from Eden where we swapped off faith for wisdom. Eve did it. (Seal 2, page 195)You see, it was wisdom that started the ball rolling in the muck of sin at the beginning. For Eve was seeking wisdom when she met Satan, and Satan gave it to her, and wisdom is contrary to the word of God. We are not asked to have wisdom, we are asked to have faith in what's already been said. (God in Simplicity, page 26)And the world today is dedicating themselves to the knowledge which came by Satan and man's day is glorified not by the word but by the knowledge he has. (God Of This Evil Age, page 21)We know that Satan's gospel is a gospel of science and progress. (God Of This Evil Age, page 23)Knowledge and civilization and true Christianity has nothing in common. Civilization is by knowledge. We all know that. And knowledge is from Eden. Proved it by what he preached in Eden and knowledge causes death. Is that right? What caused death in the Garden of Eden? Knowledge. Well it can't be of God, so it's of the Devil. When was that a good one? Knowledge, science, education is the greatest hindrance that God ever had. (God Of This Evil Age, page 30-31)Civilization, knowledge perverts God's word to suit their own taste. (God Of This Evil Age, page 32)And in the last days, the God of this evil age would blind the eyes of the people with his intellectual knowledge on a mixed tree of good and evil, still giving it to the people. (God Of This Evil Age, page 44)Can anybody speak evil of a hospital? No sir. Library? No sir. Education? No sir! But see, they giving them that without the word. (God Of This Evil Age, page 43)God is the author of faith. Satan is the author of wisdom… wisdom comes from the Devil. That's strange isn't it? But it's the truth. Wisdom comes from the Devil. He is the author of wisdom. (Wisdom Vs Faith, page15)Wisdom has reasoning. Faith has no reasoning. (Wisdom Vs Faith, page 16)The seed word cannot grow in the atmosphere, then of knowledge. Is that right? See? As soon as knowledge mixes with faith it dies right there. And the Holy Ghost seeds of the Bible cannot grow in the atmosphere of wisdom. (Wisdom Vs Faith, page 33)(Wisdom Vs Faith, page 37-38)

The wisdom of this world is devilish and sensual but we need some of it to get a job to survive. Just take what is necessary to survive and leave the rest alone. The people who write these syllabuses for the schools are anointed by the Devil's spirit. These people who are writing syllabuses now want to introduce sex education in primary schools. They already introduced it in secondary schools; they have it rampant in universities, immorality to the highest. Though it is devilish and sensual, Christians are caught up in this educational system.

Pride: One condition of a university environment is pride. "Six things God hate. 1. "A proud look." (Proverbs 6:17). "Knowledge puffeth up but charity edifieth." (1 Corinthians 8: 1). The more education you have is more pride you have in your heart. It is hard for a highly educated person to humble himself. Why would I want my child in an environment that would make them proud and move them from life? Pride is an evil of the heart. It defiles a person. God resisteth the proud. There is a lot of godless education. When it comes between education and salvation, choose salvation. Education will not do you any good in the civilization to come. We are not far off from a new civilization, why will we want to fill our brains with such nonsense. A university environment is an environment that moves you away from the word of God you are told that certain parts of the Bible are inspired and other parts are not inspired. What you learn has nothing to do with the word or Christianity. How much Christianity is taught in high schools or universities?

These devil possessed teachers in secondary schools, universities and primary schools pervert the word of God. Education is from the tree of knowledge of good and evil it is death. You could never enter a university or place of higher learning and come out the same as when you entered. The kind of knowledge you get in there perverts your mind. Education breeds much immorality. How many righteous people universities produce? How many homosexuals, lesbians, immoral people came out of universities. Are you strong enough to stay clear from the vices of Sodom and Gomorrah When you go there, you stay away from the word. The more you stay away from the word, the weaker you get. You put yourself in a place for the Devil to anoint you "flee the presence of evil". Brother Paul had an education, he had to forget his education to know Christ. University is higher education. Education does come between a believer and his salvation and take him away from God, parents who make such decision for their children will be held accountable to God. How many highly educated people accepts and believe and stay in the word.

Quote: "Our educational system's taken us farther away from God than anything I know [that's right], Farther away from God. Not build schools and hospitals and so forth. That was for the world and for that group. (Things That Are To Be, page 18)

Take what is necessary to live by. A little is enough. Life is more important. Which parents will make a decision to send their children in an environment where: You move away from Christ. You swap faith for reason. What you learn is contrary to the word. What you learn has nothing to do with Christianity. The word is perverted. What you take in is death. If you love life for your child you will keep them away from such an environment of higher learning as much as you can.

Quote: 191 "I live in a city where the University of Arizona is. And what do I find up there but filth and gaum, and the high schools and things of that city... The other day, they had four hundred teenage boys and girls with their clothes off, with kegs of beer, dancing in a big place up in Sabino Canyon up there. What have we got? University can tell you what a seed's made out of, but it can't give a seed life. Your education only takes you farther from God." (The Token 63-1128e).

Quote: 224 "Schooling, education, look at schools. Look down there at the university there, them boys. How many babies is born by them young ladies there to them young ladies each year at the university? hair banged, and rolled up on curlers and hanging down there. You say, "Well, that's just street trash." Is it? It's students of the university." (Power of transformation 65-1031M).

Quote: 121 "Do you know there's three-to-one barmaid than there is high school or college girl? Three-to-one barmaids than high school and college girl, almost a third of the high school children over the nation is either been proven immoral or had to go home to be mothers?" (He cares do you care? 63-0721).

Quote: 66 "There is also a thirst for success. So many people today, how we school for this thirst, people spend thousands of dollars to send their children to the school, and to universities and colleges, and so forth, to get an education, "To be successful," they call it, "in life." But now, I have nothing against that; now, that's all right. But, to me, you could get all the schooling in the world and still you haven't found the right success. That's right. Because that will just temporarily make things a little easier for you here. And there's... But when you die, you leave all that behind you." (Thirst 65-0919).

Quote: E-26 "I would like to speak of seeing Him and just show you how simple it is. Many times we send our pupils away, our children to schools for highly education... And not disregarding that, God forbid, that's all right. It plays a part but not the main part. Many times we educate them away from God. We'll never know God through education. You cannot. We've found that out now. That it takes a person... Education is the worst enemy that the Gospel has ever had. Now, just look that over and see that. Man just thinks he can outsmart God. He cannot do it. His intellectuals is just a man. God is Spirit, infinite. ." (Show us the Father 61-0521)

Quote: 88 "I know that sounds like somebody's a little mentally upset, but, now, send your children to school and get education and so forth; but I'll tell you right now, it won't do them no good in the world that is to come, 'cause there'll be another civilization, only so far above this. That civilization won't even have any... It won't have any schools in it; it won't have any death in it, won't be any sin in it. This has all that; no matter how much civilized we get, more and more death is added all the time. See? That one will be without death. But now we have to have school; we have to wear clothes." (Trying to do God a service 65-1127B).

Question#184:"Should a married evangelist take his wife with him wherever he goes for evangelical work or should his wife remain at home?"

Answer:When Jesus sent out the twelve disciples to preach the coming Kingdom to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, the Scriptures do not indicate that any of them took along a wife. Also, when He sent out the seventy, there is no mention that any of them was accompanied by a wife although it seems more than likely that, out of eighty-two men, some had wives. (See Matthew 10:1-8 and Luke 10:1-20) The Scriptures do tell us that the seventy were sent out "two and two." As there is no Scripture where a woman was ordained or commanded to go out and preach the Gospel, we must understand that the men were sent out two by two.

However, the Apostle Paul's answer to certain Corinthian critics could be interpreted to mean that the Apostle Peter was not only married but that he took his wife with him on some of his journeys. Here are Paul's words: (I Corinthians 9:3-5) "Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, Have we not power to eat and to drink? Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?" We have no indication that Paul, himself, was married because he also said:

"Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: [It is] good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide [remain] even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn." (I Corinthians 7:1-9)

Evangelists, particularly young evangelists, will meet with many difficulties on the field and many temptations. In such circumstances a wife, present with him, could be great help to him, even helping to prepare meals and keeping his clothing tidy in addition to reducing the temptations of being apart and providing companionship. Having a wife with him could also provide more flexibility in choosing a place to stay during an evangelistic visit. Brother Branham said, "What does your wife do? She serves you in the house. You set down and she gives you your food; she fixes the clothing. See, she serves you day and night in the house. See?" (The Ten Virgins, 60-1211M, Par. 126)

As children begin to be born into the family, they may prevent the wife from accompanying her husband due to her "expectant condition," sickness of the children or the need to have the children in school. In such cases, she should be a good keeper at home and minister to the needs of the children.

There may be times that a situation will require much dedication, fasting and prayer in order to overcome evil spirits that will try to destroy the meetings. In such a case, the wife may be a distraction to the man of God and should be left at home.

There may be situations in which there is a distinct and definite physical danger in travelling to a certain area. At times it could be inconvenient or an outright burden for a host if the evangelist brings along another mouth to feed. And there could be other circumstances in which it would be needful for the travelling minister not to be burdened by an accompanying wife and children.

Brother Branham took his wife and children with him on many of his trips but not while the children were in school-usually from the beginning of September until the end of the following May. Even when Brother Branham observed the anniversary of his wedding, he was often absent from home and family. (See: Testimony, 63-1128M, Par. 101+)

In all cases, the evangelist must be led of the Lord and use his own good judgment in determining whether circumstances will permit his wife to go with him and whether she will be a help or a hindrance to him on a particular trip.

Question#185:"If a pastor's wife dies can he remarry?"

Answer:Yes he can remarry. He must remarry someone in the faith. She must be a virgin. Always remember the woman a man marries is a reflection of his character and ambition. The pastor's wife must set the right example and should be the one whose actions are beyond reproach.

Question#186:"Should the pastor alone invite other ministers to preach, or should he make such decision with the deacons and elders?"

Answer:The pastors don't have to consult with anyone. The office of the pastor is to conduct and act upon any program of which he believes to be in accordance with the plan of God. According to the word of God. He shall assume supreme authority and make promoting of the spiritual welfare of the church. If the pastor thinks he wants to invite a minister he is at liberty to do so. That's his God given rights. No deacon board or trustee board should control the pastor.

If the pastor wants to talk it over with the assistant pastor, that's up to him but he's not obliged. It's up to his discretion .Nobody should feel left out if they were not consulted. That decision is wholly up to the pastor. The pastor doesn't have to consult with anyone before he invites a minister to preach.

Question#187:"Are ministers and elders responsible for observing the conduct and morals of believers only at church or outside of church also to avoid reproaches?"

Answer:Yes! Everywhere, in church, in public places, in private places, at home at work, at play. Get it clear. We cannot be two timers, wearing one type of clothes to church, one kind at work and another kind at school. We must not have double standards. You say that is the School uniform that I must wear. You know school uniform, I know school regulations. We should have one standard. E.g. Not a loose dress in church and a tight dress at work. Some children wearing nice clothes to church and their school uniforms are tight and short and straight. Some say I have to go to my school in the school uniform. Some schools have straight dresses, tight hips etc. We have modest dressing which is against that tight hip, straight dress. You say, I have to wear that. No! No teacher, principal, supervisor can force you to wear such clothing. You are free to exercise your creed. You are not admitted to school because of certain class, colour or creed. People can go with a hijab. If a Muslim can go with a hijab in a Pentecostal school, I don't see why you can't go with your modest dressing.

Don't conform to the organization, world and the church at the same time having two styles, patterns. People get so accustomed to being two timers that it makes no difference. Some parents give their little children different kind of clothes to wear at home and school and church.

Ungodly people watch the two timing. They know our standards. They even know our policies. Some people have female workers coming at their house with shorts and say nothing about it. This is double standard. You have one standard for you and another for your worker.

In such cases where sisters needs correcting, every officer cannot run up to a sister and deal with these subjects except they get authority. There are ways to handle situations like these.
1.   The pastor may call a sister and speak to her.
2.   The pastor may tell a husband to tell his wife to correct her dressing.
3.   The Pastor may tell a mother to tell her daughter to correct herself.

Question#188:"Can a pastor's wife wear a simple necklace?"

Answer:Quoting from COD: Brother Branham was asked:

Quote: "Brother Branham, should a Christian woman wear simple jewellery, as necklaces or pearls?"
His answer was:

Quote: "Well sister, I know this means a lot to you and it means a lot to me for you to place your confidence, I'd tell you the truth. Now remember the Bible said, 'when you adorn do not adorn with costly jewels and pearls and all kinds of jewellery, but let that be the adorning of a peace, and quiet and meek spirit which is a great price before the Lord.' Now I don't mean by that sister if you had a pin. Now this is me not the Lord. If you had a pin that you wanted to wear, or a little necklace your husband give you or maybe something like that you wore, now to me, I don't think that's bad. Now that's just me. Now remember, I make myself clear; that's my opinion. But I think it's the approach to it; it's the way you do it. See? It's the motive behind it. And when you see it's getting a hold of you then leave the thing alone. But I think if you wore your wedding rind." (COD, page 1008)

Quote: "If women want to dress and make themselves look decent, clean, ladylike, why I think there's not a thing to that to me. But when you get to going to put that thing into making it a little pride, then you're wrong. It's your attitude." (COD, page 1008)

Quote: "But I think as far as a necklace, or … Now if you go loading yourself up like you went through the ten cent store down here with a magnet on you, I- I think that … Excuse that, I didn't mean to say that like that, but that - that's wrong." (COD, page 1009)

Question#189:"Pastors in India are more interested in tithes. Who should look after the money matters in the church?"

Answer:Let me clear up something about tithes. Tithes belong to the pastor. How he spends it is between him and God. Scripturally it belongs to him. Sometimes people feel that the pastor is not using the tithes right. They give there tithes to a poor and needy brother. That's wrong, the prophet said. You are paying your one tenth to God. Leave Gods money right where it supposed to be. Hirelings are illegally collecting God's money, tithes. They are thieves and rubbers because they are not true shepherds. They are greedy of filthy lucre.

Who should look after the money matters in the church? Trustees and treasures are appointed by the pastor, sanction by the congregation. These officers are not to spend the church money. They are to take record and make submission to the pastor. Every transaction must be authorized by the pastor.

Question#190:. "A pastor announced in his church that anybody who does not pay tithes cannot take communion. Also, what about those who have no jobs?"

Answer: Tithes is a tenth part of all your earnings, gifts, profits, increase and harvest. Tithes paying and taking communion are both commandments of the Lord. To take communion, a believer in the word of God should be striving to overcome sin, and come into obedience to the word, and tithe paying is a part of that word of obedience laid out in God's holy word.

"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings." (Malachi 3:8).

It is also part of the teaching laid out by Brother Branham.

Quote: p. 604 "…I do believe that every Christian is obligated to pay tithings because it is a commandment of the Lord. 'And blessed are they that do all the commandments, that they might have a right to enter into the Life, the Tree of Life.'… Tithe-paying is essential to a Christian experience."

Now, to take communion, the scripture states that each man should examine himself. "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup." (I Corinthians 11:28). In taking communion, a person who has no income, earnings or profits etc, has nothing to pay tithes with. Such a person, after examining yourself, has a free conscience before God, and is at liberty to take communion.

However, sometime along the way, you will receive wages, or money, or harvest of the field, and then you will have to fulfill, and put this scripture, to work in your life. The prophet never laid down any hard rules, forbidding believers in his church from taking communion if they are not paying their tithes, even like Jesus not establishing in scriptures the same facts. People were left to the convictions of their own hearts to be sincere and honest towards God in obeying His Word. Such parties who do not pay tithes are not worthy of communion. Is this pastor exercising more authority than Jesus and Brother Branham?

Quote: "Brother Branham, don't you feel that everyone who claims to be a Christian should pay tithes; pay their tithes into the storehouse of the Lord? Please give Scripture to this question.

That is right, that the Bible said in Malachi, the 3rd chapter, 'Bring all of your tithe and offerings into My storehouse, and prove Me, saith the Lord, if I will not open up the windows of Heaven, and pour out a blessing that there'll not be room enough to receive. That's a challenge to any individual!... That's a challenge to anybody… Every Christian should pay tithes! That's right. It should be done. (COD, page 617)

Quote: "You see what a strict thing it is to pay tithes? Every Christian is duty bound to pay tithe. That's right. Never has been changed. (Hebrews Book, Chap 7, part 1)

"And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all." ( Genesis 14:20).

"They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them. if ye were Abraham's children ye would do the works of Abraham." (John 8:39).

"But woe unto you, Pharisees! For ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. - This ye ought to have done is " tithes." (Luke 11:42).

"And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him." (Hebrews 7: 4-10).

Every believer is entitled to take communion. Regardless of who he is, it is your right. It should be taken worthily and with sincerity. You live as a Christian believing the word and your testimony is right, you are free to take communion. Why is this person not paying tithes? Is it because of selfishness, grudge, unthankfulness or jealousy? An unthankful person will not pay tithes.

Examine your reason, motive and purpose for not paying tithes. If not paying tithes condemns you and brings you guilty before God, then in such a case don't take communion, if you do you would be partaking of communion unworthily and you'll bring damnation to yourself. In such a case you don't take communion until it's corrected because you have a guilty conscience before God.

Those who are without jobs, those who are not working, how are you living? Do you receive gifts? Then pay tithes out of your gifts. Money given to you is a gift. A minister making such announcement will have his reasons and objectives. He did not explain his reasons and he does not have to. Maybe he is trying to deliver you from having a selfish, grudging spirit. We never heard Brother Branham testify of that rule, and we are not saying that he is justified to take communion either, if he don't pay tithes. It is a matter of conscience. This minister has no quotations, neither has he a Scripture to prove what he is saying. The Scripture does not say anything like that. This is an organizational spirit. It stumbles young believers out of the way. It is legalistic. As soon as sinners are baptized envelopes are given to them with their names, they are obliged to pay their tithes faithfully if they do not they are questioned, warned and disciplined, if they fail to comply they are excommunicated. A minister making such an announcement could be lusting after money. He should leave this to the believers conviction. When the believer sees the word he will pay his tithes. A pastor is at liberty to teach on tithes for edification of young believers and thieves (Mal:3). Tithes paying are an act of faith and obedience which is an evident fruit that he believes the word. When you make it a law in church, then you get away from faith. A true shepherd will wait until fruits are manifested, then he knows the qualities of the sheep. E.g. some people got sums of money, tithes was very much to pay, so they left the church. Some people get sad to pay their tithes. Look the widow with the mite. She gave her all. She was thankful.

Question#191:"Should a minister pay tithes?"

Answer:Yes, a minister or pastor should pay tithes. Brother Branham received tithes, and also stated that he paid tithes. Levi received tithes and paid tithes.

Quote: 1034-184"But just as loyal as I ever could, I paid tithes. And when I took my own money from the church here or from my campaigns, I'd take more... I'd give a tenth. Then I'd give it out to the ministers, and give the rest of it to ministers… Then just take a wage out of that of a hundred dollars a week; and I pay my tithes from that.Yes, sir. I believe in paying tithes. It's one of God's blessings that's proven to be a blessing. You say, "That's of the Old Testament." It is of the New Testament too. Yes, sir." (Questions And Answers 64-0823e).

Quote: 13"First thing, Mr. Mason, as my duty to God, I owe Him my tithes. I want to pay Him my tithings first." (Christ.revealed.in.His.own Word 65-0822m).

b>Question#192:"Tithing: Some ministers don't believe that it is in the New Testament, and if Brother Branham said that, he also said that what cannot be found in scriptures should be trashed.

Answer:Tithing is a part of the word that must be kept and obeyed by the believer. Tithing is spoken of in Malachi 3:8-10: "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings."

But it is also spoken of by Brother Branham, and his reference to Paul in Hebrews 7, which is in the New Testament.

Quote: 72 "Today they're trying to take the place of God's tithing. They're trying to adopt something… It'll never take the place of God's eternal tithe and offerings." (Enticing Spirits 55-0724)

Quote: E-8"The woman that put in a, just a few pennies in the collection, Jesus said she put in more than the rich did because of her tithing, she put all her living." (Then Jesus Came 57-1213).

1034-184 "I believe in paying tithes… You say, "That's of the Old Testament." It is of the New Testament too. Yes, sir." (Questions And Answers 64-0823e).

Question#193:"Some believe that tithes belong to the pastor alone."

Answer:According to Brother Branham's teaching, tithing goes to the minister, and he is accountable to God for that money.

Quote: 680-Q-161 "Tithes is to go to the minister. That's right… In the Old Testament… all the tithings went to their priests, their pastors. Yes, tithings are to go for nothing else. I know people take their tithes and give them to a widow woman. That's wrong. If you've got anything to give the widow woman, give her, but don't give her God's money. That's not yours in the first place. That's God's." (Questions And Answers 61-1015m).

"But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit."(Numbers 18: 24-26).

Question#194:"If there are no Message churches in my area, to whom should I pay my Tithes? Is it, Wrong to send my tithes to "The voice of God Ministry"? Are tithes to be paid only to servants of God? Please answer soon, as I am desperate to pay my tithes."

Answer:Quote: 1034-Q-307 "Should a person pay tithes to an individual, or should a Christian work? Sure he should. He's the one man that will work, is a Christian. "Pay tithes to an individual?" It depends on who the individual is. See? That's right. In Hebrews 7, the first time tithings was talked about... Hebrews the 7th chapter, when Abraham, returning from the slaughter of the kings met Melchisedec, he paid Him a tithe. That was Melchisedec, the King of Salem, which is King of Peace, and King of Righteousness, which was nobody but God Himself. See?" (Questions And Answers 64-0823e).

That's the person you pay your tithes to that is Melchisedec that is the one who I am talking about and I am saying I pay my tithes to Melchisedec. Melchisedec, I pay my tithes to thee, because he is not dead, the bible says he has no beginning of days or end of life, and who so ever he is he is still alive today. And he is still the king of kings, still the king of peace, and king or righteousness, O our father is a great king, and beloved we pay tithes to him not because he say, you all must pay tithes to me we pay tithes because we love him, and the little one tenth we give him is not enough, no body don't have to come up here every night and say pay your tithes, no if you see Melchisedec you will pay your tithes. So you know when someone is thieving from Melchisedec they haven't seen what they must see.

Quote: "But when you pay tithings... Really, where you owe tithings is where you get your food. "Bring ye all your tithings into My storehouse, saith the Lord. (That right?) And prove Me wherein saith God, that if I'll not open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing that you would not have room enough to receive it." I challenge any man or woman that's not a tithe payer to accept that." (Questions And Answers 64-0823e).

I challenge you to pay your tithes. You owe it to the place where you get your food. And if he is getting his food from Bethel here, well he pay tithes here, whether he is in Mexico, in India, Zimbabwe, wherever he is getting his food from you owe your tithes. However the voice of God ministry is not the place to send tithes; it belongs to the house of God, Levites, pastors. Some want to stay home and send tithes anywhere; that's wrong. VOG is not a pastor or Levite.

Question#195:"If a man preaches heresies, and I fellowship there, should I pay him my tithes?"

Answer:This question is important and the answer can be one of much controversies. If it is evident that the minister preaches heresies on seven thunders revealed, blood off the mercy seat, seven trumpets, allow sports for the believers, does not practice holiness standards, allows television etc., a believer, in the first place, should not belong to that assembly, and much-less to pay tithes to such a minister, especially after his heresies were exposed and he refused to repent and walk in the Truth.

All hirelings receive tithes illegally and fraudulently, because they are all impersonators of true shepherds. They will stand before God as thieves and robbers. When a man could rob God, he is the most notorious thief which the world has ever seen. Such a heretic is cursed with a curse, because they deprive God's true shepherds.

"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation." (Malachi 3:8-9).

This declaration fits all false thunders preachers who propagates heresies after coming to the knowledge of the Truth and were exposed by the Word of Truth and refused to repent. Neither Gan nor his agents, who are some of the worst perverters of the message, are entitled to one penny of God's money. So too, Coleman, Vin, Massock, Santiago, C.W. Woods, agents of Lawrie, the false anointed ones and all propagators of such damnable heresies.

Question#196:"If a man does not believe his pastor's teachings, should he remain as a member of the congregation and try to deliver the sheep or should he leave?"

Answer:It depends upon who the man is (Shepherd or sheep). If he is a minister, who is partly responsible for leading the sheep, he has a God-given right to expose heresies when he speaks to the minister or from the pulpit, even if it brings him into ill-repute with the pastor of the church and some of the congregation. He must stand at his post of duty, proclaiming the Truth, after which, he must separate from such heresies and heretic pastors.

If the person is a sheep, and the pastor preaches heresies, he is in a different category. He should approach the pastor on the subject. If the pastor continues in his error, he should get out of that church and seek greener pastures, but he should not remain in that congregation and cause strifes and contentions. He should maintain respect for the pastor's office, each member of the congregation, and continue to pray for their deliverance. Strifes and contentions will bring more confusion. As a sheep, he has not the capacity of a minister and cannot effectively breakdown the Word and message to bring deliverance to the sheep of that flock. If some have confidence in him and desire to know truth from error, it is advisable to introduce them to a minister who can breakdown the Word to them in the interest of their souls' salvation. We should live peaceably with all men as much as possible, bearing in mind that, "The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his." (2 Timothy 2:19).

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." (John 10:27-29).

God is looking over His sheep and we cannot be more protective of the sheep and love the sheep more than God Himself. We must trust in sovereign grace and election.

Question#197:"We all have the notion even by some scriptural in-print that Paul did not marry, and died a Eunuch, but to my greatest surprise, I overheard, from a notable Minister, that Paul was married; that either he lost the wife rather, that history had it that before one could be a Pharisee of the rank and order of Paul, he must be married, just like a pastor should be married. How true could this statement be? Also, can a minister be a divorcee?"

Answer:The indications by such projections, are to try to prove that a minister should be a married man before he can be a pastor or a bishop. Brother Branham was a young unmarried pastor when he laid the cornerstone of the Branham Tabernacle in 1933.

Quote: 15 "When I laid the cornerstone…I wasn't even married yet, just a young man." (Seventy Weeks of Daniel 61-0806).

Quote: E-16 "That cornerstone on that morning when we laid the cornerstone…in 1933… It was long before I was ever married. I was single at home." (God keeps His Word 57-0407M).

To teach and establish such teaching is to condemn William Branham, Elijah the prophet, Malachi 4; 5-6, also, Paul and Barnabas. If Paul was married, what about Barnabas. Was Paul compromising with him, or ignorant of the Law? "Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other Apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and or I only and Barnabas, have we power to forbear working?" (I Corinthians: 9:5-6).

As far as the scriptures and the Message of the Prophet, there are no records of Paul being a former married man. Despite history or genealogy, if we cannot find scriptural or Message support, we let it go and forget about it. Why? Because these seeds can hinder our faith and cause us to question our beliefs.

"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentious and strivings about the law for they are unprofitable and vain". (Titus 3:9).

"Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith, so do." (1 Timothy 1:4).

Although these scriptures did not itemize history, whatever subject or topic that causes questions to our beliefs and not profitable for edification can be categorized in these scriptures. There are various types of histories some are authentic, some fabricated, some lies, and some are heresies. Some of these histories are passed down by traditions and the source cannot be identified.

Let's examine some histories in circulation today. There are histories of the Bible that if we cater to them we will discard our Bibles. It is stated that the Bible was used as a tool to brainwash the under-privileged in the time of conquest, also it is the white man's book, it was man handled and numerous other comments. Are we to believe those heresies?

There are histories about the life of Jesus that will cause your ears to tingle. Lies about the missing years of Jesus that will make you an unbeliever. Records that He was married, was never crucified, and went to India where he lived and died a normal life. Are we to believe such lies?

Presently, there is a book in circulation. "Is Paul a Disciple or a Deceiver?" It is used to discredit his life and Ministry. Are we to believe this Book? The catholic history exalts Peter as the first Pope. Are we going to believe that? Islamic history record Ishmael, and not Isaac, as the promised seed. Are we to believe this? [Congregation says, "No!"]

This brother believed all along until this remark by this notable minister placed a question in his mind. One mistake on the pulpit, one unprofitable statement by some body of authority is like fire in a haystack. Whether so or not, what we know and believe is that during his Ministry, Paul was a single man. Whether he was previously married and his wife died is unprofitable, vain and meaningless.

There is not the slightest indication in the Gospels, in Paul's Testimonies in Acts 22, Acts 26 and Philippians 3 of a previous marriage. Then in 1 Corinthians 7 where Paul instructed the married and unmarried, there is not a notion of him as a former experienced married man.

This notable minister quoted that history proves that before a Pharisee can reach the rank and order of Paul then he must be married. What is a Pharisee? It is a religious sect of Jews who laid heavy emphasis on Observations of Rites and Ceremonies, strict, learned in the law, separated from the common people, believed in angels, the resurrection and immortality of the soul. What was Paul's rank and order as a Pharisee? The scripture taught us that he was a brilliant scholar of the law, devout and zealous. He was working along with the Sanhedrin Council taking instructions and carrying letters of authority to persecute the Christians. He was from Benjamin and was not a priest; neither was he a member of the Sanhedrin Council. To be a member of the Sanhedrin, you were required to be thirty (30) years and over and married. All priests originated from Levi's and Aaron's loins.

This notable Minister specifies and makes it imperative that a pastor should be married. The very Paul who laid the requirements as far as Scripture teaches was not married; he was a single man. This will automatically disqualify himself as a Bishop. What 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 is teaching and demanding from a Minister is if he chooses to marry then he must have only one wife. The age of Polygamy has now come to an end and a minister should not be a Polygamist, if a minister is single like Paul, Barnabas or Jesus he is still qualified as a Minister, either one wife or no wife.

Quote: "First we got the Church Ages and got the history (laid down the Nicea Councils and Pre-Nicea Councils and everything that we could find in history) and found out that the correct interpretation of the Word was exactly with the History." (Question & Answer of the seals - 63-0324m).

The Prophet in studying the Church Ages said the correct interpretation of the word coincided with history. After you studied the Word and the Message, then let the history coincide with the correct interpretation of the Word otherwise leave it alone, because the word is the absolute. God is the author of his Word the men were just scribes whereas history is written by men and is questionable.

Some people look for histories to support their beliefs when there is no foundation to these facts. My advice is since this History is not edifying, is unprofitable, vain, questionable, not in faith, then obey Bro. Paul and avoid the foolish history. Continue to believe God's word.

Concerning a minister being a divorcee.

Quote: 1012-Q-286 "Brother Branham, is it... for a person who has a living, divorced mate who remarry before coming unto the Message to minister?
Well, in I Timothy 3:2, if you want to put that down, and Titus 1 to 6 (I wrote that one down.), I want you to read that for this question. See? If a man--if a man desires the office of a bishop or a preacher (something another in church), he's got to have just one wife. That's right. A minister... Now, that's I Timothy 3:2, and Titus 1 to 6. Now, Titus 1 to 6, yeah. All right. Now, notice that the Bible said that that man that's a minister in the house of God will have one wife. Now." (Question & Answer 64-0823).

Please note that Brother Branham did not give a conclusive answer, and he answered this question before he settled the issue of marriage and divorce in 1965, after which he ordained a minister who was caught up in the issue of marriage and divorce.

Quote: 33"How many here knows Brother Ben? How many believes him to be God's servant, worthy of this blessing that we'll ask of God for him?... When he heard the other day on "Marriage and Divorce"... He and his wife was ready to separate…I pray that God will bless Ben and his wife to His service. Let's lay our hands upon the brother." (Does God ever change his mind about his Word 65-0418E).

"Is it necessary that the Pastor attend each cottage meeting? Some preach heresies in his absence."

Answer:Are cottage meetings scriptural? That is all that they had in the early Church when they were scattered: "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart." (Acts 2:46). "Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house." (Colossians 4:15). All these are cottage meetings. They did not have buildings like we have here today, until later on when Constantine gave them and they sold out to Constantine and the Catholic Church, but they used to have Church in certain homes.

Now cottage meetings could be very destructive and it could also be a blessing. You may go over there to dedicate a house and have one day service. That's a cottage meeting. You may go to have a thanks-giving or even marry somebody in a house there because they cannot spend the money to feed a thousand guests; fine, you're a poor couple. You may have a funeral going on in a home for everybody cannot reach the church. All those are cottage meetings. Now in this system here, Pentecostalism, they go and evangelize people by going into their homes, like the Jehovah Witness and Seventh Day Adventist. They go in there and have a cottage meeting. So one brother arises from the church and goes off there and wants to control this cottage meeting. He is very ambitious; he wants to become a Pastor, so he goes independently without telling the Shepherd anything, which is wrong. He must consult the Shepherd. And he goes in there and the next thing is that he wants to win some of the members from the church, so he starts preaching heresies.

"Should the Pastor be in every cottage meeting?" First of all he must authorize it. If it is not authorized it is illegal. Secondly the wrong spirits could come into those meetings where people start getting ambitious and youths start doing the wrong things because they don't have the control of the Deacons and the other Ministers and the ministry is not looking over them, and they could think that they are in the Spirit and then different demons start coming into the House of God and different ones catch a "revelation", the next one says this and the next one says that. Before you know it the Church is divided. That is what cottage meetings produce.

Now, knowledge has increased in such a way that they could look in the Spoken Word books, listen to a tape, get a conception of their own, and begin to think they're getting more revelation than the Pastor himself, and before you know it a few brethren start hanging around that brother, and a family over there, and they start discussing things that are too much for them. The bible says, "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation." (James 3:1) So these cottage meetings are dangerous and cause enough confusion.

If the Pastor will authorize a cottage meeting then the right thing is for him or another responsible Minister to be there in every single meeting, in order to avoid the beginning of heresies and the activities of demons. Before you know it all those ambitious youths and ambitious young men who started that begin to think that "this is God". Prophecies start coming out and before you know it ten of them get demon possessed and divide the Church. So, yes the Minister should be there if he authorized it and if he did not authorize a cottage meeting, stamp it out! It is wrong and should not be done because spirits will move in that.

"If a brother leaves the Church and asks the Pastor to conduct a service at his house, should he do that? Some say go and restore the fallen sheep."

Answer:Hebrews 10:25 says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is." Right through the world under this message, you have a staying home spirit. Some people are offended in one another and they stay away. Thy have some fuss with a member of the Church and they would stay away for weeks and for months. They don't like how the Deacon corrected them or how the Minister preached that day so they'll stay home. It's a staying home spirit that Brother Paul seen way back in the early Church. Knowledge has increased, through books and tapes, they can have conceptions of their own and begin to think they are getting more revelation than the Pastor, before you know it a few starts hanging around that brother and his family and discuss things, which are too much for them!

First of all, why is he staying home? There are some offences that are involved, there is a bad spirit that is involved, and then on top of that now, sends for the pastor to come and conduct a meeting in his house to restore him. Friend, you have a Shepherd that isn't going nowhere, because you are acting like a goat and not a sheep. That's a goat! If a sheep has a problem with a sister or brother, he will come to the Shepherd and sought it out. He will not mix up and involve mother, father and others. No, he will go over and tell his problem to his brother or sister, and not form a family team and jump on the pastor, the deacon or on a member. It breeds confusion!

So now this fellow here is in some confusion. Why would he call the pastor now to keep a meeting in his house? There could be many reasons. He may want to gain control over the pastor, to tell him what to do and how to restore him or he may want to show members that, "I can get the pastor to come here, because he cannot do without a member like me because I pay more tithes than everybody, and besides that, I know the Word, and I had been in the message before him, and I will show you all that he has to come here and not me go there." He is a proud brute. Minister, don't go near that door. Anytime you start that, other members will pull sanctions on you and say "I am not coming to church until the pastor comes and get me out! He has to talk to me here at my home and come and apologize to me!" Do you know how many are still waiting for me to apologize for preaching the Word? Some has faded away spiritually, others are in the grave and has blasphemed the Holy Ghost. Let them sit down there and wait until they rot! I am not here to buy or beg for members. You have your confusion with a brother, with a sister, and the pastor goes down there and knocks at your door and says, "Don't cry; you are the piano player, you are the guitarist; we can't do without the music; I want to beg you, please come back?" That's a hireling who will do that because he wants to secure his hire.

Do you know what bad losses it is for a hireling when a fellow goes away with his tithes? That hireling never went there because of the love of the sheep. He went there to secure his tithes. Especially if that man has a business and is bringing in several hundreds or thousands of dollars for the month. That hireling will cry and pray for him whole night. It's not the man he is crying for, but the hire.

I find that is rude and out of place to have a stay home spirit and then send a message to the pastor to come down and keep a meeting at your house! What kind of a message are you sending to me? You want me to humble my self and to show me how to restore you. Some people backslide, meet you on the street and want to tell you how to restore them. You got to give them a hundred dollars, invite them in your home to eat, speak to them softly, and buy a dress for the wife and them also, say its love. You must manifest love brother! You're a dead hypocrite! You are not going to get one penny from me!

Question#200:"Can a minister pastor more than one Church?"

Answer:Yes! There is only one church, and he is pastoring only in one church, and that is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. So if he has some sheep in different places and he has another little flock over there, then he is right in place to pastor all of them; and remember that he has deacons, helps, government, associate pastors and assistant pastors, and he tries to establish these people, and over a period of time he may even give up that assembly because it is too far, and he cannot reach in time and as often as he wants, and if he could find a qualified pastor then he says, "I relinquish my position here and you are now the pastor. You are in charge of the tithes and the people, and I will only stand there as an advisor. If anything goes wrong in this assembly I reserve the right to walk right in and correct it, because I have my labors here for ten years, I led these sheep to the Lord and I am partly responsible for each one of them."

Question#201:"What is the function and duty of the assistant pastor?"

Answer:He is the associate pastor to carry out the duties of the pastor in his absence. All the powers of the pastor are invested in the assistant pastor when the pastor is absent. I like the words, "Associate pastor". It's another term for assistant pastor. In other words, "You are a pastor just like me and we are associating together to run the church of God."

Quote: "The associate pastor to the Branham Tabernacle, is to perform and carry out the duties of the pastor, in his absence. To conduct worship services according to the manner of doctrine believed and practiced by the Branham Tabernacle. He shall be invested with the same power as the pastor is, meeting all responsibility of the church, and acting in full authority to keep the church in order. He is to manifest deep concern to all the burdens of the saints and fulfill the commission of which God has called him to, as a shepherd. He shall account at various times the progress of the church, spiritual matters present, and problems that may be pressing, to the pastor. He shall not undertake any business transactions without first presenting it to the pastor, the exact transaction." (Operations of Church Offices).

Those are the words of the mighty prophet Elijah, and let that stand for Bethel the House Of God. We are fully satisfied with our assistant pastor here at Bethel, named Brother Sookdeo Ramnarine, and just as it is stated here by the prophet of God, he functions in that capacity. He comes under the burden of the saints, takes care of the problems when the pastor cannot meet them and we work together as one unit for the benefit of the saints of God. That's the function of the associate pastor.