Transmigratoin of the Soul/Reincarnation:

[Christopher0121]

Reincarnation. It's a subject most Bible believing Christians dismiss quickly and choose to never give it a second thought. Many connect it with the "occult" or the New Age movement. However, many sincere Bible believing Christians have embraced the possibility of reincarnation. And their belief in reincarnation is actually based upon... the Bible. Let's take a look....

We read something interesting that was indeed asked by the disciples that gives a glimpse into their Jewish understandings:

John 9:2
And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
​

Here they see a man who was "born blind". They ask who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind. Now the question would be why did they ask this? How can a man sin before he is born? Did he pre-exist? Did he live prior to this? A study of ancient Judaism and Gilgul will show how it wasn't uncommon in ancient Judaism to believe that some had lived other lives in previous centuries. It's possible that, right or wrong, the disciples learned this as part of their Jewish education. Here Jesus had ample opportunity to confront this notion, yet Jesus assures them that neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened to him to bring God glory. Lastly, Jesus healed him. So why didn't Jesus say something akin to, "It is said that some have sinned before birth, but I say unto you..."? Jesus never rebuked the notion entirely.

Most Christians believe that when a man dies he is judged. God determines to either allow the man into glory, condemn him to suffering. However, in ancient Judaism it is believed that God might also send him back for some divine purpose. It's important to remember that just because a man might be sent back in another life it doesn't mean he didn't die and face the judgment.

Some Christians have chosen to believe that Elijah was reincarnated in John the Baptist. The Bible says,

Malachi 4:5
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
​

Concerning John the Baptist, Jesus said:

Matthew 11:14
And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
​

Matthew 17:12
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.
​

Mark 9:13
But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.
​

Now, the LORD said in Malachi, "I will send you Elijah the prophet". The way I see it, either God did indeed send Elijah the prophet reincarnated in John the Baptist, as Jesus attests, or God lied. This is another place where you can believe traditional Zondervan publishing Christianity, or believe the Scriptures. In my opinion, we have to admit that reincarnation happened at least on this one occasion.

Please remember, reincarnation wasn't something unknown among the Jews. Their concept was known as "Gilgul", or the "Rolling of the Soul".

At any rate, on this one, there is sure to be disagreement among sincere believers. What do you think? Do the Scriptures support the notion of reincarnation? Is reincarnation possible? Is reincarnation something a devout Christian can believe in?

Please share your thoughts.

 

[Soulgazer]

We Christian Gnostics acknowledge the theory of reincarnation, but look upon it as a thing to be avoided. We believe Jesus freed us from the cycles of the fates, and that would include reincarnation, astrology and predetermination. So, if you remember a past life, it was because you were not a Christian.

 

[Christopher0121]

We Christian Gnostics acknowledge the theory of reincarnation, but look upon it as a thing to be avoided. We believe Jesus freed us from the cycles of the fates, and that would include reincarnation, astrology and predetermination. So, if you remember a past life, it was because you were not a Christian.

Interesting theory. However, assuming that reincarnation might happen from time to time, Elijah was a faithful prophet. Yet it would appear that God sent him back in John the Baptist to herald the coming of the Messiah. I would contend that if one remembers a past life, they should prayerfully seek to find out why God sent them back. In Gilgul, the Jewish version of reincarnation, God often sends a person back to accomplish something.

 

[jcpro]

Reincarnation is a valid dogma in orthodox Judaism and applies to those who did not accomplish all mitzvot-led less than righteous life.

 

[Noxot]

We Christian Gnostics acknowledge the theory of reincarnation, but look upon it as a thing to be avoided. We believe Jesus freed us from the cycles of the fates, and that would include reincarnation, astrology and predetermination. So, if you remember a past life, it was because you were not a Christian.

you really hate them monkey suits, don't you?

 

[Soulgazer]

you really hate them monkey suits, don't you?

If you know the bible, then you know that God tests men so they will see they are like the animals. I have seen.

 

[Soulgazer]

Interesting theory. However, assuming that reincarnation might happen from time to time, Elijah was a faithful prophet. Yet it would appear that God sent him back in John the Baptist to herald the coming of the Messiah. I would contend that if one remembers a past life, they should prayerfully seek to find out why God sent them back. In Gilgul, the Jewish version of reincarnation, God often sends a person back to accomplish something.

Yes, we would agree, that to remember an incarnation would mean that there is something special to be learned from it. I personally do not know anyone that remembers a past life so I can't further comment.

 

[Christopher0121]

Is it possible for a God fearing, Bible believing Christian, to believe in the possibility of reincarnation?

Does the relationship between Elijah and John the Baptist indicate the possibility of reincarnation?

 

[Noxot]

If you know the bible, then you know that God tests men so they will see they are like the animals. I have seen.

i'm an animal. my poo blesses and curses things. all for good.

 

[Soulgazer]

Is it possible for a God fearing, Bible believing Christian, to believe in the possibility of reincarnation?

Does the relationship between Elijah and John the Baptist indicate the possibility of reincarnation?

I don't know; There are thousands of denominations, so it is quite possible that some do. I'm not a "bible believer" in the thumper sort of way.

I think if you are called to question it, you may have too deal with it down the road a ways.

 

[Going Merry]

Reincarnation. It's a subject most Bible believing Christians dismiss quickly and choose to never give it a second thought. Many connect it with the "occult" or the New Age movement. However, many sincere Bible believing Christians have embraced the possibility of reincarnation. And their belief in reincarnation is actually based upon... the Bible. Let's take a look....

We read something interesting that was indeed asked by the disciples that gives a glimpse into their Jewish understandings:

John 9:2
And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
​

Here they see a man who was "born blind". They ask who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind. Now the question would be why did they ask this? How can a man sin before he is born? Did he pre-exist? Did he live prior to this? A study of ancient Judaism and Gilgul will show how it wasn't uncommon in ancient Judaism to believe that some had lived other lives in previous centuries. It's possible that, right or wrong, the disciples learned this as part of their Jewish education. Here Jesus had ample opportunity to confront this notion, yet Jesus assures them that neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened to him to bring God glory. Lastly, Jesus healed him. So why didn't Jesus say something akin to, "It is said that some have sinned before birth, but I say unto you..."? Jesus never rebuked the notion entirely.

Most Christians believe that when a man dies he is judged. God determines to either allow the man into glory, condemn him to suffering. However, in ancient Judaism it is believed that God might also send him back for some divine purpose. It's important to remember that just because a man might be sent back in another life it doesn't mean he didn't die and face the judgment.

Some Christians have chosen to believe that Elijah was reincarnated in John the Baptist. The Bible says,

Malachi 4:5
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
​

Concerning John the Baptist, Jesus said:

Matthew 11:14
And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
​

Matthew 17:12
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.
​

Mark 9:13
But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.
​

Now, the LORD said in Malachi, "I will send you Elijah the prophet". The way I see it, either God did indeed send Elijah the prophet reincarnated in John the Baptist, as Jesus attests, or God lied. This is another place where you can believe traditional Zondervan publishing Christianity, or believe the Scriptures. In my opinion, we have to admit that reincarnation happened at least on this one occasion.

Please remember, reincarnation wasn't something unknown among the Jews. Their concept was known as "Gilgul", or the "Rolling of the Soul".

At any rate, on this one, there is sure to be disagreement among sincere believers. What do you think? Do the Scriptures support the notion of reincarnation? Is reincarnation possible? Is reincarnation something a devout Christian can believe in?

Please share your thoughts.

John the Baptist denied being Elijah. Because he was not. However he came in the Spirit and power of Elijah. So the person asking him was not lied to and John spoke correctly. Reincarnation is not biblical.

John the Baptist Elijah as proven in -- Matthew 17:10-13

And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.

Note bolded and colored.
1 John 5:6
This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.

Therefore John restored all things by His baptism and the Lord had to suffer as a result of this through his crucifixion. And the Spirit bears witness because that is the truth. 1 John 5:8 makes all three witnesses of the water, blood, and spirit to be of equal importance for salvation. So negating any aspect of it nullifies salvation.


As I said though, John the Baptist already fulfilled that scripture. He denied being Elijah, because he is not, he came in the power and spirit of Elijah.

 

[Soulgazer]

Yeah, but airplanes, rocket ships to mars, and automobiles are not biblical either. All that proves is the absence of evidence, which is not the same as evidence of absence. That's the same argument that atheist use against God, so we kinda want to be careful about going there.

 

[Xpistis sopheiaX]

Reincarnation makes sense and eternal hell doesn't. So there is that.

 

[Christopher0121]

John the Baptist denied being Elijah. Because he was not. However he came in the Spirit and power of Elijah. So the person asking him was not lied to and John spoke correctly. Reincarnation is not biblical.

John the Baptist Elijah as proven in -- Matthew 17:10-13
And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.
Note bolded and colored.
1 John 5:6
This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.
Therefore John restored all things by His baptism and the Lord had to suffer as a result of this through his crucifixion. And the Spirit bears witness because that is the truth. 1 John 5:8 makes all three witnesses of the water, blood, and spirit to be of equal importance for salvation. So negating any aspect of it nullifies salvation.
As I said though, John the Baptist already fulfilled that scripture. He denied being Elijah, because he is not, he came in the power and spirit of Elijah.

You have to start with the prophecy itself. GOD said,

Malachi 4:5
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
​

Now…God promised to send ELIJAH THE PROPHET. Did God lie??? I contend that God absolutely did not lie. God did indeed send Elijah the prophet. John was asked if he was the Elijah and John stated:

John 1:21
And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
​

BUT… of John the Baptist Jesus said:

Matthew 11:14
And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

Matthew 17:12
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.

Mark 9:13
But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.
​

We have three facts:

-God promised to send “Elijah the prophet”.
-John the Baptist was asked if he were Elijah the prophet but said that he wasn’t.
-Jesus actually turns around and assures the people that John was Elijah the prophet.
​

Clearly God didn’t lie when He promised to send “Elijah the prophet”. Now, though John claimed not to be the Elijah God promised Jesus assured the disciples that John was indeed the Elijah that was expected to come. Therefore we can conclude that John the Baptist didn’t fully understand who he was. This is typical in cases involving reincarnation. This is because each reincarnation has a distinct mind or “soul” if you will, that develops from each birth. It is the “spirit” of a man that is reincarnated. So, John wasn’t “lying” when he denied being Elijah. Because he didn’t have Elijah’s mind, that was suppressed under the psyche of John the Baptist. However, the very same human spirit that was Elijah was in the one we call John the Baptist. Spiritually speaking, they are the same person.

So, no one lied. God didn’t lie; He did send Elijah the prophet. John didn’t lie; he truly didn’t know he was Elijah the prophet. Jesus didn’t lie; Jesus reveals that John truly was Elijah.

If your theory is correct… you have to contend with what God Himself said,

Malachi 4:5
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
​

Did God actually send back "Elijah the prophet" as promised??? Your argument is “no”. That makes God a liar.

 

[Christopher0121]

Reincarnation makes sense and eternal hell doesn't. So there is that.

I wouldn't deny an eternal Hell. However, I do believe there are far more spiritual realities than we are aware of because we've been closed off from understanding them by our traditions and dogma.

 

[Soulgazer]

I thought about writing a book about a guy waking up in a crib with all of his memories intact. It would be an awful experience for the parents, and probably for the guy. He would have to be careful who he told. Fundies might call him "possessed" because it's not biblical. Shrinks might question his sanity, because it's not clinical.

 

[Xpistis sopheiaX]

Wasn't there some kid who recently had a lot of memories about dying as a fighter pilot in WWII? I can't remember what show he was on....

I don't deny an eternal hell exactly. That stuff isn't up to me. However I will maintain that it makes no logical sense. But on the flip side, reality is made up of different types of logic.

 

[Soulgazer]

Wasn't there some kid who recently had a lot of memories about dying as a fighter pilot in WWII? I can't remember what show he was on....

I don't deny an eternal hell exactly. That stuff isn't up to me. However I will maintain that it makes no logical sense. But on the flip side, reality is made up of different types of logic.

You are right--he was all over the news channels/remembered people he had served with, and they were convinced.

I don't know. I think anyone that says it couldn't exist, or conversely, has to exist probably hasn't thought it through; I think that there are some things that remain above our pay grade.

 

[Xpistis sopheiaX]

It really would be something if that really kid was reincarnated. I would love to believe that he was, but unfortunately there are so many people who fabricate hoaxes of every sort that it is hard to take people at their word.

When it comes to the after life, I'm pretty sure just about everything is above my pay-grade

 

[Noxot]

I noticed there is something else, more like where we are right now, is some kind of book that we are reading. or like some kind of game we are playing.

and also i noticed i came down but I was always up with the Lord. but like, for some reason my mind is blinded from certain things right now, even though more things are unfolding. like, for some reason i can't just see this entire story right now fully, but I know that i can and already did.

and so one of me keeps grasping for higher and higher and another of me grasp for darkness of Him. another of me just wants to be with me and tend to me and hold me. and I wonder how that i can even think when I submit to him, but that he lets me think. and i know that one day i will understand how it is to stare at His face again in the light. but I came form all around, I got compressed and I got spread out. and all I want to do is have him inside of me, and me inside of Him, Him always first, me as the one he loves and I love him. and I know we are one, and all I want to be with him is one. and I have faith he makes me greater than the conception of the meaning of god, since he is past all things and endless. and I know it is easy for him to make me as he is, and yet still he showed me I am the small one and he large. and all I want to do, is stay close to Him. close as I can. I want him close and there are no more bad dreams about not being with him, it was for part of the play.

so though the things of this thread might exist, i don't know but that i know god is way better than an experience we go through, and want him only... screw purpose, entanglement in him is better.

he is I AM that I AM for our sake, please I beg all of you, just seek HIM only. HE seeks you more.