Reincarnation in the Bible
by JWing with special contribution by Rlinda Mcfarlane
Whenever one hears the term reincarnation, most immediately think to Eastern Mysticism especially Hinduism anad Buddhism. Other lesser known religions that have reincarnation are Jainism, Sikhism, and Taosim. Recently with Christian groups have embraced Eastern Mysticism in an attempt to be more acceptable to the nonChristian world. In doing so many, have begun trying integrating this very alien but widely accepted worldly concept with the Bible.
Their promoters are even so bold as to claim that the Bible supports reincarnation with the resurrection being a perfect example it. This argument so convincing that it has thrown many Christians into confusion. So we let us first start with reincarnation proponent's verses and see if the Bible truly does support their claim.
Their promoters are even so bold as to claim that the Bible supports reincarnation with the resurrection being a perfect example it. This argument so convincing that it has thrown many Christians into confusion. So we let us first start with reincarnation proponent's verses and see if the Bible truly does support their claim.
Background Information
Reincarnation is simply defined as the rebirth of a soul in a new body.
Reincarnation is simply defined as the rebirth of a soul in a new body.
Was John the Baptist the reincarnation of the prophet Elijah?
Matthew 11:13-14
13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias(Elijah), which was for to come. Matthew 17:10-13 10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias(Elijah) must first come? 11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. 12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. 13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. Malachi 4:5 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: |
At face value these verses all seem to support the idea that John the Baptist was the reincarnation of the prophet Elijah. However we quickly run into several problems with this notion. First and foremost reincarnation by definition is the physical death of a person and the eternalness of the soul that then gets reborn into a new body. Elijah never died. Rather he was assumed to heaven by a chariot of fire. For one to enter Heaven they must be transformed (1 Cor. 15:50-54), changed into an immortal body, which is no longer subject to death since corruptible flesh cannot enter into Heaven. If Elijah came back as John the Baptist, and was killed (beheaded by Heriod), he was never in heaven
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Second John the Baptist was foretold by the angel Gabriel to be coming in the spirit and the power of Elijah, not as Elijah himself.
Luke 1:17
17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias(Elijah), to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. |
Third is that John the Baptist when asked if he was Elijah reborn, said flatly that he was not.
John 1:19-21
19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? 20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. 21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias(Elijah)? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. |
And lastly on the Mount of Transfiguration they knew what John the Baptist looked like but yet all 3 accounts say that it was Elijah that appeared there talking with Jesus along with Moses.
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Was Jesus' resurrection evidence for reincarnation?
With John the Baptist being Elijah argument flatly defeated by Scripture, reincarnation proponents only have on more Biblical argument remaining. That is the fact that when Jesus resurrected, he was unrecognizable by his closest followers who had seen him for years. Example was Mary Magdelene mistaking Jesus for the gardener and the two apostles on the road to Emmaus who didn't recognize Jesus walking with him. |
John 20:14-16
14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Luke 24:13-16 13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. |
So is this evidence of Jesus receiving an entirely different body completely different from his one that his followers were familiar with for years? We know Jesus' body was in a glorified state, being able to appear and disappear without a trace and being able to walk through walls of a locked room twice. This glorified state of His body was never seen before by his followers and disciples. We have an account of him coming out of the tomb in this glorified state in Mat 28:3
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Where have we seen this description before if you all know your Bible's well? It is the same glorification that happened on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Mark 9:2-4
2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. 3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. 4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus |
Did Jesus get a new body then or was his body just shining with the glory of divinity? Notice it is His SAME BODY but glorified and his raiment was shining exceedingly snow white both times.
Who witnessed Jesus' body being transfigured? Was it all the disciples or just a few of them. We know from all accounts only Peter, James, and John saw his transfigured person. So why are we surprised when Mary Magdelene and the 2 apostles walking to Emmaus didn't recognize Jesus in His glorified form? None except Peter, James, and John ever saw Him in that state. That is most likely why none in the upper room asked who He was. Peter, James, and John were there and recognized Jesus glorified state from the Transfiguration and probably told the rest or gestured to the rest that THIS was Jesus.
Conclusion of the Matter
At our core, we humans fear our maker and His judgment because we know deep down our thoughts are usually bad and we can't stop them. So instead of facing that truth, we instead make up fantasies in our religions of the world about reincarnation, so that we can get unlimited chances to get it right in one of our myriad of lifetimes without facing judgment for past mistakes. However that is all it really is, a fantasy. The Bible is crystal clear that man only gets to live one time and then is judged by his/her maker, God (Yahweh) for every thought, intent, motive, and deed they do in this lifetime.
Who witnessed Jesus' body being transfigured? Was it all the disciples or just a few of them. We know from all accounts only Peter, James, and John saw his transfigured person. So why are we surprised when Mary Magdelene and the 2 apostles walking to Emmaus didn't recognize Jesus in His glorified form? None except Peter, James, and John ever saw Him in that state. That is most likely why none in the upper room asked who He was. Peter, James, and John were there and recognized Jesus glorified state from the Transfiguration and probably told the rest or gestured to the rest that THIS was Jesus.
Conclusion of the Matter
At our core, we humans fear our maker and His judgment because we know deep down our thoughts are usually bad and we can't stop them. So instead of facing that truth, we instead make up fantasies in our religions of the world about reincarnation, so that we can get unlimited chances to get it right in one of our myriad of lifetimes without facing judgment for past mistakes. However that is all it really is, a fantasy. The Bible is crystal clear that man only gets to live one time and then is judged by his/her maker, God (Yahweh) for every thought, intent, motive, and deed they do in this lifetime.
Hebrews 9:27
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: |
The good news of the Bible is while there was no way for us to meet God's perfection in both thought and deeds needed to enter Heaven on our own, God made a way for us. That is through Christ Jesus. He alone met the perfection in thought and deed necessary. And now God offers us that perfection Jesus earned, if we but accept the free gift by believing in Jesus. Pray this prayer and make that free gift your own.
Dear Lord God. I know I am a sinner and need your gift of salvation from my sins. I BELIEVE IN JESUS, the Son of God, as my personal Savior. I believe that His death on the cross and resurrection provides forgiveness for ALL my sins past, present, & future. Please forgive all my sins and come into my heart and life. I hereby trust in Jesus FINISHED WORK alone, and NOT upon me & my "good works", as sufficient to make me right with you and fit for Heaven. Please forgive ALL my sins and come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Seal me with your Holy Spirit until the day you come to take me home. In your Son Jesus’ name. Amen.
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