John the Baptist - Jewish or Christian?

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Which would be correct to state - John the Baptist was Jewish or Christian? Also, was John the Baptist considered a prophet?
 
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Yes, John the Baptist is considered the last prophet.

In regards to Jewish vs Christian: he died a Jew. However, I guess one could argue he was a “Christian” in a sense because he was a follower of Christ.

However, he died long before the Resurrection & never experienced all the sacraments, teachings & miracles of Christ.
 
Yes I suppose technically it comes down to at what point was Christianity born. Some may say after the crucifixion or perhaps Pentecost? Or was it at the Lord’s baptism by John?
 
Since he is a Saint, I’d say he’s a Christian whether he wants to be one or not. 😜
 
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Krisdun said:
Which would be correct to state - John the Baptist was Jewish or Christian? Also, was John the Baptist considered a prophet?
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John the Baptist is the last Old Testament prophet, and he was a Jew all his life.

It’s only a speculation, but he could also have been an Essene.
 
Since Baptists are Protestants, the answer is ‘Christian’. 😀
 
Which is why I do not like the word baptizer, but it’s more accurate in this day and age given the shift in language.
 
Some Baptists would say he is a Baptist, and that is how the Baptist Church is the true Church Jesus created. :crazy_face:
 
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Jesus said it best regarding John the Baptist: ‘But what did you go out to see? a prophet? yea I tell you, and more than a prophet.’- Matthew 11:9
 
According to a late dating scenario, John was executed in early AD 35, and Jesus was crucified at the Passover of AD 36.
 
NotThatHarvey said:
According to a late dating scenario, John was executed in early AD 35, and Jesus was crucified at the Passover of AD 36.
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Perhaps, but that would just mean John may have been in prison for a longer time.

If John the Baptist was around Jesus for most of His earthly ministry, I’m sure he would have been one of the Apostles.

Regardless, John wasn’t around Jesus for most of His teachings, miracles, and sacraments.
 
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I always wonder why John did not follow Jesus during but perhaps it was because he wanted Jesus to be better known rather than being a ‘distraction’. Although not documented in the bible is it possible they met occasionally?
 
Krisdun said:
Which would be correct to state - John the Baptist was Jewish or Christian? Also, was John the Baptist considered a prophet?
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John the Baptist is the last prophet given to the Jews before Pentecost and the birth of the Church. Like most of the other first followers who lived in the same generation as Jesus, he was a practicing Jew but he also believed that Jesus was the Christ, so he could be considered a Christian even though that particular word didn’t catch on until after Jesus ascended.

St Joseph and St John the Baptist - often considered the 2nd and 3rd greatest saints - did not receive a sacramental baptism or receive the Eucharist.
 
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In those days there weren’t any Christians. They were devout Jews who followed “the way” of God. You either heard His voice, or you didn’t.

Stephen the first martyr died before there were Christians.

John the Baptist was a Jew who recognized Jesus of Nazareth as the Son of God.
 
A lot of good statements above but the Catholic Church started at Mary’s conception
 
Krisdun said:
I always wonder why John did not follow Jesus
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Because that wasn’t John’s role. John made it very clear he was there to prepare the way for Jesus and he directed people to Jesus. John’s role was not to be an Apostle. John, who was in close communion with God for years, may well have known that he was going to predecease Jesus. The role of the Apostles was to spread the Gospel after Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension, so obviously they had to outlive Jesus.

God calls people to serve him in different ways. John was doing what God called him to do…preparing the way of the Lord.
 
JohnR77 said:
the Catholic Church started at Mary’s conception
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That is not the official teaching of when the Catholic Church began.

Our redemption began at Mary’s conception, but if the Catholic Church had begun then, Mary and Joseph would not have been living out their lives as observant Jews and raising Jesus in the Jewish faith.
 
Justin_Mary said:
Stephen the first martyr died before there were Christians.
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Stephen was the first Christian martyr. Obviously there were Christians before he died, given that he was one of them, and not the only one either.
The Catholic (in those days, Christian) church began at Pentecost. From that day forward, there were Christians.
 
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