John the Baptist

[His son]

ibangel,

All of creation proves that Jesus Christ did what The Bible says He did. There is no other alternative to expelling how we came to be. None of us are going to understand all that The Bible contains, but it is the life story of Jesus Christ, and therefore important for you to read. You will never understand it with out The Holy Spirit of God to teach you. No man can do this. If you are truly sincere about finding The Truth, I would suggest that you empty yourself of all your preconceived ideas about God, then start reading The Bible with an open mind, and ask The Holy Spirit of God to show you what you need to know and understand. When you can accept the fact that Jesus died for you, and you are convicted of your sins, and have an honest desire to know this saviour in a personal relationship, then you will start to change. There is no other way to The Truth of all things pertaining to this life. You have got to accept The Bible as a love letter from God your father, His manufacturers, manual, operations manual, and repair manual. If you can't do that you are in for a very sad existence.

[miyako_1984]

According to Biblical tradition, Elijah the prophet will reappear before the coming of the Messiah (Malachi 4:5-6). In the Greek Testament, Jesus claims that John the Baptist was Elijah (Matthew 11:13-14, 17:10-13). However, when John the Baptist was asked if he was Elijah, he denied it (John 1:21). The Gospel of Luke 1:17 tries to get around this problem by claiming that John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah. However: a] Malachi predicted that Elijah himself would return, and not just someone coming in his spirit. b] When asked about his identity, John the Baptist didn't claim to have come in the spirit of Elijah -- he claimed no association with Elijah at all. c] The prophesy about the return of Elijah says that he would restore the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. There is no evidence that John the Baptist accomplished this.

I would really appreciate it if anybody could respond to these claims. Thanks a lot.

Jess Bangel

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm with you Jess- let me try to answer something of your question although I'm afraid it maybe a bit haphazard- it's only my second post!

Remember- the jews expectation of the messiah coming was not anything like it was. The last time they had heard of Elijah he was disappearing in a chariot of fire with horses of fire into the heavens (2 Kings 11 & 12). What's more these were the chariots and horsemen of Israel don't forget and so they must have thought that when Elijah did come back it would be a pretty spectacular thing and one, like their idea of the messiah, that would make their place in the world pretty clear as God's chosen people (not to be ruled over by Romans or mixed in too much with the Gentiles). Just as Jesus' humble arrival later rather threw those expecting a revolution and unequivocal majesty, John simply standing on one side of the Jordan, knee deep in the river and refusing to move on, hardly lived up to the chariots and angelic host the Jews may have been expecting.

In John 1 that you pick out, the important thread is that John denies being Christ but it is true, he also denies being Elijah. BUT- John is asked whether he is Elijah by the priests and Pharisees simply because he is baptising and by their rules he is not actually allowed to unless he is Elijah or the coming Messiah. He is not this Elijah as he baptises because he has himself been given authority by the God who showed him the holy spirit as a dove. Neither is he the Elijah that they were expecting - some legendary figure from scripture who will come out of the clouds and who signals the end of days and the writing on the wall for the enemies of the Jews. When they ask him if he is, it this figure that he denies being, just as later Jesus answers enigmatically when he is asked if he is the Messiah the Jews were waiting for (Luke 22: 67).

Jesus admits being the Son of God as this is what he actually is and similarly John quotes Isaiah to answer the priests- a passage that much more accurately describes his role in what is unfolding. Don't forget, this is all at the beginning of the gospel story and it's one of the first indications that what God has planned is not quite as the Jews envisage it and that there may be more to the old prophecies they have yet seen.

Of course, this doesn't show that John was Elijah or explain whether, if he was, he came in the spirit of Elijah, in his role or something more metaphysical but, lastly, Malachi's prophecy is not entirely unfufilled....

With the coming of Christ, a new covenant was created that meant through Jesus's crucifixion, the Father (Our Father who art in heaven) was reconciled with his children- who had been separated from him by sin. Until Pentecost, only Moses, Elijah, Elisha and John had seen or been filled with the holy spirit but after Jesus, it was for everyone who would recieve it. Although the Jews didn't realise it at the time, God's plan was for all his people, Jews and Gentiles alike (Romans 10:12) and was realised through Jesus and John (Acts 10: 34-38).

Whereas it was Jesus' resurrection that reconciled father and children, it was John who was 'the voice in the desert' that first prepared the way, 'turned the hearts' of the people to 'the Lamb of God' and introduced Jesus to his children (John 3: 27-36).

Hope this is of help.

miyako_1984.

[Guest]

It did help, and it was the best response so far. Thank you.

[Guest Colossians]

jbangel,

But how am I supposed to believe that?

You can't. You have to die first. And that is God's work, if and when He will do it.

Edited November 20, 2004 by Colossians

[deafcanada]

Greetings JBangel,

I agree with God-Man. For YOU, it is not possible to give you an answer that would answer all your questions. You see, the answers are right there in the Bible. But until you are "born again" YOU do not have the understanding that the Holy Spirit can give you, and HE is the one who is able to "reveal to you all things", IOW "lead you unto ALL TRUTH". So YOU are handicapped. YOU need to get on your knees as soon as possible, and tell God that YOU seek WISDOM. He will in turn reveal to YOU the person of Jesus Christ. Then when YOU believe and have repented, please come back and ask your questions. The Holy Spirit will then be able to begin teaching YOU.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ok I found the verse about this Elijah and John the Baptist it is in Matthew 17:11-13 as I have same questions about that so Jesus is only one to reveal the truth as sometimes we dont understand all in the bible however we will get better understanding when we get into Heaven and know more better so it is best to obey God s words all we can do Jesus Christ is only person who can save our souls if we are willing let him come in our hearts

In Him

deaf canada

[Frisbinator]

Ya'll crack me up. Out of all of those responses, only one guy answered the question!

[Guest idied2]

The prophesy about the return of Elijah says that he would restore the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. There is no evidence that John the Baptist accomplished this.

I would really appreciate it if anybody could respond to these claims. Thanks a lot.

Jess Bangel

If elijah came right now. How would you recognize him?

Mt 17:12

But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands."

But we know the natural man living by the flesh can't know these things or even understand them.

1Co 2:14

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1Co 1:25

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1Co 3:19

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness";

GOD did not let john know he was elijah. Just as HE did not let CHRIST know the day and hour of his own return.

In CHRIST JESUS