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How Is It Possible That Many Big Ministers Leading Millions Are Not Truly Born Again?

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Answered by True Bible Teachings AI on 8/1/2026

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.

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.

SermonRelevance 33Broader match

The Rejected King

Sunday morning, the 15th of May 1960 at the Branham Tabernacle in Jeffersonville, Indiana, U.S.A.

60-0515M §28

Then we find that this son of Kish---great man, and his stature, and his... He seemed to suit the people, that his robe upon him would look great and the crown on his head---way and above all the other people as he walked---would be a real asset to the kingdom of Israel, for the other kings of the other nations would think, "Look what a man!" How they could point their finger and say, "Look here, what a great king we've got! Look what a great man that's over us!" And sad to say, but how true it is today with the ch...

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SermonRelevance 32

He cares. Do you care?

Sunday, the 21st of July 1963

63-0721 §30

So they try to draw comfort from some other resource. Let's speak first of the soul. We find out that many people try to find comfort by drinking. You know, we have a saying which is pretty well known among us today, that many ministers drink sometime before going to the pulpit, take a good heavy drink of intoxication. It's been known to seeing ministers on the platform, that even staggered under the influence of liquor. And that ought not be. It should not be. Is because many times we might condemn the man when ma...

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SermonRelevance 31

Influence

Thursday, the 14th of November 1963

63-1114 §21

And Uzziah held this standard. He was a great influence, as I've said, to Isaiah the prophet. And then Uzziah made that fatal mistake, just like many other people does. When he got, felt secured, felt that he just had the whole thing in his hand, he got lifted up in his spirit. He got lifted up, to pride. Now there is a real example for us all. You know, that's been the trouble. I'm speaking to Christians and ministers, and I want to be honest about these things. And just that's where many ministers even make a mis...

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SermonRelevance 31

Will I find faith when I return?

Tuesday, the 8th of May 1951

51-0508 §37

Blessed be the Lord. Now, this Holy Spirit has spoken; it's time for the prayer line. These ministers are standing here, which is the ministers night. I'm so thankful to hear that message confirm just what I was saying going back. I'm going to read what... How many knows these ministers here on the platform? Let's see your hands, you know these ministers? How many in here know these men setting here, that they're ministers of the Christ of God? Not too many of you. Well, they're God's children. This is the night th...

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SermonRelevance 31

Ye must be born again

Thursday morning, the 19th of June 1958 in Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.A.

58-0619B §52

No matter how real it looks, brother, it has got to have that touch of God there, eternal life. And the one that God growed in the field, and made Himself, raises again. The one that man made, no matter ... so our man-made organizations, man-made religion is still fig leaves from the garden of Eden. It'll never work until man is born again by the Spirit of God and have eternal life in him. Minister friends, I'm taking too much of your time, but I want to say this before leaving, leave this with you. As your brother...

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