Topic: Bible characters & history

Question

How was the Son of God conceived in Mary?

Answer

Jesus was the virgin born Son of God. We believe that. If we’re Christians, we have to believe that He was virgin born. And I believe the Holy Spirit overshadowed a little girl, Mary, and created that Blood Cell in her womb that developed into the Son of God. And I believe that God was in Christ rec...

Question

Why did Simeon believe he would see the Christ before he died?

Answer

Now, in them days I can see Simeon, the old man walking along down the street, and saying, “Well, I’m going to see the Christ before I die.” Could you imagine some of those scholars saying, “Don’t pay no attention to the old fellow. I believe he’s just…He’s got old now, and his mind’s kindly went aw...

Question

What were the 'lying vanities' Jonah spoke of in the belly of the whale?

Answer

There he is now, backslid, stormy sea, hands tied behind him, belly of a whale. Every time that fish eats it goes to the bottom of the sea and or the…A goldfish, when you feed him, he’ll go down and throw his little swimmers out and rest at the bottom of the water, the bowl. He’s found his prey and...

Question

Why did Elijah pray to die after bringing fire down from heaven?

Answer

And I thought of Elijah, who went out there and set by the brook Cherith, and was fed by the ravens. And he closed the heavens that it wouldn’t rain. Then he opened up the heavens and brought down water, brought fire out of heaven the same day, and then when the inspiration left him (by the threat o...

Question

How did Mary respond to Gabriel's promise that she would have a child?

Answer

Look, the priest doubted Gabriel’s word. But Mary…And he had something to believe that’d happened before that time; but Mary didn’t have nothing: never a baby had been born without being, well, like man and wife. But she was going to have a baby by the Holy Spirit. And instead of doubting him, she s...

Question

What does it mean to take God at His Word, as Peter did when he let down the net?

Answer

Peter, here, I can imagine seeing the people press upon him to hear the Word of God that came from his lips. He didn’t speak like an ordinary man. He was a great…he’s…he might not have been so forceful, but his words had such a weight, the people loved him. There was something different. I can imagi...

Question

Why did Jesus not come when He was sent for to pray for Lazarus?

Answer

Did you notice when Lazarus had died? Jesus, they sent for Him to come pray for Lazarus, He didn’t come, He just went on. Wonder why. He had a vision that Lazarus had to die. So when He went on, if you’ll notice the Scriptures close, He goes on, they sent again, He never came, and on. Then after He…...

Question

What does Boaz redeeming Naomi and gaining Ruth show about Christ?

Answer

He’s our Kinsman Redeemer. Isn’t that right? God was manifested in the flesh to take our place, to be a Kinsman to us. As in the Book of Ruth, and Exodus, and so forth, how it preaches, teaches there of how that we become kinsmen to God, and God came down and dwelt in His Son, Christ Jesus, became K...

Question

How can Paul say Abraham was justified by faith while James says he was justified by works?

Answer

Now, if Abraham says, “I got faith in God,” but was afraid to offer his son Isaac, then his faith was no good. Paul justified Abraham by faith, Paul was talking about what God seen in Abraham; but James justified him by works, James was talking about what men seen in Abraham. See? God sees your fait...

Question

What lesson does Brother Branham draw from the men the devil answered, 'Paul I know, and Jesus I know, but who are you?'

Answer

Now, how them old days, they really tantalize us. And there’s many things happened that I wouldn’t have time to tell you, along the road. But you know how it is in old school days. Wouldn’t you like to go back there again? My, go back to just… I wished I could live one day again. I wished I could ge...

Question

Why did a Pharaoh rise up who did not know Joseph?

Answer

Now, notice. When the time came for Noah to go into the ark, the doors closed; but they would not close until that time came. It came time, one time, for the children of Israel to be delivered from—from the Egyptian bondage. And when the time of the promise drew nigh, there raised up a Pharaoh who d...

Question

What does the word 'religion' mean?

Answer

Look at Adam, made, they made aprons of fig leaves, and put that around them, the fig leaves. But when they came to the place where God called Adam and Eve to stand before Him, they realized that they had a man-made religion. The word religion means, “a covering.” And they were covered by a self-mad...

Question

Why do we now speak to the Rock instead of smiting it?

Answer

And the rod that Moses had in his hand, it was not the rod of Moses, it was the rod of God: God’s judgment rod. Moses held it out over Egypt and flies came up. He held it out and fleas came up. Wherever he dumped this rod, it was a judgment rod. It brought judgment upon a disobedient people. And the...

Question

Why were people healed when Peter's shadow passed over them?

Answer

So therefore, the same Spirit that was in that day, is here today. The same signs, wonders, miracles are being performed. The same people are believing in the same manner. When they seen the apostle Peter, and recognized him to have the gift of God in him when he called out and told the people what...

Question

Did the woman who touched Jesus' garment have a Scripture promise for her healing?

Answer

Now, listen to the Scripture, not the promise that you have. But she said in her heart, “If I touch His garment, I will be whole.” See? Now, you have more than that. You have a Divine promise. Is that right? You have a Divine promise, and a Divine gift here in your midst now. Just look how much more...

Question

How can Paul say Abraham was justified by faith when James says he was justified by works?

Answer

Now, the first thing…It looks like Paul was speaking in Romans the 4th chapter, justifying Abraham by faith; and James is justifying him by works. But it does not contradict. Paul was speaking of what God saw in Abraham, and James was speaking what man saw in Abraham. Paul was speaking of what God s...

Question

Why was Moses told to speak to the rock instead of striking it a second time?

Answer

Now, remember, Divine gifts can easily get a person into trouble. That God, if He finds someone that He figures that He can entrust a Divine gift with, we should reverence with all of our hearts… Now, you remember, how many believes Moses was a Divine gifted prophet of God? He was. Everyone believes...

Question

Did Elisha curse the children who mocked him by the Holy Spirit or out of anger?

Answer

You remember Elisha? Young fellow went baldheaded, was young, when he was young man. Some little children begin to holler, said, “Old bald-head, old bald-head, why didn’t you go up with Elijah?” Remember that? That angered prophet now, turned around angry, and cursed those children in the Name of th...

Question

Why did Abraham leave Ur of the Chaldees?

Answer

Now, those outside, can you hear all right out there, outside? Well, I’m sorry you have to set there in that sun. It’s awful bad, but we just haven’t, look like, the room right here. Now, every one of us are minded at—at this time when anyone goes to talking about a home, it—it reminds us of—of some...

Question

What does the account of Jannes and Jambres withstanding Moses show about true and false signs?

Answer

Moses, upon his signs…He went and performed them one time before Israel, and they went a forty year journey following him. Is that right? Yes, sir. Performed it one time…Healed his hand of leprosy, made stick—cane he had, walking stick become a serpent, and back to a stick. They believed. And when t...