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Repent, and be baptized all of you in
the Name of Jesus
~
Acts 2:38
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1964 - Incredibly enough in light of the many
signs and wonders that accompanied the ministry,
many were not even aware that a prophet was in
the land. Certainly, it was not of any
importance to John Jacob Stemen. Married two
years to his sweetheart, Diana, and living
happily in the house they’d built together (she
helped without knowing he intended to ask her
hand), he was proud father to six-month old
Susan and a satisfied member of the Mennonite
church. But then, his mother-in-law (also a
Mennonite) went to work for Gladys Dauch.
Sis. Edna Golden’s life was eternally
changed when she came into contact with the
Message God has sent through His prophet,
William Branham. But, she walked circumspectly,
allowing Jesus Christ to manifest His life
through hers until her daughter finally asked
why she had been re-baptized. Upon hearing the
simple truth of baptism in the Name of Jesus
Christ according to Acts 2:38 and in perfect
harmony with Matthew 28:19, Diana Stemen felt
the key turn in her heart. She was baptized as
soon as possible and filled with the Spirit of
the living God. And, the battle that has raged
since before time began established front lines
in the midst of a humble home in Elida, Ohio.
Sis. Diana sought every opportunity to
sit under the unveiled Word in spite of
continuous opposition from John Stemen, his
family and the Mennonite community. At one point
her husband forced her to leave their daughter
with him and move out for a heart-wrenching
period of time. In desperation he sold the home
they’d built and moved the family to California,
hoping to break his wife free from doctrine so
contrary to accepted teaching. Then, William
Branham passed from this life. Assuming the
“cult” would surely fade out and his wife now
come to her senses, he returned to Elida with
his family.
In total, ten years passed during which
Diana Stemen stood on and for the truth. She
endured having precious books of transcribed
services thrown into the river, walked through
snowstorms to attend meetings and withstood
almost continual persecution for her baptism,
refusing to wear a false covering; in short -
for believing all the Word. At one point, her
husband again relocated the growing family
(1967-1969), this time to Sarasota, Florida,
where he blasted out against William Branham and
“his followers” to everyone who would listen.
Meanwhile, a faithful mother huddled
with her children at every opportunity, teaching
them Bible truths and sharing the Message that
had become her lifeline. In 1974, when they were
living in Elida again, Sis. Diana’s brother
caught the revelation. Prompted by the Holy
Spirit and with heart pounding she stood in the
kitchen and asked her husband to go with her to
Sam Golden’s baptism. John Stemen stormed
through the rooms of the house in a circle
shouting angrily that he wanted a divorce, until
he again reached the kitchen.
Then, he turned. Forever.
“Okay, I’ll go with you.” The keys given
to Peter and faithfully spoken on the day of
Pentecost opened the door to another human
heart. In May of 1974, John Stemen was baptized
in the Name of Jesus Christ and received the
gift of the Holy Spirit according to God’s
promise. |
