Does anyone hear besides me know the siginificance in the book of matthew why people thought jesus was calling

Question

out to elijah.... ok ok the gnostics believe that somehow jesus was the reincarnation of elisah and John was the reincarnation of elijah.. what is your opinion on this

Answer 1

Back in those days, the Bible wasn't separated into chapters and verses as it is now. When somebody wanted to refer to a section, they would quote it, or at least enough of it for people to understand the reference. For example, the Jewish name for Genesis is Bereshith, which means, "In the beginning..." For Jesus to refer to Psalm 22, He couldn't have cried out "Psalm 22!" as somebody might today; He quoted the first line of it.

These religious leaders, who should have known the Bible (actually the Tanakh, the Old Testament) backwards and forwards, heard His words and yet didn't get the reference. They should have said to themselves, "Hey, He's quoting Psalm 22 - that's being fulfilled right before our eyes! He's the Messiah." Instead, they heard this explicit reference to Messianic prophecy, and thought He was calling for Elijah.

Gnosticism, as a system, didn't evolve until the mid-2nd century, although the seeds of those beliefs were sown much earlier. I don't see anything there more than ignorance and misunderstanding.

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As for the Bible being altered, anybody who makes such claims needs to read a little further. Pick a date for such a mass alteration to have occurred - Nicea, the middle ages, etc. Archaeologists have found manuscripts lost since before that date that say the same thing. The Bible hasn't been altered; it is completely trustworthy and reliable.

Answer 2

I do not know the reason why they thought that Jesus was calling for Elijah, maybe because Jesus cried out "eli eli, lema sabachthani? Maybe when He cried out Eli, Eli they thougth He was trying to call Elijah, but that is just a guess. Matthew 11:14, with Jesus speaking to the crowds about John the Baptist: "and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who was to come". Reincarnation as we know it, or a strong prophet likened to Elijah? I do not know for sure, but the quote above is from Jesus and is found in the Bible. You will find if you read alot of the Gnostic Gospels that they will borrow from Scripture and add things to it. It is dated later than the documents of the New Testament, and if you read some of the sayings in the Gospel of Peter and the Gospel of Thomas it is clear that we are dealing with people who are after enlightment, but at the same time shun responsiblity to follow Jesus as Lord, for they try to reduce Him to a great Spiritual teacher, who though important is not necessary to achieve eternal life. Once again it is just another case of human beings thinking they can find bliss without God.

Answer 3

Yes, I have heard this! In fact, read the following:

Early references to reincarnation in the New Testament were deleted in the 4th century by Emperor Constantine when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. The emperor felt that the concept of reincarnation was threatening to the stability of the empire. Citizens who believed that they would have another chance to live might be less obedient and law abiding than those who believed in a single Judgement Day for all.

In the 6th century, in the year 553 A. D., the 2nd Council of Constantinople officially declared reincarnation a heresy and the doctrine of reincarnation was officially banished by the Christian Church. It was banished for no other reason than it was considered to be too much of an influence from the East. The decision was intended to enable the church to increase its power at that time, and to tighten its hold upon the human mind by telling people their salvation had to be accomplished in one incarnation and one lifetime, and if they didn't make it, they would go to Hell. It would appear that the Church like Constantine was afraid that the idea of `past lives` would weaken and undermine the Church`s growing power and influence by affording followers too much time to seek salvation? During the same Early Christian Era leading up to the Council of Constantinople, notable Church fathers like Origen, Clement of Alexander and St. Jerome accepted and believed in the reincarnation principle. So did the Gnostics and the Christian Cathars of Italy and Southern France and they were severely brutalized for their belief in reincarnation as late as the 12th century!

The repression of past life teachings has been political and not spiritual.

Additionally, anyone who says that Bible has not been altered is crazy...

Answer 4

Player,

One of the most problematic things about interpreting scriptures, is that they have been altered. In 325 A.D., at the Council of Nicea, the book we now know as the Bible, was pieced together by the Roman Emperor Constantine. That is where "Christianity" came into existence. There were men, called "Correctores", whose job was to edit and rewrite the scriptures as needed, to fit into the new religion called Christianity. In order to correctly seperate the "wheat from the chaff", we must have the assistance of the Holy Spirit. I too, have pondered these verses that refer to Elijah coming again, and the vague references to John, or Jesus being said prophet. Here is my conclusion. It doesn't really matter. We spend so much time, thinking about these insignifigant and confusing verses, that we miss the point of Jesus' birth and life. Jesus came to this world, to deliver a message to our race. It was simple, and elegant: "The Kingdom of God, is within you". Unfortunately, this message has all but been lost, in the confusion of man made religions. When we come to God as humble children, and invite Him into our lives, He sends His Spirit into us, and bonds with us. We become new creatures, part mortal, part Immortal. The old ways of materialism and fear, begin to fall away. Love and Wisdom, become the foundation of all our choices. We have embarked on the Path of Eternity, and we will never be the same. Christianity is OK as religions go, but it has strayed far from the teachings of it's Founder. If we do not experience the rebirth, through the Spirit of God, we shall not enter the Kingdom. Jesus has said so. Whether it was as the spirit of Elijah, or some other spirit, is of small importance. We must return to the words of The Master, and become His disciples again. Few are they, who do the Will of God.

Answer 5

If he did not speak the name and just said come forth, all the grave of the world would have opened! or at least that is what some of us believe.

Read john 1:1 if you can not see that Christ is the word of God then buy some glasses!

Answer 6

Site your scripture and verse please.