What does the Bible say about reincarnation: definition, what the early church taught, was it removed from the Bible, & the danger of believing it
Summary
Reincarnation, the belief in the transmigration of a human soul to another entity at death, is taught by some Eastern religions like Hinduism. Reincarnation is not found in the Bible, nor was it ever removed from the Bible. Reincarnation is opposed to the biblical concept of resurrection at the judgment.
Expanded Answer
What happens when we die?
There are several theories about what follows death. One of the more popular, non-Christian ideas is reincarnation. Reincarnation suggests you don’t merely die and worms eat you (materialism) or that your soul travels to another place like heaven or hell (immortality). Instead, in reincarnation, your soul “transmigrates” to another body so your essence can live again. In recent decades this idea has really taken hold in the Western world, but it’s not a Biblical concept.
In this overview, I aim to define reincarnation, discuss the major religions that each reincarnation, explore what the Bible teaches, and reveal a major spiritual danger in believing in reincarnation.
Reincarnation Defined
According to The Handbook of Christian Apologetics at Bible.org, reincarnation is the idea that:
“The individual soul survives and is reincarnated into another body. Reincarnation is usually connected with the next belief, pantheism, by the notion of karma: that after the soul has fulfilled its destiny, and learned its lessons and become sufficiently enlightened, it reverts to a divine status or is absorbed into (or realizes its timeless identity with) the divine All.”
More crudely, reincarnation is a process by which a soul is “recycled” into other life forms after death. If you live a good life, you’re reborn as a more enlightened being. If not, you become a dung beetle. And so on.
According to DeathReference.com, the concept is at least 3,000 years old but has now spread to the point that more people believe in it than do not worldwide. Though it’s not as popular in the United States and Western Europe, the idea continues to take root and expand in our post-Christian culture.
“And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:7
Religions That Teach Reincarnation: Hinduism, etc.
The idea of reincarnation originated in Eastern religions. For instance, Hinduism strongly teaches reincarnation as a religious truth. According to Vedanta-Seattle.org…
“The idea of reincarnation in Hinduism is perhaps as old as Hinduism itself. To students of religion reincarnation is a theological doctrine. Most Hindus consider it a fact. The evidence in support of reincarnation comes from two sources: (1) Jatismaras–people who can remember their past birth or births and (2) the testimony of the scriptures or saints.”
Hinduism is the most popular faith tradition that teaches reincarnation. However, other religions also believe in reincarnation. According to Britannica.com, Jainism and Sikhism teach a form of reincarnation. Both of those religions originated in India, where Hinduism arose. Some ancient religions, like Manichaeism and Gnosticism, taught reincarnation. In addition, other minority religions teach a form of reincarnation, like Theosophy and Venda traditional religion in southern Africa.
Interestingly, Buddhism does not understand reincarnation in the same way as described above. According to Alan Peto, a 30-year practitioner of Buddhism, his religion teaches the concept of “rebirth” which is similar to reincarnation but not the same since “there is ‘no self’ or ‘no soul’ in Buddhism.” Hence it would be impossible to be reincarnated as the same person in an animal, for instance, because there is no self to be reincarnated.
To see which major religions believe in reincarnation, checkout this helpful but non-Christian overview on the topic: ComparativeReligion on Reincarnation
“And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:46
The Bible Does NOT Teach Reincarnation
The Bible does not teach reincarnation. As a result, there is no mainstream Jewish or Christian group that affirms reincarnation. On the contrary, the Bible teaches several ideas that stand in opposition to the Eastern religious doctrine of reincarnation:
- A person only lives once (Hebrews 9:27).
- The spiritual essence of a person goes to another place immediately after death (Luke 23:43).
- After the resurrection, some people enter eternal life and others go to eternal death (Matthew 25:46).
The Bible rejects reincarnation because it describes another destiny for human beings. Since Old Testament times – and continuing into New Testament times – believers have affirmed another truth that stands in direct opposition to reincarnation: resurrection. After a human dies, the soul of that person returns to God, but the decaying body remains on earth. And yet, the body will one day be resurrected.
Resurrection teaches that after you die, your body “sleeps” for a time. Your soul continues to live in either Paradise or Hades, but your body remains on earth until the first or second resurrection. The first resurrection is the Resurrection of the Just, and the second resurrection is the Resurrection of the Wicked. The Book of Daniel summarizes this teaching: “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:2)
Resurrection vs. Reincarnation: What’s the Difference?
| Resurrection | Reincarnation |
|---|---|
| Taught in the Bible (Old & New Testament) | Taught in Eastern religions (Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, etc.) |
| One life, followed by death, judgment, and resurrection (Hebrews 9:27) | Endless cycle of deaths and rebirths across different lives |
| Same body raised and transformed (1 Corinthians 15:42–44) | Soul “transmigrates” into a new body or life form |
| Eternal destiny: everlasting life or everlasting judgment (Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:46) | Ongoing journey shaped by karma until enlightenment is reached |
| Rooted in God’s power and grace | Rooted in human effort and karmic balance |
Some Suggest the Bible Affirms Reincarnation (Incorrectly)
Some readers point to verses like Matthew 11:14, where Jesus says of John the Baptist, “and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.” At first glance, this might look like Jesus was teaching reincarnation – that Elijah’s soul had returned in John the Baptist.
But the text doesn’t support that conclusion. The Bible is clear: John had his own unique identity (Luke 1:13–17) and was not literally Elijah back from the dead. Instead, John came “in the spirit and power of Elijah,” fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy in Malachi 4:5–6 that Elijah would precede the coming of the Messiah. Jesus was using prophetic language to show that John’s ministry mirrored Elijah’s role, not that he was Elijah reincarnated.
Another passage often misunderstood is John 9:1–3, where Jesus’ disciples ask whether a man was born blind because of his own sin or the sin of his parents. Some argue this implies pre-existence or reincarnation, that the man could have sinned in a previous life.
Yet Jesus’ response shuts down that idea. He said, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” The disciples were voicing a common misconception of their time, having nothing to do with reincarnation, and Jesus still corrected them. Far from teaching reincarnation, this passage highlights God’s purpose in suffering and healing.
“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)
Was Reincarnation Removed from the Bible?
One of the more common myths about reincarnation is that the early church once believed in it, but later church leaders “removed” the teaching from the Bible at a council. This oft-repeated idea found in pop-spirituality books and forums has no basis in history. The New Testament manuscripts we possess, which are thousands of copies spanning centuries, show remarkable consistency. None of them contains references to reincarnation.
The councils of the early church, such as Nicea (AD 325), did not debate or remove reincarnation from the biblical texts. The focus of the First Council of Nicea was on affirming core doctrines like the deity of Christ and the Trinity, not altering the Bible.
Another misconception is that figures like Origen (a third-century church father) taught reincarnation and that the church later suppressed it. In reality, Origen was a theological mixed bag. Though he speculated about the pre-existence of souls, he explicitly affirmed the resurrection in his writings. Louis Berkof wrote in his Systematic Theology,
“Origen defended the doctrine (of the resurrection) over against the Gnostics and Celsus, but yet did not believe that the very body which was deposited in the grave would be raised up. He described the body of the resurrection as a new, refined, and spiritualized body.”
The consistent voice of both Scripture and the early church is clear: historic Christianity has affirmed one life, one death, and resurrection, not a cycle of repeated earthly lives.
Warning: Eternal Danger For Believing In Reincarnation
Christians cannot affirm reincarnation if they are faithful to the Biblical text. There is no way to hold to both reincarnation and resurrection because those beliefs are incompatible. Reincarnation is false.
Anyone who believes in reincarnation risks an erroneous assurance that you’ll get an infinite number of times to ‘get life right’. That person may say, “It’s okay if I mess up this life, I’ll always have another life to make things better.” That’s both wrong and dangerous to your eternal soul.
“But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you” (Luke 12:20)
That belief would be akin to someone who jumps out of an airplane without a parachute, expecting to get another chance at life. In biblical vernacular, it’s foolish. That’s not how life or death works.
I encourage you to explore the Bible’s teaching on both judgment and resurrection. It encourages you and me to take the one life God gave us more seriously and to connect us to how life is constructed in God’s universe.
Resources
- Bible.org: What Does The Bible Say About Reincarnation?
- OpenBible.info: Reincarnation Verses
- ComparativeReligion.com: Non-Christian Overview of Reincarnation
- Sue Bohlin: Was Reincarnation Ever In The Bible?
When young children supposedly recall a past life and various facts are found to be accurate, is it demonic influence?
Demons know things that many people don’t know. Demons are ancient spirits that have observed previous generations and could seed false ideas in people to perpetuate the idea of reincarnation. Perhaps a so-called ‘old soul’ could be influenced by demons in dreams to think they lived at another time.
Reincarnation does exist and the scriptures teaches it. Most of us just cannot take it. That’s why Christ will always say if ye can believe it. God speaking to us through Malachi the prophet said that He will send Elijah the prophet who lived in the time of Ahab before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Meaning Elijah will come before the second ministry of Christ – the day of vengeance.
Now the truth about Elias is that he will come into this world three times. His first was during the days of Ahab (1Kings 17 through to 2Kings 2). His second coming was John the Baptist. Christ in Matthew 11:7-14, especially in vs 14 made it clear that John was Elias. Twill be hard for people including his disciples to believe, so He said, “If ye can receive this, this is Elias which was for to come.” Also in Matthew 17, u can see where the disciples finally understood that John was Elias. The third time Elias will come is before the great and dreadful day of the Lord which was prophesied by Malachi. This time around he will be joined by Moses another man who has lived before. The two of them are the two witnesses as prophesied in Revelation.
Now folks will say, John denied been Elias when the Pharisees sent messengers to ask him who he was. So he cannot be Elias they will say. The question I have for such folks is, who will you believe? The Lord Jesus Christ or John. John said he’s not Elias but Christ said He is. Who will you believe? John or the Lord Jesus Christ who created John?
I believe John did not really know who he was. He didn’t know that he was Elias. Even if he knew, it wouldn’t make sense if he had said he is. Realize that even the Lord only said John was Elias after John has fulfilled his ministry. So some things are kept shut until after it has happened.
So reincarnation does exist but not like every single person who die get to come back to the world. Only a few comes and only God really knows why. Some maybe to come and do a work just like Elias who will come again to do a work.
You quoted a verse in Hebrews which say tis appointed to man to die once and afterwards judgment. If you read well that verse, it was talking about the death of Christ for our sins. If you say that it refers to all men, then what about people who died, but came back to life after they were prayed for, and then died again after some years. Like Lazarus died, Christ brought him back to life and he died again maybe in old age. Does that not contradict the verse in Hebrews? So you can see that the verse it’s appointed unto men to die once…” refers to Christ death for our sins. This other scriptures also affirms. Thank you
Thanks for dropping by, Tamar. I defined “Reincarnation, the belief in the transmigration of a human soul to another entity at death.” As I read your response, the main reason you gave for the Bible teaching reincarnation was Elijah being reincarnated as John the Baptist. And then again in the future. Admittedly, this is a challenging area in Scripture. What you presented is a minority position where Elijah actually “reincarnated” in John the Baptist. That’s a stretch. Even John the Baptist denied he was Elijah (John 1:21). Instead, John was in the likeness of Elijah, but he was not the same person. Later, you mistakenly said Lazarus was ‘reincarnated’. Nope. Lazarus was raised from the dead, not reincarnated – see above definition. Reincarnation is not a doctrine you can support in Scripture.
John was Elias and not in the likeness of Elias. You denying the truth Sir. You heard Christ said in Matthew 11:14 that John is Elias and yet you say John was in the likeness of Elias. That’s a denial of the truth Sir. I asked a question in my earlier comment saying who would you believe? John who said he’s not Elias or Christ who said he is? If you take the confession of John over Christ, then how are you a believer? Also I never said Lazarus was reincarnated. Read well my write up. Sir again go and read Matthew 11:7-14 and Matthew 17:9-13. Don’t deny the truth in these scriptures I highlighted. Remain blessed.
Your assumption that the enemy plants thoughts about reincarnation in us is based off no proof or evidence. There are ways to seek truth from light and fight of negative energies and come to truthful answers. Meditation is one way. Connecting with the soul consciousness over body consciousness is a way. You clearly speak through body consciousness. Not soul consciousness because u get ur answers following scriptures which are manipulated by man. Your real enemy is man himself. And ur own demons within that can only be tamed through silencing the mind and noise around us .
If people cant remember their past life after reincarnation in a new body no matter the stage and age how do the intend to correct their past mistakes? can you work on files that have been formated or restore files not saved after you erase it or after formatting it?I don’t believe in reincarnation for it is appointed unto a man after death judgment.
If people cant remember their past life after reincarnation in a new body no matter the stage and age how do the intend to correct their past mistakes? can you work on files that have been formated or restore files not saved after you erase it or after formatting it?I don’t believe in reincarnation for it is appointed unto a man after death judgment.
Really glad i stumbled upon what youve written Tamer because its what iv thought myself, but fear of belueving it and going against God not allowing me to fully open up to the idea. I have been asking the Lord about this topic a lot recently. I admire the guts you have to express your opinions.
It seems that this area of discussion is quickly cut off by a lot of christians and it bugs me, especially when scripture is used out of context to support a case.
Anyway, whether it is or it isnt, God knows what were thinking even if we dont say it. So if we have questions and things dont make sense He will make things known to us. We know the truth, we can feel it in our spirits. It is alive, it is invigorating and we grow. It is the Holy Spirit in us confirming.
Our motives for finding out is to get a better understanding and not for any evil deed. Its our search for truth, for God.
Anyway, thank you.
Rhian
Yes, Jesus said it is Elijah. But there’s a reason he added Elijah who is to come and not to confuse him with Elijah who lived. In many of his teachings, Jesus liked Parables, idioms and such. Wouldn’t this be one of his idioms to the pharisees?
Even if John was Elijah, it still wouldn’t be reincarnation koz one key element of reincarnation requires death, and Elijah technically never died.
As For Lazarus and other people resurrecting, they are not getting a chance at a second life, they are getting a second chance at the same life. Still not reincarnation.
Last, John the Baptist wasn’t the first to get Elijah’s spirit. Elisha, his successor had received double his spirit. So, it’s very common that people may be animated by other people/things spirits but doesn’t necessarily mean they have fully become those people. U might be surprised even yourself what kind of spirits are animating us here
https://www.gotquestions.org/John-Baptist-Elijah.html
Reincarnation is not for the select few. Every single one of us have reincarnated more than once. What kind of Lord would say you only get to live once and this guy has everything and I get the next guy is in a wheelchair and has nothing. Think about that think about it real hard. Reincarnation makes more sense we choose our lives over and over again. The proof is out there do your research we have been lied to our whole lives. The church is to control the masses. Just like the government
Dena, we know reincarnation isn’t real not because of the church or the government. We know because God told us in his holy Word.
I once believed that we are not to believe in reincarnation but I personally remember one of my past lives, how do I argue with myself?? Believing in something doesn’t make it true or false, I know what I know and can’t forget. While I believe some mean well, I’m afraid the answer has already been said, religion is a control mechanism. Spirits are real, I know Jesus, so He is real. I worship the one who sent Jesus, I call Him, The Most High. I ask the pastor to ask The Most High about reincarnation. Pls🙏🏽
Hello Julena – Remembering past lives is not proof of reincarnation. Even for you. False memories can happen or even develop over time. The enemy wants to deceive us into believing there is no final judgment after this life. Reincarnation is one of the chief doctrines he uses to deceive us.
__And as it is appointed unto men ONCE TO DIE, but after this the judgement.
Heb9:27
__By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL.
Heb10:10
You don’t know that Elias and Moses are the two witnesses even if what you say is true that Elias was allso John the Baptist if Jesus said so..well then.. even the aregument I’ve read how we go straight to judgment well if Elias was judged well then if god saw fit to use him again so be it if it’s true then it is if not then why does it say as you point out but you don’t know Elias or Moses are the 2 witnesses hi ow is that for you to decide?are you the decider?bc. Guessing not
Thanks you so much …i really live ur understanding.
Many ignorant christians limit God by there ignorance.
If God is ominipotent..he can do all things and there is no limit as to what he can do including reincanation and incarnation. God is limitless.in him is all in all
The Christian Bible teaches reincarnation. Jesus said that John the Baptist was the Elijah that was to come.
So if Elijah was to reborn and takes on a new form called John, that was reincarnation.
Please check your facts well.
My quick thought is that reincarnation is a black evil art used by Satan and his fallen angels to recreate mortal flesh beings to further destroy Gods plan for us. The Hermes trigmeteris written words gives instructions on how reincarnation is done..Basically it uses filth and all sorts of wicked magic to create reincarnated flesh beings which probably are vessels for demons or the fallen…These beings are who have ruled us since the begining..They are the elite kings queens pharaohs princes government leaders throughout the world including stars of Hollywood…Their mission is to corrupt and turn Gods good children wicked and money and power is what they have to use..Most of us are inoccent and naive as we go about our day working and living without noticing how we are becoming evil like them. Jesus Christ came and saved us from this and bruised the head and this practice was stopped in the open but it then gradually resurfaced and made to sound harmless and part of religious belief. But it is back and Satan has been allowed to continue his wrath and now with technology and the satanic controlled media the image of the beast is worldwide..The head has healed and things are now worse then the times of Noah since we know the truth about Jesus and ignore it and fo!low instead the beast image which leads us into all sorts of wicked degenerate Immoral behavior.
I feel that young childrens souls are still closely connected to God, as they have not yet sinned, or scorned by the world,
Thier souls could hold truth unknown to them.
Just a feeling.
Cheryl Currier.
This recognition of Past life appears in many cultures. It also was revealed by several medical regressive hypnosis sessions. Dr Michael Newton for one. Biblically we can see indirect evidence:
Job 1:21- “Naked came I from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there.”
Rev 3:12- “He that overcomes the world, will I make a pillar in the temple of God, and he shall go no more out again.”
So, not only does Jesus imply directly here that it is customary for souls to come in and out of heaven multiple times, but that the key to remaining there forever is overcoming the natural world, presumably through being born again of both water and spirit.
John 9:2- “Master, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
This question only makes any sense at all coming from a perspective that assumes reincarnation….
. The man could not possibly have sinned before he was born unless he was in a state capable of sinning previous to this mortal birth.
I believe in reincarnation and have for about 20 years. Before that I was a Christian, first a Baptist then 7th Day Adventist. I won’t get into how I came to believe in reincarnation or argue translation and interpretation of the Bible. What I want to address is the common pat response to the belief of reincarnation by Christians and it’s what you said a few times, that when you believe you have another life, you don’t take the one you have as seriously (in regards to the salvation of your soul). That is absolutely flawed logic and it’s extrapolated from nothing. Ask ANY person that believes in reincarnation if they’re going to decide to “live it up” and waste this life because they’ll have another chance. Seriously, I would like you to do that because I know that you won’t find one that says that. In fact, it’s the opposite. I took the salvation of my soul much more seriously than I did before. Why? Because it’s impossible to truly believe in eternal hellfire. You may say you believe it and understand it and still love God, but if you believe in eternal hellfire then you can’t believe that God is Just, or good. How can a truly Divine and Holy Being like God create a flawed species and then give them the most horrifying punishment for being flawed? How can He even create a flawed species to begin with? I highly encourage people to at least take a look at alternative interpretations about what hell is. It is the loss of your soul eternally, it’s even blatantly called the “second DEATH’ in Revelation. So truly, even though I was Baptist for years, I didn’t deep down believe in eternal punishment of endless torment of the worse possible kind by God. There is just no way that is the fate of ANYONE. It’s ludicrous! I love my Father and it sickens me that Christianity has marred his face like this. Anyway, my point is that if you ask anyone like me that believes in reincarnation that question, they’ll tell you that they take life and salvation MORE seriously than they did before. I absolutely do not want to come back here, I WANT TO GO HOME TO JESUS!! NOT BACK HERE! I can’t stand that erroneous belief that people who believe in reincarnation piss away their life because they “get another chance”. Look into other denominations that teach that hellfire is the second death by fire, not eternal burning and torment of pain. Please, at least for the Sake of God and to strike a blow at the adversary. He LOVES that you believe that about God, my loving Father.
Thanks for dropping by, Cynthia. You brought up many points, but I wanted to address the topic at hand. The reason Christians should NOT believe in reincarnation is the Bible does NOT teach it. It has nothing to do with hell or not “taking (the life) you have as seriously.” Reincarnation is not true because the Bible does NOT teach it. It’s an imported idea from outside Christianity. Since you didn’t want to discuss the interpretation of the Bible, the foundation for any biblical doctrine, there’s not much to discuss.
Matthew 11:12-15
[12]And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
[13]For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
[14]And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
[15]He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
In vs 14 you heard Christ said John is Elias. He said “And if you can believe or receive it, this (referring to John) IS Elias which was for to come.”
How can u deny this truth Sir? You do so because you cannot take it. Christ knew that many will not believe it and he was prepared for the likes of you, so He said, “He that hath ear to hear, let him hear.”
If Christ said John is Elias, then reincarnation does exist but like said, not everyone who die get to come back again. Only a few who have a work to do.
Tamar – We don’t interpret the Scripture based on one ambiguous instance. When there are multiple ways to understand something in Scripture, we look for the clear parts to help us interpret the unclear parts. The clear truth is Hebrews 9:27: “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” We live once, die, and face judgment. That’s clear. In your methodology, you’re forcing a non-traditional reading on this passage. You’re reading the Bible like a Hindu, not a Christian.
We use scriptures to interpret scripture s not humans ideology Matthew 11:14 is clearer in luke2;17
Thanks
Read luke1;17 to clear the confusion in Matthew 11:14.
We use scriptures to interpret scripture not human ideology
Thanks
Why just Reincarnation! History, geography, science, computers, philosophy, politics, law, social, sex, etc. etc. none is taught in the Bible, and all are from outside Christianity.
I don’t follow.
Tamar, I will advise you check the dictionary for the meaning of reincarnation. It involves death and Elias didn’t die. He was taken to heaven by whirlwind so coming back to be John the Baptist cannot be reincarnation. Holy Spirit has be been to us to take from the Father and give to us. Let us asking Holy Spirit to reveal and give us understanding of what Jesus meant. God bless.
Brandon, I’m not saying it does, but if the Bible did explicitly teach reincarnation would you believe in it?
Of course.
Recanation is a false belief because inshort if you believe in Recanation I don’t see the reason for believing in Jesus Christ after all, because why did Jesus died for our sins,so it means that we are still living in our sins unless everyone live a righteous way to make him more spiritually and I can’t see how a man can leave without commiting sins,never and ever and that’s why God himself with true love for the whole world he gives his only son to save whoever believes in him.So anyone believing in Recanation is living under sins and that’s why when you’re born again even after you commit a sin without knowingly you’re just forgiven and cleans by the blood of Jesus Christ.Inshort anyone believing in Recanation is leaving in sin even if you’re a christian when our Lord judgement will come it will find you because you have to believe in one life and one judgement🙏✝️
Amen
Reincarnation or Hell does not add or diminish in any way the Loving nature of God. He is still loving even when he punishes his people, it’s just that his holiness trait cannot cohabitate with sin:reason why Satan was chased out of heaven, reason why many times God denied some people such as Moses to see his full face as his Holy Glory could kill them, even though they were close to God, they were still sinners.
Reason why for God to be Emmanuel, he had to take on a human form that even during the transfiguration, it would be extraordinary but not too intense due to the limitations of the human form.
One thing we often forget is that being created in the image of God i.e our souls, we are his people but not his sons, we only get adopted after believing Jesus Christ as our savior.
Even so, God still loves us like the father who loved the prodigal son even when he was away, like parents who put their drug addicted child into rehabilitation center for his good no matter how painful it is, like a husband who lets his wife live in a mental asylum due to chronic schizophrenia but doesn’t stop loving her.
So God loves us so much that he gave us his son as a savior but also a free will to choose, he clarifies the consequences of our choices but never forces us to choose. Like he did with Adam, he showed him the path of surrendering to God and living eternally with happiness and the path of rebelling against God and get death. Adam chose the path of death, God could have easily interfered and oblige him to choose him but he respected his choices but due to his loving nature, he kept taking care of Adam even if he had rebelled against God. He started by giving him clothes but let him face the consequences of his choice:death.
So, since God talked about Hell(eternal punishment) and he never lies, it does exist and people who choose Hell will face hell not because God doesn’t love them but because he respects their free will. You know, some people like to stay stubborn no matter how much you want to convince them of the good in their life. No matter, how many lives or chances at life, they can get, they would still make the same choices that lead to hell. So, since God knows deeply the desires of their heart, he will give them countless opportunities to have a change in their lifetime until they completely and also accept him or reject him. Just like Judas, he was given many warnings, many opportunities but he continued on the path of damnation, even when he got a change of heart, instead of repenting like Peter who denied Jesus. His ego of not wanting to face the consequences of his actions led him to kill himself. It’s funny how he being the man of many sins, needing more sympathy has not reincarnated to absolve of his, if that reincarnation exits? And if he does reincarnate after this 24 May 2022, he is an imposter 😀 .
The only curious thing is that since God is all knowing, all loving and all present, during eternity he will have access to the suffering of those who choose doom as he will have access to the happiness of those who chose heaven. But how he will handle the situation, it’s not for me to know or judge, even if it is, some things are not be revealed before the end of times. So for now, all I have to do is follow the Truth, the Life and the Way Jesus Christ koz no matter the direction he is the Only Guarantee of Eternal life.
I too believe in reincarnation though brought up in the Catholic church. Reincarnation was expunged from early Christian teachings when politics took over the movement in the 3rd century. Christians like you Todd see an expurgated version of the scriptures, so you are not to blame for your uninformed stance on this subject. Constantine, the Emperor, did not like the idea, that if he returned in another life, he would not be Emperor. He had accepted Christianity as the State religion, but ordered the dropping of reincarnation because he only wanted to hear what he wanted to hear. In the gnostic scripture Pistis Sophia, Jesus Christ said “Put not off from day to day and from cycle to cycle, in the belief that ye will succeed in obtaining the mysteries when ye return to the world in another cycle.” Evidence of past life existence is everywhere around us…Even our sun is a third generation star, which emerged from the death of previous suns… When the conditions fall right, we manifest again… sometimes changing sex! This explains why there are so many transgender people in the world. It is a carry over from a previous existence… Child geniuses, like Mozart, couldn’t possibly have written symphonies at 5yrs old, had he not studied music for a lifetime in another life.
Anthony – We can believe whatever we want, but as Christians our conscience is bound to the 66 books of the Scriptures. Gnostic scriptures and alternative interpretations of Mozart’s genius do not trump the Bible. The silly idea that reincarnation was removed from the church after Constantine is a baseless claim.
Perhaps Brandon, after a few more lives, you will see the light…Many happy returns!
I believe the words of the Holy Bible but, the Bible do-over every little thing. A lot of things I think you have to discern through prayer and the holy spirit. I have noticed the kids that say they have had passed lives always had a traumatic death at. A young age. Life cut short through no fault of their own. They usually speak of going back to heaven and God sending them back as babies. I don’t believe by no means everyone is reincarnated over and over or you can come back as an animal or any of that other non sense. But, I wonder if there are occasions whe God gives some people who are tragically taken to soon a second chance to live the live they were intended to live. I’m no scholar . Just a woman who loves the Lord with all my heart. But, I don’t think we know or understand everything about life, death, etc. I don’t think we will know til we get to heaven and I think it’s arrogant to think we do and especially to insinuate these kids have a demo ic influence is very presumptuous. I do believe our soul will end up in heaven or hell. This can seem kinda harsh but, what is ask of us is not a lot to get to heaven. And I believe every soul has numerous chances in life to accept the Lord and if they don’t at the time of death they will. The thief on the cross just ask Chrit to remember him when he got to his kingdom and Jesus said today you will walk with me in paradise. I love the L9rd so very much. What a beautiful act…dying for the sins of the world. He suffered so much and all he ask is we acknowledge he is the Chrit and he died for our sins. Not asking much.
Thank you all for your honest opinions. I admire your courage. If there is no reincarnation I will try my best because I have only one chance. If there IS reincarnation I will try my best, because I fear a downward spiral if I yield to a lazy attitude. Since my attitude is the same in either case, it is not critical for me to know. Direction is all that matters (not how many lifetimes you have). I think the ‘sin against the spirit’ is to actively go against ‘the best you know how’, because it sets you direction downward. Either way, (1 life or many) aiming in the wrong direction has an eternal effect. Only Jesus gives you the impetus to turn around. (But then you have stopped sinning against the spirit). I have found God very generous, very understanding of our limited understanding (enter the kingdom like a child) and very dedicated to His creatures. The fact you are all reaching for Him, is a beautiful thing. I suspect He is very happy with all of you. And I (also with my limited knowledge) hope to fit in that group.
I couldn’t have said it better. You have put into words my thoughts exactly and why I came to believe in reincarnation. I was a child Baptist benchwarmer wondering in my young mind – “this doesn’t add up – eternal damnation. That didn’t sound very loving but rather fear-mongering.
I’d love to meet you for coffee one day!
Why have children knowing that it’s possible they might be subject to eternal damnation?
You bring up a good question. Indeed, the eternal punishment of a soul is a serious issue. To think that a parent might have a part in a person’s damnation can be daunting – since they weren’t here until you had them. Two things I would consider: for one, I would consider a more biblical perspective on the issue of having and raising children. Scripture sees children as a blessing: “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.” (Psalm 127:3). So the Bible doesn’t seem to dissuade parents from having children, but actually having more of them (See Genesis 1:28). Secondly, parents should consider it our Christian duty to carefully raise children in the fear of the Lord. We are commanded to teach them diligently (Deuteronomy 6:7). Do it wisely, do it with care, because if you don’t many will fall away and ultimately be lost. But God is faithful to bring many of our children to himself through our faithful leading. Blessings as you consider his will.
This is a very serious issues I have been facing since from my child hold… they told me someone reincarnated me but as a Christian I don’t believe it , they started spoiling things around me, that I fail in many things I lay my hands,but why I didn’t believe it is because I ask my mother what’s the way out she said I have to do some ritual and accept that am a particular woman that if I don’t do it that things might not work out and to be sincere I have refused and things has also refused working out for me so here I’m still so confused… because matthew 11 didn’t say one must do anything..be where he should be apart from the prayer that christ teaches…I have prayed and I’m still praying in this case the ritual is supposed to be performed by a traditional thing so as a Christian how do I submit myself by a traditionalist to be free from anything I really need help
You really should not teach that which is false. There is a difference between “believing” and “knowing”. Believing means that you have accepted something without really knowing it, and then you pass on the misconception to others. No good will come from that. Come to rest on the truth that you really know, not what someone else has told you is true. I’m sure you are a good man. Become a better man. There is no eternal punishment for any mistake no matter how bad it is simply because God loves us, really loves us, even though we make very big mistakes. Go directly to the source, be in the presence of God. When you experience him directly, then you will know, without needing someone else’s words about what is true and what isn’t. You will speak only what you know to be true, by your own experience. Do not confuse religious doctrine with the truth, because often it isn’t.
Hi John – Thanks for dropping by. If I understand your perspective, you’re proposing a loving god who doesn’t punish people because he just loves us. It also sounds like you get your understanding of this god “when you experience him directly.” I don’t doubt we can know more about the true God though personal experience. When I walk in the morning in prayer, I am learning to hear the Lord better. But friend, I want to make sure I’m hearing the right God – not the other pretend deities. The true God revealed in Scripture is also the judge of the universe. And hell is real – according to the Bible. Just punishment awaits those who reject Christ’s sacrifice and continue in their sin. Or as Jesus said, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28).
The belief in a eternal hell is a mis-translation. Would a just and loving God torture anyone for eternity for making a mistake however large (or even for purposely doing evil deeds? Only a monster created by the imagination of Man would do that. The entire “one life” dogma is a false teaching created by the Romans to raise a coherent army and defeat the Barbarians. Councils held around 300 AD involving the Roman emperors and the Popes decided what should and should not be included in the Bible. A travesty. Ownership of any writings or belief in rebirth/reincarnation was declared heresy and was punishable by death. Later The Popes sent out troops to kill the remaining Christian believers in reincarnation. Another travesty.
Hi John – Thanks for dropping by. Related to eternal hell being a mis-translation, you should check back with your Greek Bible. The term Jesus used in Matthew 25:46 for this concept was “κόλασιν αἰώνιον” or “eternal punishment”. It’s the same term (eternal) used for eternal life in the same verse. So by your reasoning of mis-translation, I guess that means there’s no eternal life either. Hardly a consistent position with the rest of the New Testament.
Hi brother Brandon I believe in reincarnation the Hebrew verse isn’t talking about reincarnation at all, if it is then jesus raising people from the death would be a lie, because jesus raise Lazarus and a couple of people from the death, does that mean they will have two judgements? Because definitely they died twice.
I have a personal experience of reincarnation, I lost my brother when I was 18years old he was my only brother and I loved him dearly as we always played and crack jokes together, something strange happened to me, I dream of him every time, the day I stop dreaming about him was the day my son was born, after the birth of my son I have never dreamt of my brother till today.
This may not be convincing but in my spirit I felt deeply that it was the spirit of my brother because we play the same way we use to do before.
Personal experience is helpful, but does not trump the Word of God. Your argument should depend on Scripture, not dreams.
Sometimes i feel like i was Virgin Mary in my past life.
The feelings are not biblically justified, Diamond Foxxx. This may be a helpful article if you wonder who you are as a person: https://truthstory.org/blog/who-am-i-a-christian-perspective/
Yes, because demons whispering lies about detailed joyous experiences sounds more reasonable than a compassionate universal law that allows us to spiritually evolve and progress throughout multiple short life cycles because obviously we can’t all be born in the right place and right time to figure out this magnificent and infinitely immense existence exactly the right way, on the exact first try…or else, lights out forever. No Reincarnation sounds much more like it comes from a compassionate God of love and Mercy.
I had a reverend out here somewhat recently from christs favor ministry because I had an incubus in me a black wing in me and a succubus in my house and he got rid of everything but the black wing and he said somthing interesting he said I had been possesed in past lives just thought I’d share
Thanks for replying, Justin. Theology should come from the Word of God – the ‘reverend’ isn’t getting that idea from the Bible. Dealing with what you are dealing with, I would really aim to attend a Bible-teaching church and listen to the Psalms at night as you fall asleep. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).
Judaisim teaches reincarnation. Were did the Bible come from?
Hi Ry – As Reformed Protestants, we aim to get our theology from the Bible. Not from post-New Testament rabbis, tradition, or “Judaism.”
If you grew up in a Muslim family and all your brothers and sisters and cousins were Muslim and your parents and your grandparents were Muslim, why would you deserve to go to hell when everyone you grew up with is a Muslim. I’ve been battling with this question. Is it possible that maybe GOD doesn’t have a holy book written for us that it’s supposed to be a mystery. I gotta be honest I’m really scared because I have no idea what the truth is? I was raised to be a Christian but idk if it is the way or not???
Hi Jon – Your question of “why would you deserve to go to hell when everyone you grew up with is a Muslim (?)” seems to miss a fundamental Christian teaching. That “there is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). We all, including your hypothetical Muslim, deserve hell. Because we have sinned against an infinitely holy God, we all are in need of a savior. God was merciful to save some people. He didn’t have to save anyone, but he did.
I think Christ’s promise would be helpful to you: ““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7). Ask God to reveal himself to you. Ask God to reveal himself. And keep asking, seeking, and knocking – until he does.
And that promise isn’t limited to people from Christian homes. This promise extends to atheists, Buddhists, and Muslims – here’s a book of how Christ is revealing himself to people in the Muslim world. https://www.christianbook.com/dreams-visions-jesus-awakening-muslim-world/tom-doyle/9780849947209/pd/947209
I’ve knocked until my knuckles are bloody. The answer I got is the church has completely butchered the teachings of Jesus. Jesus was a man. A real man. Jesus died. Jesus will not return in the end times. Christ has always been here and Christ is what everyone will find in the end times. Revelation is a dream that John had. IT WAS PROPAGANDA. The council decided to add it as a selling point and justification for their agenda
I also have so many questions and I’m always searching for THE TRUTH. I was also raised Christian and the more I looked into and researched history and the Bible, I realized why Christ didn’t agree with religion. All religions are cult-like and full of traditions and things made by man, but never did it cause me to stop knowing and believing that Jesus is the only way, and that HE is THE TRUTH. I rarely go to church anymore and I consider myself more a follower of Christ, rather than a Christian, I don’t have to put myself in the same category or grouping as others. It isn’t necessary to go to church to be saved. Religious people believe so many falsehoods about the Bible God that are not consistent with what Jesus taught. I know I have much to learn and can do better at being a better person, but I trust that Jesus will continue to use me even while I am a sinner. He will finish the good work he started in me and with FAITH, KEY WORD FAITH, my life will continue to move in a more positive and Christ filled direction. We are all on a different path and Christ is long suffering to see us through. WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE simply by believing IN HIM. Keep praying and speaking to HIM and even if you don’t know for certain, just know that he hears everything and loves you very much and you will find your way IN HIM. Never doubt and TRUST ALWAYS. NEVER STOP BELIEVING!!
Reasons I left Christianity is the fact that I got NO answers from any clergy I spoke to. People are leaving Christianity in droves because they are tired of the hypocrisy. Tired of the Hate. Tired of the fear-mongering. You and your teaching of living in fear of God sound like a broken record and the reason most left the church to begin with. You should know by now if they left the church because of that then using the same tactic to bring them back is comical. it’s going to push us away even more. Jesus taught us to love one another even your enemy. The definition of religion is being a father to the fatherless and a protector of the widow. Wake up and realize that organized religion drives a wedge between us. Wars have been fought and are still fought for it. Who’s to say who’s right? You believe you are right because a book told you so. Muslims believe they are right because a book told them so. Hindu believe they are right because a book told them so and so on. We are all one and should love one another unconditionally
Appreciate the comment, William. Leaving a religion because it’s clergy didn’t have answers you were looking for doesn’t sound like a compelling reason. That’s like saying you don’t believe in NASA because none of the astronauts talked to you. Thankfully, there are plenty of resources available that don’t require mediators. Anyone with an internet connection — or a Bible — can look up answers themselves without clergy help. I may suggest going directly to the source. Consider Jesus’ own words…
(Matthew 7:7-11), “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
When a person has to question everything they believe of God, where is their faith. Or at the least, it all depends on who you ask, you’ll only get another person’s opinion. Please try looking in biblical text, listen to the Holy spirit for truth and guidance? Also, not to mention, Satan is the cause of confusion, There shall be false religions ( churches) with man made rules) also there shall be no other Gods before me! Exodus 20:3. I too did not follow through with my traditional family religion, I found my calling as a non denominational Christian by spiritual guidance and prayers. Please, ask God!
Amen, Susan. The Lord can definitely guide people to himself as they read the Word of God and are guided by the Holy Spirit. Great reminder!
I believe that God gives us many lives here on Earth to get it right, he knows our heart and knows that we sin and listen to Satan, But he forgives us and he shows us signs and brings us storms to show us that there is a way out through Jesus. I believe that we only have one life because LOVE is the most important thing in life and I believe if we are righteous God loving people we will arrive in Heaven and live in eternal peace with everyone we love that went before us. Jesus is the way the truth the life and I truly to believe if you follow him you will be redeemed and welcomed into eternal life.
Whoever wrote this article is so misled by cult religion because reincarnation is everyone throughout the Bible.
Assertion. And a false one at that.
How can i explain this mystery someone told me by herself that she got married somewhere and she died, but reincarnate to another woman to be reborn again… I am talking about the first hand information, she even told me she knows her children and her husband with their names… How can we explain that?
Easy. Demons talk to people. And they “live” much longer than people.
when and if resurrection actually takes place, what happens to people that died in fires and chose to be cremated ? Resurrection is an incomplete theory. Besides, your soul separates from your body when you die. There is nothing to resurrect. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust !
Reincarnation is 100% in the Bible…I will dumb it down for you; Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead, his kingdom will have no end. The “main character” who didn’t get to write an autobiography about himself, is said to be coming again if he isn’t already walking around this hell-hole.
It was a belief in early Christianity and they wrote it out because the “leaders” of the church believed that if our current “self” felt they had another chance at life they would not live this life to the fullest when this “self’s” Judgement Day came. There was a decision around 400AD in which it was written out of the Bible.
It is not in the Bible because the church controls what is in the Bible; you need to be educated. You are not omnipotent so please back off your stance…I’ve sat down much more successful individuals than yourself.
I promise you this Earth’s most deepest and darkest secrets are hidden down in the largest library that nobody can get in unless you’re Catholic and have that super-special clearance.
No need to dumb anything down. If your argument from silence depends on something the Catholic Church stashed away in their secret archives, there’s not much to discuss. Neither you, nor me, nor most other people would have access to that supposed library.
On the other hand, as Christians we believe what is public for anyone to review in the Old and New Testaments. And in that Bible, reincarnation is not taught as true. Instead, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). We die once and will be judged for our deeds in the body (2 Corinthians 5:10). This is a public record and can be reviewed by anyone with a Bible.
Reincarnation is very real. It’s not Demons putting false memories into your head. It’s all just a big scare tactic to control people.
Thanks for dropping by, Britni. On this site, we try to understand what the Scripture says about reincarnation. And since we don’t find that doctrine in the Bible, we must reject it.
So after reading all the above, as most things in life, 90 percent is – what Paul the apostle to the gentiles calls – undisputable. Of the 10 percent above (when using the part of the Paul’s teachings that talks about is it just? Does it have merit? Then dwell on this. Sorry don’t remember to quote.) we should consider because of its good hearted intention, Tomu and John are largely unanswered and ignored in the opposing responses. Even the intelligent opposition sound like some pre ordained responses that fall short of what Paul meant to dwell on. Being of small town bible belt, I am inclined to agree with the slippery slope attitude reincarnation brings. However; just like the Muslims -that are sons of Ishmael, and who god said he would make a mighty nation out of, and who Paul calls the sons of flesh – reincarnation has been minimized and demonized. Being a gentile I was planted into the sons of spirit who I believe have salvation offered by the F ather thru the Son, but to the souls planted as sons of promise or sons of flesh salvation is also abounding if they are faithful stewards of their belief structure so long as it is rooted in love. every man must be right in his own mind, love is the best of all emotions, love thy neighbor, love thy god, make your views wishes joys and hates known to God no matter the name your mortal mouth calls him, and you should be good when you meet your maker so to speak. As one nation man will not seek god but as many nations man will seek god. It only stands to logic that when a nation was made around Islam that salvation would not be include, and perhaps even if Hinduism? The bible says leading up to end times spirit will abound and we will dream dreams and will be much prophesy. As much as we should look for this we are also told to watch for the wolves in sheep clothing. The Sadducees and pharisees is what Christ spoke most against in the gospel; are the modern day Catholics and Protestants not their equivalent. And to end with a question, to the new testament mentioning of Christ lifting the veil of spiritual death. Could this not have been a stop to the vicious cycle of reincarnation? He did come to collect every fruit possible because the old system had become unprofitable. Jesus conquered death for us and will return to conquer sin. Free will is the gift of love my friend, less we would be incapable of learning to love as the father and continue rejecting spirit for love of the flesh an animal posses. Be a free fool in Christ, not a wise slave of man
Brandon, you keep going back to “what scriptures say” – assuming that God’s revelation has ended, and that you have THE correct interpretation. Sounds like you trust the Bible more than God. You jump around from passages in Genesis to ones in the NT giving objective interpretations for how it says we should live now. You better hope we don’t apply everything from the OT today.. or the NT for that matter. I actually don’t believe in reincarnation. But I think your reason for rejecting it is paradoxical. I believe in the God of Abraham, the God of Moses, the God who in Christ redeems creation back to Godself- the God who is love. Yours sounds like a jerk.
Reincarnation is entirely false because it gives the dangerous notion that we are our own god. It says mistakes are allowed because we will learn from them and progress into perfection. We as a human race will NEVER be perfect. God our creator did not need to go through an amass of experience to be who He is which is perfection. We cannot CREATE how God does, so how could we be so foolish to believe we even have a CHANCE to attain perfection. All reincarnation does is create a contract to remain Earth bound and continue to suffer the death sentence which is not putting our trust and faith in God. We have NO sovereignty over this Earth, only God The Father does. Please stop believing this garbage and put your faith in Him who is greater than anything we could EVER be. You will have to answer to your foolishness. Why would you want “more experiences to be perfect” when you have the GOD GIVEN opportunity to live WITH the ONE who IS?! Pray for your discernment. You will not have another chance.
Hi Carissa, I’ve been a Christian for many years, love the Lord, and had not thought much about reincarnation until recently. My question is not a matter of thinking we would return to achieve some kind of perfection, but of the possibility God makes a way for those who die young, tragically, suddenly, and have never even heard of Christ. (I’m thinking also along the lines of a tsunami that kills thousands of people). Perhaps He does allow some souls to return so that they may be given the opportunity to hear the Good News? I’m not sure we can 100% rule that out. I don’t believe it would be something that had to do with works, or “karma”, but just a merciful God not wishing anyone/any soul to perish eternally, and who desires all of us to know of Him… what do you think? (Yes, Brandon Clay, we always go to the Bible for our answers, but God’s ways and thoughts and deeds can still hold mystery for us! We will not understand everything while on this earth.) Blessings, Lauren
God is not the author of confusion. The devil is. Because the devil has come here to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), and because he comes here to tempt, HE was the first one to plant the idea of reincarnation in a human’s head and to have them spread it out unto to the world to keep the confusion going. The Bible doesn’t say the word “reincarnation” once in the entire Bible. What I say is that whoever believes in reincarnation or anything that the Bible does NOT support (why would God support such an evil belief?) is harshly confused and has seriously given into the lies of Satan. People are so hard-headed that they believe what they want to believe, they take the Bible out of context, use scripture to support a lie, and form their own opinions about the Bible and what they want to believe about the Bible rather than what the Bible actually says and means.