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 Second Coming
55-0220A §8
And our meetings are not big ... great big where we have to have thousands a night. I don't have any radio broadcasts, television, any of these things, printing papers and so forth, so it don't take very much. And I can minister to the people, as many as I can, in the little meetings. And that's the way I'd just rather keep it like that. And so I can visit the people and do the best that I can to help. Knowing this, that each day I'm getting older. And someday I've got to stand in His presence to give an account fo...
Leading of the Spirit of God
55-0807E §6
But, in them days, the people had got away. As soon as education comes in, the phenomenon leaves the Church. Christ leaves. He can't stand it. They get so smart they know more than He does. So, the Scripture is not given by education; it's given by revelation; not education. Revelation. So, as soon as education takes your pulpit... Many of you people in selecting your ministers to come to your pulpit, you select the young fellow who's just out of school, who's smart and witty, a social mixer. God don't want a mixer...
Doors in door
65-0206 §98
Look at your nice wife, brother, and think how many men that's worth millions of dollars, and loves a woman with all of his heart; she is a barfly. He would give his cold million to have that woman love him the way your wife loves you. And you, wife, how many women, how many mothers here this morning, with their little children, how many fathers? Why, my, there is many a man looking at a crib---a little, old, drawed-up, poor little thing, crippled; and look at what fine, little children you got. And many a little,...
The testimony of a true witness
61-1105 §2
Many times that I have run against those problems of being so many calls that I could not make them, and I've turned my calls to other ministers to help me to get by. And then realizing that it causes a little disappointment, for perhaps maybe they've called this other minister too, but they had called for me to come. And it just makes me feel like that I wish I had super strength of some sort, to make every one of them. For I know when I sent for different ones to come, how that every one come right on time; and w...
Balm in Gilead
61-0218 §81
Now, how many Pentecostals are here? Let's see your hands. All right. Now don't the Bible say... ? Paul said, the great Paul said, "If there be ... if all of you speak with tongues, and the unlearned come in, and you all speak with tongues they'll say you're mad. But if one be a prophet, and will reveal the secret of the heart, then they'll fall down and say, "Truly God's with you." Is that right? Just advancing Pentecost---coming on, see. Don't get out in the trend of the world; stay Pentecost. All you Methodists...