YOU MUST HAVE A PASTOR
From the Bible and according to our beloved prophet (William Marrion Branham), it is very important to have a God-given pastor that will guide and lead us to become more matured and spiritual. It is needful and necessary in order to established us in the faith. Let us read what the Bible said about one of the offices in the five-fold ministry which is the pastor.
THE FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY
EPHESIANS 4:11
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Also, these pastors of the Lord have an ability to feed us knowledge and understanding. They must have full understanding of the Message of God for this generation in order to equip the church of the living God.
JEREMIAH 3:15
15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Now, let us see how Bro. Branham elaborated the works of a pastor from his different sermons so that we can have detailed information concerning their purpose and obligation to the church of the living God.
PASTOR IS A SPECAL PERSON, HE’S A BURDEN BEARER AND A SHEPHERD
GOD.DOESN'T.CALL.MAN.TO.JUDGMENT.WITHOUT.FIRST.WARNING.HIM_ JEFF.IN V-8 N-3 WEDNESDAY_ 63-0724
104 But, you see, in the church there is the pastor, and that pastor is a special person. He's built to where he can--he can put up with the fusses of the people. He--he--he's a burden-bearer, he's the ox of the team. He--he's a man that can sit down when the... somebody's got something against somebody else, and sit down with them two families (and take neither side) and reason it out and bring it right back into sweetness. See? He--he's a pastor, he knows how to take care of things.
PASTOR MEANS A SHEPHERD
A.SUPER.SIGN_ JEFF.IN V-15 N-7 SUNDAY_ 59-1227M
10 And I am sure that, as pastors, shepherds... The word "pastor" means "a shepherd, one who shepherds the sheep." I'm sure that we are grateful to you, each and every one of you, because it was--it was your kindness and thoughts, and money, that put--made this gift possible to us this morning. And through God's grace, we are pledging ourselves to be your pastor, to do everything that we can to lead you in the right way. Maybe sometimes, the way we speak and things, it may be hard to understand. But we're only doing it as guides, trying to guide you to that place, that in the resurrection you'll appreciate us greatly then. For we have considered not our ownselves, in making up when we speak to you, not of our own thoughts, but trying to do just as the Holy Spirit would lead us to do. And that's our, been our endeavor, and we are still endeavoring to do the same thing; that is right, for the pastor and myself.
A PASTOR LOOKING OUT FOR ALL SPIRITUAL
BENEFITS TO HELP HIS CHURCH TO MOVE ON FOR GOD
THE.VOICE.OF.THE.SIGN_ DENHAM.SP.LA SATURDAY_ 64-0321E
14 Now that's a real pastor, that's looking out for all the spiritual benefits that he can, of everything God is a doing, that he is trying his best to help his church to move on for God. I certainly take off my hat in admiration for a pastor like that.
That is why the Bible taught us to give double honor to those who labor in the word and doctrine. We must obey and submit ourselves to them.
OBEY AND SUBMIT TO THEM THAT RULE YOU
I TIMOTHY 5:17
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
HEBREWS 13:7
7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of [their] conversation.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.
Our beloved prophet told us that the pastor is the full and complete authority of a local church. He is the head and spiritual husband of the believers.
FULL AND COMPLETE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH IS THE PASTOR
HEBREWS.CHAPTER.SEVEN.2_ JEFF.IN HEB SUNDAY_ 57-0922
282 But the full and complete authority of the church is the pastor. Read that in the Bible, see if that's not Bible order. That's exactly right. There is no one above the elder. I have nothing to do with what Brother Neville does here. That's up to you and Brother Neville. If Brother Neville wanted to preach Jehovah Witness doctrine, that's up to him and you. See? If he wanted to preach anything he wanted to, that's between you and him. That's all. If the congregation votes for him in there, to preach that, that's all right. That's up to him.
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH, THE PASTOR IS THE HEAD
HEBREWS.CHAPTER.SEVEN.2_ JEFF.IN HEB SUNDAY_ 57-0922
292 Now, if there's anything wrong in the church that you ever know of, some individual or some person or anything, you are duty bound and will answer before God if you don't clear that thing out; you, the church. Now, remember, it's not on my shoulders. It's on yours. And anything wrong in the church, God will make you answer for it. That's right. That's the way He runs his church. That's the way it is in the Bible. That's the order of the Bible. That's the sovereignty of the local church. The pastor is the head. That's right. Amen.
THE HIGHEST ORDER IN THE CHURH IS THE PASTOR
THE.GODHEAD.EXPLAINED_ CHICAGO.IL V-2 N-24 TUESDAY_ 61-0425B
8-4 And... But when I left the Baptist church, which was the only church I ever come in, or was ordained in... And I was ordained in 1933 in the Missionary Baptist church, Jeffersonville, Indiana; it's--it's a member of the Southern Baptist Convention. Then we, in this time I... When I pulled away and just... Now, the Baptist church is a sovereign church; we--we all know that. They just... It's a... You can preach about anything you want to if your congregation will stand for it. They just... You want to preach whatever you wish; and I like that (See?), because I believe it's apostolic, because the head, the highest order in the church is the shepherd; we realize that: the pastor. And--and if the--the... If some bishop or somebody else is going to knock the revelation out of the pastor, then how is a God going to ever work in His church? You see? You just can't get it.
YOUR PASTOR IS YOUR SPIRITUAL HUSBAND
HOW.CAN.I.OVERCOME_ JEFF.IN V-4 N-12 SUNDAY_ 63-0825M
83 She started out, as an overcomer, but she never did overcome. Oh, she left the denomination. She did. She walked out of Sodom, with Lot. But she wanted to go back and have her hair cut. You know what I mean. See? She had to go back. She just couldn't stand the--the test. She had to look back again, to see what the rest of them was doing. "Oh, you know, I had some good friends down there, after all. And, after all, this might be just a little--a little move. I don't know whether it could be right or not. I--I've only got this man's word for it, though he's my husband. But yet..." Your pastor is your husband, spiritually speaking, you see. "Now, whether it could be right or not, I don't know. Maybe his revelation wasn't right."
Then, if you're not perfectly satisfied, you're not perfectly know that It's the Word of God, then--then you can't go. See? You got to be really sold out. You've got to know. Not just say, "Well, I see others doing it. I see a sign."
That is why Bro. Branham reminded us not to live higher than our pastor. He is the shepherd that feed us and he knows where the manna is.
NEVER LIVE HIGHER THAN YOUR PASTOR
THE.PERGAMEAN.CHURCH.AGE_ JEFF.IN ROJC 229-285 WEDNESDAY_ 60-1207
312 The hidden manna, a little something special. What is the special? Not something to... The blessings of the Holy Ghost? Oh, no, that's for the whole congregation. But the hidden manna was a special revelation, 'cause he had to teach the others. See? Was a little more knowledge of the Scripture, that he could teach others. He's supposed to be. Is that right? You'll never live no higher than your pastor. You just remember that. See? And so... 'Cause he's the shepherd that feeds you. If he's the shepherd, he's got to know where the manna is, to feed the--the sheep. Is that right? Now, a little special... And watch this just a minute, the revelation, the hidden manna.
HOW.THE.ANGEL.CAME.TO.ME_ OWENSBORO.KY SATURDAY_ 53-1107
E-3 It's been one of the most amazing things that I have noticed a long the lines of my ministry for our Lord Jesus, is the peculiarity of people. And the study of human life is one of the greatest things that--that a person can study: to watch nature of people. And the different parts of the nations and worlds to where you go, you'll notice that there's a different--there's a different attitude that people take towards Christ, towards His service, and towards His servants, towards worship. And one of the things has been, that one type of meeting will just be wonderful in one part of the country, where it won't work in the other part of the country.
Now, I believe, mostly to blame for that... Or not to blame, but mostly is the way the people are taught. And the church will never live higher than its pastor teaches. You seldom find that. If you got a good, sound, sane, Gospel teacher, you'll usually find that type of church. And it's just where your pastor leads you, the--the pastors that you feed on.
He also warned us that even deacon or trustee in the church must perfectly in harmony and abide in the doctrine of their home church. They don’t need to have their own opinion or revelation outside of the Scriptural interpretation of their church belief.
A DEACON OR TRUSTEE SHOULD BE PERFECTLY
IN HARMONY WITH THE DOCTRINE OF THEIR CHURCH
QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS_ JEFF.IN COD THURSDAY_ 61-0112
589-Q-131 Question:
131. Is it ruling, r-u-l-i... Is it ruling that a deacon or a trustee must abide in the doctrine of their church? (Yes. That's right.) Is it lawful for them to add to or take away of the teachings because of their own personal opinion or revelation? (No, sir. No.)
A deacon or a trustee should be perfectly in harmony with the--with the doctrine of their church. They should stay perfectly with the interpretation of the Scriptures of their church, because, if they don't, they're fighting against the very thing... They're--they're hurting themselves. See? You're battling...
It's, other words, like if--if--if I say I love my family and try to feed them poison. See, same thing. See, you can't do that, you...
A--a trustee or a deacon in taking their office, or any officer of a church that represents a certain church body (See?) that represents a church...
That's the reason I walked out of the Baptist church (See?) for the very first time. I'd just been in there a little bit and they--they asked me to ordain some woman preachers. Well, I couldn't actually stay in it. I said, "I--I--I refuse to do it."
And the pastor jerked me up. "What's this? You're an elder."
I said, "Doctor Davis, in all due respects to the Baptist faith, and everything that I have been ordained to, I did not know that it was in the doctrine of the Baptist church to ordain women. That was one thing that was left out of it."
And he said, "That is the doctrine of this church."
I said, "Sir, could I be excused for tonight, or would you answer some questions for me?" See?
He said, "I'll answer your questions." Said, "It's your duty to be there."
I said, "It is, sir. That's right. I'm supposed to anticipate in anything that this church does. I'm in the line of duty, one of the local elders." And he said... I said, "Could you explain to me why that in I Corinthians 14 or 15 there, where Paul said, 'Let your women keep silent in the churches; it's not permitted them to speak.'"
The believers must consult their pastor in any spiritual needs. And if they feel something strange or a revelation comes to them they must put it in the Word and consult their pastor.
ANY SPIRITUAL NEED CONSULT YOUR PASTOR
IT.IS.I.BE.NOT.AFRAID_ PORT.ALBERNI.BC THURSDAY_ 62-0726
E-82 And I want you all to know, you don't have to wait till some special gift come through. If you have any need of spiritual things, consult your pastor. He was the one who led you safely this far, he will take you on. That's right. God's servant...
And I want you to know that... The other night I stood in a line where about thirty or forty pastors, and I jumped up the other end of the line and picked up the people like that. And a great, biggest percent of them was healed 'fore they ever got to where I was standing, them Holy Ghost filled pastors, laying their hands on them. That was Methodists, Baptists, and Pentecostals, and all together there. They were believing. They had the Holy Ghost, and they were believing it (That's right.), and they were getting the job done. That's true.
IF YOU FEEL SOMETHING STRANGE OR A
REVELATION COMES TO YOU, CONSULT YOUR PASTOR
REV.CHAP.4.PT.3.THRONE.MERCY_ JEFF.IN ROJC 645-716 SUNDAY_ 61-0108
8 And we sure have enjoyed this time of fellowship around the Word of God with you fine people. I trust that you'll be faithful now, and come to church, and obey the teachings of the Bible through our gallant brother here, Brother Neville, which I highly recommend as a servant of the Lord God, and moving on deeper and deeper with God, and I'm so happy for that.
And the little church, I admonish you, in the Name of the Lord Jesus, to grow in the grace of God; hold yourself steady and look towards Calvary all the time, taking all the roots of bitterness out of your heart and soul, that God might use you at anytime. If you ever feel to do something, or a revelation or something comes to you strangely, something warningly or something, be careful. Satan is as sly and slick as he can be. See? Put it with the Word of God and consult your pastor. See?
Our prophet told us that if some clique (group of persons; especially: one held together by common interests, views, or purposes) or poison stuff arises in our church, we must submit ourselves and stay to our pastor.
SUBMIT YOURSELF AND STAY WITH YOUR
PASTOR IF CLIQUE AND POISON STUFF ARISE
REVELATION.CHAPTER.FOUR.3_ JEFF.IN ROJC 645-716 SUNDAY_ 61-0108
162 Now, turn with me right quick to Ephesians 5, just hold your place and go back just a few pages back to Ephesians the 5th chapter and the 26th verse.
That he might sanctify and cleanse it... (The church, he's speaking of.)
See, now, let--let me go back a little farther than that. Go back about the 21st verse, while you're looking.
Submit yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
"Submit yourself..." Congregation, submit yourself to your pastor. Pastor, submit yourself to your congregation. If a little clique rises up, don't be on either side; submit yourself to the whole congregation. Congregation, if you start in a clique, submit yourself to your pastor in the fear of God. See? Oh, brother. Um.
13 CHRIST.IS.THE.MYSTERY.OF.GOD.REVEALED_ JEFF.IN V-3 N-7 SUNDAY_ 63-0728
80 Love one another, above everything. Love one another. Don't... No matter what the devil tries to say! Now you're all one great big sweet group now, but remember my warning, see, Satan won't let that stay that way. No, sir. He'll shoot everything, if he has to bring somebody in to make his target. He'll bring some critic or unbeliever in, and sit him down, and cause him to fellowship with you under the quietness and things, and then he'll shoot that guy with some kind of a poison stuff, and he'll start through the church with it. Don't you take sides with it. Don't you have nothing to do with anything else. You stay right loving and sweet and kind to one another. Pray for that man, that he'll be saved too, or that woman, or ever who it is, just pray for them. And stick one with another.
81 And stay with your pastor. See, he's the shepherd, and you give him respects. He'll lead you through, and, 'cause he's ordained of God to do so.
The congregation must support their pastor one hundred percent together.
A PASTOR MUST BE ARIGHTEOUS MAN AND
THE CONGREGATION SUPPOSED TO BE WITH HIM 100%
I.AM.THE.RESURRECTION.AND.THE.LIFE_ CHICAGO.IL SUNDAY_ 52-0810A
E-49 Now, now, then you got to have confidence. This is the house of judgment, the house of God, where God comes down and passes His judgment. Your pastor is supposed to be a righteous man. The congregation's supposed to be with him, one hundred percent. You're supposed to be just a hundred percent together. And in there, if you're not, then Satan's got a way to get in. You got a loophole somewhere, so have everything cleared out.
Then they--they sent again for Jesus. Instead of doing that, He just went on; never come, or and said a word about it. He had a vision from the Father. I'll pick that up there, tonight, if I can. He'd had a vision from the Father, that Lazarus was going to die, and He had to follow His vision. Of course, He did. He went on. After while, they said...
He said, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth."
Well, the disciples, they said, "Well, if he's asleep, he's doing very well then; he's recovering. He's getting better."
Then He let them know in their own language. He said, "He's dead. And for your sake I am glad I wasn't there. But I go wake him." He knowed where He was going to... God had already told him. He followed what the Father said do, not what man told Him; what God said. He knowed just what to do.
The believers must be in their post of duty (attending Sunday church service) for it is their duty to God, to their pastor and to the congregation.
YOUR POST OF DUTY TO GOD, PASTOR, AND CONGREGATION
PERSEVERANCE_ NY.NY V-18 N-12 SATURDAY_ 63-1116E
7 Now, we love you so much! And tomorrow is Sunday, and everyone wants to go to church on Sunday. And I know, or pretty sure, you all know where the--the (I try to say stone church, it's) Rock Church is. That's the church that's sponsoring this meeting, I guess, and others are visiting here. And you strangers that's out of town, that's come in to the meeting, and if you don't... Now if you have a post of duty, you go there. That's what you're supposed to do. Always stand at your post of duty. That's your--that's your duty to God and to your pastor, to the rest of the congregation. But if you don't have any place to go, I'm sure you would be certainly welcome at the Rock Church, for the... I guess they've announced the services.
The following quotes from the Message of our beloved prophet, reminded us on what we should do to our pastor.
LOVE YOUR PASTOR AND RESPECT HIM
YE.MUST.BE.BORN.AGAIN_ GREENVILLE.SC THURSDAY_ 58-0619B
E-39 Lot of times these people passing through the country, called Divine healers, people get--take them for an example. You better get your mind off of them. That's right. You keep your mind on Christ; He's the one to keep your mind on, not on your pastor. Love your pastor and respect him; he's a honorable man, a man of God, truly. But keep your mind on Christ and your affection set on Christ. Just respect him as what he is, as a reverend, because he represents God to you.
Now, but, then we'll notice them, how sweet and loving they was. And now, I say her eyes looked like the stars shining, as blue as they could be, and them like, just sparkle. She must have been beautiful. And Adam looked at her; why, it was love at the first sight. An operation had been performed, and she was taken from his side.
BALM.IN.GILEAD_ LONG.BEACH.CA SATURDAY_ 61-0218
E-17 Now, we're going to read a Scripture and just have a little--a little few words tonight. And tomorrow night now, we're going to be down at the Municipal Auditorium. And I'm sorry that--that we made this little junction right quick, way we did, change, rather. I--I think, the brethren, some of them thought that maybe it would give the people more room so they could attend the church. And I hope that no one that goes to these fine churches around here, will--will miss their services tomorrow night; I--I hope they don't do it. If they got a post of duty, stand at that. That you stand to your post of duty at your church, wherever you go to, and pay your tithing into it, and you love your pastor, and pray for him. And if you need to be prayed for, ask him; he's a man of God; he will pray for you. And He will answer his prayer same as He will mine or anyone else's, 'cause after all, it's your own faith in God that does the work. That's right, just exactly.
RESPECTS_ JEFF.IN V-13 N-4 SUNDAY_ 61-1015E
165 If you can't respect the man, respect the office he holds in God. That's exactly right (See?); respect him. If a minister comes up, your pastor, always respect him. I've heard congregations talk about their pastor, how just talk about him, run him down, ridicule him. How is that pastor ever going to do anything for you? He can't do it. You--you don't--you don't re... I don't say this church, but I mean churches I have seen, that if you... You've got to love your pastor. You've got to know that he's a human being, but yet God has made him His pastor. The Holy Ghost has made him overseer; then you've got to respect him in that manner. And no matter what the pastor's done, if you respect him in your heart as God's servant, God will respect you for doing it.
"He that--he that receiveth Me, receiveth Him that sent Me," Jesus said. "He that don't receive Me, can't receive Him." See, they said God was their Father; He said, "Your father's the devil."
So, you see, you've got to respect it and believe it, believe that He is. Yes, Martha believed it.
HAVE.NOT.I.SENT.THEE_ PHOENIX.AZ WEDNESDAY_ 62-0124
E-13 Sometimes I preach pretty rough because I--I see that somebody getting out of line. You see, you're supposed to do that. A real daddy will. Why, he'd shake you and say, "Here, get back here in line," if he's a real true father. So sometimes your pastor has to wade down on something. Just love him that much more, because he's a real father to you (You see?), trying to keep you lined up; because he's watching over your soul, which the Holy Ghost has made him the overseer of the church. And you must always watch that.
INVESTMENTS_ PHOENIX.AZ SATURDAY_ 63-0126
367 While we have our heads bowed, would there be some here this morning, would say, "Brother Branham, truly in my heart I believe that's right, and I--I want to return. I--I want an investment this morning. Not--not no more in... I'll stay in my church"?
368 Don't leave your church. No, sir. You stay right in your church, wherever you're at, and love your pastor, and love all the members, and everything else. Love that. But, oh, stay in there, not to shine with some worldly thing, not to set something different, but glow with the Glory of God, in humility, to be willing to take the reproach if they call you old fashion. And you're...
QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.ON.HEBREWS.3_ JEFF.IN COD SUNDAY_ 57-1006
331-768 What is it? Our nation has come so little until they've even taken the jobs away from the men, and put women out here in these places, till ninety percent of them, nearly, are prostitutes. And talk about man being gone, sure, it's because they got women out there in their jobs. And they got so lowdown till they put women as peace officers on the street. That's a disgrace to any nation. Yes, sir. What are you going to do about it?
"What do you do about it, Brother Branham?" I have to respect it; I'm an American citizen. I do what the big boss says do. If I ever... If a--if a family ever loses its respect for the family (the children lose the respect to the parents), that family's tore to pieces. If a--if a church ever loses respect of its pastor, why it--it--it--that church is gone. And if a nation ever loses their respect of the Supreme Court and its decisions, that nation is gone to pieces. That's exactly right. We've got to respect those things, because they're the big boss. See? But it isn't right in the beginning. Absolutely.
STAY TRUE WITH YOUR PASTOR
10 WATER.BAPTISM_ JEFF.IN EM 15-40 SUNDAY_ 59-0329M
65 Therefore, it is my convictions... No disregarding to people that wants to be sprinkled, poured, or immersed in "Father, Son, Holy Ghost," that's deliberately up to you, my dear brother, sister. I would not disagree with you; I just... You're--you're God's servant.
But, to me, I must be faithful and true to the Bible. Therefore, Paul commanded people that had been baptized some other way besides the Name of Jesus Christ, and constrained them to come and be rebaptized again in the Name of Jesus Christ. To preach that same Gospel, I've got to do the same thing, to restrain and to persuade people. Don't never leave your church; stay with your pastor; do everything you can in your own local church; but follow the Bible instructions.
Therefore we believe this morning, that Jesus is coming. And when I stand that day...
CHRISTIANITY.VERSUS.IDOLATRY_ JEFF.IN V-8 N-2 SUNDAY_ 61-1217
68 Now, remember, this is just--we're just teaching this morning. And I want this church, when I leave into the ministry here to go out in the fields, I want you to stay with your pastor, and stay with the teaching that's been taught here. Stay with this Word; don't you leave It. You stay right with the Word; no matter what comes or goes stay with that Word. See? Now, and just because that I go away... I'm just one of the pastors here. Brother Neville teaches the same thing I do, so just come right on to church and listen to the Word.
I don't know where He's going to lead me. I told my wife this morning at the table, "There's been something in me that's cried out all these years. I'm going to find out what it is." Now, I don't know which way It'll lead, where It'll go. But where He leads me, I'll follow.
FORSAKING.ALL_ TEMPE.AZ TUESDAY_ 62-0123
E-10 I'm ashamed, but I don't believe I know the pastor's name here in the church. I... [Brother states his name--Ed.]
Brother Griffith, I'm certainly glad to meet you, brother, and a time of come here and this fellowship, to be with you, to... We always like to address it like this, to those who are sojourning in Sunnyslopes, because we are pilgrims here, strangers. We profess that this is not our home. We're Abraham's seed, seeking a city whose Builder and Maker is God.
This is a beautiful country. I don't think there's anything like it I've ever seen. And traveled pretty near every nation in the world, and I've never seen nothing in Europe, Italy, Asia, anywhere in the Orients, that ever compared with Phoenix, Arizona. Now, that's right. It's the most beautiful place I ever saw. But oh, it will look like a alley up beside of what it will be in that great millennium. So we're--we're... This is not our home; we're just sojourning here. And we're come to have this fellowship together. And it's a blessing for me to be here, and see God's church prospering, a new building, and so forth. God ever bless you people. Be loyal to Christ. Stay true to the pastor, and work together, everybody hand-in-hand, for I believe the coming of the Lord is soon.
ALWAYS HONOR YOUR PASTOR
LAMB.AND.DOVE_ YAKIMA.WA FRIDAY_ 60-0805
E-77 And some of you all was preaching this Gospel when I was yet a little old sinner boy. Really it needs to be you up here. Well, what is it? You've cut down the bushes, and--and leveled out the road, that the running would a lot easier for me than it was for you. So I want you to know, that I know that in my heart. Some glorious day, when we shake hands across the table over yonder, we'll see where the crown goes: you brethren that you've really fought to win the prize, and made the road easy for me. You preached that these things would be coming long years ago, before I was to ever enter in the ministry, you preached these things would happen. Now, see, you paved the road. These is the people you preached to that come here and see exactly. Always honor your pastor. He's worthy of every bit of honor you could give him. The Bible said that. Yes, sir, and don't muzzle the ox that treads out the corn.
BELIEVE YOUR PASTOR AS A MAN OF GOD
BELIEVEST.THOU.THIS_ HOUSTON.TX SUNDAY_ 50-0115
E-57 Now, I see Him as He came out then. His ministry got so great until He had to be called away. Lazarus taken sick while He was gone.
Listen. When Jesus leaves your house, watch for sickness to come, trouble, heartaches, disappointments. Don't you believe that? When Jesus leaves your house, trouble's coming in just as soon as He leaves.
'Course, in this case, He wasn't driven away. He went away because His Father's work was calling for it, and He went away to preach somewhere else.
I believe that Jesus seen the vision of Lazarus. They sent for Him. He didn't come. They sent for Him again; He didn't come
If that'd been your pastor you sent for, and he didn't come, "Why, the old hypocrite. I'll go over and join the other church." That's the reason your pastor can't do nothing for you. You've got to believe him as a man of God. Do you believe that? You've got to have faith in him. If you don't, he will never be able to do you any good. If you get sick, send for him. Let him come anoint you with oil, and pray over you. God promised the prayer of faith shall save the sick. That's true. He's a man of God, God will honor him. That's true.
Sometimes he can't come just when you call. But remember, all things work together for good to them that love God.
A.GREATER.THAN.SOLOMON.IS.HERE_ HOT.SPRINGS.AR V-20 N-11 FRIDAY_ 63-0628E
290 But evangelist goes in town, does all the praying, all the baptizing; then the people, when he leaves, the pastor is... Well, the people think their pastor is nothing. Your pastor is a man of God. He has led you safe this far; he can take you on.He is an instructed man of God.
291 And I want you, each one of you, if you come through this prayer line and you don't believe this, stay out of it; you'll get worse. But if you'll really believe it, when you pass under anointed hands of God, I want you to go home testifying to the power of God; leave out of here, shouting and praising God, that it's all over. I want you to do it.
HAVE FAITH TO YOUR PASTOR
MOSES_ HOUSTON.TX TUESDAY_ 50-0110
E-25 And tonight, so many people can believe God. Sure. You believe Christ, you believe the Holy Ghost, and so forth. But when a man comes to you and tells something, that's hard to believe. "I don't know whether I can believe you or not, friend." That's where it's at. See there?
That's the reason God can't... That's the reason your pastor sometimes, when your pastor comes to you. The reason he can't help you, you've got to have faith in your pastor. You've got to believe that he's a man of God, sent of God to do these things for Him.
STAND BEHIND YOUR PASTOR
WASHING.JESUS.FEET_ PHOENIX.AZ SUNDAY_ 57-0310A
E-58 What about around the altar, you feel good? Feel all our sins are washed away? What can wash away all sin? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus, not joining another denomination, but the Blood of Jesus.
Oh, return in peace to your homes. God be with you. Go to your churches. Support it. Stand behind your pastor. Stand behind the programs of God. And pray for your pastor, and let's have a real old fashion revival sweep Phoenix. It won't be long till Brother Roberts...
[Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]... through here will be back in. When they come, everybody, with one heart, go out and cooperate and have a great big time. Don't proselyte. Just go to your own church and worship God. When the service is over, invite them all to your church. If the other brother don't keep his word, that's up between him and God. You keep your word to God; that's the main thing.
What can wash away our sin?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus;
Oh, what can make me whole again?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
GOD'S.PROVIDED.WAY_ JONESBORO.AR WEDNESDAY_ 53-0513
E-8 If you've been converted during the time of this revival, and you don't have any church that you've taken up with yet, I'd ask you to come join this little church. It's a wonderful little place here to come, serve the Lord. If I lived here in this neighborhood, I'd be a member of this church. I am a member of it, anyhow; I'm an associate pastor. And so, I have to come back once and awhile to see about my church. And I look around, you know, so I will be back to see you, the Lord willing, pretty soon. And so... And all you people that's around in these other cities, that belongs to these churches, go to church every day, every day that you can, every day that they have service, go. Attend your church; be real loyal. Just stand by your church. Stand by your pastor; help him out with everything you got. Give him spiritual support.Fast and pray for him. And have faith in him, and God will lead the church on to that glorious day that we're looking forward to come. No matter, you say, "Well," some, "our church, don't believe..." Well, now, just as long as you believe the main fundamentals and are borned again of the Spirit of the God, well, you might believe Christ coming on a white horse, and some believes He's coming on a white cloud. But that won't stop Him from coming. He--He will come anyhow. So just--just... You--you just believe Him (You see?), and He will be here. And now, I appreciate all. Brother Reed said they taken a love offering for me, which I--I did... And I--I mean a missionary offering tonight, too. Now, I...
THE.GREAT.COMING.REVIVAL.AND.THE.OUTPOURING.OF.THE.HOLY.SPIRIT_ CHICAGO.IL SUNDAY_ 54-0718A
E-6 Sometime ago, a few weeks ago, having breakfast or--in the room at Washington, D. C., and a speaker, Mr. Nixon, the Vice President of the United States, was speaking at this time. And he was talking of how Communism was sweeping the land and the space we had to--to travel. For instance, the goal that the world faces like that... Communism has this much of it already. See? And then, that part is mixed up between believers and unbelievers. And Christ said that the Gospel should go to all the world. So every Christian's got a tremendous job ahead of him. And we must be up and doing, quickly, right about our Father's business, at once. Every person, and every denomination, every--every person in his own church, to get behind the pastor and the program and to back it up with all that we have to back up with. And that's why I'm putting my shoulder to the wheel, as God will permit me, to try to bring to each one the view, as far as I have knowledge to do, of the soon coming of our Lord Jesus. And that's why I chosen this to speak of this afternoon. It's a very discouraging time for the unbeliever, but a very happy time for the believer, for we believe that the time of redemption is drawing near.
DON’T FIND FAULT WITH YOUR PASTOR
THE.APPROACH.TO.GOD_ CHICAGO.IL SUNDAY_ 55-0123A
E-68 Then you don't criticize the others. You don't find fault with your pastor, and with all the other... The women that talks this way, you pity them and pray for them. You're coming God's provided approach then. See? What if Christ had found so much fault in you He wouldn't have died for you? But, see, He was God's approach to--our approach to God through Him. You get it?
Now, notice. When Israel needed healing, El-Shaddai... When they needed healing, he had an article, a Divine article there, which was represented way, a serpent, that they looked, and believed, and was healed. Now, I wish we had time. But of course it's--it's getting late. Let's bring it to a close now.
RESPECTS_ JEFF.IN V-13 N-4 SUNDAY_ 61-1015E
165 If you can't respect the man, respect the office he holds in God. That's exactly right (See?); respect him. If a minister comes up, your pastor, always respect him. I've heard congregations talk about their pastor, how just talk about him, run him down, ridicule him. How is that pastor ever going to do anything for you? He can't do it. You--you don't--you don't re... I don't say this church, but I mean churches I have seen, that if you... You've got to love your pastor. You've got to know that he's a human being, but yet God has made him His pastor. The Holy Ghost has made him overseer; then you've got to respect him in that manner. And no matter what the pastor's done, if you respect him in your heart as God's servant, God will respect you for doing it.
"He that--he that receiveth Me, receiveth Him that sent Me," Jesus said. "He that don't receive Me, can't receive Him." See, they said God was their Father; He said, "Your father's the devil."
So, you see, you've got to respect it and believe it, believe that He is. Yes, Martha believed it.
PRAY TO LET GOD FORGIVE YOUR PASTOR
ORDINATION_ JEFF.IN SUNDAY_ 62-1104E
E-25 And we believe that when we come together... He said, "Tarry one for another." In other words, "Wait on one another." The word "tarry" means "to wait." Wait on one another. Now, as it's been a custom to us, we take that Scripture in this way: that when we do this, that we just bow our heads, and the congregation prays for we pastors; we pastors pray for our congregation. That's how we wait on each other, by serving each other, by praying.
You pray, "God, forgive my pastor. If there's anything in his life that he--they have done, You forgive them for it. Forgive them. They didn't mean to do it."
And we come right back, the pastors praying for our congregation, "God, this is a little flock that You give us to watch over. If there's anything wrong in their life, take it away, Father, they--so that we can all stand together around the--fellowship around, knowing that we're coming here keeping a order of God, and taking the communion." I think it's a sweet time of fellowship.
SUPPORT YOUR PASTOR
GOD.MANIFESTING.HIS.GIFTS_ EDMONTON.AB MONDAY_ 57-0805
E-27 If God is God, He's worth everything you are. If Christian religion is right, it's worth everything that you can do for it. Support your church. Support your pastor. Support your missionaries. Do everything that's in your power to do, and give God the best you've got.
That little heathen said, "If That is a God Who has raised up this mighty gift, then He is God. I will give Him a gift, to the best I got. And she loaded these camels with gold, and frankincense, and myrrh, and silver, many precious things.
DO.YOU.NOW.BELIEVE_ WEST.PALM.BEACH.FL SUNDAY_ 53-1206E
E-11 Great crowds don't attract me. What I want to know is what God wants me to do. Is to preach to one person or one million is just the same. See? I wouldn't do any different. I'd do just the best that I could. And I feel then, that I'd be pleasing Him. So God bless you.
And now, I want you to be sure that you get this just right. Now, there are handkerchiefs, many of you are laying here. I pray over handkerchiefs by the thousands. Now, if you did not get your handkerchief here, well, just send--just send and ask me for one, I'll send it to you. Now, I'm not saying that... There's so many a radio programs, and things today, where they're just trying to get your address, just so you can write in. God knows better then that. I don't... That's not it. I don't write back to people no more than just answer them back; that's true. And I think that doing that,your own pastor needs every bit of support, your own church, that you can give. See? It isn't that. We never ask people for one penny of money through the mail or nothing. We just send it all out free, and God takes care of every bit of it. And so you're always welcome.
A.GREATER.THAN.SOLOMON.IS.HERE_ GRANDE.PRAIRIE.AB MONDAY_ 61-0515
E-80 Here, now, she had a lot to confront. I can see her get her little camels together, and her bunch of little maids together, her bunch of eunuchs. And now she said, "You know what? I'm going up there, and I'm going to find out. And if it's true, I'm going to support it." So she loaded her camels with gold, and frankincense, and silver, rich stuff. Now, she said, "If I get up there, and if it's so I'm going to support it. If it isn't so, I can bring my money back." That would be a good thing for Pentecostal people to learn: supporting programs on tele--on--on these here radio that'd stand around, laugh, and call you a holy-roller afterwards. That's right. Support your pastor; support your church; support the cause that stands for the right things. That's right.
She said, "If it's not right, I'll bring my money back. If it is right, I owe something to it." That's the way we should feel. If this be God, not only our money--our money's little--but be owing our hearts, our time, our talents; and everything that we have, we owe it to God. If it's right, let's go into it with everything we got. If it isn't right, go find what is right, then get into it.
DON’T HOLD YOUR PASTOR UNDER YOUR FINGER
THE.EPHESIAN.CHURCH.AGE_ JEFF.IN ROJC 131-183 MONDAY_ 60-1205
142 The 4th verse, 5th verse now, a warning, the 5th verse, a warning: "Remember and repent." See?
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen,... (Where did you come from? From Pentecost you fell down to where you are now, backsliding.)... and repent, and do thy first works;... (go back to Pentecost again)... or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove the candlestick out of h-i-s... (See who it is, don't you?)... his place, except thou repent.
Other words, if you got a God-filled pastor, filled with the Holy Ghost, and you try to hold him under your finger, say, "Well, if he says anything about us having a robed choir, if he says anything about us wearing makeup, we'll just excommunicate him." Don't you worry; God will do it before you get a chance to. He'll go out and preach to stones on the street before he'd compromise with that kind of stuff. You got a pastor that really tells you the truth, you ought to honor God and stay in the Spirit, and worship God, realizing that you're going to be lost if you don't. See?
By: Ptr. Eduardo R. Pesito, Jr.
June 15, 2011 / 10:23 PM
THE FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY
EPHESIANS 4:11
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Also, these pastors of the Lord have an ability to feed us knowledge and understanding. They must have full understanding of the Message of God for this generation in order to equip the church of the living God.
JEREMIAH 3:15
15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Now, let us see how Bro. Branham elaborated the works of a pastor from his different sermons so that we can have detailed information concerning their purpose and obligation to the church of the living God.
PASTOR IS A SPECAL PERSON, HE’S A BURDEN BEARER AND A SHEPHERD
GOD.DOESN'T.CALL.MAN.TO.JUDGMENT.WITHOUT.FIRST.WARNING.HIM_ JEFF.IN V-8 N-3 WEDNESDAY_ 63-0724
104 But, you see, in the church there is the pastor, and that pastor is a special person. He's built to where he can--he can put up with the fusses of the people. He--he--he's a burden-bearer, he's the ox of the team. He--he's a man that can sit down when the... somebody's got something against somebody else, and sit down with them two families (and take neither side) and reason it out and bring it right back into sweetness. See? He--he's a pastor, he knows how to take care of things.
PASTOR MEANS A SHEPHERD
A.SUPER.SIGN_ JEFF.IN V-15 N-7 SUNDAY_ 59-1227M
10 And I am sure that, as pastors, shepherds... The word "pastor" means "a shepherd, one who shepherds the sheep." I'm sure that we are grateful to you, each and every one of you, because it was--it was your kindness and thoughts, and money, that put--made this gift possible to us this morning. And through God's grace, we are pledging ourselves to be your pastor, to do everything that we can to lead you in the right way. Maybe sometimes, the way we speak and things, it may be hard to understand. But we're only doing it as guides, trying to guide you to that place, that in the resurrection you'll appreciate us greatly then. For we have considered not our ownselves, in making up when we speak to you, not of our own thoughts, but trying to do just as the Holy Spirit would lead us to do. And that's our, been our endeavor, and we are still endeavoring to do the same thing; that is right, for the pastor and myself.
A PASTOR LOOKING OUT FOR ALL SPIRITUAL
BENEFITS TO HELP HIS CHURCH TO MOVE ON FOR GOD
THE.VOICE.OF.THE.SIGN_ DENHAM.SP.LA SATURDAY_ 64-0321E
14 Now that's a real pastor, that's looking out for all the spiritual benefits that he can, of everything God is a doing, that he is trying his best to help his church to move on for God. I certainly take off my hat in admiration for a pastor like that.
That is why the Bible taught us to give double honor to those who labor in the word and doctrine. We must obey and submit ourselves to them.
OBEY AND SUBMIT TO THEM THAT RULE YOU
I TIMOTHY 5:17
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
HEBREWS 13:7
7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of [their] conversation.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.
Our beloved prophet told us that the pastor is the full and complete authority of a local church. He is the head and spiritual husband of the believers.
FULL AND COMPLETE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH IS THE PASTOR
HEBREWS.CHAPTER.SEVEN.2_ JEFF.IN HEB SUNDAY_ 57-0922
282 But the full and complete authority of the church is the pastor. Read that in the Bible, see if that's not Bible order. That's exactly right. There is no one above the elder. I have nothing to do with what Brother Neville does here. That's up to you and Brother Neville. If Brother Neville wanted to preach Jehovah Witness doctrine, that's up to him and you. See? If he wanted to preach anything he wanted to, that's between you and him. That's all. If the congregation votes for him in there, to preach that, that's all right. That's up to him.
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH, THE PASTOR IS THE HEAD
HEBREWS.CHAPTER.SEVEN.2_ JEFF.IN HEB SUNDAY_ 57-0922
292 Now, if there's anything wrong in the church that you ever know of, some individual or some person or anything, you are duty bound and will answer before God if you don't clear that thing out; you, the church. Now, remember, it's not on my shoulders. It's on yours. And anything wrong in the church, God will make you answer for it. That's right. That's the way He runs his church. That's the way it is in the Bible. That's the order of the Bible. That's the sovereignty of the local church. The pastor is the head. That's right. Amen.
THE HIGHEST ORDER IN THE CHURH IS THE PASTOR
THE.GODHEAD.EXPLAINED_ CHICAGO.IL V-2 N-24 TUESDAY_ 61-0425B
8-4 And... But when I left the Baptist church, which was the only church I ever come in, or was ordained in... And I was ordained in 1933 in the Missionary Baptist church, Jeffersonville, Indiana; it's--it's a member of the Southern Baptist Convention. Then we, in this time I... When I pulled away and just... Now, the Baptist church is a sovereign church; we--we all know that. They just... It's a... You can preach about anything you want to if your congregation will stand for it. They just... You want to preach whatever you wish; and I like that (See?), because I believe it's apostolic, because the head, the highest order in the church is the shepherd; we realize that: the pastor. And--and if the--the... If some bishop or somebody else is going to knock the revelation out of the pastor, then how is a God going to ever work in His church? You see? You just can't get it.
YOUR PASTOR IS YOUR SPIRITUAL HUSBAND
HOW.CAN.I.OVERCOME_ JEFF.IN V-4 N-12 SUNDAY_ 63-0825M
83 She started out, as an overcomer, but she never did overcome. Oh, she left the denomination. She did. She walked out of Sodom, with Lot. But she wanted to go back and have her hair cut. You know what I mean. See? She had to go back. She just couldn't stand the--the test. She had to look back again, to see what the rest of them was doing. "Oh, you know, I had some good friends down there, after all. And, after all, this might be just a little--a little move. I don't know whether it could be right or not. I--I've only got this man's word for it, though he's my husband. But yet..." Your pastor is your husband, spiritually speaking, you see. "Now, whether it could be right or not, I don't know. Maybe his revelation wasn't right."
Then, if you're not perfectly satisfied, you're not perfectly know that It's the Word of God, then--then you can't go. See? You got to be really sold out. You've got to know. Not just say, "Well, I see others doing it. I see a sign."
That is why Bro. Branham reminded us not to live higher than our pastor. He is the shepherd that feed us and he knows where the manna is.
NEVER LIVE HIGHER THAN YOUR PASTOR
THE.PERGAMEAN.CHURCH.AGE_ JEFF.IN ROJC 229-285 WEDNESDAY_ 60-1207
312 The hidden manna, a little something special. What is the special? Not something to... The blessings of the Holy Ghost? Oh, no, that's for the whole congregation. But the hidden manna was a special revelation, 'cause he had to teach the others. See? Was a little more knowledge of the Scripture, that he could teach others. He's supposed to be. Is that right? You'll never live no higher than your pastor. You just remember that. See? And so... 'Cause he's the shepherd that feeds you. If he's the shepherd, he's got to know where the manna is, to feed the--the sheep. Is that right? Now, a little special... And watch this just a minute, the revelation, the hidden manna.
HOW.THE.ANGEL.CAME.TO.ME_ OWENSBORO.KY SATURDAY_ 53-1107
E-3 It's been one of the most amazing things that I have noticed a long the lines of my ministry for our Lord Jesus, is the peculiarity of people. And the study of human life is one of the greatest things that--that a person can study: to watch nature of people. And the different parts of the nations and worlds to where you go, you'll notice that there's a different--there's a different attitude that people take towards Christ, towards His service, and towards His servants, towards worship. And one of the things has been, that one type of meeting will just be wonderful in one part of the country, where it won't work in the other part of the country.
Now, I believe, mostly to blame for that... Or not to blame, but mostly is the way the people are taught. And the church will never live higher than its pastor teaches. You seldom find that. If you got a good, sound, sane, Gospel teacher, you'll usually find that type of church. And it's just where your pastor leads you, the--the pastors that you feed on.
He also warned us that even deacon or trustee in the church must perfectly in harmony and abide in the doctrine of their home church. They don’t need to have their own opinion or revelation outside of the Scriptural interpretation of their church belief.
A DEACON OR TRUSTEE SHOULD BE PERFECTLY
IN HARMONY WITH THE DOCTRINE OF THEIR CHURCH
QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS_ JEFF.IN COD THURSDAY_ 61-0112
589-Q-131 Question:
131. Is it ruling, r-u-l-i... Is it ruling that a deacon or a trustee must abide in the doctrine of their church? (Yes. That's right.) Is it lawful for them to add to or take away of the teachings because of their own personal opinion or revelation? (No, sir. No.)
A deacon or a trustee should be perfectly in harmony with the--with the doctrine of their church. They should stay perfectly with the interpretation of the Scriptures of their church, because, if they don't, they're fighting against the very thing... They're--they're hurting themselves. See? You're battling...
It's, other words, like if--if--if I say I love my family and try to feed them poison. See, same thing. See, you can't do that, you...
A--a trustee or a deacon in taking their office, or any officer of a church that represents a certain church body (See?) that represents a church...
That's the reason I walked out of the Baptist church (See?) for the very first time. I'd just been in there a little bit and they--they asked me to ordain some woman preachers. Well, I couldn't actually stay in it. I said, "I--I--I refuse to do it."
And the pastor jerked me up. "What's this? You're an elder."
I said, "Doctor Davis, in all due respects to the Baptist faith, and everything that I have been ordained to, I did not know that it was in the doctrine of the Baptist church to ordain women. That was one thing that was left out of it."
And he said, "That is the doctrine of this church."
I said, "Sir, could I be excused for tonight, or would you answer some questions for me?" See?
He said, "I'll answer your questions." Said, "It's your duty to be there."
I said, "It is, sir. That's right. I'm supposed to anticipate in anything that this church does. I'm in the line of duty, one of the local elders." And he said... I said, "Could you explain to me why that in I Corinthians 14 or 15 there, where Paul said, 'Let your women keep silent in the churches; it's not permitted them to speak.'"
The believers must consult their pastor in any spiritual needs. And if they feel something strange or a revelation comes to them they must put it in the Word and consult their pastor.
ANY SPIRITUAL NEED CONSULT YOUR PASTOR
IT.IS.I.BE.NOT.AFRAID_ PORT.ALBERNI.BC THURSDAY_ 62-0726
E-82 And I want you all to know, you don't have to wait till some special gift come through. If you have any need of spiritual things, consult your pastor. He was the one who led you safely this far, he will take you on. That's right. God's servant...
And I want you to know that... The other night I stood in a line where about thirty or forty pastors, and I jumped up the other end of the line and picked up the people like that. And a great, biggest percent of them was healed 'fore they ever got to where I was standing, them Holy Ghost filled pastors, laying their hands on them. That was Methodists, Baptists, and Pentecostals, and all together there. They were believing. They had the Holy Ghost, and they were believing it (That's right.), and they were getting the job done. That's true.
IF YOU FEEL SOMETHING STRANGE OR A
REVELATION COMES TO YOU, CONSULT YOUR PASTOR
REV.CHAP.4.PT.3.THRONE.MERCY_ JEFF.IN ROJC 645-716 SUNDAY_ 61-0108
8 And we sure have enjoyed this time of fellowship around the Word of God with you fine people. I trust that you'll be faithful now, and come to church, and obey the teachings of the Bible through our gallant brother here, Brother Neville, which I highly recommend as a servant of the Lord God, and moving on deeper and deeper with God, and I'm so happy for that.
And the little church, I admonish you, in the Name of the Lord Jesus, to grow in the grace of God; hold yourself steady and look towards Calvary all the time, taking all the roots of bitterness out of your heart and soul, that God might use you at anytime. If you ever feel to do something, or a revelation or something comes to you strangely, something warningly or something, be careful. Satan is as sly and slick as he can be. See? Put it with the Word of God and consult your pastor. See?
Our prophet told us that if some clique (group of persons; especially: one held together by common interests, views, or purposes) or poison stuff arises in our church, we must submit ourselves and stay to our pastor.
SUBMIT YOURSELF AND STAY WITH YOUR
PASTOR IF CLIQUE AND POISON STUFF ARISE
REVELATION.CHAPTER.FOUR.3_ JEFF.IN ROJC 645-716 SUNDAY_ 61-0108
162 Now, turn with me right quick to Ephesians 5, just hold your place and go back just a few pages back to Ephesians the 5th chapter and the 26th verse.
That he might sanctify and cleanse it... (The church, he's speaking of.)
See, now, let--let me go back a little farther than that. Go back about the 21st verse, while you're looking.
Submit yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
"Submit yourself..." Congregation, submit yourself to your pastor. Pastor, submit yourself to your congregation. If a little clique rises up, don't be on either side; submit yourself to the whole congregation. Congregation, if you start in a clique, submit yourself to your pastor in the fear of God. See? Oh, brother. Um.
13 CHRIST.IS.THE.MYSTERY.OF.GOD.REVEALED_ JEFF.IN V-3 N-7 SUNDAY_ 63-0728
80 Love one another, above everything. Love one another. Don't... No matter what the devil tries to say! Now you're all one great big sweet group now, but remember my warning, see, Satan won't let that stay that way. No, sir. He'll shoot everything, if he has to bring somebody in to make his target. He'll bring some critic or unbeliever in, and sit him down, and cause him to fellowship with you under the quietness and things, and then he'll shoot that guy with some kind of a poison stuff, and he'll start through the church with it. Don't you take sides with it. Don't you have nothing to do with anything else. You stay right loving and sweet and kind to one another. Pray for that man, that he'll be saved too, or that woman, or ever who it is, just pray for them. And stick one with another.
81 And stay with your pastor. See, he's the shepherd, and you give him respects. He'll lead you through, and, 'cause he's ordained of God to do so.
The congregation must support their pastor one hundred percent together.
A PASTOR MUST BE ARIGHTEOUS MAN AND
THE CONGREGATION SUPPOSED TO BE WITH HIM 100%
I.AM.THE.RESURRECTION.AND.THE.LIFE_ CHICAGO.IL SUNDAY_ 52-0810A
E-49 Now, now, then you got to have confidence. This is the house of judgment, the house of God, where God comes down and passes His judgment. Your pastor is supposed to be a righteous man. The congregation's supposed to be with him, one hundred percent. You're supposed to be just a hundred percent together. And in there, if you're not, then Satan's got a way to get in. You got a loophole somewhere, so have everything cleared out.
Then they--they sent again for Jesus. Instead of doing that, He just went on; never come, or and said a word about it. He had a vision from the Father. I'll pick that up there, tonight, if I can. He'd had a vision from the Father, that Lazarus was going to die, and He had to follow His vision. Of course, He did. He went on. After while, they said...
He said, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth."
Well, the disciples, they said, "Well, if he's asleep, he's doing very well then; he's recovering. He's getting better."
Then He let them know in their own language. He said, "He's dead. And for your sake I am glad I wasn't there. But I go wake him." He knowed where He was going to... God had already told him. He followed what the Father said do, not what man told Him; what God said. He knowed just what to do.
The believers must be in their post of duty (attending Sunday church service) for it is their duty to God, to their pastor and to the congregation.
YOUR POST OF DUTY TO GOD, PASTOR, AND CONGREGATION
PERSEVERANCE_ NY.NY V-18 N-12 SATURDAY_ 63-1116E
7 Now, we love you so much! And tomorrow is Sunday, and everyone wants to go to church on Sunday. And I know, or pretty sure, you all know where the--the (I try to say stone church, it's) Rock Church is. That's the church that's sponsoring this meeting, I guess, and others are visiting here. And you strangers that's out of town, that's come in to the meeting, and if you don't... Now if you have a post of duty, you go there. That's what you're supposed to do. Always stand at your post of duty. That's your--that's your duty to God and to your pastor, to the rest of the congregation. But if you don't have any place to go, I'm sure you would be certainly welcome at the Rock Church, for the... I guess they've announced the services.
The following quotes from the Message of our beloved prophet, reminded us on what we should do to our pastor.
LOVE YOUR PASTOR AND RESPECT HIM
YE.MUST.BE.BORN.AGAIN_ GREENVILLE.SC THURSDAY_ 58-0619B
E-39 Lot of times these people passing through the country, called Divine healers, people get--take them for an example. You better get your mind off of them. That's right. You keep your mind on Christ; He's the one to keep your mind on, not on your pastor. Love your pastor and respect him; he's a honorable man, a man of God, truly. But keep your mind on Christ and your affection set on Christ. Just respect him as what he is, as a reverend, because he represents God to you.
Now, but, then we'll notice them, how sweet and loving they was. And now, I say her eyes looked like the stars shining, as blue as they could be, and them like, just sparkle. She must have been beautiful. And Adam looked at her; why, it was love at the first sight. An operation had been performed, and she was taken from his side.
BALM.IN.GILEAD_ LONG.BEACH.CA SATURDAY_ 61-0218
E-17 Now, we're going to read a Scripture and just have a little--a little few words tonight. And tomorrow night now, we're going to be down at the Municipal Auditorium. And I'm sorry that--that we made this little junction right quick, way we did, change, rather. I--I think, the brethren, some of them thought that maybe it would give the people more room so they could attend the church. And I hope that no one that goes to these fine churches around here, will--will miss their services tomorrow night; I--I hope they don't do it. If they got a post of duty, stand at that. That you stand to your post of duty at your church, wherever you go to, and pay your tithing into it, and you love your pastor, and pray for him. And if you need to be prayed for, ask him; he's a man of God; he will pray for you. And He will answer his prayer same as He will mine or anyone else's, 'cause after all, it's your own faith in God that does the work. That's right, just exactly.
RESPECTS_ JEFF.IN V-13 N-4 SUNDAY_ 61-1015E
165 If you can't respect the man, respect the office he holds in God. That's exactly right (See?); respect him. If a minister comes up, your pastor, always respect him. I've heard congregations talk about their pastor, how just talk about him, run him down, ridicule him. How is that pastor ever going to do anything for you? He can't do it. You--you don't--you don't re... I don't say this church, but I mean churches I have seen, that if you... You've got to love your pastor. You've got to know that he's a human being, but yet God has made him His pastor. The Holy Ghost has made him overseer; then you've got to respect him in that manner. And no matter what the pastor's done, if you respect him in your heart as God's servant, God will respect you for doing it.
"He that--he that receiveth Me, receiveth Him that sent Me," Jesus said. "He that don't receive Me, can't receive Him." See, they said God was their Father; He said, "Your father's the devil."
So, you see, you've got to respect it and believe it, believe that He is. Yes, Martha believed it.
HAVE.NOT.I.SENT.THEE_ PHOENIX.AZ WEDNESDAY_ 62-0124
E-13 Sometimes I preach pretty rough because I--I see that somebody getting out of line. You see, you're supposed to do that. A real daddy will. Why, he'd shake you and say, "Here, get back here in line," if he's a real true father. So sometimes your pastor has to wade down on something. Just love him that much more, because he's a real father to you (You see?), trying to keep you lined up; because he's watching over your soul, which the Holy Ghost has made him the overseer of the church. And you must always watch that.
INVESTMENTS_ PHOENIX.AZ SATURDAY_ 63-0126
367 While we have our heads bowed, would there be some here this morning, would say, "Brother Branham, truly in my heart I believe that's right, and I--I want to return. I--I want an investment this morning. Not--not no more in... I'll stay in my church"?
368 Don't leave your church. No, sir. You stay right in your church, wherever you're at, and love your pastor, and love all the members, and everything else. Love that. But, oh, stay in there, not to shine with some worldly thing, not to set something different, but glow with the Glory of God, in humility, to be willing to take the reproach if they call you old fashion. And you're...
QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.ON.HEBREWS.3_ JEFF.IN COD SUNDAY_ 57-1006
331-768 What is it? Our nation has come so little until they've even taken the jobs away from the men, and put women out here in these places, till ninety percent of them, nearly, are prostitutes. And talk about man being gone, sure, it's because they got women out there in their jobs. And they got so lowdown till they put women as peace officers on the street. That's a disgrace to any nation. Yes, sir. What are you going to do about it?
"What do you do about it, Brother Branham?" I have to respect it; I'm an American citizen. I do what the big boss says do. If I ever... If a--if a family ever loses its respect for the family (the children lose the respect to the parents), that family's tore to pieces. If a--if a church ever loses respect of its pastor, why it--it--it--that church is gone. And if a nation ever loses their respect of the Supreme Court and its decisions, that nation is gone to pieces. That's exactly right. We've got to respect those things, because they're the big boss. See? But it isn't right in the beginning. Absolutely.
STAY TRUE WITH YOUR PASTOR
10 WATER.BAPTISM_ JEFF.IN EM 15-40 SUNDAY_ 59-0329M
65 Therefore, it is my convictions... No disregarding to people that wants to be sprinkled, poured, or immersed in "Father, Son, Holy Ghost," that's deliberately up to you, my dear brother, sister. I would not disagree with you; I just... You're--you're God's servant.
But, to me, I must be faithful and true to the Bible. Therefore, Paul commanded people that had been baptized some other way besides the Name of Jesus Christ, and constrained them to come and be rebaptized again in the Name of Jesus Christ. To preach that same Gospel, I've got to do the same thing, to restrain and to persuade people. Don't never leave your church; stay with your pastor; do everything you can in your own local church; but follow the Bible instructions.
Therefore we believe this morning, that Jesus is coming. And when I stand that day...
CHRISTIANITY.VERSUS.IDOLATRY_ JEFF.IN V-8 N-2 SUNDAY_ 61-1217
68 Now, remember, this is just--we're just teaching this morning. And I want this church, when I leave into the ministry here to go out in the fields, I want you to stay with your pastor, and stay with the teaching that's been taught here. Stay with this Word; don't you leave It. You stay right with the Word; no matter what comes or goes stay with that Word. See? Now, and just because that I go away... I'm just one of the pastors here. Brother Neville teaches the same thing I do, so just come right on to church and listen to the Word.
I don't know where He's going to lead me. I told my wife this morning at the table, "There's been something in me that's cried out all these years. I'm going to find out what it is." Now, I don't know which way It'll lead, where It'll go. But where He leads me, I'll follow.
FORSAKING.ALL_ TEMPE.AZ TUESDAY_ 62-0123
E-10 I'm ashamed, but I don't believe I know the pastor's name here in the church. I... [Brother states his name--Ed.]
Brother Griffith, I'm certainly glad to meet you, brother, and a time of come here and this fellowship, to be with you, to... We always like to address it like this, to those who are sojourning in Sunnyslopes, because we are pilgrims here, strangers. We profess that this is not our home. We're Abraham's seed, seeking a city whose Builder and Maker is God.
This is a beautiful country. I don't think there's anything like it I've ever seen. And traveled pretty near every nation in the world, and I've never seen nothing in Europe, Italy, Asia, anywhere in the Orients, that ever compared with Phoenix, Arizona. Now, that's right. It's the most beautiful place I ever saw. But oh, it will look like a alley up beside of what it will be in that great millennium. So we're--we're... This is not our home; we're just sojourning here. And we're come to have this fellowship together. And it's a blessing for me to be here, and see God's church prospering, a new building, and so forth. God ever bless you people. Be loyal to Christ. Stay true to the pastor, and work together, everybody hand-in-hand, for I believe the coming of the Lord is soon.
ALWAYS HONOR YOUR PASTOR
LAMB.AND.DOVE_ YAKIMA.WA FRIDAY_ 60-0805
E-77 And some of you all was preaching this Gospel when I was yet a little old sinner boy. Really it needs to be you up here. Well, what is it? You've cut down the bushes, and--and leveled out the road, that the running would a lot easier for me than it was for you. So I want you to know, that I know that in my heart. Some glorious day, when we shake hands across the table over yonder, we'll see where the crown goes: you brethren that you've really fought to win the prize, and made the road easy for me. You preached that these things would be coming long years ago, before I was to ever enter in the ministry, you preached these things would happen. Now, see, you paved the road. These is the people you preached to that come here and see exactly. Always honor your pastor. He's worthy of every bit of honor you could give him. The Bible said that. Yes, sir, and don't muzzle the ox that treads out the corn.
BELIEVE YOUR PASTOR AS A MAN OF GOD
BELIEVEST.THOU.THIS_ HOUSTON.TX SUNDAY_ 50-0115
E-57 Now, I see Him as He came out then. His ministry got so great until He had to be called away. Lazarus taken sick while He was gone.
Listen. When Jesus leaves your house, watch for sickness to come, trouble, heartaches, disappointments. Don't you believe that? When Jesus leaves your house, trouble's coming in just as soon as He leaves.
'Course, in this case, He wasn't driven away. He went away because His Father's work was calling for it, and He went away to preach somewhere else.
I believe that Jesus seen the vision of Lazarus. They sent for Him. He didn't come. They sent for Him again; He didn't come
If that'd been your pastor you sent for, and he didn't come, "Why, the old hypocrite. I'll go over and join the other church." That's the reason your pastor can't do nothing for you. You've got to believe him as a man of God. Do you believe that? You've got to have faith in him. If you don't, he will never be able to do you any good. If you get sick, send for him. Let him come anoint you with oil, and pray over you. God promised the prayer of faith shall save the sick. That's true. He's a man of God, God will honor him. That's true.
Sometimes he can't come just when you call. But remember, all things work together for good to them that love God.
A.GREATER.THAN.SOLOMON.IS.HERE_ HOT.SPRINGS.AR V-20 N-11 FRIDAY_ 63-0628E
290 But evangelist goes in town, does all the praying, all the baptizing; then the people, when he leaves, the pastor is... Well, the people think their pastor is nothing. Your pastor is a man of God. He has led you safe this far; he can take you on.He is an instructed man of God.
291 And I want you, each one of you, if you come through this prayer line and you don't believe this, stay out of it; you'll get worse. But if you'll really believe it, when you pass under anointed hands of God, I want you to go home testifying to the power of God; leave out of here, shouting and praising God, that it's all over. I want you to do it.
HAVE FAITH TO YOUR PASTOR
MOSES_ HOUSTON.TX TUESDAY_ 50-0110
E-25 And tonight, so many people can believe God. Sure. You believe Christ, you believe the Holy Ghost, and so forth. But when a man comes to you and tells something, that's hard to believe. "I don't know whether I can believe you or not, friend." That's where it's at. See there?
That's the reason God can't... That's the reason your pastor sometimes, when your pastor comes to you. The reason he can't help you, you've got to have faith in your pastor. You've got to believe that he's a man of God, sent of God to do these things for Him.
STAND BEHIND YOUR PASTOR
WASHING.JESUS.FEET_ PHOENIX.AZ SUNDAY_ 57-0310A
E-58 What about around the altar, you feel good? Feel all our sins are washed away? What can wash away all sin? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus, not joining another denomination, but the Blood of Jesus.
Oh, return in peace to your homes. God be with you. Go to your churches. Support it. Stand behind your pastor. Stand behind the programs of God. And pray for your pastor, and let's have a real old fashion revival sweep Phoenix. It won't be long till Brother Roberts...
[Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]... through here will be back in. When they come, everybody, with one heart, go out and cooperate and have a great big time. Don't proselyte. Just go to your own church and worship God. When the service is over, invite them all to your church. If the other brother don't keep his word, that's up between him and God. You keep your word to God; that's the main thing.
What can wash away our sin?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus;
Oh, what can make me whole again?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
GOD'S.PROVIDED.WAY_ JONESBORO.AR WEDNESDAY_ 53-0513
E-8 If you've been converted during the time of this revival, and you don't have any church that you've taken up with yet, I'd ask you to come join this little church. It's a wonderful little place here to come, serve the Lord. If I lived here in this neighborhood, I'd be a member of this church. I am a member of it, anyhow; I'm an associate pastor. And so, I have to come back once and awhile to see about my church. And I look around, you know, so I will be back to see you, the Lord willing, pretty soon. And so... And all you people that's around in these other cities, that belongs to these churches, go to church every day, every day that you can, every day that they have service, go. Attend your church; be real loyal. Just stand by your church. Stand by your pastor; help him out with everything you got. Give him spiritual support.Fast and pray for him. And have faith in him, and God will lead the church on to that glorious day that we're looking forward to come. No matter, you say, "Well," some, "our church, don't believe..." Well, now, just as long as you believe the main fundamentals and are borned again of the Spirit of the God, well, you might believe Christ coming on a white horse, and some believes He's coming on a white cloud. But that won't stop Him from coming. He--He will come anyhow. So just--just... You--you just believe Him (You see?), and He will be here. And now, I appreciate all. Brother Reed said they taken a love offering for me, which I--I did... And I--I mean a missionary offering tonight, too. Now, I...
THE.GREAT.COMING.REVIVAL.AND.THE.OUTPOURING.OF.THE.HOLY.SPIRIT_ CHICAGO.IL SUNDAY_ 54-0718A
E-6 Sometime ago, a few weeks ago, having breakfast or--in the room at Washington, D. C., and a speaker, Mr. Nixon, the Vice President of the United States, was speaking at this time. And he was talking of how Communism was sweeping the land and the space we had to--to travel. For instance, the goal that the world faces like that... Communism has this much of it already. See? And then, that part is mixed up between believers and unbelievers. And Christ said that the Gospel should go to all the world. So every Christian's got a tremendous job ahead of him. And we must be up and doing, quickly, right about our Father's business, at once. Every person, and every denomination, every--every person in his own church, to get behind the pastor and the program and to back it up with all that we have to back up with. And that's why I'm putting my shoulder to the wheel, as God will permit me, to try to bring to each one the view, as far as I have knowledge to do, of the soon coming of our Lord Jesus. And that's why I chosen this to speak of this afternoon. It's a very discouraging time for the unbeliever, but a very happy time for the believer, for we believe that the time of redemption is drawing near.
DON’T FIND FAULT WITH YOUR PASTOR
THE.APPROACH.TO.GOD_ CHICAGO.IL SUNDAY_ 55-0123A
E-68 Then you don't criticize the others. You don't find fault with your pastor, and with all the other... The women that talks this way, you pity them and pray for them. You're coming God's provided approach then. See? What if Christ had found so much fault in you He wouldn't have died for you? But, see, He was God's approach to--our approach to God through Him. You get it?
Now, notice. When Israel needed healing, El-Shaddai... When they needed healing, he had an article, a Divine article there, which was represented way, a serpent, that they looked, and believed, and was healed. Now, I wish we had time. But of course it's--it's getting late. Let's bring it to a close now.
RESPECTS_ JEFF.IN V-13 N-4 SUNDAY_ 61-1015E
165 If you can't respect the man, respect the office he holds in God. That's exactly right (See?); respect him. If a minister comes up, your pastor, always respect him. I've heard congregations talk about their pastor, how just talk about him, run him down, ridicule him. How is that pastor ever going to do anything for you? He can't do it. You--you don't--you don't re... I don't say this church, but I mean churches I have seen, that if you... You've got to love your pastor. You've got to know that he's a human being, but yet God has made him His pastor. The Holy Ghost has made him overseer; then you've got to respect him in that manner. And no matter what the pastor's done, if you respect him in your heart as God's servant, God will respect you for doing it.
"He that--he that receiveth Me, receiveth Him that sent Me," Jesus said. "He that don't receive Me, can't receive Him." See, they said God was their Father; He said, "Your father's the devil."
So, you see, you've got to respect it and believe it, believe that He is. Yes, Martha believed it.
PRAY TO LET GOD FORGIVE YOUR PASTOR
ORDINATION_ JEFF.IN SUNDAY_ 62-1104E
E-25 And we believe that when we come together... He said, "Tarry one for another." In other words, "Wait on one another." The word "tarry" means "to wait." Wait on one another. Now, as it's been a custom to us, we take that Scripture in this way: that when we do this, that we just bow our heads, and the congregation prays for we pastors; we pastors pray for our congregation. That's how we wait on each other, by serving each other, by praying.
You pray, "God, forgive my pastor. If there's anything in his life that he--they have done, You forgive them for it. Forgive them. They didn't mean to do it."
And we come right back, the pastors praying for our congregation, "God, this is a little flock that You give us to watch over. If there's anything wrong in their life, take it away, Father, they--so that we can all stand together around the--fellowship around, knowing that we're coming here keeping a order of God, and taking the communion." I think it's a sweet time of fellowship.
SUPPORT YOUR PASTOR
GOD.MANIFESTING.HIS.GIFTS_ EDMONTON.AB MONDAY_ 57-0805
E-27 If God is God, He's worth everything you are. If Christian religion is right, it's worth everything that you can do for it. Support your church. Support your pastor. Support your missionaries. Do everything that's in your power to do, and give God the best you've got.
That little heathen said, "If That is a God Who has raised up this mighty gift, then He is God. I will give Him a gift, to the best I got. And she loaded these camels with gold, and frankincense, and myrrh, and silver, many precious things.
DO.YOU.NOW.BELIEVE_ WEST.PALM.BEACH.FL SUNDAY_ 53-1206E
E-11 Great crowds don't attract me. What I want to know is what God wants me to do. Is to preach to one person or one million is just the same. See? I wouldn't do any different. I'd do just the best that I could. And I feel then, that I'd be pleasing Him. So God bless you.
And now, I want you to be sure that you get this just right. Now, there are handkerchiefs, many of you are laying here. I pray over handkerchiefs by the thousands. Now, if you did not get your handkerchief here, well, just send--just send and ask me for one, I'll send it to you. Now, I'm not saying that... There's so many a radio programs, and things today, where they're just trying to get your address, just so you can write in. God knows better then that. I don't... That's not it. I don't write back to people no more than just answer them back; that's true. And I think that doing that,your own pastor needs every bit of support, your own church, that you can give. See? It isn't that. We never ask people for one penny of money through the mail or nothing. We just send it all out free, and God takes care of every bit of it. And so you're always welcome.
A.GREATER.THAN.SOLOMON.IS.HERE_ GRANDE.PRAIRIE.AB MONDAY_ 61-0515
E-80 Here, now, she had a lot to confront. I can see her get her little camels together, and her bunch of little maids together, her bunch of eunuchs. And now she said, "You know what? I'm going up there, and I'm going to find out. And if it's true, I'm going to support it." So she loaded her camels with gold, and frankincense, and silver, rich stuff. Now, she said, "If I get up there, and if it's so I'm going to support it. If it isn't so, I can bring my money back." That would be a good thing for Pentecostal people to learn: supporting programs on tele--on--on these here radio that'd stand around, laugh, and call you a holy-roller afterwards. That's right. Support your pastor; support your church; support the cause that stands for the right things. That's right.
She said, "If it's not right, I'll bring my money back. If it is right, I owe something to it." That's the way we should feel. If this be God, not only our money--our money's little--but be owing our hearts, our time, our talents; and everything that we have, we owe it to God. If it's right, let's go into it with everything we got. If it isn't right, go find what is right, then get into it.
DON’T HOLD YOUR PASTOR UNDER YOUR FINGER
THE.EPHESIAN.CHURCH.AGE_ JEFF.IN ROJC 131-183 MONDAY_ 60-1205
142 The 4th verse, 5th verse now, a warning, the 5th verse, a warning: "Remember and repent." See?
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen,... (Where did you come from? From Pentecost you fell down to where you are now, backsliding.)... and repent, and do thy first works;... (go back to Pentecost again)... or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove the candlestick out of h-i-s... (See who it is, don't you?)... his place, except thou repent.
Other words, if you got a God-filled pastor, filled with the Holy Ghost, and you try to hold him under your finger, say, "Well, if he says anything about us having a robed choir, if he says anything about us wearing makeup, we'll just excommunicate him." Don't you worry; God will do it before you get a chance to. He'll go out and preach to stones on the street before he'd compromise with that kind of stuff. You got a pastor that really tells you the truth, you ought to honor God and stay in the Spirit, and worship God, realizing that you're going to be lost if you don't. See?
By: Ptr. Eduardo R. Pesito, Jr.
June 15, 2011 / 10:23 PM
