This may be a stupid question but isn't Saint John the Baptist from the New Testament? I thought he was but in one response it referred to him as being an Old Testament saint, so now I am confused.

-- yvonne teoh (sugaree_babee@hotmail.com), October 01, 2004

Answers

Response to john the baptist

Yes, John was New Testament. He was foretold in the Old Testament ...

"A voice is calling, clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God". (Isaiah 40:3)

but he lived in New Testament times.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), October 02, 2004.

Response to john the baptist

Yvonne, I don't think that's a stupid question at all. John the Baptist is sometimes referred to as the last Old Testament prophet because he operated in the same way that OT prophets did -- his ministry was before the death of Christ. He even baptized Jesus, in a way initiating Jesus' ministry.

In contrast, the disciples of Jesus were learning under Jesus while He was still alive, and when Christ died, their ministry began as they proclaimed the Gospel of salvation. Theirs was a new message, so the apostles were New Testament prophets.

John the Baptist died by beheading before Christ died, so he was an OT Saint because he went to Abraham's bosom (see Luke 16), the place where believers went before Christ died to allow them into heaven. I hope that makes sense. God bless,

-- Emily ("jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), October 02, 2004.