Faith Cometh By Hearing

Thank you, friends. You may be seated if you will. This is indeed a privilege to be back here at Chicago, at the Philadelphian Church again tonight to minister in the name of the Lord.

I never run away from Columbus to come back, but I'm glad I'm back here. I told Brother Boze, when he was down to see me the other night.... He called me as soon as.... Well, I called him, because there was a group coming to Columbus, and I just kind of felt like he was going to ask me to come back here. And everybody called; why, I just said, “Well, I'm tired. I'm going to rest.” But he talked me out of it (to come back). So it's his fault.

And I said, “I feel I'll wear my welcome out with that lovely group of people in Chicago.” And he said, “Well, there's enough up there.” There's about three million, or.... Is that right? Almost four million people in Chicago. My! Quite a village, isn't it? The outskirts of my city, it could almost be. My, I think that's fourteen thousand (I'm not sure; something like that.) It probably wouldn't make one of your long streets through here, altogether.

But we're very happy to be here, serving the Lord Jesus. And we've had great success, by your prayers, helping us in many places across the nation, since we've seen you (it's a little over a month ago, I suppose), at Wood River, Illinois, down to Hot Springs, Arkansas, and on into Shreveport, Louisiana. From there on to Phoenix, Arizona, and we just had a wonderful, glorious meeting.

I was to go on to the West Coast to a certain denomination over there, a fine church with fine people, but I come to find out that they were trying to ... reason coming there, was to pull a group of people from another church. And what little influence I have, I want to use it for the glory of God and not to hurt churches, you see. So I said, “Well, being that the churches are having this little time like that, I'd rather not be into it. Just wait till it's over, then I'll come over.” I said, “Get them all together and set them together and say we are brethren, one on one side and the other, I'll come on.” But I like unity, don't you? Friendship, fellowship: there's nothing like it.

Then coming back, I've made the error myself; many of you would be asking perhaps or seeing it pretty soon—about leaving Columbus. Wasn't nothing wrong, but it was just a.... When I got there, they was to have a coliseum, and the services was to be with all the Full Gospel ministers and all ministers of all phases of faith, as many as would cooperate, to be in. And (which I kind of made that a policy)....

So, you know, I believe Jacob dug a well, and the Philistines run him away from it. And I believe he called it “Malice” or something. They dug another one, and they run him away from that one. He said it was “Strife”. And he dug another one, and he said, “There's room for us all.” So, let's all come drink, and so.... I like to drink at that last well, you know, where there's room for everybody. Room for the Baptist to drink, and the Methodist, and the Pentecostal, and all of us, just drink from the same fountain. I kind of like that.

So, it was.... When I got over there, there was not ... it was just one man. Many of the other churches was kind of, oh, I don't know.... The brother was all right to me, but it was just a little misrepresented to me. And I didn't want to cause hard feelings among the churches, so he just went ahead praying for the sick; and I prayed for what was there, then I come on back.

Now, then the end of this week, beginning next Sunday, the Lord willing, that's Sunday after tomorrow, we begin at Louisville, Kentucky, and then we'll be there for a few nights through the following Sunday. And then from there back to the auditorium in Shreveport, Louisiana, and then from there to Denver, Colorado. And this Denver, Colorado, is the businessmen of the city that's sponsoring the meeting at some auditorium there. It's a nice big place, at Denver.

And then from there to the Norwegian people at ... (Swedish and so forth) in Canada. We go to Edmonton, Grand Prairie, Dawson Creek. And I've always wanted to get back with those friends. And while I'm just visiting around (well, that's before overseas), that's my opportunity to get to meet the people; and just preaching, I just shake their hands. And I tried that on every meeting, but it's always a healing service before it ends. How many knows Jack Schuller? Most all of you, I guess, know him. He's a well-known brother and a fine man (Methodist brother).

When I was in Phoenix.... I've never met him, as yet. My mother and them knew him, but.... So, I was in Phoenix. I found out that he was there, too. So, I was at Madison Square Garden and he was out at some school auditorium or something. So I called him up, and I got a hold of where he was staying at. And one of the managers found him (Mr. Moore), then he called me back, was the way it was.

He said, “Hello, kid!”

Kid? I said, “How old does a man have to be to be an adult, in your estimation?” I think he's around his thirties somewhere and I'm ... will be forty-five in April. So, I was a kid.

He said, “Say, I hear you're shelling the woods.” (He's got quite a sense of humor).

And I said, “Well, we're having a wonderful time.”

He said, “Well, Brother Branham,” said....

I said, “I didn't appear here to be your competitor.”

He said, “If there's anybody competitor, it's me.” He said, “You had advertisement here first.”

And I said, “Well, that's all right, Brother Schuller; there's plenty of room here.”

He said, well, he'd had a wonderful time. He'd had two weeks and was going to be out before I come in and then he stayed over a week, another week.

And so he was ... he's a minister; his father's a minister and his grandfather's a minister. And I think the old man can out-preach the other two (the old grandfather.) That's mighty nice to have a family like that, don't you think so?

I hope, if Jesus tarries, that my boy's a preacher and his boy's a preacher and just keeps on like that. I'd rather he'd be a preacher than the President of the United States. Although, as honorable as it is to be the President, I'd rather he'd be a minister of the Gospel, preaching the truth. Even if he was so poor he had to drink branch water and eat soda crackers, I'd rather him be a real preacher of God, sent of God.

But, so, He said.... I said, “Well, I come just to preach, Brother Schuller.” I said, “But it looks like it was going to turn to be a healing service. One night we tried it and didn't get by; there's so many cases (the ambulance cases and things there).”

He said, “Brother Branham, don't you never try to get by with that.” He said, “You have to pray for the sick where ever you go.” Said, “You know I followed you in Fort Wayne?” How many knows Mr. Billings of the Temple? Most all of you do. Mr. Billings was one of his sponsors. And he said, “As soon as I got there,” said, “our Methodist brethren began to complain about you being down there, and this big crowd of people gathered in there.” Nothing but healings, for that's all it was, and so forth.

I said, “Oh, that was wrong, Brother Schuller, you know that.” I said....

He said, “Well,” said (called the lady's name), said, “the woman had been in the insane institution ten years.” Many of you that knows Romaine Redigar, was the same thing. And she was brought down at the house there, and she was delivered right there. The Lord Jesus healed her right there and she's the mother of two children now. And that was Romaine.

So this other lady had been in the institution, I believe, if I'm not mistaken, it was ten years. She had a phobia; when they'd get in her room, they'd turn her loose, she'd run jump through the windows, like that. She jumped out of a two story window and almost took her life. So all of them knew her around there, so Mr. Schuller said ... or, Brother Schuller, rather, said, “I went down and got her and brought her up on the platform to testify.” He said, “Now, do you know this woman, where she was and know what she is now?” Said, “I don't want to hear you say one more thing about Brother Branham while I'm here.” He said, “It wasn't nothing else but that done it, been marvelous.”

So, he said, “A fellow met me the other day,” said, “Brother Branham, I'm passing this on.” (So, while there's no one here but just us home-folks, so, I'll just open up and talk to you.) So, he said, “I'm passing this on to you.” He said.... His sermons are all drama, you know, mostly. Oh, he's wonderful at it—added drama. If you're ever around to hear him, go hear him. He's a wonderful brother and he dramatizes. My mother heard him dramatize The Return Of The Prodigal Son.

Frankly, I think Brother Schuller studied to be a.... He went to Bob Jones College or somewhere to study to be a ... take Shakespeare or something like that. And they said, “We teach it here.” But he got saved while he was there. So, he was to be a movie star or something. So, he puts all of his sermons in drama. And he said....

Someone said the other night, said, “Brother Jack,” said, “why don't you just quit that dramatizing and just stand up and preach Christ and go on?”

Said, “I'd sure like to do it.”

Said, “Wouldn't you, Brother Branham?”

I said, “I sure would.”

But said, “That's not our ministry, Brother Branham.” He said, “This same man,” said, “I just turned to him and said, ”Do you like to fish?“

He said, “Yes.”

Said, “What do you use for bait, T-bone steak?”

“Why,” he said, “no.”

Said, “What do you use for bait?”

He said, “Well, worms.”

He said, “You don't like worms do you?”

He said, “No, but the fish does.”

He said, “That's what I thought.”

He said, “People is expecting me to dramatize my services.” And said, “People is expecting you to pray for them.” Said, “We're doing the work of the Lord, the other man [unclear words].”

So I thought that was right nice. I thought that was a witty little answer. It's what the people want. That's right. It's what the fish bite on. And I've always said: You never show the fish the hook; you only show him the bait. He grabs the bait and gets the hook.

When a certain well-known, internationally-known man, lovely brother from the West Coast, spoke to me one day at the beginning of my services on the West Coast. I was to be in the same auditorium where he was. He said, “Brother Branham, they won't go for that fanaticism out here: divine healing.”

I said, “Oh?”

He said, “Why don't you preach the Gospel while you're on the West Coast?”

I said, “That's what I'm doing.” I said, “If I didn't preach divine healing, I wouldn't be preaching the Gospel. 'The Gospel come not in Word only but through power and demonstration of the Holy Ghost,'” see. And I said, “I'm not to argue with you, brother.” I said, “You know more about it than I do, but what I do know, I know real well.” See. I said, “I know that part real well.”

He said, “Well, the people on the West Coast won't receive you.”

I said, “Well, brother, dear,” I said, “that'll be all right.”

Said, “You're renting that auditorium; going to cost four hundred dollars a day?”

I said, “Yes, sir.”

He said, “There won't be anybody there.” Said, “The first thing this Angelus Temple, McPherson bunch, they got their signs out, 'divine healer.'” Said, that, “All the Pentecostals, that radical bunch, they got their signs out, 'divine healer.'

I said, “Yes, sir, that may be all right, but I'm not responsible for nothing but what God told me to do and that's what I'm doing,” see. And so....

He said, “Well, come on down, kick your hat in.”

I said, “I'll see you.”

So when we went down that day, here he had about fifteen, eighteen hundred people, and they all went out in nice, well-dressed people. He asked for the altar call; one woman come down, shook hands with him, accepted Christ. That's fine. But there went his crowd out and here come mine in: wheelchairs, straitjackets, crutches, beds, cots. Well, it's different when your faith has to buck that, you see. That's right. He just dropped his head and walked out.

But there it is, friends. He said to me, he said, “Brother Branham, don't preach divine healing.” He said, “Just preach the Gospel. Get souls saved.” And I thought, My dear brother, you don't realize that I have more converts to Christ in one month than you have in a year. That's right.

Just left a meeting down there where I had two thousand that afternoon ... about a week before that, and as many as thirty thousand at a time. I just don't sound the trumpet about it. I want to sound it up there, where it goes up there, just let.... The Lord said sheep would see it, not, you know, and so forth.

But, that's it, friends, it's.... God set some in the church to dramatize, some to preach fiery sermons, others to pray for the sick. But all these gifted brothers, they're in the church for one purpose: that's to unite the kingdom of God here on earth—the brotherhood. And that's true.

And we just love our Lord and all of our little frail mistakes He forgives us, and probably laughs at us, for us, and so.... We're just happy to know that we got a Lord Jesus like that, aren't we? Aren't you happy to know that you got someone tonight who's considerate, and knows us, and loves us, and looks over our mistakes and so forth?

I believe Brother Joseph here gave out that we was to have.... I was to speak tomorrow afternoon (and when I was standing there), I believe at four o'clock. Is that right? Now, that will ... that will be when I'm supposed to come on to speak—at four. All right. I'll try to come speak for you about a half hour. Let you out at four-thirty, in time to get your supper and get back for tomorrow night's services. The good Lord bless you all.

If there's any people that's got a lot of patience and believes in grace, I'm almost the associate pastor here, I believe. I just come so much. But your little pastor here, Brother.... I call him Joseph, for I like that name. See, in preaching the Gospel, I take Abraham was election, and Isaac was justification, and Jacob was grace, and Joseph was perfection. There was nothing against Joseph, so....

You going to be like that little Joseph, back there? All right. That's fine. Well, I'm just glad to be here to see that, just this little group of people sitting here like this, where you just feel, you know, feel at home. You know when you ... when you're out there, maybe you fill a thousand people, or something another, there's so much unbelief all packed up into it till you feel the shake of it. And when you got here, just like a little united group, one heart and one accord sitting like that, that's when things can take place, isn't it? More like cottage prayer meetings—house meetings, but....

I want to read some now, just for a few moments, maybe speak up till about nine, so we can have our prayer line. And my boy just met me down there, and said he'd give out a few prayer cards here. And we'll call them up and pray with them, with whoever the Lord.... We don't know, might be wherever out there. You don't necessarily have to have a prayer card; you just have to have faith.

I'm kind of, I guess, I about.... Don't know how to operate this over here. I see the man.... [Brother Branham speaks to someone, “Oh, they're both working. That's fine.”] I was standing all over to one side.

Now, in the Scriptures.... I love to read the Word, don't you? Just love it with all my heart, because it's His Word. Now, in Romans, the tenth chapter, we're just laying.... At the hotel a few moments ago, resting a little after driving three hundred miles today, and I was resting, and I thought, Well, what must I read tonight, Lord Jesus? And just happened to open up the Scripture and read here. And I thought, Well, maybe perhaps for a little something, if I can just speak some of His words ... if I can speak His words, then I know that part won't fail. Now, what I say, may fail; but what He says, won't fail. It'll be right, and forever. It's forever fixed in heaven—His Word. Is that right?

In the 10th chapter of Romans and the 11th verse, I wish to read just a portion here, for a few moments.

Before I read this, the Angel of the Lord struck at me just then, for someone sitting in this building here now. I felt it and I know that His presence is here

Now, friends, you surely know me well enough. Many of you might disagree with me in these meetings and things. But there is one thing that I am very happy about: that our Lord Jesus has did this. He was the One who sent me to do this. I never come on my own, see. And He has always for these ... going in nine years now, has He never failed me one time. But has always did just what He said He would do, see. And I do know my Lord Jesus. I might not be as an eloquent speaker, or I might not have a lot of theology of the Scripture; but I do know the Lord Jesus, and pardoning of my sins and accepting Him. I have eternal life, and I believe that. And I know that when He speaks, I believe those visions. I've never seen one fail and it never will fail. Now, I can say anything, but when you hear Him speak, remember, that's the truth.

Brother, sister, I'd lay my life, just at any moment, on it. I know it's the truth. For since a little, bitty, baby boy, the first thing I can almost remember was a vision. And, see, “Gifts and callings are without repentance.” We realize that. God sets in these things. How many believes that? Just say, “Amen.” I won't ask you to raise your hand. Well, that's good. I'm in a Calvinistic group here tonight, I believe. So anyhow, this, you see, that God by sovereign grace and election and foreknowledge knew before the foundation of the world that these things would be happening the way they are right now. He ordained it to be that way. You believe that, don't you? God, in order to be God, He had to know everything. He had to know what the end was from the beginning, or He wouldn't have been Almighty God.

Now, to His Word, to you who have it.

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

How then shall we call on him in whom we have not believed? ... how shall we believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias said, Lord, who has believed our report?

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Now, shall we bow our heads, just a moment. Kind, Heavenly Father, we approach Thee tonight in the only ... by the only mediator between God and man, thy Son, Christ Jesus. And knowing this, that what we ask in His name, He has promised, “That will I do.” Now, we know that that is the truth, and not through the church or through any other avenue but through the name of the Lord Jesus, He promised if we asked You anything in His name, He would do it. Therefore, Father, we ask for mercy tonight in Jesus' name, that You will be merciful to every sick person in this building. May they all be healed tonight.

And may every person that kind of got their spiritual being, as their spiritual arms hanging down, may they be lifted up tonight. May the heads that's drooping low be raised with laughter towards the heavens, and rejoice. Go from here tonight, saying as those who came from Emmaus, “Did not our hearts burn within us because of His presence?”

May something be done tonight that would be different. May You break the bread to us tonight in a different way than what we are accustomed to hearing and seeing. May it be done in a different way, the way that You would have it done, so that people that's present now would know that it isn't man; it is God. For He is making Himself known by the revelation of His Son, Christ Jesus. Grant these kind things. And help, now, Lord, Thou me, knowing that I'm here without any talent, without anything, except You'll help me. And I pray that You'll grant it for the glory of God and for the benefit of these people, the up-building of the kingdom of God. For we ask this in Jesus Christ' name. Amen.

I'd just like to speak a moment on Faith Cometh By Hearing, and so.... I love this Word, and the word of “faith.” Now, we think of faith, what it is. Paul first speaking to the Romans, which had been heathens—idolaters—and had just come over into Christianity. And Paul here is the greatest missionary the world has ever had since Christ.

I just think of that. That little Jewish brother, he just couldn't sit still; yet there was thousands in Jerusalem hadn't been converted, but he had to go somewhere else and somewhere else. The whole world must hear about the Gospel, as far as Paul could take it. And how he did his best to bring it. And his messages and his writings still lives on immortal today, because he spoke of Christ Jesus.

He's sending the letter now to the Romans, getting the church in order. And he's speaking to them about faith. On the first ... the fourth chapter of Romans he speaks of Abraham being justified by faith. Then on the ninth chapter of Romans, he's speaking on the election of God: How God called Isaac ... or, I beg your pardon, called Esau, Jacob, and ordained them; or He said, “By election He chose (by His own choosing) chose Jacob instead of Esau.” Although Esau being rightly to the birthright; then He chose Jacob instead of Esau.

And then in the tenth chapter here, we find him now dividing what faith is. Now, faith is burly. My, how I like to think of faith. Hope, faith, and charity ... those three things. And hope: What a beautiful thing hope is! Little, timid hope; lovely and sweet as she is, yet, she's the greatest enemy faith has. That's right. The greatest enemy faith's got is hope. 'Cause a person becomes so hopeful till they leave away from faith.

Now, hope will agree with the Bible. Hope will say, “It's true.” Hope will say, “I believe every bit of it. I believe that that's the Word of God. And I believe that God will keep His promise.” Hope believes all of that. But hope then says, “Now, I believe that God will heal, but look at my condition.”

Now, faith don't look at that. Faith comes around: “I don't care nothing about conditions. God said so and it's mine,” you see. Faith's burly. As I once said, “Faith has hair on the chest. When it stands up and pulls its big muscles out, everything else vanishes away!” Just takes ... flies away. When faith really takes a hold, nothing else stands.

I'm telling you, faith.... But you've got to have hope and charity. If you've got real burly faith and no love with it, you've ruined your influence before the people (if you haven't got love mixed with it), see. You see people, a real burly, what we would say (excuse the expression) a bulldog faith, to grab a hold, but is so rough with it. Then you see when you do that, it doesn't ... it hasn't got the kindness here to move with it. So what we need is hope, faith and charity. Isn't that right? Hope, faith and charity, together. God help our church to have it like that ... the people to have that combination.

But if you just rely on hope, you hinder faith. Now, hope looks for something, way off. But faith claims it right now, see. Faith says, “God said so and it's mine.” That settles it, see. “I don't care if I'm still crippled, I'm still blind, if I'm still sick; that don't have nothing to do with it. I believe it anyhow. It's mine right now! God said so and that settles it,” see. That's faith.

But hope says, “God said so and I'm expecting to get it, someday,” you see. “I'm expecting, someday.” And as long as Satan can put you off to another day, that's as good as he wants. That's right. You'll never get it. Just believe that you got it right now; it's your personal property. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Is that right? Faith acts now. It's positive. There's no.... Oh, my! I tell you, sickness and everything else, when faith steps in, it's just like a snowball on a hot stove. It just melts away. Everything goes away from faith. 'Cause faith stands up and takes over rule. When faith speaks, everybody else keeps still. That's right.

These little, old sicknesses, burling around like this. And little, old things, saying, “Well, the days of miracles is past,” and this, that, or the other. But let faith step up one time, pull up his muscles, and say, “I will take over!” I tell you the rest of them keep still when faith does it. That's the fellow we want to deal with. Is that right?

Now, how do we get faith? “Faith cometh by hearing. Hearing what? The Word of God.” Now, that's right. You can't base it on nothing else but the Word of God. It's got to have.... Now, you just can't have faith, just say, “Oh well, if you go over here and touch that, it will make you well. Now, touch the radio, or touch this, that, or the other.” I just can't go that. No, sir. I've got to have something that's strong basically, and the strongest thing I know of is the Word of God!

To an old colored friend one time (I see there's colored people sitting here), he said, “I'd rather be standing on the Word of God than to be standing on the world.” Said, “Uh-huh, what about that?” He said, “It's stronger than the world.” Said, “I'll stand on the Word of God when there ain't no world.” That's right. He said, “For heavens and earth will pass....” Oh! He said, “I'd rather be standing on the Word of God than standing in heaven,” (that's what it was), “than standing in heaven.” He said, “For the heavens and the earth, both, will pass away but the Word of God shall not pass away!” So, that's right. When God said so, that settles it. Now, you got your faith-base back.

Now, I will admit that there's great powerful gifts in the church, to influence and help people. That's right. But many people preaching divine healing, like, they go through the country and they say, “Well, now, Brother so-and-so is in the city. Oh, my. Now, I'll get well!” No, no. Not a bit more.... It isn't the Brother so-and-so in the city; it's Jesus Christ in the city, is what..., see. That's it. Now.... And His Word!

Now, I have tried my best to give that type of speaking to the people that their faith.... Now, this is true, that I will admit this is.... Just while we're small tonight, I want to tell you little secrets and things as I go along. Now, there's things that ... this is truth. And you all have followed my meetings place after place, and (many of you) and you've never seen one time, sincerely, on a platform that anybody ever was brought there but what something happened to them right there. That's exactly right.

I've never in my life, ever sincerely, asked God for anything, but what I got it. That's right. Maybe not in the way that I asked for it, but I got it. I've seen people rise right up from death's door (the doctor standing there), with death's struggles in their throats and see them people live for a week and then die, see. God letting me know, “I hear your prayer....” But you've got to know the will of God towards things. And that's about the ministry, the people, see.

When you're standing before the people, and God will show a vision, just what's going to happen, then you know what's going to happen, whether it's death or life, or what they got to make right, or something like that. Sometimes I see it turns dark around the people; that's death. And I just don't say nothing; go ahead. But when I see the profession, I know it's over, you see. So then you've heard at times.... And you just watch any time (that isn't me), but you watch any time whatever He says on “Thus saith the Holy Spirit, or the Lord,” you watch and see if that ain't just exactly that way. It'll be that way.

Now, faith first has to be based on the Word. The Word of God produces faith. Now, if God said so, then I believe it. I'd believe it with all my heart. Now, it's just not because “Brother Branham, Brother ... somebody else laid hands on me; I believe it by that.” That doesn't have.... That's obeying orders. But my hands to be laid on you is no more than Brother Joseph's hand, or any other minister, or any other lay member of the church. Everybody that believes in divine healing and is a Christian has a right to pray for the sick. That's exactly right. “Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another that you may be healed.”

Now, it is true that some great person of faith, a great warrior of faith, has more faith to stand there (that burly faith) and take the thing away. But unless you stand right there with that same faith, it will come right back again. I have had men (with this Bible) has been brought to the platform, that couldn't even see their hand before them and read chapters out of this Bible, and come back the next night just as blind as they was in the first place, see. Because, the first thing, they're standing there, they're under that anointing, and, oh my, the heavens is all on fire with them.

By the way, (she isn't here) my wife was on the platform in Phoenix, Arizona, the other night (and we've lived together for eleven years now), and the first time she ever stood when the anointing was on me. She couldn't open her mouth; she just stood there. And people would say.... I'd say something to her; she just stood there. Her eyes looked real funny, and the babies, my two little ... one little girl, eight; and the other one, three, yesterday. And they just stood there. They couldn't say a word, and walked off the platform crying. And I hadn't noticed it; they called them. She's very bashful (you that know her). And so, she wouldn't come to the platform, as we just said.

And Billy Paul back there, my boy, he said after I'd done begin praying (stopped preaching), and the anointing had struck me, I said.... Billy said, “Mother, she promised to come to the platform” (and she had the children dressed in their best and so they was sitting down there, you know, to come to the platform). And we got them up there. And when she did, she just stood there. And she said, (going home), she said, “Honey, I couldn't.... Don't ask me up there like that again.” You see, you just don't realize, see.

There is anointing, a personal.... Now, there is such a thing as maybe, you know, like one time there was ... Wasn't Moses made fun of by his sister and his brother one time because he married a colored girl, Ethiopian girl? And didn't they make fun? And God happened to be present and heard it. Was that right? He just, was present and heard it. That's right. And when He did, He said, “Bring them in here.” He said, “Don't you fear God? Knowing ... see what I've done for that man and showed him the favors?” He said, “If there be one who's spiritual or a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in visions and so forth. But for my servant Moses, not so!” He said, “I speak lip to ear with him.” He said, “Don't you fear God seeing that I've chosen this man?” And Miriam was broke out with leprosy. That's right. And there.... She had to stay out of the camp seven days, and Moses fell on his face and prayed for her.

Now, that's right. There is anointing. That's true. But man isn't healer. God is the Healer! That's right. They only can explain it, or pray, or join their prayers with you. But healing comes by faith in hearing the Word of God.

Now, Abraham, when he was called out of Chaldea, the city of Ur.... Who was Abraham? Just a man walking out there, one day. Oh, I just love that. That just makes me feel good. When I think: God's voice spoke to him, and said, “Abraham, separate yourself from your people.” Isn't it strange that God makes us separate ourselves? Today the world wants mixers, is that right? But God wants separators. Yeah, the world says, “Oh, well, we don't want that old pastor; he's an old fogy. He don't believe in letting us do this, that, or the other. We want a young fellow who's a mixer.” But God wants separators. Separate yourself. The Holy Spirit said, “Separate me, Paul and Barnabas.”

Separation. And God called Abraham and separated him. Now, the only thing that he had to believe was God's Word. Faith cometh by hearing. All reason and sense knowledge had to pass away, and he had to depend exactly on what “Thus saith the Lord.” Look. Abraham was seventy-five; Sarah was sixty-five. He said, “Abraham....” He's going to give him a child by Sarah. Now, Abraham couldn't say, “Now, let me see, now, if there could be such a way, let me go down and ask the doctor if Sarah could renew her strength,” and so forth like that. Why, he couldn't reason it out. But he based his faith on “Thus saith the Lord.”

Faith cometh by what then? [Congregation says, “Hearing.”] Hearing the what? Word of the Lord! The Word of God settles it. Abraham believed God by faith because God's Word said so. He never reasoned, he never questioned, he just believed God's Word. Is that right? Well, that's the same way we get faith tonight, is believing God's Word. That's it.

Oh! When you show me men and women who will base their faith right there! Now, not their hopes there, see. If you just got hope, you say, “Oh, I believe God will do it. Yes sir. I believe it.” You're still hoping. But when faith really takes a hold, it's already done. There's nothing can shake that. It's a positive. There's just.... You just say, “Well, I believe God said so. I base my faith there. I believe that.” But now, if you're.... You can't bluff it. God is not a bluff. And neither is Satan a bluff. He won't take your bluff. But when you really got faith, Satan will know it. That's right. He knows what's right and what's wrong. He knows where faith stands.

Look at up there.... Many times in a meeting, when Jesus met him, he knowed who ... He was more than matched right then, when he met the Son of God. When he met Moses, he said, “Now, get your temper up Moses, and break them commandments.” He did it. But when he met Jesus Christ, He said, “It is written, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God,” see. Then he knew that he was more than matched then. He didn't understand that virgin birth (Satan didn't), he couldn't understand that. But that was one time that God pulled it over on him then, when he had the virgin birth.

Now, then along come.... Now, the only thing that Sarah had to do, was to believe what Abraham, her husband, said. Now, she said.... Abraham told her, he was going to have the baby. What a beautiful picture there (I won't keep you too long), but what a beautiful picture there of the church and Christ. Now, God spoke to Abraham and told Abraham ... and Sarah was Abraham's bride, wife. And God speaks to Christ, and we are his wife, his bride. Is that right? What a beautiful picture! Now, I don't understand it (neither did Sarah), but Abraham heard the Word of God. So, Jesus heard from God and He told us what to do, and we believe Jesus. Is that right? And we believe the things that's impossible, unreasonable; we believe it anyhow, 'cause Christ said so. If God said so, that settles it. We just believe it.

Now, here comes Sarah, and she believed the impossible. Wasn't it easy then for Hagar when she come along ... Hannah, rather, at the temple, and she walked in one day. I can imagine seeing her going up to Shiloh to worship the Lord. And when she was on the road up, I can see everybody going along. The women saying, “Well, looky there. See, Miss Jones got a new hat on. Isn't it beautiful?” Another one say, “There's Miss John Doe again. That same old veil she's wore for the last ten years.” That's about what they.... But Hannah was going up for another purpose.

God help us when we're going to the house of God not to see how one another's dressed or see who's there. But go for one solid purpose: that's to meet God. She wasn't caring who had on new hats and who had on new clothes, or what about it. She went up there because faith cometh by hearing. And she was barren, had no children. She seen the Word of God where Sarah received a baby after she was past bearing. So, if Sarah received it, so could Hannah. Amen. There it is; they had evidence.

Now, let's stop here a minute. If Mr. John Doe, out here, had cancer and was healed, so can you have it and be healed, see. Faith cometh by hearing. Is that right? If this man was blind and can now see, then you can see if you're blind. If this person is crippled and couldn't walk, then you are ... you can be. That's the way Congressman Upshaw (who preached, I believe, from this pulpit here), when he read of Florence Nightingale and her trouble.... He'd heard of this shoemaker down here who had been paralyzed (a Baptist deacon), laying in his chair for about ten years, wheeling him up and down the floor to do his work—his office at the Baptist church. And when a vision appeared over him, and sitting and bound in that wheelchair for those years with his back broken, and up and down his place here, had splints in his back, until he couldn't even move; and the man was made perfectly whole. Congressman Upshaw said, “If that can happen to him, it can happen to me.”

“Faith cometh by hearing. Hearing of the Word of God.” The Word of God made manifest, see. If Florence Nightingale, laying there dying with a cancer, weighing about forty pounds, could be made perfectly normal and whole (weighs a hundred and something today), perfectly, normal and well. So can every cancer case in here be the same thing.

If little Georgie Carter, at Milltown, laying there nine years and eight months couldn't even move her hands, couldn't raise her sputum cup, TB run all the way through her. Give up five years before that, by the doctors. Never had even seen the trees or nothing for nine years and six months. In one moment's time was made perfectly well, eight years ago. Is a piano player in a Milltown Baptist church tonight. If she can be healed of that (of TB), so can you, every case.

Hannah said, “Looky here. If Sarah, being nearly a hundred, could receive seed....” (Hannah was probably around, oh, maybe forty, fifty, sixty, somewhere along in there.) She said, “So can I.” Faith cometh by hearing. Here she goes to the temple. She's going up there to worship God. She didn't pay any attention to what anybody else said; some of them going along talking about this, that or the other. She went for one alternative: that was to get her prayer answered. If that's the way you're here tonight, you're going right back with the same kind of blessing that Hannah had, with “Thus saith the Lord.”

Look. No matter what the preacher, what this or that; you're coming to the house of the Lord with faith. Hannah walked in; she run down to the altar, and fell down, raised up her hands and begin to scream till she interrupted the whole service. Even the priest thought she was drunk. That's the way.... She was all right. That's the way with a whole lot of people that get sincere. They're just misunderstood. She wasn't drunk; she was misunderstood. And many men and women who are really from the core of their heart, really fully surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ, they're not crazy; they're misunderstood. That's all. The world knows their own. So does God know His own.

And she was praying. And Eli stomped out, and said, “Woman, will thou always be drunk on strong drink?”

She said, “My lord, I am not drunk on strong drink, but I am praying that the Lord take away my reproach.” Now watch.

He said, “The Lord grant it you. The Lord bless thee.” And that's all she wanted to know. There was God's priest. God's priest had announced God's blessings on her. She was at the house of God.

Now, God could have put the baby in her arms, if He wanted to. But He has a way of doing things. It didn't make any difference whether it happened right there or not. She had God's Word sunk in her heart; faith cometh by hearing, hearing of the Word of God. She accepted it right then, went home rejoicing. Praise God, going to have the baby. And in nine months little Samuel was born. Is that right? Why? She took God at His Word. She believed. Faith comes by hearing, hearing the Word of God. She seen how it come to Sarah. She seen how it was going to come to her.

Easy was it for little Mary, then, when the Holy Spirit met her out there, overshadowed her. And the great angel, Gabriel, stood in the way, and said, “Hail, Mary. Blessed art thou among women. I'm going to tell you something that never did happen, is going to happen now.” Amen. Look what she had to believe. Faith cometh by hearing, hearing of the Word of God.

He said, “You're going to have a child, knowing no man.”

She said, “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord. Be it unto me according to thy word.” Amen. I begin to feel religious here tonight.

Notice, when you think of that, how that men and women, anybody that ever amounted to anything in this life has been men and women who's took God at His Word and believed it. That's it. No matter what the world says, what mama says, what the pastor says; it's what God has said! I ain't got faith in what mama said (It's my mother, I have); I got faith in my pastor as a pastor. But I've got faith in what “Thus saith the Lord.” That settles it. Faith cometh by hearing, hearing of the Word. And I believe it.

It wasn't an easy thing for me, when that Angel appeared to me, told me these things that was going to take place. But what I did? Why even the overseer of the church said, “Billy, you had a nightmare. Better go back over in Jeffersonville.” Said, “Sleep it off, boy.”

I said, “He was a man. He stood and talked to me.”

He said, “You with your seventh grade education, going to preach the Gospel around the world?”

I said, “That's what He said.”

He said, “Oh! Billy, you better go home.” Said, “You just had a good dream.”

I said, “I don't appreciate that. And God will do it anyhow because He said He would, and I've taken Him at His Word.”

And I've lived to see the day that He's put it all to hush and has did just exactly what He said. And He'll do it every time. He'll do it every time. Don't be in no hurry. You're the only one's in a hurry. God is in no hurry. If He spoke it, He will do it. Amen. He's under obligation to His Word. Faith cometh by hearing, hearing of the Word of God.

I can think of one time in Jesus' day, when there was a man who probably heard down there Jesus could make a man with palsy, stop shaking. Why, some fellows went out there and got him, picked him up and put him on a cot. Got over to somebody's house, over there where He was having a little healing service. And why, they couldn't even get around the door. There was probably many people as here; maybe one of them little huts that they have there in Palestine, standing around. How could he get in? But, brother, he said, “Take me up on the roof;” and they tore the roof up.

And when Jesus, standing there, and dirt began to fall around. I guess He wondered, “What's taking place up there?” First thing, they ripped off a bunch of shingles, (you imagine, to put a man down through it ... and a cot) quite a hole in the house. But they had one thing ... one thing in mind: get that man to Jesus, and something would take place. And, brother, sister, when we have that kind of faith: one thing in mind: get the patient to Jesus. Things will take place. That's it. That's the idea....

And they ripped open the roof, and here come a cot down: a man shaking. He said, “Thy sins are forgiven thee, son. Take up your bed and go on.” Away he went, see. When God is.... Faith cometh by hearing. Somebody told him that Jesus could do that and they believed it. And they got the man to Jesus, and faith took a hold. Now, Jesus can do the same thing for every person here tonight, see. The only thing is: get to Jesus. Get your superstitions away. Get all the spooks away from you and say, “Lord, I'm here at You.... I believe it. I'm taking your Word right now.” And that settles it. Something's going to take place. Yes sir.

And I can see a woman one day, sitting up there doing her knitting. She'd spent all of her money with the doctors, and years that she had a blood issue and nothing could stop it. And the first thing you know, she heard that Jesus.... The little, old boat pushing into the willows down there. And away she went. I can see the man standing there (the priest of the temple) saying, “Now, looky here, sister. If you fool with that fanatic, when your doctor has told you nothing else can be done, that settles it. Now, the days of miracles is past. That guy is nothing else but just a.... He's Beelzebub. He's a fortuneteller. And here you are running to such a thing as that. Now, you know, we'll have to put you out of the church.” She just pressed right on by.

She wanted to get to Jesus. Her faith was: If she could hear Him say one word, or whatever, even if she could touch His garment, she was going to get well. So right down through there she went. And she come down there and she touched Him, and moved back like that. And you know, Jesus knows when things take place. I can see Him stop, look around over His audience. Something had touched Him. He looked around, said, “You.” He still does it. Is that right? He still does it. He's the same yesterday, today and forever. He looked around, over His audience, and said, “You. Why, your faith's healed you. Your faith has saved you from that blood issue.” Oh, my. Faith cometh by hearing, hearing of the Word. The Word of God. How marvelous!

I can imagine little Moses, when he was down there, brought up. Although they took him over there in the Egyptian palace, by the Pharaohs, and all the scholars, and the art, and everything. And they were real physicians. You all know that; the Egyptians. Some of their things, yet, is never compared with in our modern day of science. They still can't find things like those Egyptians had. And they couldn't understand it.

Would you like to find out? Look at Moses ... had two million people out in that wilderness. Now, he had old men; he had cripples; he had blind people; he had little babies; he had young mothers; he had old widow women. He had everything out there in that wilderness. And he was taught in all the art of the Egyptians. I'd just like to look into his medicine chest one time and see what he had for them cures, wouldn't you? Would you like to look into it? I'll show you in a few minutes. Would you like to see what Moses had in his medicine chest? It cured all the blindness. It cured everything they had, and when they come out of the wilderness, there wasn't one feeble person among them. Is that right?

Oh! How the doctors would like to get a hold of that medicine chest. Why, it's easy. I'll just open up here and show you. “I'm the Lord that healeth all thy diseases.” That's exactly what he had. That remedy: Psalms 103:3; that's exactly. “I'm the Lord, heals all thy diseases.” That was his ... that was his medicine chest. And God took care of every bit of it, and He's the same Jehovah God tonight, lives and reigns. That's His medicine chest. “I'm the Lord that healeth all thy diseases. Forgiveth all thine iniquities and heals all thy diseases.” He's the same Lord. That's His medicine chest. That's what Moses had.

How Moses.... How could he, after being indoctrinated down there, and all that stuff poked into him, by those Egyptian scholars (how to embalm the body, and how to do this, and eat garlic, and everything else they had down there and all the cures, and put-ons they had down there in Egypt), how could he ever get all that out of him? You know why? Because he had a godly, little mother that set him on her knee, down there off from one side, from all them scholars. And said, “Moses, you are chosen of the Lord. God gave you to me. And your promise.... We see God on you and someday, you will deliver your brothers.” Hallelujah! Faith cometh by hearing, hearing from the Word of God. And he did it.

How little Samson.... I can imagine seeing little Samson out there, with his seven little locks hanging down. Oh, some people picture him like he had shoulders like the doors back there, great big brute of a man. That wouldn't be a mystery to see that man kill a lion, or slay a thousand Philistines with a jawbone of a mule. There wouldn't be no mystery to see him take the city gates and walk away with it; a man that size. But Samson was a little, bitty, curly-headed shrimp. Just about like that. Little, bitty fellow. But he was just a little, bitty fellow. We'd call him a little shrimp today. Little, sissy boy. Seven little mommy's ... little golden locks hanging down on his head. Walk around, little, sissy fellow. But to see him slay a lion. Hallelujah!

Oh, brother! It's not the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight that's in the dog. That's right. That's what it takes. It's somebody who's got that courage and faith in God to stand there and say, “Thus saith the Lord.” Faith moves in and everything else takes its place (amen) ... when faith moves in. Faith cometh by hearing.

I can see that little, curly-headed shrimp walk down there, going to see his girlfriend. Walking down through and a lion run out. He was helpless. And the Spirit of the Lord come on him; he just took the lion, tore it in pieces and throwed it down. Oh, that was the mystery. Yes, sir. Why? What made the difference in that man? The Spirit of the Lord come on him.

Let me see a little, old, cowardly church that's afraid to trust God, or a family, and let the Spirit of God strike that family, or that individual, or that church and watch what takes place. Brother, I'm telling you, skeptics fly like roaches in the summertime when you turn the light on them. That's exactly right. Yes, sir. Everything moves out. Faith comes in, and “I'm the Boss,” said faith. The rest of it moves out. Make any difference what anybody said. God's Word is eternal. Right.

I can hear Samson say.... I can hear his mother say, “Samson, darling, I know you've got ... you're just an ordinary boy now, but you're a Nazarite to the Lord. The Lord before the foundation of the world has ordained you for this ministry.”

“What is it, Mama, dear?”

“You're to let them seven locks grow.”

And as long as God sees those seven locks, He sees His promise. Hallelujah! They shaved them off one time, but they growed back. When old Samson stood there and seen them seven locks, he knowed God could look down and see His promise and He was under obligation to His Word.

Now, I say tonight that every man or woman here that will take Jesus Christ as their Healer tonight, or as their Saviour, and accept the Word of God, when God sees His promise, He will keep it. Amen. I don't care how much the devil's beat you down with sickness, with leukemia, with cancer, with tuberculosis or crippled, or whatever he's done, you just take that promise of God (the Word of God) and say, “I believe it.” Hallelujah! Faith cometh by hearing, hearing the Word of God.

For God looks down and sees that promise applied by the blood of Jesus Christ, something is going to happen. Samson was down there grinding. He was blind, he reached up. He couldn't feel it, yet. He said, “Someday it will be there.” Yes, sir. One day he reached up, said, “There it is.” Amen. “There it is. God will see my seven locks again.” Yes, sir. “When God sees my seven locks, He will see His promise to me.”

And when God sees you accept His Word, unadulterated, and say, “It's your Word, Lord.” Then God will see His promise. When He said, “Whatsoever things you desire, when you pray, believe you receive it and you shall have it. It will be granted to you.” Brother, God will keep His Word.

I've met every kind of an opposition, I guess, that a human being could do. I've met maniacs at the platform; I met witchdoctors; I met fortunetellers, all kinds of devils and everything. But when I'd meet that, I remembered God said, “I will be with you.” The Angel said, “I'll be standing near.” And I've never seen a time but what God walked right out victorious. Said, “You get the people to believe you and be sincere when you pray and nothing will stand before your prayer.”

That's the reason on the platform, you see those things happen. I believe God. Faith cometh by hearing. He told me so, and I believe it. And He said right here in the Word, that, “Whatsoever things you desire, when you pray, believe you receive it. If ye abide in Me and My Word abide in you, ask what you will, it will be given to you.” That's right. “Yet a little while and the world seeth Me no more, yet you will see Me, for I'll be with you, even in you, to the end of the world.”

Brother, if ministers won't take it, God will rise up stones to take the place of it. God will do something. He would make the.... He could make a fish preach the Gospel. Amen. That's what I believe about God. He's Almighty. I believe the birds of the air would preach the Gospel if man didn't. God's determined this to be. And when He sets His will for something to be done, the stones is going to cry out or something.

And when God seen His promise, He seen Samson's hair growed again. That was God's promise to Samson. That's right. And when God seen Samson with His promise, God was obligated to Samson. He put his arms around them big old pillars, like that, and pulled them right in. His strength had come to him again.

And maybe sickness has beat you down to a place you hardly haven't got strength anymore. Maybe there's something that you just can't.... Maybe you're so blind you can hardly, can't see. Maybe you're so sick you can hardly get up. But just apply that promise, Thus saith the Lord: “You said whatever things I desire, when I pray, believe I receive it. For me to receive it and accept it as if it was already done.” Believe it now. “For I have faith, and 'Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' I believe it, Lord.”

God will look right down in your heart and see that promise, and diseases will melt back from side to side. Cripples will walk; blind will see; deaf will hear; dumb will speak. Why? They have taken God at His Word. Yes, sir. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing of the Word of God.”

I've got to perform an act, if God will grant it. Now, in a few minutes, right here after speaking like this. God promised me these things. Said, “You would know the secrets of the people's hearts, you'd do these things. He'd put His Spirit....” How do I know? Here I am standing here speaking. I don't know what He'll do. But I believe that He will. For He said He would do it. That's right. And what is it? It's His grace to you. “I the Lord have spoken it. I the Lord will perform it.” And it's not me to worry; that's God's business. God's business is to take care of His Word, take care of His Word to each individual. And He will do it. May the Lord bless you now while we bow our heads just a moment.

Kind Father, we may be speaking too long. I pray that Your Spirit will now move out over this audience; feeling that You're here and You're near. And I pray now, that Your great blessings will rest upon all these people.

And may the Holy Ghost come now, and may He just confirm this Word. I have tried, Lord, in my poor, ignorant way, and all that I know how, to tell the people that faith cometh by hearing Your Word. “And in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” The Word went back up into the heavens. The Word come again in the form of the Holy Ghost, and will be with us forever. He said, “When He, the Holy Ghost has come, He will bring these things to your remembrance and will show you things to come.” Lord, You promised it and You've done it, and You've kept Your Word. And we're thankful for it tonight, to be standing here in this little church.

Bless every one here. May Your august presence, Lord, just charge every heart, O Lord, till our hearts become so elated till we can't hold our peace any longer, and we'll scream out, “Hallelujah to the Lamb!” Oh, how He redeemed us from a life of sin.

Thinking back there in the Scriptures, when You come on the earth, You believed the Word of God. You knew that God would keep His Word. That's the reason You said, “Destroy this temple. I will raise it up in three days.” For David had said, “I'll not leave His soul in hell, neither will I suffer my Holy One to see corruption.” You believed the Word of God on that one promise. And went down into the dungeons of darkness, 'cause You knowed God would keep His promise, for David was a prophet. And the prophet would not lie under the inspiration.

And I thank thee, Heavenly Father, for setting that example. And now, we accept it tonight and believe it. And I go forward to challenge, not for a show but for the glory of God. That the men and women, and boys and girls, who are sitting here in this little group tonight, might know and believe that truly You raised up Your son, Jesus, from the dead and He lives among us tonight—a living, resurrected Lord Jesus. And it confirms the Scripture, that, “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Grant these things through Jesus' name, Amen.

Excuse me, friends, for being so long. I said.... I looked down at this watch, and it's gotten almost away from me. The Lord bless you. [Where's Billy? Is he here?] All right. Prayer cards. Let's line up a few of them. Who has prayer card number 1?

[Blank spot on tape.]

... church tomorrow, wherever it is. Attend your church. Then tomorrow afternoon, if your church is not having service, come over to our little service here. I'm just here for the glory of God, trying to help you, and praying and asking God to bless you, and to keep you all healthy, and full of His glory and power. And I know He will do it. And so.... Greet your pastors. I don't care whether he's Presbyterian, or if he's a Catholic priest. Whatever he is, that doesn't matter to me. If the man is born again and believes God, he's my brother. No matter what he's branded at, he's a Christian.

[How many more can you put in the line down there? I mean how many you got down there? About fifteen, or twenty?]

[Blank spot on tape.]

Taking all that time, too. I didn't mean to take that much time like that. Now, let's just kind of sing, if you will, just for a minute. Let's see. Let's sing Down From His... or, anybody here knows that song Down From His Glory? I'd like to hear some good soloist sing it tomorrow afternoon, if he would, for me. That's one of my favorite songs. All right. Only Believe then, brother, if you will. Just a chord, just for a few moments.

Now, don't no one be upset, just sit quiet now. 'Cause, see, that upset ... if everything is quiet. Now, how many of you in this building here that has no opportunity to get in this prayer line tonight. I don't know how long we can pray. Maybe till we get everybody in here prayed for, as far as I know. But you don't have to be in the prayer line. But you haven't got a prayer card, yet you're sick and you want God to deliver you, would you raise your hand? so I can just kind of have a general idea. Why, it's just.... He must have just give out prayer cards all over the building or wherever the people are. But anyhow.... God be with you, now.

Now, how many Christians in here? Raise up your hand. Born again Christians. Oh, that's just wonderful. I believe it's a hundred percent. A hundred percent. Isn't that marvelous?

Now, how many ever seen the picture of that Angel of the Lord, that I had taken ... you know, that they taken up there? We had some here and Billy forgot to bring them in tonight. Maybe if I get to come again sometime, I'll bring them. We won't sell on Sunday. No. That's nothing to me anyhow. We just buy them and send them right back the same thing, you see. 'Cause they belong to the Douglas Studios of Houston, Texas. So I just buy them and bring them to the people. But I like for people to have them so they can see and see that our Lord is real.

Now, if He doesn't ... if He isn't with me, of course, I.... I'm that much like a Quaker, I guess, see; they just have to have the Spirit of the Lord there, or nothing can be did. Now, as far as the Holy Spirit, yes sir, it's right here now. But this is a divine gift, see. That is what I wait for. Every one of you are conscious, I believe, that the Holy Spirit is here. It's in the building. I'm positive of that. At the day of judgment, you'll find that that's right, see, that the Holy Spirit is here.

But now to this divine messenger, which is a part of God.... It's a gift of God. And now, if He comes.... Now, how many knows that when Jesus was here on earth, that He did not claim to be a healer? Does everybody know that? I think I've came here so many times and told you. He didn't claim to be a healer. Who did He say done the healing? [Congregation says, “The Father.”] The Father. That was where? In Him.

The only thing He could do, when He passed by that gate where all them sick people and crippled and all, by the pool of Bethesda (lame, halt, blind, withered), He never healed any of them. Went over to a sick man laying on a pallet, oh, maybe, oh, a prostate trouble or something or diabetes. It wasn't going to hurt him and it wasn't going to kill him; he'd had it thirty-eight years. And He healed him and went on about His business.

The Jews questioned Him. You remember that? Saint John 5. Now, watch what He said. Listen close. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing in Himself, but what he sees the Father doing, that doeth the Son.” Is that right? In other words, He said, “I do nothing until the Father shows me. The Father worketh, I worketh hitherto.” That's Saint John 5:19, 20, and 21, see. “The Father worketh, and I worketh hitherto. I do nothing of Myself; just what He shows Me, that I do.”

As with the resurrection of Lazarus ... all that. Read the Scriptures. Find out. It's exactly what.... Before He knew what was going to take place.... He was at the grave. He said, “I thank Thee, Father, that Thou hast already done this,” you know. “But just for these who stand by, I said it.” You see.

So, it's all by vision. It's never by man. It's by God. Always. Now, to heal people, as far as I know.... [Brother Branham asks, “Where is the first patient? I can't see her. Oh, excuse me. All right. There's a.... I thought maybe you was one of the musicians here or something. Excuse me.”] There's no people that I know of in that line; I guess we're all strangers. And as far as I know, in the building, I don't know anyone. I just see my friend from Louisville, just come up. I didn't think he was coming. Mr. O'Bannon, a businessman, in Louisville, sitting there. I was glad to see him. And I think outside of that, as far as knowing, is the only person in here that I know or remember at this time. Outside of Brother (here), Brother Joseph. And that's all that I know. But now the Lord Jesus knows every one of you. Is that right?

Now we have to.... There might be some of you.... I don't want to hurt your feelings when I said, maybe I might say, “Well, I've seen that person somewhere. But to know who they are or what they ... I don't. I have never seen them, in that manner.”

All right. Now, let's just be in prayer. Wait now and see what the Holy Spirit will say to us. Now, may He bless. I'm going to ask the lady to come here just a moment. And just talk to her just a moment.

Now, when our Lord and Saviour talked to a woman at the.... A Samaritan woman. Say, this would be a perfect contrast; just exactly the same thing, rather. All right. The Samaritan woman, well, she was a lady, just like any other woman. But Jesus was a Jew and she was a Samaritan. And they had kind of a racial affair in them days, that.... She said to Him....

He said, “Bring me a drink.”

And she said, “It's not custom for Jews to ask Samaritans such.” See, there was a thing there, just like, probably like, a little feeling like, between colored and white today. But Jesus let her know right quick that that didn't exist in the presence of God. We're off of one tree: that's Adam. That's right. And by being born again, we're off of one tree: Christ Jesus, who makes us all the same. Just exactly.

And He said, “But if you knew who you were speaking to, you'd ask Me for a drink. I'd bring you water ... or, give you water you didn't come here to draw.”

And the conversation went on. After a while, He found where her trouble was. He went right straight and told her where her trouble was. And she said, “Well, I perceive that you're a prophet.” And she said, “I know Messiah cometh, and He will tell us all things.”

He said, “I am He.”

And so she went into the city and said, “Come, see a man that told me all the things I ever did.” Now, He only told her that one thing. But if He knew that one thing, was such a mystery to.... Well, then she knew He'd know everything. Is that right?

Well, that would be the same way between us. Is that right? Just the same thing. We're perfect strangers. First time in life, I guess, to meet one another. And we're standing here.

[Blank spot on tape]

Does the church understand that? Say, “Amen.” Now, if this woman here, a perfect stranger, I've never seen her in my life. Now, if He will come and say something.... I don't say He will. But if He will tell her, maybe, where her trouble lies (like the woman at the well), then that will prove that Jesus Christ (who I'm trying to represent here) is the same yesterday, today and forever. Is that right? It will make Him the Lord Jesus.

Now, He promised these things. “These things that I do, shall you, also. (See.) And even greater, for I go to My Father.” Greater, of course, would be more of it. No one could do any greater. He raised the dead, stopped nature, done everything, see. But they could do more of it because the church is spread out over the world, where He could only be in one place.

But now, just to speak with you. And I'm waiting for His Anointing. You know I'm stalling for that, or something. And that's what it is: for His presence. 'Cause we're just standing here like this. If this isn't a perfect example.... Just standing here just as helpless as can be. I never seen the woman. Could you want to put yourself in this position once? I wouldn't either, friend, if that Angel hadn't stood out by me, and said He would do it. Now, I believe Him. I believe Him.

If this woman's sick and I could heal her, I'd be a brute if I didn't do it. But I couldn't heal her; God's already did that—if she's sick. If it's something else, why then, God can correct all wrongs. If anything's wrong, He can make it right. If she's not a Christian, God knows it. I don't. If she is a Christian, God knows. I don't. And now, He is here.

In the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, I take every spirit in here under my control, for God's glory.

Now, you're conscious that something's going on. Now, isn't that true? Right now. If that's right, raise your hand; to the people. Something's.... You're in presence. Just what I said about my wife the other night, see. You know that something happened just then. That was Him. Now, it's coming to me, and you are a Christian believer. That's right. The Lord bless you. Your trouble ... your trouble's in your stomach. It's some kind of a growth in there. A lump in your stomach; a growth, tumor. You're in need of an operation. But only God alone can make it for you. Is that the truth? [Sister says, “That's the truth.”]

Now, ever what taken place just now, whatever it was, it's on me now—knows your life. Is that right? Ever what's on me now, knows you, and it knows me. And I'm so submitted to it till I have no control of my own self. It controls me now. You believe that's the Lord Jesus? [“Yes.”] God bless you. Then if you're that close and present to Him, where this miracle is just now taking place.... That was a miracle. I don't know now what it was. But I seen something and ever what He spoke, it's the truth. He just used my voice to speak His words.

You got some loved one you're interested in, too, or something. Somebody's got something with a foot. Isn't that right? [“Yes.”] It's some kind of a.... It's in a cast or something. It's your husband. And he's got a ... his toes are broken or something on a.... Isn't that right? And I see a streak of darkness standing between you all. You're having domestic troubles. Isn't that right? [“Yes.”] Some sort of a trouble between you. And you're worried about it. And, by the way, you all are separated or something. There's something between you. That you all have separated. Is that true? [“That's right.”]

Well, come here. Now, Master of life, while You're standing so close and so present to do Your great miracle work, I bless this woman who stands here. For every need that she has need of, may it be met, this night. I pronounce this blessing under the anointing of Your Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, that our sister will receive what she has asked for. Amen. God bless you, sister. God be with you and bless you, and help you, and give you everything that you've asked for, in need of.

Now, let the audience be as reverent as possible. For I say to you in Jesus Christ's name, that you're under the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Lady, with a little, red jacket, sitting there, you're praying to get rid of a sinus trouble that you've been having. You were praying then that God would do it, is that right? Yes, sir. That's right. It left you then, see. Now, may your faith always be that way. And may you never be bothered again through Jesus Christ's name. May God grant your healing.

Oh, if this audience only knew. I wish I could explain this, my Christian friend. I can't. When I spoke that, there was another little lady set to praying. Sitting there with a little white hat on with sinus trouble, also. You believe the Lord Jesus? Do you believe that He makes you well of sinus? You accept it? With your white gloves on there, little lady looking to me? Yes. You believe that He heals you now? All right, say, “Praise the Lord for healing me now.” Go home and be well. God bless you.

Oh, if you can only.... See, you just have to have faith. Now, this man sitting here with the trumpet in his ear. He struck God just then. Now, just be in prayer. It moved over him, then moved away. Have faith in God. And may God make you well.

How do you do, lady? Do you believe with all your heart? Well, that cancer you've been fearing about, see, been nervous and upset, afraid of that cancer, it's gone from you now. You can go home, be made well. God bless you and be made well. In Jesus Christ's name.

You ought to know now, that the Lord Jesus Christ.... I have told the truth. I've told you the truth.

See the man praying? His words has come to the Heavenly Father, that God would heal him. He's sitting with his hands folded; he's in prayer. He's touching the Holy Spirit. Sir? You have high blood pressure, don't you? Isn't that right? It just dropped from you just then. Stand up to your feet. He heard your prayer. God bless you. Go home believing, now, and you shall have what you've asked for.

All right, come. How do you do, sir? Do you believe me to be His servant? You do. Well, I'm a stranger to you but God knows us both. We've got to stand in His presence. Isn't that right?

Oh, my loving Christian friends, the Lord Jesus wants.... I wish I could have this type of faith in every meeting I go into. We just wished it could be.... God's going to surely bless Chicago in another revival some of these days. Surely, surely, He will. With all this faith moving up, oh, I just can't hardly see. It's just coming from everywhere, of the people.

Now.... [Brother Branham asks, “Is this the patient?”] Excuse me, sir, there's a lady sitting here and she was.... Do you believe me to be His servant? Then if I have told truth, then God knows all about you. Is that right? You've just received a blessing of healing. It was some sort of a kidney trouble. Isn't that right? But what you're wanting now, you believe me, and you feel you have a call to the ministry. Isn't that right? And you come up here, you want me to lay hands on you, for a blessing. Isn't that.... Come here.

Father God, may our brother receive just what he has asked for. And may he be Your servant and used in Your service. Kind, Heavenly Father, we pray this blessing in Jesus Christ's name. Amen.

God bless you, my boy. May you win souls to Him in the kingdom of God.

You believe, sir? With all your heart? That's very fine. I like to hear you say that. God be with you, young man. You have heart trouble, don't you? You have sinus trouble too, don't you? I see. And here's something, too. On your left leg, there's a growth on the thigh. Is that right? [“Yes.”] Is that true? Do you believe you're in His presence? Not the presence of your brother, but of your Maker. You believe that? Go, and may the Lord Jesus make you completely whole, my brother, and heal you for His glory.

Come. You had heart trouble, too, didn't you? You believe that God will make you well of it? You believe He'll heal you? You do? All right, stand up and accept it. The lady right there with the blue dress on. God bless you.

What did you say, “Praise the Lord” for, right behind her? You was healed of heart trouble the same time. Lay your hand over on your husband there for that internal trouble he has and Jesus will make him well

Your stomach trouble, you can go eat what you want to, brother, if you want. You believe that God will make you well? Go eat your supper then in the name of the Lord Jesus and be blessed. God bless you.

Let's say, “Thanks be to God.”

Do you believe He made you well, sitting there? With all your heart? He did. You may go on your road rejoicing and saying, “Thanks be to God.”

Come, lady. Awful nervous, aren't you? And through this nervousness has caused many things to happen to you. One of the main things that's bothering you right at the present time, is a stomach trouble—an ulcer in the stomach. But if I'd tell you that you were going to be well, would you believe it? You are. Go, and Lord Jesus make you completely whole, and bless you.

Nervous, upset; heart trouble. Mainly caused from a nervous condition, which caused when you eat; makes it worse than ever. Go, accept your healing right now and say, “Jesus Christ, I thank You for my healing.” Base your faith upon His Word, on His revelation just now, and it will never bother you no more. God bless you. Be made well.

Come, lady. Do you believe? You're praying for that baby, aren't you, lady? I seen you come here before me just then, with this lady. You want to get over the female disorder that you have? You believe that He heals you now? I bless thee, my sister, in the name of Jesus Christ. May you receive your healing. Amen. God bless you, lady. Go rejoicing now, being happy and thankful, and God will make you well.

How do you do? Do you believe with all your heart? If I didn't even say nothing to you, just laid hands on you, you know that His presence is here. Do you believe He would bless you? Because I would be doing what He said. He said, “These signs shall follow them that believe. If they lay their hands on the sick, they'll get well.” You believe that? Then if I'd lay hands on you, you would never go blind. Your eyes would start getting better right now. Is that right? Then in the name of Jesus Christ, may you receive it. Amen. Go, thanking God and being happy, rejoicing.

Do you believe with all your heart? Do you want to get over the kidney trouble, be made well? You believe it was healed while you was standing there? You were. God bless you. God bless you. May you go and receive what you have asked for, for God's glory.

How do you do, young lady? Nervous, upset; heart trouble. That's what you're so nervous: heart is what's done it. You've had it for years. Do you believe that He.... Will you surrender your life completely to Him and serve Him the rest of your days with all your heart, soul and mind, if He'll make you well? [“I will.”] Come near. Father, I bless this young woman who Satan has determined to take her life, young. I pray for her and bless her in Jesus Christ's name, that she will be made completely whole. Amen. God grant it. Amen.

How lovely you are, to wait. I believe that our Lord is here to make you well tonight. Do you believe that? Before we offer prayer for this woman, I want to pray for something right here now. I see something.

Kind, Heavenly Father, I pray that in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that You will help at this moment. And Lord may the sick people that's here in this audience right now, know that You are the Son of God. That You are standing here and Your presence is near now, and You can make everyone of them well. And, dear God, there may be two or three hundred in here, that's to be healed tonight. And I ask Thee, kind Father, if You will move back every shadow of doubt. Move back all the spirits of opposition so that the Holy Spirit can take the heart of the person tonight and let them see the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Grant it, Lord, through His name, I ask it. Amen.

I've often wondered for something to happen once more, that happened here at Vandalia, Illinois. Certainly. God knows every one of you, every person in here. He knows everything about you. Isn't that right? Now, I don't want you to think that this is like a show. It isn't ... it isn't a show. It's the Holy Spirit preaching the Gospel, confirming the Word that has been preached before, see. The Word that was preached before, the Holy Spirit is here confirming that to be the truth.

Now, what could I do? What can I say? I say this, my friends, to every one of you, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that every person in here was healed when Jesus died at Calvary. It's your possession. I asked you to raise your hands, who was Christians. Your hands went up everywhere. You have a legal right to everything that Jesus died for. He died His death there at the cross, and gave His life that you might have the legal right to every redemptive blessing He died for. It's yours. You're just afraid to possess it. You're afraid to claim it.

Look. When God told Moses, “Go take the land; it's yours. But it's all fenced in with Philistines.” But said, “Everywhere you set the soles of your feet (He said to Joshua) is your possession.” Now, why don't you do that tonight?

If one person in this building.... One supernatural thing could take place, it would confirm and would prove that the Word of God that I have spoken is the truth. Now.... And if I have told the truth in the preaching of the Word, surely God wouldn't let a man that was a deceiver of the Word go forth and do the same signs that the Lord Jesus did. If he didn't, with all of his soul and heart, give credit to Almighty God and say it's the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and tell the truth, God would have nothing to do with it. Is that right?

Then when I have told you this and God has said it's the truth, I say that every person in here.... If there is sin in your life now, get rid of it, now. But accept Jesus tonight as your personal property, as Jesus Christ (your personal property), to heal you right now and there will not be one feeble person leave this building. That's right. Every one of you will go home with a faith sticking here, no matter what you feel like. You'll go home well because God has said so. It's yours. “Faith cometh by hearing, hearing of the Word.” It's yours right now, to every one of you.

How much more, friends, could God do? did He ever do? Did God ever do any more than He's doing right here? First, He sent His Word, His Son, manifested; sent Him back, took His Spirit, tore it loose from His soul, took His body up into.... set on His right hand, and sent His Spirit back here. The same Spirit was on Him doing the same works, seeing the visions, confirming the Word, following the Father's orders. Just exactly. He said, “A little while and the world will see Me no more. Yet, you will see Me for I will be with you, even in you, to the end of the world.” How much more could a loving, kind Father do?

Now, bring the patient. How do you do, lady? I suppose we're strangers to each other. Not knowing one another, but Jesus Christ knows us both. Is that right? And if we being, you and I, the strangers to each other, but standing in His presence, He's here. If I could heal you, I would certainly do it. But I can't. But your life, you couldn't hide now. That's right. You couldn't hide it. Not because it's me, but because it's Him. And His promise, He told me that I could ... I'd do this. So, if He would reveal it to me, then.... Just like if one of them men there was standing here and God would reveal it to them, they could tell you just exactly, see. But He has to do the revealing, see. That's exactly right.

I'm not reading your mind. I'm only talking to you, as a Christian to a Christian. But you are a Christian woman with the baptism of the Spirit. And your trouble is in your bloodstream. It's diabetes. Isn't that right? You have a asthmatic condition, too. Kind of a coughing like, I see you. You're weak and run down, nervous, upset; 'course, that would do it.

Now, Jesus Christ is here to heal you. Do you believe that? [Sister says, “I do.”] With all your heart? You now accept it? Let's us go to Calvary, right now, by faith. Let's you and I climb this hill here, to Golgotha. And there, Emmanuel's blood pouring from Calvary, just as fresh in the presence of the Father, as the hour it was done. And I bring you as my sister to Him. And say, “Lord Jesus, this my sister here, being eat up with this condition. I pray Thee, Heavenly Father, that Your Spirit will come upon her now, and she will be made completely whole. May the Holy Ghost just come in great power and move on her.”

And all these others that's pulling out there, diabetics out there, feeling them scream and cry for mercy. Lord, please right now heal every one of them. May the power of Jesus Christ move into this audience and heal every diabetic here. Grant it, Lord. I condemn this disease. Right now, in the face of Calvary, that God Almighty will heal every one of them in the name of Jesus Christ, His Son. Amen.

God bless you. Go happy, rejoicing. God be with you.

Is that the end of the prayer line? All right. Now, I tell you what let us do. Let us lay our hands on one another now, for this prayer, somebody. Now, just be as reverent as you can. Now, as we are praying, every one with one accord.... Now, I want you to repeat this prayer after me. I will repeat it ... I will say it, and you pray it from your heart.

Dear Lord Jesus [Congregation repeats after Brother Branham], I now believe with all my heart that You are the Son of God, raised from the dead and living among us tonight. And I accept Your sacrifice that You gave for me at Calvary. For there You were wounded for my transgressions, and by Your stripes I am healed. O, God, grant that now.

I pray, Father, that while they have made this confession, saying, “By Your stripes, they are now healed.” I pray, God, that You will make every one of them whole. May the Holy Spirit so dominate in here now, that every shadow of darkness be drove back. And hear my prayer, Lord. And hear Your servants, Lord, as they are praying everywhere. And just a shadow of darkness hanging around here, trying to make the people disbelieve.

But now, You are more than a conqueror. And I come in Your name believing that You have ordained that this service should be here tonight. Believing that we stand here in Your stead. And I condemn unbelief and scatter it from this building in the name of Jesus Christ. That Almighty God can pierce His Spirit into every heart here and all be healed at this one time. Almighty God, You do this blessing for Your servant, I pray, in Jesus Christ's name.

And everybody that believes that you're healed, stand to your feet and give God praise and you shall have just exactly what you've asked for. In the name of Jesus Christ. All right, Brother Boze.