In First Kings, chapter eighteen, verse forty, is about the slaughter of the prophets of Baal: Their death was just, for it was in obedience to the Law of Moses, as in Deuteronomy thirteen, verses six through nine, chapter seventeen, verses two to five, respectively. The New Testament has no such commandment. Violent action against false teachers is prohibited, as in Matthew five, verse forty-four. Although God does command rejection of and separation from them, as in Matthew twenty-four, verses twenty-three to twenty-four, Second Corinthians six, fourteen through eighteen, Galatians one, verses six through nine, Second John, verses seven to eleven, and Jude three through four, accordingly.
Elijah’s action against the false prophets of Baal represented God’s wrath against those trying to destroy the faith and spiritual heritage of Israel, his chosen people, and expressed Elijah’s love for and loyalty to his Lord. Therefore, his spirit and heart were in harmony with God, and his moral and spiritual sensitivity was outraged at the tragic defection of Israel from their covenant God, the One who had loved and redeemed them.
Elijah’s destruction of the false prophets also manifested a deep concern for the Israelites, who were lost spiritually by false religion. Jesus had this same attitude, as in Matthew twenty-three, as did Paul in Galatians one, verses six through nine. In addition, the wrath of God will be pouring out on all stubborn and unrepentant people at “the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,” as in Romans two, verse five, Chapter eleven, verse twenty-two, Revelation nineteen, verses eleven through twenty-one, and chapter twenty, verses seven to ten, respectively. Elijah required the people to show their conviction through acts that might expose them to the anger of a king or queen. However, once committed, this would cause them to break with Baal and his worshippers forever.