<TITLE>20. Par 131-142</TITLE>L-131   A deacon takes care of the house of God. Someone come in, speak to them; be there to greet them, shake their hand. That's, you're the policeman, "Could we show you the cloak room?" or "Would you be seated?" "Could we hand you a songbook or something?" or "Now we would like for you to enjoy yourself here, and--and pray, and--and we're happy you're here with us tonight." Lead them right down to a place, and say, "Would you like to be closer or would you like to be back here?" or wherever more. That's hospitality.

L-132 A policeman (or the deacon) is a military police to the army, courtesy, but yet with authority. See? You know what a military police is, is actually, if he carries out his rights, I think he's just like a chaplain. You see? It's courtesy and everything, but yet he has an authority. See, you must mind him. See, he puts... These rookies get out there and get drunk, why, he puts them in their place. And so is the deacon to put them in their place.

L-133 Now, remember, the deacon is a policeman, and a deacon's office is actually more strict than most any office in the church. I don't know of an office any more strict than the deacon's office. That's right, because he's got a--he's got a real job, and he's God's man. He's God's man just as much as the pastor is God's man. Certainly, he is. He is God's servant.

L-134   Now the trustees, only thing, they're under duty by God to watch that finances and take care of that, the things that goes on like that. I told you about them tapes, and--and about other things here that goes on, about the building and repairs, and taking up the finances and things, that's--that's what they're trustee of: the property, finances and things. The deacons has nothing to do in that. And neither does the--the trustee have anything to do with the deacons' office.

L-135 Now, if the deacons wants to ask the trustee's help on anything, or--or the trustees the deacon's, and you're all working together... But that's your duties, is singling out. See? All right.

L-136   Now, no, don't ask Brother Neville. If Brother Neville asks you to do something, then that's--that's your pastor, with courtesy and love and everything... If he'd say, "Brother Collins, Brother Hickerson, Brother Tony, or somebody, would you see what's wrong back there in the corner?" At the post of duty like that, you know, as a real man of God.

L-137 Remember, you are not working for Branham Tabernacle, neither are you working for Brother Neville or me, you're working for Jesus Christ. See? You... That's who you do it... And He--He's respecting your loyalty just the same as He is to that pastor or to anybody else, He's expecting your loyalty! And we want to show our loyalty.

L-138   Now, sometimes it gets hard. It's hard for me to see a minister setting there I love with all my heart, just have to really tell him; see, but in a way of love, I've got a hand out to help him. But, see, and they come to me and say, "Brother Branham, you're just a wonderful person, why can't you just compromise a little on that baptism, and on this, that, and the other, that security, and the serpent's seed?"

L-139 I say, "Brother, I love you, but now let's just take... let's take the Scripture and see who's right or wrong." See, I've got to be able to...

L-140 "Oh, now, Brother Branham, I tell you, you're all wrong." See, goes flying up.

L-141 "Oh," I say, "well, perhaps I am. Then, if I am, surely you'd tell me, you're... You know where I'm wrong at, then you show me where I'm wrong." And I'm willing to take, see.

L-142 Same thing, "Hey, you ain't got no business telling that child to set down." Now, the deacon is the--is the custodian at the house of God. See? Now if you... He takes care of the house of God and keeps it in order. Now, that's what the Scripture says, and if you got anything else that a deacon should do, you come tell me. See, there's the same thing, but that--that's your duty to do that, yeah, just back up.


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