Part 3 of 4 part series on reincarnation
Let us look at the passage of Scripture that was overlooked when the references to reincarnation were removed from it. This passage will show you plainly and clearly the doctrine on reincarnation. It deals with the interesting life of John the Baptist, who was the reincarnation of the prophet Elijah.
Before Elijah was taken up to heaven, he walked with his disciple Elisha. The latter later incarnated as Jesus Christ. When Elijah was preparing for his ascension into heaven in a chariot of fire, he turned to Elisha and asked him what his wishes were. "Ask me what I can do for you, before I am taken away from you." said Elijah.
Elisha replied, "So may a double portion of your spirit be upon me." Elijah turned to his disciple and said, "If thou shalt see me while I am taken from thee, then all this shall come to pass."
Then Elijah sailed to heaven in a fiery chariot. The fire element brought his body to a cosmic cloud. His cloak fell from him, and Elisha picked it up and struck the waters of the Jordan with it. And the double part of Elijah's spirit rested on him (II Kings 2:9-15).
In Elijah's final incarnation as John the Baptist, the prophet said of his former disciple, "He (Jesus) must grow, but I must become less .... One who is mightier than I will come, whose shoe strap I am not worthy to loosen. (John 3:30; Luke 3:16).
At an earlier time, when Jesus' mother, Mary, who was expecting a child, visited Elisabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, the baby John jumped up with joy in Elisabeth's womb. The baby recognized the mastery of God in "that holy something" that would be born of Mary. (Luke 1:39-44 and 35).