How is it that early Christians believed in Reincarnation, but modern Christians do not?

Question

Shouldn't the earlier Christians know better?

There's LOTS on a simple web search:

During the period from A.D. 250 to 553 controversy raged, at least intermittently, around the name of Origen, and from this controversy emerged the major objections that orthodox Christianity raises against reincarnation. Origen of Alexandria, one of Christianity's greatest systematic theologians, was a believer in reincarnation.

Answer 1

Early Christians did know better. Reincarnation is fact.

The purpose of human life is to become Sons of God. We keep reincarnating until we become a Son of God. Once we become a Son of God we need not reincarnate but can choose to do so of our own free will.

It is incorrect to think Jesus is the only God or Son of God. It is within the power of every Soul to become perfectly Divine. Jesus himself wants all of us to become Sons of God. "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the Sons of God" [ John 1:12 ]

Once we become a Son of God we do not need to return to Earth. We do not need to reincarnate. "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out." [ Book of Revelation 3:12 ]

Interestingly, in his previous incarnation, Jesus was Eliseus (Elisha). Eliseus had already become a Son of God but he chose to be born again as Jesus in order to help the masses in a bigger way. Elias (Elijah) chose to be born again as well. He is John the Baptist.

John the Baptist and Jesus remembered each other from their previous lives even as they were in their mother's wombs. "And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said...."Lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy." [ Luke 1:41-44 ]

Jesus himself tells us that Elijah is now John the Baptist. " 'But I say unto you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not....' Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist" [ Matthew 17:12-13 ]

John the Baptist did not want to draw too much attention to himself by openly admitting that he was Elijah. John the Baptist wanted the people to focus only on Jesus. Hence, he tells the people that he is not Elijah. He is not lying. Technically he is not Elijah anymore as he is now John the Baptist. "And they asked him, 'What then? Art thou Elijah?' And he saith, 'I am not.' [ John I:21 ]

Early Christians totally accepted reincarnation and they learned it first hand directly from Jesus. It was only at the Second Council of Constantinople in 553 AD that it was decided to announce reincarnation as a heresy, the reasoning (flawed) being that belief in reincarnation would discourage people from turning to God now, in this life, if they could always mend their ways in a future life. Hence, reincarnation was declared a heresy.

The mere declaration of something as being a heresy does not make it so. Reincarnation is fact and Jesus would agree.

As an extra note, Resurrection is a form of reincarnation wherein the Soul has complete control of what happens to it after the death of its outer physical body. Through will power alone, the soul recreates another physical body that looks just like the body it just left, and inhabits it. This is what Jesus did. Those who do not possess such a heightened level of consciousness, typically reincarnate involuntarily in a new physical body, unable to remember their past life, though all memories are permanently recorded in our Souls.

Just like physical exercises to tone and build our muscles, there are specific spiritual exercises that help us increase our level of consciousness. What we experience during progressive altered states of awareness is what is described in the heavily symbolic Book of Revelation.

Answer 2

there have been particularly some communities that did: the Christian Cathars of France, the Gnostic Christians and a pair others. It replaced into earlier the Catholic church became the important church in Europe. the two way, there are nevertheless some sects at present that have confidence in reincarnation and emanation as against creationist ideals. the issue with reincarnation is that there's no place in the Bible that fairly states it as a actuality. in my opinion nevertheless, i might want to think of that's a risk.

Answer 3

Your first mistake was quoting ORIGEN to support your question. Origen is considered an "early gnostic" and a heretic by most Protestants. He's also one of the first early writers to teach "Replacement Theology." To rely solely upon Origen isn't advisable.

Have you actually READ the writings of the early Church fathers? I challenge you to find even ONE supporter of reincarnation among early writers such as Polycarp (a student of the Apostle John); Iraneaus; Ignatius of Antioch; and others. True, there were false teachers early on, but you'll find that writers who studied directly under the Apostles powerfully refute them.

Answer 4

You would think someone would know something, huh? Check with Constantine...the '1st' Christian emporer. There was a council they had in Nicea around 325 BC. They took the bible most commonly used up until that point and had a 'cut party'. Three hundred bishops (and their posses) edited the bible and changed a lot of what was contained to paint a more 'convenient' picture of christianity for the masses. That's pretty much what is utilized today...and its very different from the version prior to that date.

Answer 5

Early Christians did not have the Bible as a standard written down text. They heard the stories of Jesus being resurrected and made the incorrect assumption that reincarnation was a step on the cycle of life. Modern Christians have studied the Bible and know that reincarnation is not mentioned in any way shape or form.

Answer 6

Christianity has always been about a reincarnation to the after life... but not a physical one on earth.

If we just come back to life over an over in an imperfect world... then haveing someone die for us to go to heaven... wouldn't do anything. WE'd just come back to life on earth.

Answer 7

Early christians also didn't use the cross as a symbol until a couple hundred years later. Before they used symbols like the fish. Go figure.

Answer 8

No where in scriptures the early church believe in reincarnation. Reincarnation is of the devil - the scripture says: Hebrews 9:27 and it is appointed once unto men to die, but after this the judgement. Once your heart stops ticking and your not breathing your dead - and your not coming back in this lifetime as a dog, cat, hammer, Marilyn Monro, Evis Presley etc....

Answer 9

That's a good question. Perhaps it is because the Bible has been edited and translated so many times, perhaps that is why such ideas have been lost...
I feel that the Christ understood the idea of re-incarnation, and that He taught that if we live a certain way, we can transcend the wheel, and go directly to heaven, relieved of Karmic debts, instead of coming back.

Answer 10

Early Christians did not believe in reincarnation.

The bible does state that some people will return to earth. Enoch and Elijiah were assumed bodily into heaven. Their return will be in their same bodies. Not reincarnated.

Answer 11

Scripture and verse? I didn't think so.

Early Christians did not believe in reincarnation. Just off the top of your head huh?