Biblical proof for reincarnation...?

Question

Matthew 17:11-13
"Jesus replied, "to be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

According to this verse, John the Baptist is the reincarnation of Elijah, and yet Jesus promised that Elijah would come in the future and "restore all things". That said, He is talking about reincarnation clearly, and admiting not only one, not only two, but several lives.

What do you think?

Love to Hate, I believe the word reincarnation is a relatively new word. I don't think it would be used in Jesus' epoch at all. However, the word doesn't matter, but the idea of one spirit coming several times as a different person.

Inteleyes, I read about John's death before, but I couldn't remember where it was in the Bible, and I found it after asking here (my previous question). Then, I could see and confirm that he died before this event happened when Jesus said he was Elijah. Actually, the verse before, Jesus saw Moses and Elijah spirits in Matthew 17:3, which also proves to me that we can make contacts with the dead, and some of us really does, and it is a gift given from God.

Answer 1

COMPLETELY AGREE! I was studying this EXACT thing today in the scriptures... I suggest reading John Chapter 5 and the book of Daniel...

Everyone is so consumed with the word "resurrection." What does the word resurrection mean? It litterally means, rebirth and at some exceptions, actual "resurrection into a perfect being of LIGHT and not of flesh." I think that the KJV was MAJORLY mis-translated with this term, resurrection. If we all have the chance to re-incarnate in another life to learn and experience more to become more like God and more aware of his plan, that is how we can be saved by God's "grace" or by his eternal plan of "salvation" (as the LDS faith puts it)... Edgar Cayce stated that Jesus was re-incarnated MULTIPLE times; originally as Adam (as in the Garden of Eden,) the priest Melchezedik, and other prophets that I can't remember off the top of my head. In Genesis Chapter One is stated that Adam was the Father of Mankind/the Human Race. Jesus states in Chapter five of John that he is the Son of Mankind and of the human race. I think that Jesus, WAS the son of God, and he got to the point of re-incarnation that he could be LITTERALLY resurrected into a perfect being. And who would be MORE perfect to resurrect/become of light and not of flesh, for the first time than the original man, Adam, who had been SO CLOSE to God in the beginning. Jesus states MULTIPLE times in the New Testament that, "I do Nothing Save I see my father do it." Meaning Jesus had been around for the creation, and many things thereafter.

I think, as Budhism teaches, that as we do in this life, we will be re-born/reincarnated in the next life. Jesus even stated, again in John 5, that those which glorify God will be "resurrected" in good, and those which damn God, will be "resurrected" in doom.

It is us up to us, at every chance we have, to learn more and BE better, so that in the next life we will be even better off than in this life. I think we should stop looking at our own temporal bodies and more into our eternal consciousness.

Answer 2

Texts Wrongly Understood

Those who believe in reincarnation say that the Bible touches on the subject at Matthew 17:11-13, where Jesus connects John the Baptizer with the ancient prophet Elijah. This text reads: “‘Elijah, indeed, is coming and will restore all things. However, I say to you that Elijah has already come . . .’ Then the disciples perceived that he spoke to them about John the Baptist.”

In saying this, did Jesus mean that John the Baptizer was a reincarnation of the prophet Elijah? John himself knew that he was not. On one occasion when he was asked, “Are you Elijah?” John clearly answered: “I am not.” (John 1:21) It had, however, been foretold that John would precede the Messiah “with Elijah’s spirit and power.” (Luke 1:17; Malachi 4:5, 6) In other words, John the Baptizer was “Elijah” in the sense that he carried out a work comparable to that of Elijah.

At John 9:1, 2, we read: “Now as he [Jesus] was passing along he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him: ‛Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, so that he was born blind?’” Some who believe in reincarnation suggest that since this man was born blind, his sin must have occurred in a former life.

But whatever it was that gave rise to the disciples’ question, the answer Jesus gave must be the deciding factor. He declared: “Neither this man sinned nor his parents.” (John 9:3) This contradicts reincarnation, which implies that disabilities depend on sins from a former life. The point that nobody can sin before being born was also made by Paul when he wrote about Esau and Jacob that “they had not yet been born nor had practiced anything good or vile.”—Romans 9:11.

Answer 3

Answer: Matthew 11:7-14 declares, “While they were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ... A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” I tell you the truth, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist ... From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and forceful people lay hold of it. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John appeared. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, who is 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 “Elijah the prophet,” whom Jesus identifies here 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 completely foreign to the Jewish mind. We cannot simply import eastern religious thought into the words of a first century Jew. If anything, Elijah “come again” would have simply been Elijah raised from the dead at the coming of the Lord (cf. Daniel 12). So even if John the Baptist was literally the person of Elijah, it would have been a resurrection – not a reincarnation. To say otherwise is to force one’s preconceived view of reincarnation on Scripture.

Second, the Bible is quite clear that John the Baptist is given this designation 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 will 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 (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 is not an instance of reincarnation comes from John the Baptist himself. In the first chapter of John’s (the Apostle) 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 in his role as Elijah, while John the Baptist rejected the identification when it came to the religious leaders. How do we reconcile these two teachings? There is a key phrase in Jesus’ identification of John the Baptist with Elijah in the text above 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 him being Elijah, but rather upon people’s responses 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.

Recommended Resources: Bible Answers for almost all your Questions by Elmer Towns.

Answer 4

No its not reincarnation. For starters, reincarnation is not a practice of Judaism or Christianity. The verse you use does not say that Elijah was reborn in a new body and was called John. The verse implies that one like Elijah was to come before the Messiah. This is probably stressed more in Luke 1:17. Like Elijah, John was a prophet of God who lived in the wilderness and dressed in camel's hair and leather, looking much like a hermit. Both preached to wicked kings, Elijah had Ahab and John had Herod Antipas. Lastly, like I said before, reincarnation is not believed in Judeo-Christian belief. There are some fringe groups who call themselves Christian that believes this but its not considered scriptural. In the Old Testament, David's first child by Bathsheba had died in childbirth. David before had undergone a fast for the life of the child. After the child died, the prophet Nathan asked why did he stop fasting. In 2 Samuel 12:23 he responded, "But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." If he believed in reincarnation he wouldn't have said that. He would have believed that the child would come back again instead. In the New Testament, Hebrews 9:27, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" Need I say more. Reincarnation is a foreign man-made concept to Judeo-Christian belief.

Answer 5

If we turn to Him and seek Him from our hearts, then too we are reincarnated within, and born again in Him. Christ is eternal, for 'He is The Door to the House of The Father', and The Holy Christ Spirit shineth His Light and Love forever.

We must learn to know that we are Gods children and that we each have our part to play along the way.

Ever had the feeling that you've 'been round before?' We get little flashes of the past AND the future all the time, we just dont turn and listen and try to develop spiritually.

Jesus said " If only they would turn (repent) and I would heal (forgive) them".

The testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of the prophets from the beginning and The Truth (The Word of God) stands forever.

Peace

Answer 6

I give you a star:)

That's proof, but they still won't believe. There was a lot more that was to be added a whole book on reincarnation, and many other things to be added in the Bible. But, it was to much, and would make the Bible to big. All this information was store in a library way back when, and it was a fire that destroyed all this information.
I was wondering what you were seeking earlier when you ask a question about the Bible.
Good work and question, we must of lived some of the same life's:)~

Answer 7

There is a book called "Old Souls" though I cannot remember the author. Just look it up on Amazon. It discusses past life memories of children as studied by doctors. You should also check out the ADCRF. Just type in After Death Communication and the links will come up. You can ask questions and learn a lot from this site. It's one of my favorites. There is a ton of information around on this topic. You have but to search. On a personal note, ignore those who tell you it's a stupid idea. I think you already know that but I wanted to say it anyway. There is nothing wrong with searching for answers to these questions. Personally, I believe it's a distinct possibility and I know that I am one of many.

Answer 8

You are mistaking reincarnation with spirit. In Luke 1:17 it says that John came in the SPIRIT and POWER of Elijah. That is how Yahshua meant about John, that John had the SPIRIT of Elijah. You have to be able to tell the difference between SPIRIT, Body and SOUL.

Answer 9

Jesus spoke what the prophets had said that Elijah would come to prepare the way for the Messiah and John did come, in the spirit of Elijah.

Answer 10

Hi Janet.

Good point...but I don't need anything from the bible to know that spirits recycle information. I have no doubt people come back down to earth on some level, but I think there is much more to understand about it. Our qualities (intelligence, self-lessness, etc.) are probably saved, however they may be given to somone else meaning we will cease to exist unless we have achieved god-realization.

I am still not sure, but anything is possible.