John the Baptist and Elijah (January 2004)

January 2004
Volume 13, Number 1

Theologians and artists have depicted John the Baptist in various ways through the centuries, but what does the Bible say about him -- specifically what does Jesus say about him? And what is the connection between John and Elijah the prophet?  (CGG)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh
Elijah and John the Baptist

Despite the greatness of the Old Testament prophets, Jesus declares that none was greater than His cousin, John, known as "the Baptist." John Ritenbaugh explains that Jesus clearly says that John fulfilled Malachi 4:5-6 as the prophesied Elijah to come.

Ready Answer
Are the Jews Cursed for Deicide?
by Charles Whitaker

Is Matthew 27:25 a Jewish admission of deicide? Charles Whitaker shows that, properly understood, the statement is absolutely not a curse. Moreover, God has nowhere bound Himself to chastise Jewry as a whole for the actions of a relatively few people in Pilate's judgment hall that morning.

Prophecy Watch
The Blood Libel and the Holocaust:
The Cost of Wrong Doctrine
by Charles Whitaker

For centuries across Europe, Catholicism taught that the Jews were guilty of deicide—the murder of Jesus Christ. At various times in its history, the Church felt no compunction to ghettoize the Jews, ostracize them, confiscate their goods, and murder them. Charles Whitaker shows how false teaching like this can lead to horrible results.

How to Conduct Ourselves as Ambassadors for Christ
by David F. Maas

In II Corinthians 5:20, the apostle Paul calls Christians "ambassadors for Christ." As such, those called out of this world represent God's Kingdom in this world. As diplomats sent by God, we are commissioned to represent our heavenly country and way of life faithfully in our speech and serving attitudes. David Maas uses his experiences with ambassadors to provide insight into this aspect of Christian living.

WorldWatch
WorldWatch January 2004
by David C. Grabbe

Events, news, and trends from a prophetic perspective for January 2004. "European Disunity"; "Western-Mediterranean Agreement (Tunis Declaration)"; "U.S. Immigration"

Bible Study
Parable of the Great Supper
by Martin G. Collins

The Parable of the Great Supper is Jesus' response to a fellow dinner guest exclaiming, "Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!" In the parable, Jesus exposes and corrects the ignorance of those who, in their pride, misjudge their true moral condition.