With a passage like this how can Christians say there's no reincarnation?

Yes, some rationalize this by saying that Elijah went up in the chariots of God and did not die.

I don't believe that he didn't die. The Bible says it is appointed unto man to die and then the judgment.

The other scripture that could be interpreted this way is when Jesus asks Peter who he believes Jesus is.

Peter says that some say you are Elijah or one of the Prophets. Jesus asked who he thought he was .He said the Christ , the son of the living God.

If reincarnation was a foreign concept , then why did Peter answer this way? Some say one of the prophets?

Luke 1:17 says this about John the Baptizer:

"Also, he will go before him with E·li′jah’s spirit and power, to turn back the hearts of fathers to children and the disobedient ones to the practical wisdom of righteous ones, to get ready for Jehovah a prepared people.”

He was the foretold counterpart of Elijah in the sense that he carried out a work comparable to Elijah.

You are onto something when you reference the verses that speak of Jesus saying that those who believe in him will never die and that Lazarus was "sleeping" in death.

When people die, Eccl. 9:5 says they are "conscious of nothing at all." Acts 24:15 says that there will be "a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous."

While a number of those who died after Jesus presented the value of his sacrifice to his heavenly Father in 33 C.E. would have the hope of ruling as kings and priests with him in the heavenly kingdom, those who died before then (as well as most who die today) would have the hope of being resurrected to a paradise earth. (Rev. 5:9, 10; Acts 2:1, 4, 33; Ps. 37:11, 29) Since John the Baptizer died prior to Pentecost 33 C.E., he will be resurrected to earth, not to heaven to rule with Christ Jesus. That is why Jesus said "he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

Also, not all will be destroyed when Armageddon does come. Those who exercise faith in Christ and heed the warnings associated with that event will not only have the prospect of surviving but of living forever. They will truly "never die at all." (John 11:26; Rev. 7:9-14)

Although you are correct in ascertaining that Lazarus' sleeping in death meant that his death was not permanent; there is a difference between resurrection and reincarnation. You may appreciate the additional information found here:

http://www.watchtower.org/e/19970515/article_02.ht...

All things are possible with God

Here's a poem I wrote.I hope you like it.

GOOD FRIDAY.

-------------------------

Come and lie down in the garden of Gethsemane

I tell you friend you won't sleep tonight

For the soldiers are coming with torches lit up

To arrest an innocent man who didn't put up no fight.

A kiss on the cheek from a wolf not a sheep

Judas-His friend will pay a terrible cost

Let us follow the procession to the house of the High priest

Even though I know that all is now lost.

It's Good Friday morning the trials been set

Yes he gave us a warning and we closed our ears

It's Good Friday morning-a day I'll never forget

As they lead Him away-my eyes filled with tears.

How goodness and truth was scourged beaten and broken

Crucified on a cross just for words that were spoken.

Come let us make haste to the Roman procurator

A rubber stamp is needed to punish no crime

This man he foretold in words dark and bold

That he was the fruit the tree and the vine.

"What is truth?"was the question-rhetorical detection

As the thorny crown was placed and the purple robe unfurled

No more words were now spoken-truth was scourged beaten and broken

On the king with no kingdom in this desolate world.

It's Good Friday morning a cross He was given

To a man with no home except His Fathers in heaven

It's Good Friday morning his cross once was a tree

And it will grow roots upon calvary.

See compassion and love scourged beaten and broken

Crucified on the cross just for words that were spoken.

Strike nails into flesh-tear muscle and sinew

Raise up the sacrafice on the cross made of wood

Let us wash in the blood that flows like the flood

From the broken beaten man who personified good.

A spears quickly thrust-religious expediencies a must

His body is lowered a sad shattered shell

The tombs been prepared His death we all shared

He descends into darkness to illuminate hell.

It's Good Friday evening the crowd has gone home

He's been wrapped up in linen and they've sealed the stone

Set guards at the tomb entrance with an hourly inspection

Yes I stayed there till Sunday to witness His ressurection.

It's Good Friday evening as red rain starts to fall

Yes My love for Him is unshaken

His love conquers all.

Well I know exactly were you are coming from.Perhaps we are all on journeys to get to the point and like John we are unbending in the winds of time.

if you are willing to accept it, - in other words, John was a type of Elijah who did not die to begin with.

2 Kings 2:11 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.

John 1:19 Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." 21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No."

Since John said he wasn't Elijah and since Elijah was taken up to Heaven and did not die, you can't use this to claim that the Bible teaches that there is reincarnation.

Here's what the Bible DOES say about this subject.

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Ok He was not talking of Elijah the person but the "MESSAGE" of Elijah, Also notice this same Elijah message in Power and Truth to be in this day and IS BEING Proclaimed now, also rest with Christians today, This same message is found in Revelation 14 in the three angles message the FINAL warning given of God just before His return to this earth, This Message is to every man, woman and child. IS Being taught now. Find out more free bible lessons www.vop.com God bless.

And just how do you interpret the relevant passage in Matthew 17:10-12;

' ... and His disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first? And He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things; but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.”

✞✞✞ John the Baptist came in the Spirit of Elijah...

Perhaps Elijah was sent back down from heaven on a mission.

In my opinion there are parts in the bible that point to reincarnation. I don't know about this one and I wish I could find the verse that I read - in the old testament that I think points to reincarnation.

good question.

may the fundies read it and tremble.

but they can say it cuz their pastor told them. right, chris? (he's a pastor, everyone. call him for advice.)