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LIBERTY OF WOMEN, SONGS & MUSIC


CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO


Question #618 : "I heard that some of the Pastors here who follow the Message of Malachi 4:5-6 are asking the sisters to pray in the church, and read Bible. They say, woman should be silent in the church means, "They should not preach", but they are eligible to pray in the churches. One of our sisters complained to me about the sisters praying in the church or praying on the special occasions, while the Ministers are standing. I gave that sister Book 10 to verify. Will you please send me the answer if they can or cannot pray?"


E.O.D.H. Answer: Yes, a woman can pray in church (1 Corinthian 11:4-5). She must not pray or prophecy with cut hair (uncovered). It makes a remarkable difference between praying in church and leading in prayer, in the presence of men. If she does, she is usurping authority over the man (1 Timothy 2:11-12). She can pray as much as she wants, among men or a mixed congregation, but should not be called upon or choose by herself to lead in prayer as long as men are present. Book 10, question 248, pages 282-283, gives more information.


Question # 619: "Women give testimonies in church; is it wrong since they are to be silent?"


E.O.D.H. Answer: 1Timothy 2:12, 1Corinthians 14. Brother Paul was speaking about women handling the Scriptures and voicing their opinions in church matters. He said, if they would know anything, let them ask their husbands at home. Not necessarily to be silent without speaking any word, then they will be prohibited from singing, praying or even speaking to each other, for some good reason.
If we see how Brother Branham handled such things, we will understand the correct meaning of such Scriptures. We allow the women to testify, sing and prayer, but forbid them from preaching. The prophet allowed the same in Branham Tabernacle.


Question # 620: "I will love to ask, is it right for women to go out in the streets or house to house preaching and to preach in the buses, because here in Nigeria people are permitted to preach in the buses. Please sir; I will like to know as I have not heard in the Bible where any woman ever preached in this way."


E.O.D.H. Answer: 
"I suffer not a woman to teach nor to usurp authority over the man". (1 Timothy 2:12).
In the light of the above scripture, the woman is commanded not to teach the Word of God (1 Corinthians 14: 34-35). She is commanded to be silent as far as breaking down the Word. Apostle Paul said that such are the commandments of the Lord.
This commandment is the absolute. She should not break down the Word of God at no time and in no place. She tried to break down the Word of God to the serpent in Eden and she did wrong. God commanded her not to teach, because she was deceived and not Adam (1 Timothy 2).
Therefore, preaching behind the pulpit for a woman is wrong, as well as personal witnessing or public preaching; it is in direct violation to the scriptures. She should absolutely not handle the Word of God in any fashion' even if she is a writer. She cannot teach the Word nor can she break down the Word to her husband for him to do her preaching. Let us stand firmly on the Word of God and not compromise with these modern women who are like the Corinthian women and even worse. I trust that this helps in some little way.


Question # 621: "Can a woman sing a song in a fellowship"


E.O.D.H. Answer: My answer to this is 'yes', once she is living right and maintaining her Christian testimony. I will not expect a sister whose testimony is marred in anyway to just be allowed to sing a special song. She must be at least trying to live right. This goes also for a musician in the House of God. They should be living above the reproach of sin. If not, they become a stumbling block to others


Question # 622: "Is a woman who is a prophetess allowed to prophesy in the church"


E.O.D.H. Answer: 
Quote W.M.B.: "But women are gifted with prophecy, and gifted with tongues and interpretations, and everything but being preachers. They're not to be preachers." (Patmos Vision 60-1204E P:24).

Quote: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams." (Acts 2:17).

"But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven." (1Corinthians 11:5).

I see in the Bible where Anna, a blind woman, prophesied in Church. Also Elisabeth when she met Mary prophesied.

"And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem." (Luke 2:36-38).

She met Mary and prophesied

"And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy." (Acts 21:9).

Phillip the Evangelist had four daughters who did prophesy.

If your question means if to prophesy in the open congregation, the answer maybe a little different. See 1 Corinthians 14th chapter. Such prophecies must be judged by spiritual persons before it is brought to the congregation. The prophet WMB set that in order at the tabernacle, on his message, "Church Order").


Question # 623: "Should a woman ask a question during Bible study?"


E.O.D.H. Answer: Yes, the Word said she should ask her husband at home. I understand that she should not do that in the open congregation. Her husband is permitted to ask her questions.

"Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church." (1Corinthians 14:34-35).

Quote W.M.B.: "That's why the Bible forbids her to teach, or to preach, or to handle God's Word in any manner." (Choosing Of A Bride 65-0429E P:47)

"Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression." (1Timothy 2:11-14).


Question # 624: "Most churches in Nigeria cannot afford pipe organs, but use local made drums, which gave us the type of music we play in our country. What class of music should be played, because the Message says that Rock n' roll is from Africa?"


E.O.D.H. Answer: All worldly music are forbidden from the church of God, regardless of their names: rock, jazz etc. etc. This was highly condemned by the Prophet.

Quote W.M.B.: E-22 "The people are gone boogie-woogie or rock-and-roll wild… And they're trying by that same spirit, to get the thing into the church. I like church music played like church music and not rock-and-roll in the church." (God keeps His Word 57-0120e).

Many preachers around the Message, in America and right through the whole world, have changed the music. They have changed the music because the Spirit of God has departed from them. They destroyed the Holiness Message and are not practicing it. The Spirit of God has left them, and brought entertainments into the church, through various musical instruments.
Okay, "What instruments should we avoid?" Africa and India; all instruments that are linked to your old heathen religion and witchcraft. All instruments that invoked spirits, like the drums of Africa; it came down with the Shango and Voodoo religion in the Caribbean and elsewhere; such instruments should not be played in the House of God, because that has something to do with the kingdom of the Devil and witchcraft. It is used in heathen religions to invoke spirits.
So now, the rock-n-roll people borrowed those beats of the drums of Africa and they modernized it through other instruments and then made rock-n-roll music from it and got the people demon possessed. Christian youths listen to the radio with earphones, hiding from parents. That music is in the schools, on the buses and the streets, and they are getting demon possessed. When they get demon possessed they become rebellious to mother, father and elders. They hate their parents and even kill them. So we don't want those kinds of instruments, and much less for any kind of worldly music and songs.
We got to be careful with certain instruments which were linked to witchcraft and idol religions, and if a certain instrument carries a stigma to it in the world, you don't want to have anything to do with that. For instance: I would not allow the steel-pan to come into the church, because it carries a certain stigma of vulgarity. Homosexuality, fornication and adultery is attached to that steel-pan, but the steel-pan itself is wonderful music. Now, that is for Trinidad here.
You have to use your discretion, over there in Africa and India, to know and to pin-point these kinds of instruments, and avoid them. Now the Prophet of God said that the piano, the organ and the trumpet belongs to the church, and Psalms 150, tells us what kind of instruments, are allowed.


Question # 625: "Some ministers are now introducing choirs ministration into the Message. What does the Message say about this; is it not the spirit of denomination that set in towards the End time?"


E.O.D.H. Answer: When these questions arise, our minds, as ministers, must reflect quickly on the Scriptures and the Message of the Hour. I first see how Brother WMB operated his church along with how the Early Church was set up and that helps a lot. I cannot find it there, then, I have no confidence in any new institution in Message Assemblies. I cannot find any Scriptures or quotations that advocate choirs. It's a Catholic institution adopted by organizations. Many song leaders may come together and help each other in taking turns and singing together, but the congregation should sing along with the song leader. I do not have a choir at Bethel the House of God, neither in any of the other churches where I hold the oversight


Question # 626: "Is it good for Message churches to have choirs?"


E.O.D.H. Answer: It is not a New Testament custom. I believe that was started by the Catholic Church and came down to other organizations. The people were not allowed to join the song service on many occasions. Again, this is a custom of pride, competition and much show off. However, if several singers want to sit together in leading songs, and the congregation joins in, I believe that is alright.

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