Q8. Repentance

[Pastor Ralph]

Q8. (1 Kings 18:37; Malachi 4:5-6) In what way does Elijah have a ministry of “turning hearts back again,” of calling for true repentance? How was this fulfilled in Elijah’s successor John the Baptist? (Mark 1:4-6). Why is this an important ministry for pastors and evangelists?

[Krissi]

Any believer who sees the moral decline in once-Christian societies or is active politically will strongly desire revival.

Repentance and revival are generally simultaneous. Then, restoration. So, it makes sense that Elijah intuited that "turning hearts back" or repentance, would either be simultaneous or precede his calling which was to trigger a revival among apostate Israelites.

Like Elijah, John the Baptist told people to turn from their sins and be baptized. This was in preparation for the coming of the Messiah, which he also preached. Matthew, the gospel, explicitly equates John the Baptist and Elijah going as far as to hint that John was the reappearance of Elijah. 

Turning hearts back (or for the first time) to the Lord, is not only an important ministry, it is THE ministry to which we are called. Evangelism is the good news. The Great Commission is ours to fulfill. Witnessing and evangelizing are not optional behaviours, but the central focus of our Christian life. 

I think of revival as a large scale evangelization which occurs when the spirit moves in mightier ways than normal among populations that have either backslidden or have never known Him. 

[Irmela]

Q8. (1 Kings 18:37; Malachi 4:5-6)

In what way does Elijah have a ministry of "turning hearts back again," of calling for true repentance?

How was this fulfilled in Elijah's successor John the Baptist? (Mark 1:4-6).

Why is this an important ministry for pastors and evangelists?

Elijah knew and was grieved about the way the people had turned their hearts away from Yahweh. In a desperate bid to enable them to see what  they were actually worshiping, he had called a come together where they could literally see it. By seeing they could then make a decision to truly repent and serve Yahweh. When he prepared the sacrifice , he took no chances that anyone could say that there was trickery involved. he had them pour water over the wood etc., until everything was saturated. In no ways could that sacrifice get burnt by any natural means.  Elijah had faith enough to know that God would supernaturally consume the sacrifice .  This would enable everyone to witness that Yahweh was indeed the One and only True God to worship.  Already there had been a drought for 3 and half yrs and Baal, the so called god who could bring rain, could do nothing.  

John the Baptist also called out and pointed out the erring ways of the people.  He called the people to repent and be baptized . To turn away from their former ways. People from all over came to hear him and be baptized.

Elijah too called out to them to turn away from serving Baal and choose to follow Yahweh, Who was the True God.

Pastors and evangelists, in fact every true child of God, should by our very life "show" that there is a difference in serving God and serving the world. Our call too, should be for all to repent from former way of life and truly choose to serve God.  Our lives should bring a desire for change.

[hanks]

Q8. (1 Kings 18:37; Malachi 4:5-6) 
In what way does Elijah have a ministry of "turning hearts back again," of calling for true repentance? How was this fulfilled in Elijah's successor John the Baptist? (Mark 1:4-6). Why is this an important ministry for pastors and evangelists? 
Rain was badly needed, but Elijah realised that the people needed revival even more. He is praying, asking God for the people to repent, to turn away from their sin and idolatry, and for them to recognise that Yahweh is the only true living God. The miraculous fire from heaven, proved that the Lord was God. The people repented and the Baal prophets were killed. This turning to God was soon followed by rain. We see both repentance from sin and coming to God for pardon and mercy often mentioned by the OT prophets. “Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will freely pardon” (Isa 55:6-7). But, true repentance involves daily sorrow for sin. In Malachi 3:1a we read: “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me”. And in Malachi 4:5: “I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes”. God had promised through Malachi that He would send a prophet to prepare the way for Him (3:1a), and later Malachi specifically mentions Elijah as that prophet (4:5). In Matt 11:10 Jesus says, speaking about John the Baptist: “This is the one about whom it is written - I will send My messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” Clearly John was the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy. He was the messenger who would precede the Lord and prepare the people for His coming. John would spread the good news about the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the message of repentance in order to have one’s sins forgiven. Preaching the Word is important for both pastors and evangelists for they know that the elect will hear the message and respond by sincerely repenting of sins and placing their trust in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for salvation. 
 

[Katy]

Q8. Elijah built an altar to sacrifice on in order to prove to the Jewish people that Yahweh was God and not Baal. When he had proved it by soaking the alter with water and then calling on God to burn up the sacrifice. The people fell prostrate crying “ The Lord He is God”. They repented of their sins and turned away from Baal worship. John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way of the Lord. He went about teaching the people about repentance and turning back to God. All his work was in preparation for the coming of Jesus so the people would be ready and willing to hear  what Jesus had to say to them.

[fancyr62]

Faithful prayer. Sincere prayer. He had a heart to show the people God was real and able to keep His promises. He could even do the impossible. That is how he addressed the Lord in this prayer. Please let them see.

Pastors today need to spend more time in prayer and in presence of God. Teaching people to do the word, not just read and wait for God to move. The people need to know it is their responsibility to act on Gods word. Most people do not even read the word for themselves.

[lighthouse2014]

Elijah's ministry of turning hearts back to the Lord is demonstrated by his obedience and faithfulness toby the Lord. His courage is shown by facing Ahab and the false prophets. John the Baptist is a type of successor of Elijah by facing the Pharisees, Sadducees and the king of Israel at the time of Christ. By his ministry he brought many to repentance and baptism as a confirmation of their faith.      

[MachonaP]

Q8. (1 Kings 18:37; Malachi 4:5-6) In what way does Elijah have a ministry of "turning hearts back again," of calling for true repentance? Re-building the altar meant restoring that culture of worship that had been destroyed over time. Further, Elijah looks at the abominable worship of the Baals and implores the people to return to God and render Him reverence as the true living God, Yahweh who is the true God. Elijah looks at the people who once believed in Yahweh and followed him and asks them to turn back and go to true worship.

How was this fulfilled in Elijah's successor John the Baptist? (Mark 1:4-6). John the Baptist was in a comparable way passionate about repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He called on people to reform as the kingdom of heaven was near, to repent and be baptized.

Why is this an important ministry for pastors and evangelists? This is important for Pastors and Evangelists as it highlights the mandate of spreading the gospel to all ends of the earth as highlighted in Matthew 28:19.

[Jonathan Edwards]

According to 1 Kings 18:39, the people saw the fire fall from heaven, they fell on their faces and exclaimed that the Lord is God; the Lord, He is God.  Pagan idol Baal was a nonexistent imposter.  This belief in the Lord God of Israel resonates through out the visions, prophecies and sermons of the Prophet Ezekiel in minute detail.   Syncretism has no role.   Truly the Prophet Elijah's role was very similar to Prophet Ezekiel's; DEUTERONOMY 6:4 is of upmost importance.

During the 3 1/2 years (7 year Tribulation) Elijah and Enoch will be prophets of judgment.  They will be invincible: power to destroy their enemies,cause fire to come out of their mouths, power to stop rain and turn water into blood and smite the earth with plagues.

John the Baptist was the clarion voice during this time preaching the Kingdom of Heaven and reiterating the central tenets of Judaism as stated in DEUTERONOMY 6:4.   The present Kingdom of Heaven is the earthly sphere of the Kingdom of God.  John the Baptist is the Forerunner of Christ the King. John the Baptist had lineage to the Aaronic priesthood, and wanted to get people focused on Christ the Lamb of God.   

This is extremely important!  As a young man back in the Autumn of 1971, I was praying for the "double portion of the Holy Spirit".   This was a few months after my beloved grandmother died.   I felt the call to become an evangelist at the age of 16.   The message of proclaiming repentence--being "born again" is absolutely crucial.   Today in many church sectors, this is missing!   Now we have a generation of pastors and evangelists that are doctrinally confused and living questionable lifestyles.  

[Zibuyile]

Q8. In what way does Elijah have the ministry of turning   back again  or true Repentance?

Elijah was grieved by the way people have turning away from God to worship idols,  and needed a way to make them turn back to God . Him declaring no rain for three years was the way to show them who is the true God who must be worshipped

8.1 How was this fulfilled  by his successor John the Baptist ?

John 1:7:John came to witness about Messiah who is coming to save mankind from their sins

8.3 Why is this the important  ministry  for both Pastors and Evangelists?

It is the very core of Christianity  , since Jesus came for the lost (sinners) so that if they believe the gospel they are saved from eternal death. So that the gospel of Jesus Christ will spread all over the world

[Christopher Olamiji Taiwo]

(1 Kings 18:37; Malachi 4:5-6) In what way does Elijah have a ministry of "turning hearts back again," of calling for true repentance? How was this fulfilled in Elijah's successor John the Baptist? (Mark 1:4-6). Why is this an important ministry for pastors and evangelists?

Elijah ministry turning hearts back again was through his commitment, boldness and courage to challenge the idols worshippers to proof the ability of real God during the contest between himself and prophets of the baal. The end result turns the Israelites hearts to their God. 

It was fulfilled in his successor John the Baptist when he called out the Israelites for repentance according to the book of Mark 1:4-6.

It is important ministry to the pastors and evangelists because it is the great commission commanded by our Lord and savior Jesus Christ before He left. 

[blezed]

 In what way does Elijah have a ministry of “turning hearts back again,” of calling for true repentance?

Elijah is seeking to bring his people to repentance from their apostasy and return to Yahweh their Father and God.  He is demonstrating this by being obedient to God and showing the people that:

• Yahweh is the true God, and
• Yahweh is turning their hearts back again to him.

How was this fulfilled in Elijah’s successor John the Baptist? (Mark 1:4-6).

John the Baptist preached repentance.

Why is this an important ministry for pastors and evangelists?

This is an important ministry for pastors and evangelists because preaching repentance will save lost souls.

[JOLLAM BANDA]

Elijah has a ministry of calling for true repentance because he is praying to God that He turns the hearts of the people of Israel back to Him again. This was fulfilled by John the Baptists, before the arrival of Jesus Christ, who called the people of Israel to repent of their sins and turn to God and be baptized. This is an important ministry for pastors and evangelists because they have to preach to people of repentance and come back to gain through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[haar]

Q8. (1 Kings 18:37; Malachi 4:5-6) In what way does Elijah have a ministry of "turning hearts back again," of calling for true repentance? How was this fulfilled in Elijah's successor John the Baptist? (Mark 1:4-6). Why is this an important ministry for pastors and evangelists?

Elijah had the ministry of turning the hearts of the Israelites back again by convincing them that there was only one living and miracle working God as against dead, deaf and dumb gods by the display of Gods power demonstrated at contest here.
 

[faith & hope 2017]

Judgement was about to come on the people for their lack of commitment  and acknowledgment of Yahweh.  Being the merciful and gracious God, He appointed Elijah to turn the people's hearts who once follow His Ways and kept His commandments back to Yahweh. The people had to be reminded who Yahweh is.  Apparently, the people were not  totally devoted to following the pagan god,Baal because, as it is noted, some of the people helped Elijah in the preparation of the sacrifice and the rebuilding of the altar.  It might have been that the people were submitting  themselves to Baal out of fear of the consequences, manipulations and threats from the priests of Baal and Jezebel, the king's wife.  However, witnessing Elijah's bold acts of faith in Yahweh, caused some of the people's faith to be restored because they wanted Elijah to succeed whereas Baal's priest failed miserably.

The John the Baptist, Elijah successor, also dedicated his life to turning the hearts of the people to Yahweh.  In his ministry, he encouraged the people to repent of their sins, to turn their hearts back to Yahweh and be baptized confessing thier faith in Yahweh.  

Turning hearts to Yahweh, is an act of saving souls from damnation and baptizing is an act of commitment to the faith. It is Yahweh's desire that no one should perish and die the everlasting death but to be saved in glory of eternal life with Him.  Therefore, it is the most important ministry of pastors and evangelists to lead, guide and counsel all that they may chose and have life eternity.   

[Kym Nixon]

Because people's hearts were turned so far away from God in Elijah's day and this was bringing about judgment on the land, Elijah was called to start a revival amongst God's people. 2 Chron 7:14 is clear that if God's people will repent and turn from their wicked ways, He will heal the land. So Elijah's call was practical. John the Baptist came in the Spirit of Elijah to turn the people's hearts back to the Lord through repentance and baptism as a forerunner to the coming Messiah. But John and Elijah were just one man by themselves. Since Pentecost, with the Holy Spirit living inside of believers, I believe God is calling forth many with the Spirit of Elijah in this generation to call people to repentance pending the second arrival of our Messiah to the earth. It's important because without repentance, there is not true forgiveness. 

[Old Jerry]

The way that Elijah is “turning hearts back again” is by the sacrifice that they are performing at that time. They will see that there is one on God and that God is Yahweh. John the Baptist did it by baptizing those that believed and having repented. This is an important ministry to repent and turn back to God. We have gotten too far away from it.