The origin and controversy in the teachings of the local believers Church in Kenya

The Local Believers Church hereinafter LBC is one of the new religious movements (Neremos) in Kenya whose origin and rapid spread is not only a matter of public concern but also her string of teachings that run contra to what is conventionally held by other Christian churches. Further, LBC is believed to draw most of her influence from one American Pentecostal preacher William Marrion Branham whose movement and teachings were largely considered by most mainstream churches as a cult and heretical. It is based on this concern that this study examined the origin and controversy in the teachings of LBC in Kenya. The specific objectives were to; establish the origin and quick spread of LBC in Kenya, investigate the controversy in the teachings of LBC and to evaluate the influence Rev. Branham has on LBC. The study employed McClung’s theory of Pentecostalism which states that salvation is a free gift of divine grace and that all Christian believers are ministers to each other in matters of faith. The study employed a blend of historical-descriptive research design. The study population comprised of all the pioneer members of LBC who joined the movement in the early 70s. However, their actual number is unknown since LBC does not keep membership records. The researcher purposively identified the first 10 pioneer members and using the snowball approach to sampling, a sample of 100 respondents was identified and interviewed. Primary data was collected using participant observation, in-depth oral interviews and semi- structured interviews while secondary data was obtained through document analysis from published books, unpublished theses, websites and libraries. Thematic and content analysis was used to analyze data. The researcher summarized and edited data collected through primary and secondary sources. The data was then coded to generate themes and categories which provided a basis for content generation. The findings revealed that LBC begun in the early 70’s in Kenya coincidentally. The translations of the messages of Rev. Branham into Kiswahili and the revealed truth of the Bible as displayed by Rev. Branham played a central role in the spread of LBC in Kenya. The teachings of LBC indicate that the devil (Serpent) had sex with Eve leading to the birth of Cain. The teachings also reveal that there is only one God. Other teachings are that baptism is by immersion in much water in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and that women cannot lead or assume priestly roles in church. The study also found that Branham’s teachings significantly determine how and what is taught in LBC churches. The study will significantly be a reference on future exegesis on doctrine. The study recommends that more messages by Branham be translated further to local dialects to increase reach of his teachings; LBC’s clergy should endeavor to be more charismatic as Rev. Branham was. Further research can be done on the schismatic differences in LBC; the take of LBC members on their teachings and the impact of LBC’s teachings on contemporary issues in a rapidly changing world.