Question#304:"People fuss with each other about cleaning our Church and other work, even washing the towels for feet washing. This came to the unsaved people. How to handle it?"

Answer:Anytime people start fussing about doing little things in the House of God, they do not have the right vision. They think they are doing a favor for some man, some brother or some sister, so they are very mean. And in this case, they even quarrel about washing the feet washing towels, and it came to unsaved people. The janitors fuss about cleaning the Church. Any person that is a Christian ought to be so happy that they got a chance to do something in the House of God

Everybody would not have time to come and do everything in the House of God, but it is the mentality that you approached the thing with. I never felt it hard in my life to do anything for the Lord, in preaching or manual work. Whatever I could do in the House of God, I feel that it is a privilege, even because I have a vision of Eternal Life, and whatever I am doing, I do it as unto the Lord. This is ridiculous, to let this go out to unsaved people, fussing about washing the towels, fussing about cleaning the House of God. And this is what I would advise in this situation. I have set this in order in several Churches. My beloved pastor, if you could seek out somebody in the House of God, who might be in need and would take up the job to be a janitor in the House of God, and if the Church could afford it, then pay that janitor. It will cease a lot of strife and contention. And if the Church cannot afford it and nobody wants to cooperate to clean the House of God, let all of them give a donation.

They come church and find a clean seat, clean floor, clean surroundings, and everything in order. They find free lights, free water and everything that goes with it. Let a collection be taken up from each member to pay the janitor in the House of God, if they don't want to come and put their labour, let them put their money, and you will solve the problem. Who fuss, don't want to pay, and wants to go, let them go, because they don't have a Christian spirit.

Coming to church is not all. Coming here and sitting and hearing the Word of God and say it was a nice message, that's not all, friends. It takes a lot to operate a church. Somebody is responsible for the lights; the lights must go off when you leave here, otherwise we will have a big bill. The doors must be shut. Somebody is responsible for that. The fans must be turned off. Some people don't have fans; they are in a hot building. Things must be done. Water must be put at the pulpit for the preacher to drink. Preachers home and abroad, be very alert with Judases. They could throw poison in your water, so pick the special man. If you preach too hard to Cain's seed, they can throw poison into your water. So appoint one or two men who are responsible. Let the deacons and the other ministers know who is putting that water there, in case you die, they will know who killed you. Mind your business!

There are lots of things to be done in the House of God, and I believe that if people are Christians, and there are things to be done in the House of God, everybody ought to put their hearts and their hands together in order to have it accomplished. Seats need to be repaired from time to time, the floor need cleaning from time to time, the pulpit need dusting, communion basins need to be put in place, towels need to be washed, communion bread must be baked, somebody got to make wine; everything got to be in place

It took me years to have all these things in place, by the leadership of the Holy Spirit. You have little fellows in training. From the time the last two or three men take the communion, you see a bunch of little fellows just go outside with a couple of big men; they are already trained. They got to put the basins out. Sometimes they have it put out much earlier; they make ready. You see the basins disappear. You just washed feet and went about your business. Somebody has got to take care of that. Somebody is in charge of that. The towels must be cleaned

Church is just not coming to church and sitting and hearing the Word and saying, "Good message, good message." No! There are a lot of things to be done, and everything has got to fall in place, otherwise it will disturb the service. Some of these things cost money, it takes time, it takes somebody to motivate these younger boys. They are happy for the job to carry out the basins, they are getting involved in the service, and they feel happy to put out the towels. They go out with joy, they are the men of tomorrow, and they might be the deacons of tomorrow, the ministers of tomorrow, if there is a tomorrow. That's the way the House of God must be run. It must not be a pulling and tugging, strifes and contentions.

Question#305: "Can the endtime church of the message (Our church here), be registered to the Government, as we are asked to produce the registration No. documents to issue the marriage license as it has become needful. Has the prophet said anything about it? If yes, what and where is it? If not your kind scriptural suggestions?"

Answer:Many governments require that churches be registered in order to obtain benefits of registration. Under the United States law, property that may be used by a church must be owned by a "person." That "person" may be a natural person-a human being-a group of natural persons or an artificial person such as a corporation or a trust. If the church is not incorporated, or "registered" with the government it may not be allowed to own property such as: the land and building used for services, vehicles used for transportation of people attending services, and the like. In such a case, the property to be used for "church" purposes may be "owned" by the pastor or a group of men designated as trustees but in their own names. Registration in some states or countries may provide certain benefits, such as reduction of property taxes. In certain countries or states, it is required that a church be registered under a charitable co-operation, if it would be allowed to function.

In certain countries or states, it is required that a church be registered under a charitable co-operation, if it would be allowed to function.

That the Branham Tabernacle in Jeffersonville is registered as a corporation, is well known. It is an independent sovereign church, chartered at Jeffersonville in Clark County, Indiana, as a nonprofit institution. In other parts of the world they do not have such requirements and restrictions. Though these co-operations are not recognized as churches but merely registered under a company act, they function as churches, many of them are non taxable, but they have certain codes of rules and regulations, of the government which they must observe to receive a marriage license to bury or baptize, a minister must belong to such a cooperation. However, Brother Branham made it clear that registration with the government does not make a "Church." He said:

Quote: "Those big churches today stand and say, 'I'm a church. Don't tell me. I'm recognized in United States government.' Well, what have you got? You're dead, blistered. Just the signs of what you was." (Faith Once Delivered To The Saints, 53-1129A, Par. E-102)

As a registered church corporation, it may be necessary (as it is in the United States) to file detailed reports with the government disclosing the church's activities, tithes and offerings received and details of expenditures. The Branham Tabernacle paid Brother Branham a salary each week but, when he made the mistake of signing over to the church an offering check that was made out to him, the U.S. government tax service called him to account for that and many other offerings saying that, even though he had the money for a very short while, he owed income taxes on it. They also asked him to explain why he had taken church money and helped certain poor, needy people without asking or telling the trustees.

In Indiana Brother Branham got a license for this purpose from the missionary Baptist. He was able to function in that capacity but was restricted in doing certain things. I do not mean to advocate that preachers in the message should seek License through organizations. Brother Branham did so in his early ministry when he belonged to the Baptist church.

Quote: E-15 "And so the Missionary Baptist Church gave me a local exhorter license, giving me the right to marry, bury, baptize, or so forth in the state of Indiana. And then I thought, "Oh, my. How wonderful." Somebody say, "You a preacher?" I'd say, "Yes, sir. Yes, sir." I was happy to say a preacher." (Resurrection of Lazarus 51-0729A).

Quote: 7 "Now, I was asked a little something here, on a little note was given me to... They had a trustee meeting the other night here on the board of trustees and deacons, and I think the minutes were read this morning before the church. Which, that's custom for us to do that. In the decisions that was made by the board of trustees and deacons here in the church, of course, they can't please everyone. We cannot do that. I have not one thing to do with the trustee board or the deacon board. I have not even a vote unless there's a tie, and I have to be here to do it then; Brother Orman Neville takes that second vote. Then we have to sign these, because we're part of the church. But what the trustee board and them board's decision they make, we certainly stand behind them one hundred percent, 'cause that's what they're here for. And their decisions is between them and God. I cannot and would not, by any means, contrary that decision. And another thing, I am forbidden by the United States Government to make any decision concerning that, so please don't ask me to correct their decisions. I cannot do it, and I will not hear nothing about it. See? So don't ask me to correct their decisions." (Events made clear by prophecy 65-0801E).

If it is necessary in your country or if it gives you a little more privilege and liberty to function as a minister and a church, I do not see a problem in church registration! Some have the opinion that this is becoming an organization, but it is not so, this is simply obeying the laws of the land and acquiring a license for the promotion of the gospel. We must be very careful how and to what purpose we form a corporation for church purposes. Brother Branham warned that, eventually, church organization will lead to the mark of the beast. We must also be reminded that all these co-operations, churches, organizations etc. will one day be forced into the world council of churches {WCC}. All in the message must be prepared to surrender our license at that time, and close our doors when it becomes necessary.

In the Church Age book, he said:

Quote: "Only the very elect will not be fooled. The temptation will come as follows. The ecumenical move that has started on what seems such a beautiful and blessed principle (fulfilling Christ's prayer that we all might be one) becomes so strong politically that she bears pressure upon the government to cause all to join with her either directly or through adherence to principles enacted into law so that no people will be recognized as actual churches unless under direct or indirect domination of this council. Little groups will lose charters, privileges, etc., until they lose all property and spiritual rights with the people.

"For example, right now unless the local ministerial association approves in many, if not most cities, one cannot rent a building for religious services. To become chaplains in the armed services, hospitals, etc., it is now almost mandatory to be recognized as acceptable to the trinitarian ecumenical groups. As this pressure increases, and it will, it will be harder to resist, for to resist is to lose privilege. And so many will be tempted to go along, for they will feel it is better to serve God publicly in the framework of this organization than not to serve God at all publicly. But they err. To believe the devil's lie is to serve Satan, even though you may want to call him Jehovah. But the elect will not be deceived." (Philadelphian Church Age, Church Age Book, Chpt. 8, Par. 313-2).

In summary of this most important work, we the ministers of North America, South America and the Caribbean, and our associates around the world, trust, with all our hearts and souls, that the contents of this book will be of edification to message believers and millions of souls in many nations around the world. May these truths bless, strengthen and equip true Shepherds and sheep to discern and withstand the anti-Christ spirit, heretics, false prophets, hirelings, wolves and goats. Many have become heroes of the faith, warriors of Christ and deliverers to sheep who are bound by heresies around the world. We have many testimonies from ministers and believers concerning the great victory gained over the enemy, by the revelation of the message of Malachi 4:5-6.

Senior Minister of Bethel Roy Barrow summarized our continued meetings for a period of two months at Bethel which were dedicated to Questions & Answers. He stated as follows:

This evening, we are gathered to bring to our remembrance what Christ done for us at Calvary. We want to say that we have enjoyed the questions and answers, and it took me back to Bible days, when many questions were asked and the answers given. I tell you, the Scripture says, 'The right answers cometh from the Lord.' I believe that these many questions that were asked, I can confess this evening, that 'the answer came from the Lord.' It is just not our Shepherd, Brother Bruce, and our ministers answering these questions, but I believe it is the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, answering our simple questions and answering our hard questions. It really reminds me of Bible times when the Apostles, and the disciples sat at Jesus' feet and asked many questions. Jesus answered their many and hard questions. Oh, history has repeated itself.

I love a man who knows what he is talking about. I have confidence in a man who knows what he is about. And from a little boy, I wanted to meet a man who knew the Scriptures. I had turned from the long wave to the shortwave bands on my radio and I never found a man, locally or internationally, until I came to this little place that is called 'Bethel - The House of God', where I met a man with a gift from the Almighty, God. I just cannot help myself, I have to say it, I must say it, that we have a Servant of God in our midst with a gift in his bosom that answers all our questions, whether they are hard or simple. Oh, we thank God for Divine leadership, and we want to tell the Man of God that we love him regardless of our faults. Oh thou Man of God, we, the Church of God, love you! And I covet, if I have offended thee in anyway, your forgiveness and your pardon. I am a child when it comes to the Servant of God. Amen! I am not a big man, I am a child. God resisteth the proud, but He giveth grace to the humble in heart. He that humbleth himself, him shall be exalted.

I am sure that everyone, both here and abroad, who has come in contact with God's servant, sat under his ministry, known him as long as we do, has the same testimony. Beloved, we were deceived in organizations under wolves and hirelings, who call themselves, full Gospel preachers and men of God. They fleeced us of our money, wore the most expensive suits, lived in the biggest houses, and lived like lords from the tithes, offerings, pledges and other money schemes that they invented to rob the people. They defiled the women in the churches, never met the scriptural qualifications of a minister, and yet for all, continued to hold their self proclaimed offices of five-fold ministry.

Then we fled for refuge to this message, and, sad to say, that in many places, we found the same thing. But thank God, it is not so with God's precious servant. In such a dark hour, when false prophets and hirelings, have infiltrated the churches and have covered the earth, God has not left the earth without a witness. Beloved, he has lived a blameless life before us, for better than thirty six years, since we came to know him. He has evidently proven that he cares for the sheep and is not after our wool. When he could be living high and mighty like other preachers, he chose to live simple, humble and lowly amongst the saints. The money which comes into the offering plate, he takes it and throws it right back into the ministry and congregation, helping the widows and poor and needy saints. I am sure that every single person here has been a partaker of this. [Congregation says, "Amen!"] He has lived a completely clean, holy and irreproachable life before us for the past thirty six years, and has totally dedicated his life to the souls' salvation of this congregation and all mankind. And above all, he has run a straight line on the Word of God, for all these years, and has never, ever deviated from walking straight with the message and the Word of God. Let us ever be thankful. Let us ever be grateful. Even if it is just for conscience sake, of what he has done, is doing and what he is to us, we must needs be subject. (Romans3:5).

So we thank the Lord for the questions and answers. Marvelous things have been spoken, especially on those gifts and offices. Oh I just love to bathe in those things because my understanding is enlightened. Oh beloved, this is not so-called Pentecostalism, this is the Lord, Himself. Thank God for a man who knows what he is about, and full respect from our hearts to God's Servant. Full reverence, full respect and admiration for the Man of God. I could never forget these words, "As thy body is stiff upon this bed, so shall you walk with this man's Message [Brother Branham's Message], and as this breeze quench your thirst, so shall this man's message quench your thirst for righteousness.' {Vision of Brother Bruce partially quoted}.

Oh beloved, I believe great things are in store for us. I believe something is nearing, I believe we are about to cross this Jordan. There must come another sound, and another outpouring. It must be here, and it will be here on time! It's got to be here. We live in the midst of Sodom and Gomorrah. Immorality has heaped to the skies, and I believe that the Lord God is not able to take the stench any longer. This nation is gone. What is pending is the judgment of God. It cannot continue like this. Yes.

At this time, we call the elders who will assist in the serving of the communion. [Communion service follows.]