Father Divine

International Peace Mission Movement

You Should Take The Scripture Literally and Believe Every Word It Says until You get the Inspiration to Give You The Real Interpretation

Father Divine’s message given at 1887-1889 Madison Avenue New York City on Monday afternoon June 3, 1940 at 3:15 p.m.

For centuries man has lived, bound by theories and doctrines and misconceptions, allowing his own mortal mind to lead him erroneously in the ignorance of misunderstanding, trying to live in the spiritual realm without even applying common sense and allowing his finite mind to tell him that the teaching of Jesus was not meant to be taken literally but figuratively and could be practiced at some future date in some mythological heaven; but not so. The time has come when we must live this life, “The wages of sin is not only sickness, but the wages of sin is death.”

When sickness and affliction come upon different individuals there are those who are prone to criticize and condemn FATHER DIVINE, not realizing they are condemning the Hope of their own Salvation. “If FATHER DIVINE is GOD, why does HE heal some and some HE does not heal?” This question along with many others that the intelligent ignorant ask in an effort to embarrass and bind others by their mortal versions, is forever answered by GOD HIMSELF in this glorious Message which followed the testimonies of two sisters who for some time had desired healings. In HIS Infinite Love, FATHER, GOD ALMIGHTY, opened the way for them and all who might be in the same condition to be lifted and freed forever.
BLESSED ALMIGHTY GOD,

WE THANK YOU!

(The foregoing statements are those of the transcriber, after which FATHER Speaks as follows:)

PEACE, EVERYONE: Good Health, Good Will, and a Good Appetite; Good Manners, Good Behavior and All Understanding; Life, Liberty and the reality of Happiness; these and all other Blessings I have actually established.

At this particular instance I would just like to say for the benefit of those who may be interested and for others who may hereafter be concerned, it is a privilege to realize common mother wit, common human sense as it may be termed, will teach you wisdom, knowledge and understanding whereby you may give ME in consideration, MY real emancipation. Unless you can free ME you cannot free yourself.

It is essential for you, every one of you, to have at least a little understanding. It is good to have at least a little human understanding. Human understanding will free you in consciousness concerning yourself and concerning others, but it is especially essential for you to free ME in consciousness and in consideration whereby you may have an outlet whensoever one tends to bind you.

It is well worth considering to know when and wheresoever one may lead you mentally and spiritually and try to shame you, in other words, try to handicap you or bind you under some version of condemnation, if you have understanding you can give ME as well as yourself MY real emancipation. Free ME from the versions of men, from their thoughts, ideas and opinions, especially when they try to condemn.

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If I was a college professor

My dear Mr. Byrne:

I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the eighteenth which was awaiting Me when I visited the Krum Elbow estate a few days ago. It is the Work of My Mission to institute or awaken in the masses, the precepts of the true Spiritual virtues of Life for the betterment of all men. Therefore, it is expedient that I enter into all fields and all places of man’s existence. I need not do this Personally, for it is only that great Impersonal “I”, the same that spoke to and through Moses declaring , “I am that I am,” that can do this Work.

However, if I, as the Personification or Personal Bodily Form of “THAT I AM” in the recognition of millions, should condescend from the Impersonal standard of My expression as The Dean of the Universe, to teach the children of men from a Personal point of view, I could justifiably do so.

If I were a College Professor I should lay the foundation for a real education according to the Plan and Purpose of the Almighty. Real education consists of more than merely teaching men the subjects taught in a school curriculum. It comes after the learning of these subjects and consists of putting into practice in daily life the actual virtues of right thinking, right speaking and right living.

If I were a College Professor I should eliminate all reference to races, creeds and colors from My classes, and all consideration of the same: thus nipping in the bud, wars and race riots, vices and crimes, segregation and discrimination, incipient in our educational system of today, which if allowed to develop would be later manifested in business and industry, in church and in politics, and in all society. I would eliminate the very segregated terms referring to races, creeds and colors found in our books of learning, and I would teach men that “of one Blood GOD formed all nations.

Then it would be unnecessary for Me to talk to college graduates and those of other institutions of learning as I do today. Only yesterday, before an audience of ten thousand of My Followers, which included also a large group of visiting ministers, theological students and teachers, it was necessary for Me to speak on this subject and I conveyed to them the following:

You have been taught in your schools, but a good many of you have been fooled. You thought many things you were taught in school were just and right and true, even your cursed vulgar names by which a good many of you have been called. In most instances any word that is used to bring a line of demarcation between what they would consider as two races, it is for purpose of exaltation or for the purpose of honoring humanity on the one side or for the purpose of lowration on the other. If such names were not used for a selfish purpose it would not be so detrimental.

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Refuse to be a Pessimist … Believe In Optimism and Visualize Perfection for the Future

Father Divine’s message given at the banquet table at 20 West 115th St. New York, NY on Monday January 15, 1934 at 1:22 p.m.

The following song was sung by FATHER just before HE spoke:

“Faith is the Victory that overcomes,

That overcomes that overcomes,

Faith is the Victory that overcomes,

That overcomes the world.

You in ME and I in you,

I in you, I in you,

You in ME and I in you,

That overcomes the world.

Faith is the Victory that overcomes,

That overcomes, that overcomes,

Faith is the Victory that overcomes,

That overcomes the world.

It teaches and tells you what to do,

What to do, what to do,

It teaches and tells you what to do,

That overcomes the world.

There are no more doubts and no more fears,

No more fears, no more fears,

There are no more doubts and no more fears,

That overcomes the world.”

Good Health and Good Appetite, Good Will to one and all; the Peace and Love of GOD be multiplied, for this is the purpose for which I came.

That little song I brought forth for consideration:  “Faith is the victory that overcomes, or this is the victory that overcomes the world, even your faith.”  GOD it is Who condescendingly came in the name of faith for the children of men.  Had HE come in the name of GOD, they would not have accepted of HIM.  That is why your testimonies — to those of MY followers I AM speaking — are barring thousands of people from the Kingdom of GOD, and prohibiting them from entering into this Rest and into this LOVE.  For the Name of GOD has become to be a stumbling block, instead of a stepping stone to them, or those who stumble at the Word.  For this cause you are barring many a person from the Kingdom of GOD, who will not accept of the message by faith and not by sight.  Then I say, “Faith is the victory that overcomes, yea, this is the victory that overcometh the world, even your faith.”

Remember, faith is not seen, or is not seeing.  “Faith is the substance of the thing to hope for, it is the evidence of things not seen.”  Then you are asking for Faith.  “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of GOD.”  Believe the message that you have heard, and through your belief you will receive faith, and through your faith you will become the Sons of GOD, and through your becoming to be the Sons of GOD you will KNOW GOD, and not before.  It is indeed Wonderful!

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Condescension of God

As revealed by Father Divine to Dr. Levi Petrus of Sweden.

Copyright 1957 by St. John Evangelist and James Hope. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publishers. This book is not for sale. Printed in The United States of America.

Foreword

For more than fifty years they have been coming from all parts of the Earth to see Him, to hear Him, and learn of His Ways: priests, ministers, rabbis, swamis, monks, sheiks, metaphysicians, philosophers, educators, scholars, writers—even agnostics and atheists!

And because He is so deeply dedicated to His Work, FATHER DIVINE takes time to see everyone who desires an audience; and even sacrifices the hours and days He might spend at recreation and relaxation to answer, Personally, the thousands of letters He receives weekly from His millions of Followers, Friends, and Well-wishers.

One of the most interesting and enlightening interviews ever granted by FATHER DIVINE – especially from a layman’s viewpoint- was that given to Dr. Lewi Pethrus, Pastor of Filadelfia Church in Stockholm, Sweden’s largest; and Editor of a daily newspaper in the same city, the “Stockholm-Tidningen.” This interview too place in one of FATHER DIVINE’S Manhattan offices during the Winter of 1936-37.

At the time, America was battling a major depression. In Europe, Adolph Hitler was sowing the seeds for a World War. In New York City, FATHER DIVINE was healing the sick, injecting Hope to the downtrodden, imparting Wisdom to the ignorant, and feeding thousands of unemployed daily—without cost or obligation!

Dr. Pethrus was accompanied by another minister who did not take part in the fascinating discussion that is hereinafter recorded verbatim.

The condescension of God

Dr. Pethrus: “We are very glad to have an opportunity to see You. I am a writer for a newspaper in Sweden, and I want some information concerning Your Work and Your Thoughts about the world. I have just been here and seen Your Work. It is quite a big Work; and how long time has it been going on, this Work down here?”

FATHER DIVINE: “To speak after the manner of men, I do not know that I could justifiably give you an answer to that. Firstly, I would like to say, We are not in Time. That is the first step to be considered. “Nextly, at this seeming time We are not contributing to newspapers. We are not giving any special information saving as men, or those who are representatives of the different periodicals, if they wish to cover our Movement, our Demonstrations, and our Public meetings and such as that, they are welcome to get whatsoever they can. Of course, I have had quite a number of inter views recently, up until several months ago when we refrained from giving interviews for the purpose of publication. Of course, I do not mind talking with a person. I considered you were a Minister, or represented the Ministry.”

Dr. Pethrus: “Yes, I am a Pastor you see, also, over a Church in Sweden, the largest Church, with a membership of more than five thousand members. It is just as a Christian Pastor and a spiritual man I want to know the Movement you see; and the people are interested. But if You do not want me to write in that paper about it, I would promise You not to do that—in this daily paper.”

FATHER: (Noting that Dr. Pethrus had observed the morning mail piled high on His desk.) “I have quite a little correspondence from Sweden, Germany, and all over.”

Dr. Pethrus: (Looking at one letter with a foreign stamp.) “This is from Finland.”

FATHER: “Yes, these are just a few letters that just came in.”

Dr. Pethrus: (Looking at other letters.) “These are from Sweden – Stockholm. Yes, that is interesting.”

FATHER: “This is just a few of the morning’s mail just arrived.”

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It Is a Blessing to Believe, but It Is Life Eternal to Know God Aright

Father Divine’s sermon given at the holy communion table at Circle Mission Church, 764-772 Broad street, Philadelphia on May 2, 1950 at 6:05 p.m.

(Song)
I know you are God, I know you are God,
I Know, I know you are God!
Down in this heart. I know you are God,
I know, I know you are God!
you healed this body, and changed this mind,

That’s why I know you are God!
Down in this heart, I know you are God.
I know, I know you are God!

Father speaks as follows:

Peace, everyone! Good health, good will and a good appetite! Good manners, good behavior, all success and all prosperity! Life, liberty and the reality of happiness! All wisdom, all knowledge and all understanding, and the knowledge that gives life eternal, for “It is eternal Life,” Christ declared, to know thee, said he “the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent.”

It is a privilege to realize God is in the midst of you and you know, you know you have declared and millions of others the universe over, I heard them say and I heard you sing,

“I know you are God!”

“It is Eternal Life to know Thee,” said he, “The only true God and Jesus Christ Whom Thou has sent.”

It is a privilege to line in such a recognition, and under such a conviction you will have Peace and Rest with blessed assurance and you can say as you have sung, I know you are God! It is a blessing to believe, but it us life eternal to know God aright! Aren’t you glad! You first hear and then believe, and after you believe and learn of Him and find out Who He is, why then, you Know Him as He is! And to know God aright is life eternal!

To believe externally, in other words, mentally, it is a blessing to believe, but it is life eternal to know, but just to believe theoretically and intellectually and even scientifically, it is not sufficient! When you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth, just like you get something you have committed to memory and have reiterated it by heart! “I know this or that by heart and not just by the head!” It is a part of you and you are a part of it as you live it and express it when it is in the heart! By believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth, thou shalt be saved! If you just believe in your head and not in your heart, you may not be saved, but keep on believing, believing and believing until you can get it in the heart, believing sincerely and then learn of Me, as I said:

Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light and thou shalt find rest for thy soul.

To learn of Me is to learn of Me internally, mentally and spiritually. To lean of Me effectively is to believe sincerely, spiritually and mentally until you get it in the heart and when the belief is sustained in the heart and you are unshaken in confidence, he that believeth in his heart and confesseth with his mouth, he shall be saved! [Read more…]

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