Bible Readings — Bible Questions Answered

John the Baptist and Elijah

Whom did Christ indicate as fulfilling this prophecy? BR-ASI9 239.5

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. 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. Then the disciples understood that He spake unto them of John the Baptist.” Matthew 17:11-13. BR-ASI9 239.6

When asked if he were Elijah, what did John say? BR-ASI9 239.7

“And he said, I am not.” John 1:21. “He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.” John 1:23. BR-ASI9 239.8

In what sense was John the Baptist Elijah? BR-ASI9 239.9

“Many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before Him [Christ] in the spirit and power of Elias, 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.” Luke 1:16, 17. BR-ASI9 239.10

Note.—John went forth “in the spirit and power of Elias,” and, in preparing a people for Christ’s first coming, did a work similar to that done by Elijah the prophet in Israel centuries before. (See 1 Kings 17 and 18.) In this sense, and in this sense only, he was the Elijah of Malachi 4:5. BR-ASI9 239.11

How did Elijah answer King Ahab’s accusation? BR-ASI9 239.12

“And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.” 1 Kings 18:17, 18. BR-ASI9 239.13

Note.—Israel had forsaken God and gone off into idolatry. Jezebel, Ahab’s wicked and idolatrous wife, who supported the prophets of Baal, had “cut off the prophets of the Lord” (verse 4), and was seeking to slay Elijah. Elijah called for a famine on the land, and said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” 1 Kings 17:1. This interview came near the end of the famine. Elijah’s message was a call to repentance and obedience to God’s commandments. BR-ASI9 239.14

What plain proposition did he submit to all Israel? BR-ASI9 240.1

“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him.” 1 Kings 18:21. BR-ASI9 240.2

Note.—As a result of the test by fire which followed on Mount Carmel (read the remainder of this chapter), there was a great turning to God, the people saying, “The Lord, He is the God.” 1 Kings 18:39. BR-ASI9 241.1

What was the burden of the message of John the Baptist? BR-ASI9 241.2

“Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” Matthew 3:2, 8. BR-ASI9 241.3

What was the result of this message? BR-ASI9 241.4

“Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.” Matthew 3:5, 6. BR-ASI9 241.5