Demolishing Supposed Bible Contradictions Volume 2 (Demolishing Contradictions) by Ken Ham

Author:Ken Ham [Ham, Ken]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Hermeneutics, RELIGION / Christian Theology / Apologetics, RELIGION / Biblical Studies / Exegesis &#38
ISBN: 9781614581420
Publisher: Master Books
Published: 2012-02-13T16:00:00+00:00

A Case of Mistaken Identity

• John Bartlett Jr. •

Was John the Baptist Elijah or not?

The “Problem”

Based on Malachi 4:5, the scribes in Christ’s day taught that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah. Some people openly asked if John the Baptist was Elijah, a proposition he flatly denied. However, Jesus seemed to imply that John was Elijah. Who was right? The following verses are relevant to the proposed contradiction.

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come (Matthew 11:13–14).

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 (Matthew 17:10–13).

Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”

He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”

And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

And he answered, “No” (John 1:19–21).

The Solution

The skeptics have asked, “Who was lying: John the Baptist or Jesus?” The answer is that neither of them lied.

The problem with many proposed contradictions is that they are either misquoted or quoted out of their context. The incorrect use of quotes, especially when done to raise alleged contradictions, can easily lead the undiscerning Christian astray. However, like most other “contradictions,” a closer look at the context reveals the heart of the problem.

The account of John the Baptist starts in the Book of Luke when Gabriel, an angel of the Lord, appears to Zacharias concerning his coming son. Gabriel told Zacharias:

“Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. . . . And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children’ ” (Luke 1:13, 16–17, emphasis added).

It was foretold that the spirit of Elijah would come on John the Baptist. This was not the first time the spirit of Elijah had come upon someone. The second chapter of 2 Kings records the final conversation between Elijah and Elisha, just before Elijah was taken up into heaven by a whirlwind.

Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”

So [Elijah] said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.

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