the song "Only Believe"

Audio file of William Branham and the song "Only Believe"

The following quote of William Branham is taken from an audio file, which was recorded on June 27th, 1963 during the sermon "Jesus Christ, the Same, yesterday, today and forever". You can hear the quote by clicking on this link. (The wave file is about 1MB).

Isn't this a wonderful time? Say, "What are you stalling for, Brother Branham?" I'm waiting for Him. That's exactly, exactly. If It don't come, I can't do it. That's all. I'm just waiting for Him. Right. Let's sing that old hymn, "Only Believe." Give us the key there.

W.M. Branham with the Pillar
of Fire above his head

Only believe, only believe,
All things are possible, only believe;
Only believe, only believe,
All things are possible, only believe.

Now, in the Name of Jesus Christ, I take every spirit in here under my control for the glory of God. Now, set real quiet.

Now, you that seen that picture (And I'll meet you someday at the judgment seat of Christ.), It isn't two feet from where I'm standing right now. That's right. Now, if that's the same Holy Spirit... Anybody knows that the Angel of the Covenant was Jesus Christ, Who led Israel through the wilderness. And if He will come now. And I've claimed that He's that Light. I don't know just where It's at, but It's right here near me. I feel It, and I know It's here.

Now, if It'll take my life, my own thoughts, my discernments, everything away from me and produce His own, then It's Christ. Now, will all of you believe, if He'll do it? All right, now be real reverent."

In the next quotes William Branham speaks about the song "Only Believe" and how the Angel of the Lord likes this song:

"Everyone stand reverently now while we sing, "Only Believe," now. Everyone. Well, that's the song that the Angel of God likes. Now, everyone, let's get quiet, and be just as lovely. Do you love Jesus, say "Amen.""

(November 23, 1947)

"I never had heard the song before. A night or two after the Angel of the Lord appeared to me and commissioned me, I was in--walked into my church, my pianist was over there playing, "Only Believe." And I said, "Play that again." The Angel of the Lord seemed to like that."

(August 23, 1950)

"So if He's the same yesterday, today, and forever, He just moves on His servants and does the same thing. It's the same Jesus. Come just a little bit if you will, just a little louder on that now. That's right. There's something about that song that the Angel of the Lord loves."

(May 10, 1953)

History of the song "Only Believe"

Paul Rader

The song "Only Believe" was written by Paul Rader, a friend of William M. Branham.

Paul Rader, who lived from 1879 to 1938, was a well-known evangelist and pastored churches in Chicago and Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1922 he also started the first gospel broadcasting, in the early days of radio, from a little wooden building on top of the City Hall in Chicago.

The song "Only Believe" became the theme song in the ministry of William M. Branham. In his sermons William Branham refers many times to Paul Rader and from some of these sermons the following quotes are taken:

"I wonder if Paul, in glory, hears that old song being sung by the thousands and thousands, and by the different languages. How did he know that that poor little old boy setting before him there, with ragged shoes on and not even a necktie, needed a haircut, that God would let me take that song around the world. God keeps His Word."

(April 7, 1957)

"This song "Only Believe" was wrote by Paul Rader, and he was such a wonderful Christian and great messenger of his day. I was setting in the little study room, and they was singing for me to come to the platform by that, which they have around the world. And I was setting there, and know that right in that same study is where Paul got the inspiration to write the song. And here it come in, "Only Believe." And, oh, that just burned my heart."

(January 22, 1962)