Remember one of your most important job interviews? I imagine you faced several questions. Perhaps the person who initially met with you then had to submit your answers their boss for further review. That reminds me of the questions the priests and Levites asked who were sent by the Jews to John the Baptist. They had questions and needed his answers to submit to those who sent them. Good students of Scripture also have questions that come to them as they read; that includes you :)
1.- So list 3 or more questions that you don't know the answers to as you read John 1:19-34. Asking questions is part of the first step in how to REAP good results from your Bible study. As you Read and Explore, ask questions that come to your mind. Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
If you can Explore and discover the answer to one of your questions, all the better.
This passage introduces us to John the Baptist, not to be confused with the apostle John who wrote this gospel. Of course the passage only introduces us to John the Baptist because he came to introduce people to Jesus. That was his job or mission for which he was sent- see 1:6-8.
2.- What is a name or significant thing that John says about Jesus in 1:19-34? Now write that on your MP3 card and look for opportunities to share such with others today.
It's refreshing to get passed the meaninglessness that wise old Solomon spoke of in Ecclesiastes. Now One greater than Solomon (Mt.12:42) is here being introduced. Tomorrow we will meet him via others meeting him.
Some look at John the Baptist as a hard driving evangelist. Robert noted that Ricardo is a drive through evangelist. Here's what Ricardo wrote. "I recently went thru a Wendy's drive thru, and as I paid for my lunch, I handed the card to the cashier. I told them "You have to check out this link! It has some great movies on there!!" They pulled their phone out right there and started looking up the link." Way to go Ricardo! Lord, help all of us be on the lookout for opportunities to sow gospel seeds.
Announcements
We want to strengthen your ABS, so I'm excited to announce you will be getting M3 credit for faithfully completing the gospel of John and each book we go through as part of our ABS workout- the Academy of Biblical Studies. You will be honored for each book you complete. If you miss any days in John or other books we will be studying, you can go back and complete them during that book study and still be recognized for completing it. (Note: Making up a missing day does not apply to being Unstoppable. You still need to be faithful each day of the week to be recognized for that weekly accomplishment. Pros still need to be Unstoppable for four weeks in a row to earn their Unstoppable award pin.)
At our next M3 meeting, this Sunday at 11:30, I will also be honoring the men who faithfully completed our study through Ecclesiastes. If you missed any days in that book, you can go back and make up those missing days. Contact me if you're not sure what days you need to make up.
Please Keep Eddie and Mark and the team serving in Mexico in prayer. Eddie and Mark will be joining us on the blog when they can get internet access.
It was great seeing Israel yesterday. He is back from his honeymoon with Liz. Congratulations Israel!
What does my meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger have to do with tomorrow's blog? You'll soon find out :)
Once again, Squad 5 scores the highest last week with 37.4! As I look at your weekly review, most of you have done well, scoring 25 or more. I also salute each of you who were Unstoppable each day last week. Being Unstoppable usually goes hand in hand with scoring 25 or more. Being Unstoppable or faithful is such a manly or Christlike trait. I commend you for modeling that for others as they join us. You are setting a GREAT example for them to follow.
How are you and your fire team going to do this week? Make a point to send a text to your fire team brothers today. When you go to put your points on the board, see how your fire team members are doing. If you don't see one of your teammates putting up points, you know what to do. Call him. No man left behind. No man ignored.
| Squad 1 | #REF! | 28.8 | Squad 3 | 0 | 23 | ||||
| Eddie Morales | U | R5 | 33 | Robert Roman | U | R1 | 68 | ||
| Fire Team 1 | 28.3 | Fire Team 1 | 19.5 | ||||||
| Phil Raymond | U | 30 | Vince Diaz | U | R1 | 43 | |||
| Ismael Andrade | R2 | 23 | Antonio Palomar | R1 | 10 | ||||
| James Schmidt | U | 32 | Nic Palhegyi | R1 | 12 | ||||
| Fire Team 2 | 29.3 | Mike Dunn | New | ||||||
| Gary Remson | U | R1 | 35 | Rich Petre | 13 | ||||
| Luis Ortiz | U | 26 | Fire Team 2 | 30 | |||||
| Alex Dyckman | U | 27 | Osiris Alday | U | 44 | ||||
| Fire Team 2 | 0 | 28.6 | Ed Lake | 16 | |||||
| Sam Vargas | U | R3 | 36 | Squad 4 | 0 | 22 | |||
| Fire Team 1 | 34 | George Rabiela | U | R1 | 56 | ||||
| Oscar Nunez | 26 | Fire Team 1 | 19.6 | ||||||
| Lou Ojeda | U | 42 | Dave Heidekruger | U | R2 | 30 | |||
| Fire Team 2 | 25 | Michael Gonzalez | 6 | ||||||
| Israel Fuentes | U | R1 | 30 | Chuy Cervantes | 23 | ||||
| Flo Juarez | 10 | Fire Team 2 | 24.3 | ||||||
| Dave DeBoer | 35 | Rich Guardiola | U | R1 | 36 | ||||
| Tim Dearborn | New | Mark Estrada | 0 | ||||||
| Horacio De La Torre | U | 37 | |||||||
| Squad 5 | 0 | 37.4 | |||||||
| Jack Rogers | U | R4 | 102 | ||||||
| Fire Team 1 | 40.6 | ||||||||
| Roger Vinlasaca | U | R1 | 45 | ||||||
| Armando Hernandez | U | 51 | |||||||
| Jose Billegas | U | 26 | |||||||
| Fire Team 2 | 32.5 | ||||||||
| George Doherty | U | R1 | 37 | ||||||
| Andre Vargas | U | 28 | |||||||
1. a. Why did the pharacies send priests to ask John questions?
ReplyDeleteb. Why was John badtizing people?
c. Who is the only person that can take away sins?
2. In John 1:34 we read :"And I have seen and borne witness that this is the Son of God"
John declares that Jesus is the Son of God.
Good questions brother, may the Lord illuminate your mind and soul and provide you with the answers.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteGood questions and powerful verse
DeleteAt first I thought ,"ask 3 questions?" But this made me look deeper into the passages. Roger, I hope it helped you as much as it helped me.
DeleteReally good questions Roger!
Delete1.- Where is this taking place:
ReplyDeleteIn the to town of Bethany. v28
What was happening there:
John was baptizing people. v28
Why was John baptizing:
To prepare the way of the coming of the chosen one. v26-27
When will John know the sign of the chosen one's coming:
The spirit will come down from heaven to announce His arrival. V32
Who is He:
John proclaims and testifies Jesus is God's Chosen One. V34
2.- That Jesus will baptist with the "Holy Spirit". v33
Brother Armando, well done :-)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteGreat job answering the questions.
DeleteArmondo. Good questions and replies bro. See my answer below about Bethany
DeleteGreat method you used on this post.
Delete1.A. How did John learn who he was? 1:23
ReplyDeleteB. Why did the Levites have a issue with john baptizing? 1:25
C. When did verse 32 happen?
2."I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God .” John 1:34
Powerful testimony by John -- confirming Jesus as the Sin of Man
DeleteGreat deep not surface questions Dave!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteQuestion 1c:to me it happened when he saw Jesus coming toward him and the spirit came over Jesus.
Delete1.Questions
ReplyDeleteA. If John the Baptist and Jesus were cousins why didn't they meet prior to his baptism?
B.Or did they?
C. What was the significance of baptizing back in the day of Jesus?
2.He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
John 1:27 Jhn.1.27 we are all unworthy to untie the straps of in Jesus's sandals.
You are right there is nothing good in us. We are all unworthy.
DeleteGreat pondering questions there George!
DeleteThose are good questions, George.
Delete1 - My questions are also the same that Gorge Rabiela has
ReplyDeleteA- Before Christ, why was John baptizing people?
B- As John and Jesus grew up being that they were cousins. How long did John know? or had it been revealed to him
recently during his time in the wilderness as it is stated in verses 33 that one who sent him had revealed to him that the
Holy Spirit in the shape of a dove would come upon the one who was the Messiah?
C- This question is more concerning a cross reference with other gospels. Why did John eat honey and locust and wear what
he wore? I've tried looking into it myself and what i found traced it back to one of the old testament prophets and it left me
with more questions than answers.
2- John 1:30
This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’
Great Louis! The more you question and search, the more you will uncover answers along with more questions. Welcome to never ending learning :)
DeleteI recently got asked your question while mentoring someone through baptism. I'll let you uncover it, but i believe it had to do with Jewish law and ritual.
DeleteLuis, this is a good method to get us to search deeper into the word. Good questions.
Delete1. I can't think of any questions at the moment :-/
ReplyDelete2. a. "the Lord.",
b. "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!",
c. "A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me",
d. "that he might be revealed"
e. "the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit"
f. "God’s Chosen One"
You pretty much nailed everything significant in that scripture. Good stuff!
Delete1. Was this scripture in the Old testament? ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
ReplyDelete2. How much time before Him? ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’
3. Who was the first to baptize with water?
32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
It must have been intimidating when the priests and Levites came to question John, but he knew what he saw and heard. Therefore, he boldly testified that Jesus came to baptize with the Holy Spirit. I pray that we seek to baptize in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen bro!
DeleteAmen may we all be bold like John.
DeleteGood questions Sam!
DeleteWhen we do God's work , it should be done boldly as John stood boldly against the priests and Levites.
Delete1. My questions are:
ReplyDeletea. John said that he himself did not know Jesus but did he mean he didn't know that his cousin was the Son of God or did he actually not know his cousin?
b. Was baptism not a normal occurrence? The Pharisees were confused as to why John was doing it.
c. If God said to John that ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ and John was baptizing men with the goal of finding Christ, how did he know Jesus was Christ before the baptism?
d. What did John the Baptist do before he was known as John the Baptist?
2. “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
Great questions Mike. Your starting off the week with a great start.
DeleteGreat questions Michael.
Deleted. He was known as John the non-Baptist :)
That will be number one funny, to start the week for Dave G.
DeleteGood questions Mike, I like how you think!
Delete1
ReplyDeleteWhy did the priests and Levites to ask John if he was Elijah, they could have asked about any other prophet.
Also why do they ask “are you ‘The’ prophet,” the KJV says ‘that prophet.’
Verse 1:24; what provoked the jewish leaders, likely the Pharisees, to send these individuals to question John
2
this may have been said already however as I realize what John had already realized which is that Jesus always existed proving he is God; verse Joh 1:30 This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.'
John Says “because he WAS before me,” pointing to His eternal identity
Good observation Gary that he was before John.
DeleteGreat questions Gary!
DeleteGood searching, Gary.
Delete1. A. Did the pharisees truly understand baptisms?
ReplyDeleteB. Did John already know Jesus would be sacrificed for are sins?
C. How did John know that Jesus was the son of god? Was it appearance or did he sense the power of god amongst him?
2. “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 ESV
Great questions James!
DeleteI kept thinking of your question 1A. Did the question baptism or why John baptized people? Good question, James.
Delete1. Why didn't john already know Jesus and that he was the Messiah?
ReplyDelete2. Weren't they cousins? V33 did not recognize him.
3. Why did John call him the lamb of God here and doubt him later before his execution?
2. V30. "He existed before me." Jesus was not a mere man but God.
Amen... Jesus is God!!!!
DeleteExcellent questions Nic!
DeleteNic, your questions 1 and 2 got me into searching through book of Luke. Good questions.
Delete1. Why did John baptize with water and not use something else like oil or a sacrifice?
ReplyDeleteWhy is location important?
(28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.)
How did John know Jesus was the one? Could he have been tricked like Eve?
( 29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!)
(32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”)
2. John 1 : 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
Great questions Horacio! I can tell you were studying the passage.
DeleteHoracio , very interesting question #2.
Delete1a. v.19 "The Jews" sent Priests and Levites". Which Jews?
ReplyDelete1b. v. 28 "These things took place in Bethany". Is this different than the Bethany where Lazarus lived (John 11:1)?
1c. v. 23 What is the context in Isaiah of the quote that John makes.
Answer to 1a: v.24 - The Pharisees of Jerusalme sent them to investigate John - probably the Sanhedrin.
2. John 1:30b "After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me." Note that John (who was Jesus' cousin) was born 6 months before Jesus. When John says "He existed before me", he is declaring Jesus's deity.
Bueno, bueno Tim! You will be a rich addition to the group.
DeleteGood answer to item 2, Tim
Delete1) A. Why do you believe he can take away the sins of the world
ReplyDeleteB. Why do you feel unworthy of him?
2). “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29
Great observation, Ricardo, that even one sent by God...even a servant of the Most High fulfilling his duty to baptize and make disciples...felt so unworthy. What cause have we to be proud and not humble? Like John the Baptist, we are simply doing what God calls us to do. We are his servants and it is right for us to humble ourselves before Him and all others.
DeleteGood Ricardo! "Why" questions can take you deep indeed.
DeleteAt that moment God revealed to John that Jesus was the son of God.
Delete1. john 1:31 why did they use Israel and not another location?
ReplyDeletejohn 1:32 would the spirit have been light?
john 1: 25 why was it seen bad for john to baptize people.
2: I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’(John 1:33 ESV)
Excellent questions, Andre. I too am curious why God chose Israel as His chosen people. Certainly it wasn't because they were the most righteous or God-fearing. Time and time again, Israel disappointed God. Just now, though, I am remembering the Covenant God made to Israel. Our God is a faithful God, and despite Israel losing its way time after time, God was faithful to His promise.
DeleteAndre. Thank you God for illuminating who Jesus was to John.
DeleteGood ponderings Andre!
Delete1. When did John witness the dove descend upon Jesus? Or did this come to him in a vision?
ReplyDelete2. Did the people of the time already have knowledge of the Holy Spirit? Was this something the Pharisees believed in?
3. I take it baptism was not a common practice within the Jewish faith. Was baptism only reserved to prophets?
4. Did the Pharisees believe in reincarnation? They ask John the Baptist if he is Elijah, who he clearly wasn't, nor Isaiah (who I assume is the Prophet they speak of).
2. John 1:30 "This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’" Further testimony to Christ's divinity as a Person of the triune God. "He was before me," John the Baptist declares, alluding to the fact that Christ existed before the world and that He was always with the Father from before the birth of the Universe. The Christ follows John in the tradition of baptizing in water, John makes it clear that Christ is second to none.
Good insight.
DeleteThe Prophet - I think they were talking the coming Prophet that Moses mentioned in Deut 18:15 - "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.".
DeleteGreat stuff Osiris. God bless
DeleteGood questions Osiris!
DeleteGreat stuff, Osiris!
Delete1. Question 1: Jewish leaders questioned John if he was the Messiah. Why did they question him? Was it because he was performing Baptisms?
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2 Were there others that were performing Baptisms besides John?
Question3 What was the criteria for someone to give a Baptism in those days?
2. John 1:32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.
Your asking very good questions Chuy.
DeleteI agree with Dave :)
DeleteVery good questions, Chuy!
Delete1. a. Why did john not say the messiah sent him?
ReplyDeleteb.who told john to baptize people?
c. Why did john not tell about witnessing the holy spirit?
2. John 1:27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
Bueno Jose!
Delete1. How is it possible that John didn't know Jesus before since he was a relative and both had a special birth? Probably because after years of Jesus' youth with nothing extraordinary happening-- John was not sure of what the prophesies about Jesus meant; until God revealed things to him at Jesus' baptism. Lk 1:2
ReplyDeleteHow could John deny that he was Elijah when Jesus called him that in Mt. 11:14?
He was denying that he was literally Elijah returned from heaven, Lk. 1:17 John was in the spirit and power of Elijah. Tha Apologetics study Bible
Where is Bethany? It is close to Jerusalem not across the Jordan to the east. This highlights our incomplete understanding of the archeological history of the region. Ex: there is a place Batanea farther to the north and East of Galilee which John may have called Bethany. Apologetics Study Bible.
2.
Excellent ponderings and research Jack!
DeleteJack, check out Luke 1:80, regarding your question #1. It was a pleasure meeting you on Sunday.
Delete2. John 1:23. " I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: make straight the way for the Lord."
ReplyDelete1) Three questions from John 1:19-34
ReplyDeletea) The Jews were expecting any one of 3 special persons to come from God. they were the Messiah, Elijah and "The Prophet". Who was "The Prophet" that they were expecting?
b) Why did the leaders only expect the Messiah or Elijah or The Prophet to baptize others and not John?
c) What would the religious leader think it meant that John called Jesus “The Chosen One”?.
2)The significant name that John called Jesus was "The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world". (John 1:29).
Very good questions Dave!
DeleteWow, these are very good questions. Great , Dave.
Delete1- What was John thinking when he saw the Priests?
ReplyDeleteDid any of the priests ever change their ways and seek Jesus?
Why did they still not believe even though John quoted the scripture?
2-John 1:32-33New International Version (NIV)
32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Brilliant questions Vinni! I cant wait to read the answers!
DeleteGreat questions Vince!
DeleteGood questions brother. Its funny how we can all read the same passage and have different questions?? I asked totally different questions :)
DeleteGreat questions, Vince!
Delete1. a) When John saw Jesus coming toward him, is that time moment the spirit came down on Jesus as a dove ( verse 29).
ReplyDeleteb) John was born before Jesus . But , John says in verse 30, "but he is greater than I am, because he existed before I was born". Did he mean Jesus was born before John? Or, that he finally knew that Jesus was the son of God who existed before everything?
c) During the time before verse 28, did John not know Jesus or he did but he did not know he was the Son of God?
2. Verse John 1:29. The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said , "there is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. "
John called Jesus, the Lamb of God.
Great questions Louie! I will be checking back for the answers ;)
DeleteGreat questions Louie! Phil is put the pressure on :)
Delete1. How did John know that this dove was the Holy Spirit?
ReplyDeleteHow is it that John the Baptist was baptizing people in Jesus name before he ever met Jesus?
Were there alot of people that got baptized before Jesus?
2. John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Good questions Phil!
DeleteRegarding your second question, we are so used to seeing people baptized in Jesus' name that you might assume that John was doing the same. Best not though.
Phil, your question #1 is very good. I started searching. Then I thought, John was making way for the one greater than himself. Lots of people must have be coming to witness this event.
DeleteGood questions Phil. John the baptizer performed a "baptism of Repentance' at that time :)
Delete1. a. How did John not know Jesus?
ReplyDelete1. b. What is this? 20 questions (Pharisees Edition)?
1. c. Why did they ask him what he said about himself?
2. John 1:27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
I don't know about everyone else, but I'm excited to read about how Dave met Arnold...
Da bridge is out!!! Dana!!! Jump!!!! Daddy will catch you!!! Yeah, but they were all bad.
Good questions Mike :)
DeleteGlad you're excited to read about how I met Arnold. I was afraid you were going to say you were excited to read about how Dave is going to answer all these questions :)
Wow, Michael, you sound just like Arnold!
Delete1. A. How did John know his position, calling or responsibility to being a herald to Jesus?
ReplyDeleteB. I wonder how John felt when Jesus first walked into the scene.
C. Why is verse 28 significant?
2. I love this title for Jesus and this scene. It's like He is a superhero coming to save the day!“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
Such a a good question for letter "A" Eddie.
Delete1. – Who was John the Baptist? And why was he chosen to Baptist Jesus? Where did John come from and who were his parents?
ReplyDelete2. – John 1:29 the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!.
Oscar, I'm glad to see you are posting. Keep going , brother. Be unstoppable!
DeleteMissed you too Oscar! Good questions!
DeleteYou've got an encouraging fire team brother in Louie, that's for sure.
Good questions brother. Just remember that Jesus did not get baptized because He was a sinner and needed a baptism of repentance, He has always been the sinless God in the flesh. He was baptized to fulfull the Law :)
Delete1) Three questions that stood out to me would be:
ReplyDeleteA. What was the significance of The Baptism of John....especially since the act of "Baptism" as we know it in the church was not yet instituted.
Note: I understand it was a "Baptism of Repentance" but I find little else in regards to it.
“Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.””
Acts 19:4 NIV
B. Why didn't John clearly explain who he was to those who asked? It seemed like would evade the answer.
Note: I assume he did it to draw those that asked to the scripture concerning the "Voice in the Wilderness"
C. How is it that John didn't know his cousin Jesus? Had he not seen him before....especially considering Elizabeth and Mary were so close.
Note: Again, my assumption would have to be due to distance from each other. The other variable would be if they indeed had seen each other, but God opened John's eyes further to who Jesus truly was at that moment he exclaimed "Behold, the Lamb of God...."
2. I always loved and gravitated to this verse in my studies before, I love the vision of Christ walking toward them from afar, and John beckoning everyone towards Him.....
John 1:29 “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Mmm I like question C brother, good digging.
DeleteGreat questions and ponderings William!
DeleteI liked your questions and thoughts, Will. That C one was very interesting.
Delete1. Q. 1) I understand Jewish leaders would believe that Elijah would come but we're they expecting a prophet to come? Is that why Muslims refer to Jesus as a prophet/teacher? Or not at all relevant to my last question.
ReplyDelete2)Were only levites and priests or just messiah, elijah, or prophet able to baptize?
3)When John the Baptist replies that he baptized with water what did they baptized with instead? Or simply a metaphor for something else...?
He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
John 1:27 NIV
http://bible.com/111/jhn.1.27.NIV
Good questions too Ismael!
DeleteThese are very good questions, Ismael. Keep up the great work. Running low on batteries. Got to recharge. Goodnight.
DeleteThis one is for Dave G:
ReplyDeleteThis was a fantastic method of asking questions to search deeper for answers. Great blog , Dave!
Thanks Lou and it was great talking with you yesterday.
DeleteI. ------Some of these verses come to mind, because many people state there is a contradiction in the bible with these verses in John 1 where John the baptist denies being Elijah but Jesus says John the Baptist was Elijah in Mat. 17:10-13; and 11:14. Is this a contradiction in the bible???
ReplyDelete-----Does the bible teach reincarnation, if indeed, John the Baptist is Elijah???
-----Who then is John the Baptist???
I will do my best to answer my own questions :) This has helped my refute "Reincarnation"
Question: Matthew 17:10-13 and 11:14- Did Jesus say John the Baptist was Elijah reincarnated?
Problem: Jesus refers here to John the Baptist as “Elijah who is to come” (cf. Mat. 11:14; Mark 9:11-13). Matthew 17:10-13 says, the disciples asked him, "Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" 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."
But, since Elijah had died many centuries before, John must have been a reincarnation of Elijah???
Definition: Reincarnation means literally to come again in the flesh. That means that after death, the human soul attaches to another body and returns to live another life. One of the most attractive aspects of reincarnation is that it removes entirely the possibility of eternal damnation! The doctrine of eternal punishment seems totally incompatible with the love of God to many people. Many people think that if they reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior during their lifetime, they will ultimately have more chances to do so in their next lifetime in another body, and thus, eventually, all people will be saved and live with God.
Solution: There are many reasons why this verse does not teach reincarnation:
1. John and Elijah did not have the same Being – they had the same Function. Jesus was not teaching that John the Baptist was literally Elijah (cf. John 1:19-21 says, Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ." They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No."), but simply that he came “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17), namely, to continue his prophetic ministry.
2. Jesus’ disciples understood that He was speaking about John the Baptist, since Elijah appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mat. 17:10-13). Since John had already lived and died by then, and since Elijah still had the same name and self-consciousness, Elijah had obviously not been reincarnated as John the Baptist.
3. Elijah does not fit the reincarnation model for another reason – he did not DIE. He was taken to heaven like Enoch, who did not “see death” (2 Kings 2:11; cf. Heb. 11:5). According to traditional reincarnation, a person must first die before he can be reincarnated into another body.
4. If there is any doubt about this passage, it should be understood in the light of the clear teaching of Scripture opposing reincarnation. Hebrews, for example, declares, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Heb. 9:27; cf. John 9:2).
II. I love when John the Baptist wrote "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" Wow, just to think, Jesus died for all our past, present, and future sins! Jesus died approx 2,000 years ago for all of my future sins! That is mind boggling, but demonstrates the power of God :) woo hoo :)
Good questions, Tio. I myself had wondered why John denied being Elijah because of those verses. Good answer!
DeleteGreat question Israel for I myself asked that and searched for answer. Surely did find it in same scriptures. Good digging on it.
DeleteGreat question Israel that several on the blog have also raised, but you dug in and gave an excellent answer. Big gold star!
Delete1) Why were the pharisees asking John questions if they wouldn't believe him anyway? What was the significance of John baptizing? Since John was Jesus' cousin, did John ever meet Jesus before this event or not?
ReplyDelete2) John 1:29 “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Good questions Alex!
Delete1 – Were people baptized before this?
ReplyDelete2 – How long had it been since John last saw Jesus?
3 – When the priests and Levites questioned John didn’t they have more questions after he told them about the one coming after him?
2 – John 1:30 He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’
Good questions George!
Delete1A where did John come up with the idea of baptizing?
ReplyDelete2B Did John have any idea that Jesus was the Messiah before it was confirmed by the Holy Spirit?
3C Before the conversation happened in this section did John ask the Levites and pharisees if they have come to be baptized? (that would have been funny).
2 The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world