Branhamism does not recognize the Shepherd of Hermas as part of the biblical canon. While this text has historical value as a witness to early Christian thought and practice, it lacks apostolic authorship and carries no authoritative weight in Branhamist theology. The movement's commitment to recovering apostolic faith through the 66 canonical books means that later, non-apostolic texts are excluded from doctrinal authority.

Branham's vision was to restore the church to the faith of the apostles as witnessed in the New Testament and apostolic traditions, not to incorporate later patristic or subapostolic literature into the scriptural foundation. The Shepherd of Hermas, while edifying, is viewed as a product of the second century and later Christian reflection, not as an authoritative voice for establishing doctrine or practice. Its exclusion reflects Branhamism's sharp distinction between apostolic Scripture and post-apostolic tradition.