How Is It Possible That Many Big Ministers Leading Millions Are Not Truly Born Again?
1) Direct answer
Yes. The Bible said it would be that way. Men can be anointed, do miracles, lead multitudes, and still not be born again. Gifts can operate without a changed nature, but the new birth is God’s life in the soul, loving and obeying the Word.
2) Scriptural explanation
- Jesus warned of the broad way with many on it, and the narrow way with few who find it (Matthew 7:13–14).
- He said many will say, “Lord, Lord… we prophesied, cast out devils, did many wonderful works,” and He will answer, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:21–23). That proves gifts are not the evidence of the new birth.
- False prophets can show great signs and wonders, insomuch that if it were possible they would deceive the very elect (Matthew 24:24).
- Satan transforms himself as an angel of light; his ministers as ministers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:13–15).
- The gifts and calling of God are without repentance (Romans 11:29). You see, a man can be gifted and yet never have his soul changed.
- Hebrews 6:4–6 shows people can taste the heavenly gift and be made partakers of the Holy Ghost’s operations, yet fall away—tasting is not the sealing of the new birth.
- Balaam prophesied accurately and still was false (Numbers 22–24; 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11). Judas healed the sick and cast out devils, yet was called a devil (Matthew 10:1,8; John 6:70). Caiaphas prophesied and remained unbelieving (John 11:49–52). Signs do not equal sonship.
- Deuteronomy 13:1–3 says God even allows true signs to test whether we love Him and His Word.
- Those who receive not the love of the truth are given over to strong delusion, with all power, signs, and lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9–12).
- The true evidence is the Word-life and fruit: “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:15–20). The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–24). Being born again by the incorruptible Seed, the Word (1 Peter 1:23; James 1:18), a new creation that cannot continue in sin (1 John 3:9). He that is of God hears God’s Word (John 8:47; 1 John 4:6).
3) Simple clarifying logic
- Now notice: rain falls on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). The same anointing can move on a man’s spirit to preach, heal, or prophesy, while his soul remains unchanged. That’s why wheat and tares can grow together and look alike until harvest (Matthew 13:24–30).
- If miracles proved the new birth, why did Jesus reject miracle workers in Matthew 7? If crowds proved truth, why did Jesus say “few” find it? The test is not gifts, numbers, or fame—it is the Word believed, obeyed, and lived by the Spirit.
- The new birth is Christ, the Word, taking the throne of the heart by the Holy Ghost (John 3:3–6). Anything that denies, twists, or dodges the plain Word shows another spirit at work, no matter how big the platform.
- Therefore a man can be a “big minister,” and still be unconverted: gifted without repentance, active without obedience, anointed on the outside but not sealed on the inside.
4) Reinforcing statement
Stay with the Word, love the truth, and seek the new birth personally—repent, be baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38). The Elect cannot be deceived because they hear His Voice in His Word and bear His fruit.
Ask a Follow-up Question
What did the Laodicean Church Age (our age) Angel (- messenger) Say about this?
Ranked passages from the local William Branham sermon and Church Age Book database. Relevance is relative, not a statement of doctrinal certainty.
The uncertain sound
55-0731 §41
Samson, he was a man possessed with it. Now, a lot of people try to make Samson a great big shoulders and a great big man that'd go out, and pick up the gates of the city, and walk away. That's no... That's not no great mystery to me to see a man do that, with shoulders that big. Samson was not a big man. All the Scripture declares him to be a little shrimp, little bitty fellow. And he was blessed. Why? He was born that way. That's the way you get blessed, is when you are born that way; not when some priest bless y...
Why are people so tossed about?
56-0101 §37
In the great meetings of the vast fields of the campaigns, I noticed many people coming to me and saying, "Oh, I have all faith, Brother Branham." And intellectually, they are right, here; but in their heart, it isn't there. If it was, they wouldn't be on the platform to be prayed for help of faith if they had faith. Now, we'll have to go back and get a type to bring this picture out to you this morning (as children), and I want you to notice closely. I believe in typing, especially to people; it's easier for them...
Beginning and Ending of the Gentile Dispensation
55-0109E §54
Now, listen just a moment. How many Methodists is here? Raise up your hands. Methodists? How many Baptists is here? Raise up your hands. How many Presbyterians is here? Raise up your hands. How many Nazarenes? Raise up your hands. How many Pentecostals? Raise up your hands. How many Lutherans? Raise up your hands. Well, we're all here. Look, a great big group mixed up, all sitting in one place, in heavenly places, rejoicing in the blessing. Now, I want the Methodists to shake hands with the Baptists, the Baptist wi...
Hear ye Him
56-0930 §25
There's another picture looks at that. It was a placing of a son of the Old Testament. In the Old Testament when a child was born, a boy... In the Old Testament when a child was born into a home, it was given tutorship by a tutor, which is a very beautiful picture of the son today, that's born into the Father's house. Now, we read in Saint John 14 said, "In my Father's house is many mansions." To we western people that doesn't sound right. You have to go to the East to know what that means. The house was His kingdo...
Having conferences
60-0608 §42
I've seen so many of them at meetings. You talk about the baptism of the Holy Ghost, they get up and go home, like a mule. That's exactly right. They don't know who their father was. Just stand there and look, and "Haw, haw, the days of miracles is past. Haw, there's no such a thing as that. Haw, haw." Now, a horse ain't like that. He's gentle and sweet, come up and put his neck over your shoulder, and nicker. He's gentle. But not an ignorant old mule. He don't know who his papa was, who his mama was. He can't cros...