Bible Teaching by Rev. Percy Gutteridge: Why Elijah Must Make Way for Elisha (show notes for podcast episode #24)
Scripture Readings:
2 Kings 2; Luke 1:17
Summary:
Elijah and Elisha
by Gustav Doré
The Scriptures include many types, or figures, which help illustrate important foundational truths. In this look at the ministries of Elijah and Elisha, we see Elijah as a type of Old Covenant prophet, while Elisha is a type of the New Covenant prophet. Similarly, John the Baptist is the last of the Old Covenant prophets, ministering in the spirit of Elijah with repentance, while Jesus is the greatest Prophet under the New Covenant. All who are baptized in the Holy Spirit are meant to carry on this New Covenant prophetic ministry. Just as Elisha's ministry brought the removal of a curse, Jesus ministers in the Spirit of His Father, removing the curse of sin and bringing life. In 2 Kings 2, after Elijah was taken up, Elisha healed the waters at Jericho that had been cursed by Joshua. Jesus is the healing water for us now in the New Covenant. Percy Gutteridge explains clearly the scripture “For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Luke 7:28).
Other Scriptures Cited:

2 Kings 2:13
Hebrews 8:8
Ephesians 3:5
Acts 11:28
Joel 2:28
2 Peter 1:19
Numbers 11:29
1 Corinthians 14:31
2 Kings 2:11
Psalm 37:7
John 3:13
Romans 3:23
Hebrews 10:20
Matthew 27:51
Malachi 3:1
Malachi 4:5-6
Matthew 11:14
Luke 1:17
2 Corinthians 5:19
Luke 1:15-17
Romans 5:2
Luke 3:10-12
2 Kings 2:11

Matthew 11:7-11
Galatians 4:7
Colossians 1:27
Romans 5:2
John 15:15
Hebrews 1:1
Luke 1:15
1 Corinthians 6:19
Colossians 1:27
1 Kings 18:38
2 Kings 1:10
2 Kings 2:18-22
Romans 8:1
Romans 8:34
John 5:22
Revelation 20:11
1 John 1:9
Ephesians 5:8
Luke 9:54-55
Matthew 5:41,45
2 Kings 13:21
John 10:10
John 7:37-38

John 1:12
2 Kings 2:19-22
Joshua 6:26
1 Kings 16:34
Hebrews 11:18-19
Genesis 22:17
Galatians 3:8
John 12:24
Isaiah 53:10
2 Corinthians 4:10-12
Genesis 3:16
Galatians 3:28
John 8:36
Revelation 1:5
Luke 14:34
Matthew 15:19
Jeremiah 17:19
Acts 2:3
Matthew 3:11,12
2 Chronicles 6:30
Revelation 14:4

Hymns and Poems Cited:

Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken by Henry F. Lyte
Not all the Blood of Beasts by Isaac Watts
Yes, God Is Good, in Earth and Sky by John Gurney
Have You Been to Jesus for the Cleansing Pow'r? (also known as Are You Washed in the Blood of the Lamb?) by (appropriately enough for this particular podcast!) Elisha Hoffman

Other Material by Rev. Percy Gutteridge
A list of all of Pastor Gutteridge’s work—audio, online articles, books, and e-books—can be found on our FinestOfTheWheat.