Why Did Jesus Say John the Baptist Was Elijah the Prophet?

Biblical Literacy

Why Did Jesus Say John the Baptist Was Elijah the Prophet?

25 min

Biblical Literacy

Why Did Jesus Say John the Baptist Was Elijah the Prophet?

25 min

Episode 441 Show Notes

From the Show

This is a call to repentance. It was so characteristic of John’s ministry out there in the wilderness, calling people to repentance, saying that the kingdom of God was at hand. Jesus himself said that John the Baptist was the last in the line of the old Testament prophets pointing forward to the Messiah and his kingdom. And that’s exactly what John did. And that what made him like Elijah. He came to turn people back to God by pointing them to Jesus.

—Adriel Sanchez

Questions in this Episode

1. What is the best interpretation of “all will know me” in the Jer. 31:34 prophecy of the New Covenant?

2. There are people that wear crosses, and they are convinced that they got a close walk with God. But they don’t do anything that’s correct. You’ve got, for example, mothers that put their daughters down. You’ve got husbands or wives that put their spouses down. You’ve got people hurting people just to make themselves feel better because they have psychological problems. Now, would those people be saved? Are they going to enter heaven even though they didn’t follow through with anything, because there’s no fruit there? I don’t know. I don’t see any fruit.

3. In Mark 1:2–3 it says, “As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare yourself way, the voice of the one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.’” Then it goes on to say this was John the Baptist. My question is how is Elijah the prophet and John the Baptist connected?

4. What does it mean only 144,000 people will go to heaven?

5. In light of 1 Corinthians 6:9–11, is it true then that there is really no such thing as what’s commonly referred to as a backslider?

Resources

Core Christianity: Finding Yourself in God’s Story by Michael Horton

Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone.

Sola Newspaper

Today's Offer

Sola Newspaper

A quarterly print publication featuring articles on theology, the confessions, & reflections for the Christian life, delivered straight to your mailbox. For free.

Subscribe Now

Michael Horton (Ph.D., Wycliffe Hall, Oxford and Coventry University) is the J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Westminster Seminary California and Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Sola Media.

More on this topic

Biblical Literacy

Explore All

Three Things to Teach Your Kids from the Book of Acts

Paul describes the teaching of the gospel—all that is needed for salvation—as “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). Our kids need that counsel, too. Read through Acts with them! Explain the stories. Help them see the goodness, power, and love of the God who made them and sent his Son to die for them.

Our Victory Is Between the Flags of Sound Doctrine

Our Victory Is Between the Flags of Sound Doctrine

Following sound doctrine requires our eyes to remain fixed on Jesus. It also requires that our faith rests in him. Faith opens the door to God’s plan and allows us to accomplish his will for our lives. It does so chiefly because it fosters a heart that yields to the counsel and leading of God. In this way, we remain on the road of truth.

Four Tips for Reading the Bible's Prophetical Books

Four Tips for Reading the Bible’s Prophetical Books

The Prophets are not just abstract apocalyptic literature, included in the canon of Scripture because of their audience or subject matter. No, they—like the rest of Scripture—are the divinely inspired word of God. They are included in the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan and written within the covenant context of God and his people for a theological purpose, reflecting a specific historical and geographical context.

The book cover on a soft blue background.

Old Problems, New Proponents: The Sufficiency of Scripture Debate in Our Day

The church today finds itself amidst a revived trend of advocating for hearing God speaking to his people apart from his word. While there are new figures in this movement, the content of their message is hardly original. One can think of late medieval mysticism’s emphasis on a mystical encounter with God […]

Help more people know what they believe and why.

Support trusted articles, podcasts, and resources that deepen faith, point people to Christ, and strengthen the church.

Give Monthly