I was asked this question about speaking in tongues – the following is a brief discussion of the subject.
Brother Branham always had a problem with the Pentecostal people – it was all about gifts and primarily speaking in tongues. The Apostle Paul had the same problem with the Corinthian church. In 1 Corinthians 13 he tells them that gifts must be governed by love. 1 Corinthian 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
The Apostle told them to desire spiritual gifts, as they followed charity or love (1 Corinthians 14). He also tells them to seek that which will edify the church and he let them know it is more important to say things in a language the people can understand then otherwise. 1 Corinthians 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
The Apostle went on to say that tongues must not be used in the church unless there is an interpreter of tongues present and then no more then 2 or 3 times. Brother Branham set this in order at the Tabernacle. He took them out of the auditorium and placed them in a special room, and had them wait on their gift and if someone spoke in tongues and another prophesied it then had to be judged as from the LORD by 2 or 3 judges before it could be given to the congregation. 1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
A prophet does not have to be judged, but a prophesy of tongues does have to be judged before it can be given. It is wrote down and give to the pastor to read to the church. This must be a direct message to the church, not quoting scriptures are just repeating what has already been said from the pulpit. But a direct Word warning someone of something to happen, or some past or future event that has or will take place.
If you listen on Brother Branham’s audio sermons, many times people spoke in tongues in his church and prophesied, but it was never done right. It was just quoting scriptures and saying something that had already been said from the sermon. He set the gifts is order, and they were never manifested in his church after that. In fact, some of the people that spoke in tongues and prophesied left the Branham Tabernacle and went to Junior Jackson’s church where he allowed it to continue.
WHAT DID BROTHER BRANHAM SAY?
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I Corinthians 13 says this: “When that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away with.” So all these little things of jumping up-and-down like a kid, trying to talk in tongues, and all these other things, when that which is perfect… And we do have today, by God’s help, the perfect interpretation of the Word with Divine vindication. Then that which is in part is done away with. “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child; but when I become a man, I put away childish things.” Amen. I go to preaching and then don’t get to these things. – WMB
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You know, I’ve heard people speaking in tongues in Pentecostal meetings, which I want you to know, I believe it. But the people has misused that gift (exactly); it’s not been set in the right place. I believe every gift that God give is to the church, but we can’t go haywire just on one. — WMB
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Now, then if someone writes a message that’s been given in tongues or given in prophecy, and lay it up on the platform, it must be read by the pastor before the service starts, of “THUS SAITH THE LORD” from these people who spoke and interpreted. And if that comes to pass exactly the way the interpretation said, we’d raise our hands and give thanks to God for His Spirit among us. If it doesn’t come to pass, then don’t do it any more till that evil spirit’s out of you. God don’t lie, He’s always truth. Then, you see, you’re old enough now to act like men, not children (“goo, goo, goo”), you got to have some meaning to something.
Let the church now, as it’s coming in order, come to this order. If one prophesies… If one come among you, unlearned, and you speak in tongues, you’ll be a Barbarian to him, he don’t know what you’re talking about. See? And really in this day where there’s been so much confusion about it, it causes a stumbling block. But let one speak in tongues, and another interpret and give the message, and let it be read off right here at the platform, of what’s going to take place, and then let it happen, you see what happens. Tell them that “Tomorrow at a certain time, or next week at a certain time, it’s going to be a certain thing,” and then let the unbeliever setting there listen to that and see it’s foretold before it happens. Then they’ll know what kind of spirit’s among you, it’ll be God’s Spirit. That’s what Paul said, “Then if one can prophesy and reveal the secret things, won’t the whole congregation fall down, or the unbeliever, and say, ‘God is in the midst of you’?” See? – WMB
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Paul said, “I give my body to be burned, as a sacrifice; give all my goods to feed the poor; I have faith to move mountains, and so forth; and speak in tongues, like man and angels; and all these other things,” and said, “I am nothing until the Token has been applied. Until this Token!” That’s what I’m speaking on tonight, the love. See? “Now, until this has been applied, I am nothing.” See? – WMB
UNQUOTE – as I summarize. There is so much more I could have added, the Prophet believed in tongues and interpretations, even though among the Pentecostal people it became a thorn in his flesh. He could not do anything with them, however he could at his own church. He set it in order, as a Pastor and a Prophet to the age. When he placed those gifts in a special room to be judged, it caused some people that used the gifts to leave the Branham Tabernacle and go to a church that allowed them to be used in the congregation. They had been corrected by a Word Prophet when he set these things in order, they could not take the correction by the Word. What did it make them?
Over the many years I have been a Believer, I have known of pastor’s that tried to have a room for the gifts and I do not know of any one that succeeded. That does not mean no one has, however, after our Prophet placed tongues and interpretations in the room to be judged I have been told they no longer had tongues and interpretations at the Branham Tabernacle.
I wonder why?
Our prophet believed in the gifts and believed they would always be in the church. Perhaps we are not recognizing them or fail to see the supernatural because it is two humble. Who would I be as a Pastor to change the order of that which a restoration Prophet set in order. I may not fully understand why, but I will understand – therefore, I will just leave it as the Elijah ministry left it with us.
The Apostle Paul speaking of that which is perfect, then that which is in part shall be done away. He then said the same thing I just said; 1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Let us leave it the way the Prophet Messenger left it. Who has the authority to change it?
Pastor Bill Ivy, Living Word Tabernacle – Campbell Missouri USA