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.
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...
Questions and Answers
59-1223 §92
"I was born in the Baptist church, Methodist church, Pentecostal church, Presbyterian church; I was born in that." That don't make a bit of difference, you got to be born out of it again. That's right. If we say we've sinned not, you make Him a liar. And the Word, which is the truth... How many knows the Word's the truth? "In the beginning was the Word... and the Word was made flesh, and Word..." "Sanctify them, Father, through the truth. Thy Word is the truth." And He was the Word, see. And the Word, ... or, Chris...
Investments
63-1116B §39
And upon the same basis, that many of you businessmen here this morning, belonging to those churches. I don't say, "Leave it." No, sir. You go there and be a light, but take light with you. Notice. The same basis that that rich young ruler turned down the opportunity, the same basis is that the church turns down the opportunity today for eternal life. Because the church itself, it would mar their inheritance of their fathers, the great traditions that the fathers stood for. And then if the Holy Spirit fell in some...
A True Sign that's overlooked
61-1112 §79
"Thus saith the Lord, 'The baptism using the title of Father, Son, Holy Ghost is false.' Thus saith the Lord." I command every one of you, on here or on tape, that hasn't been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, be baptized again in the name of Jesus Christ. Paul in Acts 5:9 ... or, 19:5, said, "Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?" They said, "We know not whether there be any Holy Ghost." Said, "Then to what was you baptized?" They said, "We've been baptized." But not in Christian baptism. Father...
An Exposition Of The Seven Church Ages
CAB 8:E-98
The Final Admonition To The Age Revelation 3:13, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches." Every age ends with this same warning. It is the constant plea that the churches listen to the voice of the Lord. In this age the plea is even more insistent than in former ages, for in this age the coming of the Lord truly draweth nigh. The question would perhaps arise, "If there is another age beyond this one, why the urgency?" The answer lies herein. The last age will be a short one--a quic...