The Branham Deity

In later versions of William Branham's stage persona, after convincing his cult following that he was the return of the biblical prophet Elijah, Branham began claiming to be the fulfillment of his Manifested Son of God doctrine.  According to this theology, God was "manifesting" Himself in certain individuals of the last day, especially in the "prophet" who was "Elijah".  Branham's doctrinal teaching was such that before the End of Days, this "Elijah prophet" would become a God to the people of earth.

The Elijah of this day is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is to come according to Matthew the seventeen-…Luke 17:30, is, the Son of man is to reveal Himself among His people. Not a man, God! But it'll come through a prophet.[1]

After his death in 1965 left several of Branham's prophecies unfulfilled,[2] cult leaders such as Willard Collins and others began claiming that like Jesus Christ, Branham would rise from his grave on Easter of 1966.[3]  Collins, who would later assume the role of the head pastor of Branham's Branham Tabernacle in Jeffersonville, also taught Branham's Manifested Sons of God theology and that William Branham was a deity.  

Willard Collins explained this using the word "tabernacled".  According to Collins, Branham was just a human vessel, and God had "tabernacled Himself" in Branham's human flesh.

He could tell you what you had for breakfast three weeks ago if he wanted to! I'll tell you, he was-he was God tabernacled in the flesh! Nothing short of it! And he had all the answers, just like they should be to help the people![4]  

This theology and the events that transpired after the death of Branham resulted in several splinter groups that claim that William Branham was Christ.  Many of these splinter groups baptize new converts in the "name of William Marrion Branham".[5]

Unlike Jesus, William Marrion Branham was God even in his childhood. Man and God are one to fulfill Luke 17:30 Here is your place of worship. Let us worship on behalf of William Marrion Branham and be saved. Details in our next article. Don't forget to like our facebook page. May William Branham bless you![6]

One such splinter group in Texas created an online store to purchase products professing the deity of William Branham.  The Mission Evangelical Branham Church of Texas store has coffee cups, t-shirts, baby changing mats, and more with the slogan, "William Marrion Branham is God".  (visit store).

In Jeffersonville, Branham is openly worshipped. Jeffersonville natives often refer to the Branham cult as "those people who pray at Branham's pyramid" or "those people who believe their prophet will rise out of his grave".