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The Whole Document version (in Word) Version 2006

Is reincarnation found in the Bible?

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Reincarnation & the Bible





Can someone believe in the Bible and in reincarnation?



We will answer this question at the end of the study. In this document, when I talk about them, they, the people, some people, etc, I'm usually talking about the people who believe in reincarnation.


Now let's start!


What is the main point of reincarnation?


We need to know there are two theories regarding this issue. One view is to believe that human can come back to life in different life forms such as: human beings, animals, trees, etc (Hinduism). The other one believes people can only come back in human form. According to them, both views agree that we must come back to earth to "perfect" ourselves. Also, every time we come back to earth, we are "supposed" to become better and better beings. At the end of this perfected path or cycle, they believe that these reincarnated beings enter into a "divine state". There are several names for that state, such as: Nirvana, the Seventh Heaven, etc. If this belief is true (we're supposed to become better and better after each cycle, or reincarnation), then why has the world become worse than ever before???

This theory is exposed when we clearly understand what the Bible teaches, especially concerning His birth, His death and His resurrection. Those who believe in reincarnation try to "bypass" Jesus and want to go to "Heaven" their way. Unfortunately for them, Jesus is direct concerning Himself, there is only ONE WAY to Heaven:
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6.

They want to earn or work their way to Heaven (or to their divine state), as other religions also believe it, but that is not what the Bible teaches. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; [9] not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9. Heaven IS NOT based on works, but on GRACE. At the heart of their beliefs, they don't need a saviour because they are their own "saviour" and think they can access this path by themselves. It is true we need to earn our pay check and to work hard at school, but that matter is spiritual and need to be treated as such. We as Christians DO need a Saviour and His name is Jesus. He IS the Saviour of all those who believe in Him & follow His teaching recorded in the Bible.

Now, let's see what they believe versus what the Bible teaches. Some say that the Bible talks about reincarnation. We'll look at some of these they’re using to see if the Bible is really supporting their belief or if they are just twisting Bible verses to defend their own ideas as many cults do. They believe Jesus spoke about reincarnation. In
John 3:3: "Jesus answered and said: "Unless a man is born again, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God." If we use that version (I mean the King James Version, KJV) it is clear there is no reincarnation in this verse, but let's look at the version they embrace.

Jesus said:
"Unless a man is reborn, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God." John 3:3.Here in this verse of the Bible, we have a slight difference that "COULD" support their view... Even in this version of the Bible, it doesn't talk about being reborn many times before we achieve a certain "state". It means we need to be "reborn" ONLY ONCE or as real Christians would say, born again (i.e. from above). The Greek word used for born "again" is "anothen" which means: from above, from the top, from the beginning, or again. There is no continuation, rather, it's a NEW BEGINNING with Jesus, from above, from Heaven...

The man that Jesus was talking to, did not understand what Jesus was saying, so in his limited knowledge, because he did not understand the expression "being born again", Nicodemus asked Jesus:
"...How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? [5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. [8] The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." John 3:4-8. The answer Jesus gave him, was not what he expected.

Jesus explain first, we came from our mother's womb (from the water, for we were in a watery substance while in our mother's womb). He's saying that we were born of water, not baptize of water as some others would believe. As we were born of the flesh, ONCE, we also need to be born of the Spirit, ONCE!!! When Jesus was talking earlier he talked about being born again, from above, in order to have a new beginning with Him. Later in this verse he's talking about being born from the spirit, which means the same. Jesus reveals unto us the difference between the flesh (carnality) and the spirit. If we would paraphrase what Jesus is saying, it would be something like this: "As you have been born once from your mother’s womb, thus fleshly, you need to be born once of the Spirit, thus spiritually, since your Father in Heaven is Spirit."

We were dead spiritually regarding God, for our communication was broken toward God. It happened when Adam sinned. We are reconnected when we accept Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. That's the reason why we need to be born again (first from the flesh, second from the spirit). As we can see, there's no coming back a thousand times in this verse. Thus no demon can be born again, as they’re not born from the flesh… Another verse they use is the one talking about John the Baptist saying he was the reincarnation of Elijah the prophet. Is he really Elijah's reincarnation? What does the Bible say about this subject? First of all, Elijah did several miracles and John did none. What does John the Baptist says about himself?

"He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, 'I am not the Christ.' [21] They asked him, Then who are you? Are you Elijah?' He said, 'I am not.' 'Are you the Prophet?' He answered, 'No'. [22] Finally they said, 'Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?' [23] John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, 'I am the voice of one calling in the desert, Make straight the way for the Lord.' [24] Now some Pharisees who had been sent [25] questioned him, 'Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?' [26] 'I baptize with water,' John replied, but among you stand one you do not know. [27] He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie." John 1:20-27.

In the previous verses, John clearly states that HE IS NOT Elijah. He didn't see himself worthy to bear the title of prophet for the mission given by God. All the prophets who came before him, waited for that specific time. Even then he was too humble to compare himself with the prophet Elijah, because he knew the Jewish Messiah would come right after him, even in his own life time and it would be him, John The Baptist, who would prepare the way for Jesus. What does John have to say about himself? He compared himself, as the prophet of old says, with the voice crying in the wilderness (Isaiah 40:3-5). Now what does Jesus have to say about him? "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands. [13] Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist." Matthew 17:11-13.

"And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elijah must first come? [12] And he answered and told them, Elijah verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought. [13] But I say unto you, That Elijah is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him." Mark 9:11-13. "And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of 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." Luke 1:17.

In the last three verses, Jesus refers to John the Baptist, as the Elijah that was to come and came. However, He never said John was the reincarnation of Elijah, but he, John, came IN THE POWER and in the SPIRIT of Elijah. Let's look at another version in order to have a better understanding of the verse. The new International Reader's version says: "He will have the same spirit and power that Elijah had..." or the Message Version: "He will herald God's arrival in the style and strength of Elijah." He didn't say Elijah's spirit came into John's spirit, but rather, as other versions render it, he will have or use the same power, or boldness that Elijah had, for we know John DID NOT perform any miracle, yet came "in the power" of Elijah.

In the Old Testament we learn how Elijah went into Heaven without being dead:
"And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into Heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal." 2 Kings 2:1, there is also another verse "Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven." 2 Kings 2:11. In these verses we understand Elijah DID NOT DIE, but he was taken up directly into Heaven. So if Elijah DID NOT DIE, how could he be reincarnated in John the Baptist's body ???

So by these verses we can BOLDLY declare: John the Baptist IS NOT the reincarnation of the prophet Elijah. Until now, we have understood many verses that should have shown us the reincarnation in the Bible, yet by analyzing carefully those verses we have conclude there is, so far, no link between the Bible and reincarnation. What other verses do the believer in reincarnation says confirms" their views about reincarnation?

John 9 The blind man! Is that so? This story is concerning a blind man who was healed of his sickness by Jesus himself. They say Jesus' disciples believe in reincarnation. One thing we need to remember, the Bible relates facts and events good, or bad, about history of different period of time. It quotes what it says, but doesn't mean it approves it because it's written there. We need to read and understand the context otherwise it could be taken out of context has many cult did with several biblical verses.

In that particular time, before the coming of Jesus, people believed when someone had a sickness at birth, he/she surely had sinned or done something wrong in their previous life. For they believed if God is so good, and he is good, how can these things happened to someone at birth? It has to come before or by the sins of the parents. Nobody ever heard of a man blind form birth being healed of that kind of sickness. Let's look at the verses:
"Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. [2] And His disciples asked Him, saying, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' [3] Jesus answered,'Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him." John 9:1-3. Even though some disciples MIGHT have believed it or not, does not mean that the Bible endorses such teaching. What can we understand from those verses... Jesus CLEARLY did not say the man or his parents were responsible for that blindness from birth. He says "NOT BECAUSE of the man's sin, or his parents". No one has to pay for someone else's sins. We do not believe God gave him the sickness, but we need to remember since Adam sinned, death and sickness came on earth. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8) and to heal people of their diseases (Luke 4:18).

For example King Saul consulted a witch to know his future, for he was afraid and the Lord did not answer him (1 Samuel 28:5-20). The Bible, in the Old Testament report mostly facts and history. It never says what he did was wrong, yet when we look at verses concerning the consulting of familiar spirits or similar inquiries, the Bible is clear, IT IS WRONG! (The following verses confirm it: Leviticus 19:31, 20:6, 20:27, Deuteronomy 18:10-12). It talks about stoning them, to be put to death. Even Saul had put away several of them from the land (1 Samuel 28:3).

Let's look at some biblical verses refuting the "doctrine" of reincarnation. The Bible teaches us we die once:
"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." Hebrews 9:27. We do not have many judgments, but only one. They are different if someone is Christian and someone who is not, but still only one judgment. We cannot come back to life once we're dead. I know some people did come back from the dead, but eventually they died, then no more returned to earth! In the Bible Jesus tells us of a story of a rich man and of a beggar named Lazarus, not the one who Jesus called back from the dead. Jesus says we cannot go from one side (hell) to another (Heaven) or from them back to earth.

"So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. [23] "And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom. [24] "Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' [25] "But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. [26] 'And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.' [27] "Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, [28] 'for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' [29] "Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' [30] "And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' [31] "But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead." Luke 16:22-31.

Most of us saw the movie "Jesus of Nazareth". At the end, we see Jesus on the cross surrounded by two thieves. Despite their conditions, one of them asks Jesus to remember him. Jesus told him, TODAY you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:39-43). Though he was a bad guy, because He believed in what Jesus did, he will be in paradise with Jesus.It is not after many reincarnations, or after several centuries he will be in Heaven, but Jesus is clear He says TODAY!. Jesus didn't ask him to do works, or that he has to pay for his sins, or even to be baptized. The only condition was believing...

The Bible talks about Heaven and Hell (also called lake of fire), not rebirth, nor reincarnation! If someone DOES NOT accept Jesus as HIS SAVIOUR, then that person goes to Hell, no second chance. We're not playing a game on the computer with several lives. That is reality, we have one life to live (we may have several chances in that one life). When we die, our choice is made, though we be right or wrong. The Bible is clear. If people want to spread lies, they will pay for it in Hell eternally!

Some people, who called themselves believers, think that they can do anything they want, that is false. The Bible encourages us to DENY ourselves and that is contrary to what the media and the commercials are "teaching" us. On the other hand, some people believe being a Christian is a life of don't. That is false also. When someone is Christian, the bad deeds he/she was doing don't seem as attractive as before?

Before I was a believer, I went to bars and drank. Now that I'm saved, I don't go to bars and don't drink at all, it's not because I can't, but because I DON'T WANT TO!!! My priorities changed and I like it this way. Nobody imposed those behaviours on me, but the conviction of God got me to these decisions. This principle could be applied in many areas of my life. If someone call himself (or herself) a Christian and keeps on doing the bad deeds (drugs, clubs, alcohols, etc), these persons are not real Christians, for their lives should reflect what they say they believe.

The Bible says that a Christian is known by his fruits. When Jesus comes IN our lives than sin must GO OUT of it. We also need to rely on what the Bible says, because it has been inspired and is truth:
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

We need to read and understand the Bible, THEN applying it to our lives. I mean following the principles learned, as the Bible says: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." James 1:22. That means going to church: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25. God is good and He wants the BEST for us. If we want to be first on HIS list, HE needs to be first on ours. Being a Christian is not something we do once a week, but it needs to take every aspect of our lives 24/7.


Conclusion: NO REINCARNATION!



We could go on, for I found a lot of verses taken out of context. I will stop here, for I believe my point is made by the most quoted verses from the Bible regarding the subject of reincarnation. You know, talking about reincarnation, I remember discussing with a lady concerning her previous "birth". She told me that she was a queen somewhere, blah, blah, blah... After talking to several persons regarding previous birth, I notice something that caused my mind to be puzzled.

All of the ones I'VE TALKED TO, told me that they were ALL princes or princesses. Were there only princes and princesses in the past? I never heard, so far, someone who told me that he/she was a murderer or a poor innocent person. It was ALWAYS someone important. It looks like the ones who conducted these sessions wanted to appeal to the carnality of their patients.

The Bible revealed to us that JESUS died for ALL our sins. In the concept of reincarnation we need to pay for our own sins, thus "bypassing" or even eliminated the meaning of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross! According to their beliefs, we are supposed to be our own saviour, and then we do not need the TRUE SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST!!!! The Bible and the concept of reincarnation are clearly incompatible! The Bible doesn't even one second mention it. If they say so, these are LIES! As I referred to earlier, some are trying to twist the Bible to bring their own interpretations, especially in the case of John the Baptist being Elijah...

Some say monks or other religious leaders have taken away or hide some books to remove the concept of reincarnation from the Bible. Yet these people forget the MAIN teaching of the Bible. At the heart of Christianity, we have the birth, the death and the resurrection of Jesus. Christians call Jesus SAVIOUR because he saved us, not we ourselves. Jesus paid our penalty on the cross, so we don't need to pay the price ourselves, Jesus did it for us at the expanse of his own blood. The Dead Sea scrolls are the proofs the Bible has not been changed!

In our days some would say they have found new gospels (according to Judas, according to Thomas, etc.). Those teachings existed in the time of the apostles, and they are not included in the Bible because it goes against the teaching of the Bible. Paul might have mentioned it when he talked about doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1). The Bible is clear and loud about it in the Old and in the New Testament, there is no proof of reincarnation, not even the shadow of it. I can proclaim boldly: "THERE IS NO REINCARNATION IN THE BIBLE!" The teachings are incompatible, otherwise Jesus' death on the cross would have been for nothing, yet the New Testament talks a lot about what Jesus accomplished on the cross, what no other man could do.


I challenge anyone to prove me wrong!!!!



I'll finish this teaching with this verse:
"If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15.


Whom do you chose?



The point I wanted to make through this document is to prove that WE CANNOT believe in the Bible and in reincarnation. I believe I proved my point!


Written by


Francois Bergeron





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Other links on reincarnation:
Does the Bible and Science Support Reincarnation
Is reincarnation taught in the Bible?
I believe in reincarnation, so why do I need Christianity
Does the Bible teach Reincarnation


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Est-ce que la Bible fait mention de la réincarnation ?

 

 
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Last modification: October 31, 2009