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Is Elijah Also John The Baptist by Nobody: 3:38pm On Mar 15, 2015 |
Always been bothered on why some Pastors say Elijah cane back as John The Baptist,So today during my church Sunday School program,this same questioned was asked,there wasn't really much time to sort the whole thing out,So I decided to do my own biblical research,to all those who are as bothered as me here is it for you Question: "Was John the Baptist really Elijah reincarnated?" Answer: Matthew 11:7–14 declares, “Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: ‘What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.’” Here Jesus quotes from Malachi 3:1, where the messenger appears to be a prophetic figure who is going to appear. According to Malachi 4:5, this messenger is “the prophet Elijah,” whom Jesus identifies as John the Baptist. Does this mean that John the Baptist was Elijah reincarnated? Not at all. First, the concept of reincarnation would have been foreign to the Jewish mindset, and faithful Jews would have rejected the idea of reincarnation out of hand. Besides, Elijah did not die; he was taken to heaven in a whirlwind as he rode in a chariot of fire ( 2 Kings 2:11). Arguing for a reincarnation (or a resurrection) of Elijah misses that point. If anything, the prophecy of the Elijah “to come” would have been viewed as Elijah’s physical return to earth from heaven. Second, the Bible is quite clear that John the Baptist is called “Elijah” because he came in the “spirit and power of Elijah” ( Luke 1:17), not because he was Elijah in a literal sense. John the Baptist is the New Testament forerunner who points the way to the arrival of the Lord, just as Elijah filled that role in the Old Testament (and might again in the future—see Revelation 11). Third, Elijah himself appears with Moses at Jesus’ transfiguration after John the Baptist’s death. This would not have happened if Elijah had changed his identity into that of John (Matthew 17:11–12). Fourth, Mark 6:14–16 and 8:28 show that both the people and Herod distinguished between John the Baptist and Elijah. Finally, proof that this John the Baptist was not Elijah reincarnated comes from John himself. In the first chapter of John the Apostle’s gospel, John the Baptist identifies himself as the messenger of Isaiah 40:3, not as the Elijah of Malachi 3:1. John the Baptist even goes so far as to specifically deny that he was Elijah ( John 1:19–23). John did for Jesus what Elijah was to have done for the coming of the Lord, but he was not Elijah reincarnated. Jesus identified John the Baptist as Elijah, while John the Baptist rejected that identification. How do we reconcile these two teachings? There is a key phrase in Jesus’ identification of John the Baptist that must not be overlooked. He says, “If you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah.” In other words, John the Baptist’s identification as Elijah was not predicated upon his being the actual Elijah, but upon people’s response to his role. To those who were willing to believe in Jesus, John the Baptist functioned as Elijah, for they believed in Jesus as Lord. To the religious leaders who rejected Jesus, John the Baptist did not perform this function. |
Re: Is Elijah Also John The Baptist by Nobody: 3:40pm On Mar 15, 2015 |
Is Lamispaco also Judas Iscariot? |
Re: Is Elijah Also John The Baptist by Nobody: 3:45pm On Mar 15, 2015 |
Renylee:capital NO,am just trying to help those who are as bothered as me |
Re: Is Elijah Also John The Baptist by Nobody: 3:56pm On Mar 15, 2015 |
He is not |
Re: Is Elijah Also John The Baptist by Nobody: 4:01pm On Mar 15, 2015 |
mozzart:thanks jare,always thought he was not until today I was able to do my own critical research |
Re: Is Elijah Also John The Baptist by Nobody: 4:33pm On Mar 15, 2015 |
mozzart:what's ur proof he's not? |
Re: Is Elijah Also John The Baptist by Nobody: 4:35pm On Mar 15, 2015 |
Dnarvaez: Its better you do the research yourself. You would be more convinced that way |
Re: Is Elijah Also John The Baptist by Nobody: 4:40pm On Mar 15, 2015 |
For those who are still disturbed like I once was about this same issue,you will be more convinced if you make your own research,I made mine today. |
Re: Is Elijah Also John The Baptist by Nobody: 4:42pm On Mar 15, 2015 |
mozzart:i doubt if he is not coz recently someone told me that its not possible for earthlings to co-habit in heaven together with heavenly beings. He said That the Angels in heaven did not fully agree to his(Elijah's) stay, due to that he was sent down to earth as John the Baptist to prepare the way for the Messiah. |
Re: Is Elijah Also John The Baptist by Urine: 5:18pm On Mar 15, 2015 |
Elijah is John The Baptist, there's no argument about this. Malachi 3 makes it clear for all to see. |
Re: Is Elijah Also John The Baptist by Nobody: 5:28pm On Mar 15, 2015 |
Urine:but he denied been Elijah go and check John 1:19-21. |
Re: Is Elijah Also John The Baptist by Urine: 5:48pm On Mar 15, 2015 |
Lamispaco: Read what he said in verse 23, even though he was Elijah, he was on another mission, and that's greater, that was his purpose, that's what he wanted to be associated with. What he said in verse 23 was a confirmation of Malachi 3. |
Re: Is Elijah Also John The Baptist by haffaze777(m): 6:19pm On Mar 15, 2015 |
Urine: do u mean in lied in John 1:19-21. |
Re: Is Elijah Also John The Baptist by Urine: 6:51pm On Mar 15, 2015 |
haffaze777: I mean he gave the perfect answer in verse 23. |
Re: Is Elijah Also John The Baptist by Hope6289(f): 7:03pm On Mar 15, 2015 |
He is not. I believe him being referred to as Elijah was in his spiritual and prophetic role, not in a physical body. John 1 even answers it clearly, he was to prepare people for the Lord. |
Re: Is Elijah Also John The Baptist by jcross19: 7:08pm On Mar 15, 2015 |
Urine:please don't misunderstand bible here that verse 23 speak that john as the voice in the wilderness , the voice in the wilderness can be any body or elijah did the name mean voice in the wilderness ? Read the verse very well and I did not see where john confirm himself as elijah. |
Re: Is Elijah Also John The Baptist by Urine: 8:09pm On Mar 15, 2015 |
jcross19: Brother, why did you quote a part of the verse? Why didn't you talk about the remaining part? "I am the voice shouting in the wilderness, CLEAR THE WAY FOR THE LORD'S COMING". |
Re: Is Elijah Also John The Baptist by haffaze777(m): 7:08pm On Mar 16, 2015 |
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