History of the Soul Winners New Testament

Evangelist Clifton W. Brannon, Sr., served the Lord as an evangelist for more than sixty years. He completed his law degree and practiced as a successful attorney for several major corporations, including Sinclair Refining Company and R. G. LeTourneau, Inc.; serving as General Counsel for both companies. He also tried several precedent-setting cases before the Supreme Court of the United States and was a major player in the legal profession.

Even as an attorney, Brannon was led by God to a rich and fulfilling layman's ministry. He spent his weekends proclaiming God’s word all over the United States. His employer granted him use of the company plane so he could reach his ministry destinations more quickly and easily. God worked in his life, and he soon realized he had to walk away from his lucrative law practice and submit his life to God fully as an evangelist.

Using his knowledge as an attorney, he always presented his messages with supporting scripture and stories telling of the love, forgiveness, compassion, contentment and grace that a relationship with Jesus Christ offers a lost sinner. Each message was part sermon, part closing argument. He would offer the facts and then show his listeners the proof found in the Bible. He ultimately surrendered to the full-time ministry in 1952. During his evangelistic career, he earned recognition as a Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention and served as President of Texas Baptist Men, along with many other honors bestowed upon him.

He stayed booked year-round with revivals, as his message was simple, compelling and backed by scripture. With each revival, he would send New Testaments to churches to be marked by members of the church to present the Plan of Salvation through personal witnessing. He encouraged all of the churches to “harvest” souls through a personal presentation of God’s simple plan to become a Christian. He was a firm believer in one-on-one witnessing. In 1956, a member at one of those churches suggested that he have a Bible printed using his guidelines for witnessing. The “light came on,” and Brannon began developing The Soul Winners New Testament.

It took several years, but his hard work came to fruition in 1958 when the first Soul Winners New Testaments were printed. Since that time, God has blessed this New Testament beyond belief. Millions of copies have been printed and distributed. Brannon always said it was “God’s Matchless Tool for His Marvelous Task”.

The Soul Winners New Testament is clearly laid out with step by step directions drawing clear linkages from verse to verse; guiding any Christian, regardless of experience or familiarity with the scriptures, to lead a seeker to Christ. Countless souls have been won for the Lord using this mighty tool. The Soul Winners New Testament is in the King James Version, and Brannon included a variety of helps, comments, suggestions and theories for the person doing the witnessing. It is very simple to use and totally self-explanatory.

Clift Brannon and his partner in life, Ruth, both went home to be with the Lord in 2005, after seventy years of marriage. The Soul Winners New Testament is still in print and has taken on a life of its own. We are proud to offer you the opportunity to witness for God using this marvelous tool. This is the original Soul Winners New Testament with notes and commentary by the original editor and author, Clifton W. Brannon, Sr.