Baptism for the Dead (1 Corinthians
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ธ.ค. 2024
- What are the baptisms for the dead in 1 Corinthians 15:29? Do they benefit the dead or were they normal Christian baptisms?
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When you get rid of books of the Old Testament which can explain why Paul wrote the way he did here, it’s easy to get confused.
In my opinion, this verse isn't too difficult to understand at all. In my view, there were some Corinthians who had loved ones who had died before being baptized into Christ. Paul had already taught that those who are united with Christ in His death (which is through baptism), will also be united to Him in His resurrection [Rom. 6:4-5; 8-11]. And so, because of their high sacramental view of baptism for salvation and union with Christ, some would literally baptized their loved ones who were already died in the hopes that it would benefit them in the resurrection on the last day [Rom. 6:5]. Sort of like how prayers for the dead could potentially be beneficial to those already departed.
Paul's point is that if there is no resurrection of the dead at all (as some Corinthians had been saying), then what are some people doing baptizing the dead for? [again Paul is implying with this a strong belief that anyone baptized into Christ, will too be raised from the dead like Christ was raised].
Yes, it is a mistaken view to baptize those already dead, but it kind of would make sense granted one having a very high view of the efficacy of baptism. There just is no promise from God that saving grace is granted to the dead on behalf of the living.
This is only confusing to one who doesn’t pray for the souls of the departed. I’m Orthodox.
As someone who has a fascination with Mormonism and in particular baptism for the dead. I'm very glad you answered this question since I knew for a long time a lot of Mormon quirks actually are biblical in that they're verses in the bible. I am Lutheran for context, was baptized on the 16th this year.
Welcome to Christ's family, Tim!
Bringing up Luke 16:10-31 is a poor example of trying to explain away baptism for the dead. It did nothing for me in fact it confused me even more. No one is coming back to life here on earth unless Jesus Christ makes it so like He did with his friend, Lazarus. Using Hebrews 9:27 has nothing to do with baptism for the dead because 1 Peter 3, 1 Peter 4 and Ephesians 4 tells us Jesus Christ descended down to spirit prison to evangelized for those who died.
When people die, their spirits either go to spirit prison (1 Peter 3:18-19 & 1 Peter 4:6) or they go to paradise (Luke 23:43). Nobody is judged immediately after death; that is an assumption most Christians make because of Hebrews 9:27. Spirit prison and paradise is where I believe our spirits reside until Judgement Day. Spirit Paradise is not heaven because our spirits must be judged on Judgement Day. Once our spirits are residing in spirit paradise or spirit prison, can they be ministered to by Jesus Christ? In 1 Peter 3:19 writes, “By which also he (Jesus Christ) went and preached unto the spirits in prison;” So the answer is yes, our spirits can be ministered to. Even Jesus Christ said to the thief on the cross in Luke 23:43 “Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” What is going on here?!? Jesus Christ was not finished evangelizing including the spirits who left their earthly mortal bodies.
The big question you need to ask yourselves; why did Jesus Christ go visit the spirits in prison right after he died on the cross? I can see the spirits in spirit prison speaking to Jesus Christ, “Why are you here? We are dead and we sinned. We can’t repent because we are dead.” But Jesus would answer back and say, “That’s why I’m here; I’m here to minister unto you to see if you’ll repent and follow me. You’ve been down here for a long time thinking of the mistakes you made in life. Now will you repent?” Read 1 Peter 4:6 which writes, "For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body but live according to God in regard to the spirit." Can our spirits repent after we are dead? It sure seems that way in this scriptural verse, because why would Jesus Christ go to spirit prison and preach unto those who are captive? Remember what Ephesians 4:7 wrote, “7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” The key words to focus on is “every one”. Does that include the spirits in prison and paradise? Assuming that grace is only given to those living in mortal bodies might be a grave mistake. Don’t argue with me; argue with the Bible because I didn’t write it.
Did Jesus Christ remove some of the spirits in prison? Sure, He did well at least those who repented. Ephesians 4:8-10 writes, “8 This is why it says:
“When he ascended on high,
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”
9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)” The key words here is “he took many captives…”. Why would Jesus Christ do this awesome act of removing people out of spirit prison if they repented? Ephesians 4:13 writes, “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” There’s that word “all”! It stands for the living and the dead. If I were you, I would read Ephesians 4:7-13 to get the full picture.
Now the spirits who repented have a problem for they are not baptized as Jesus Christ was, and a spirit cannot be baptized because they don’t have a mortal body anymore. They are spirits! The spirits have repented of their ways, were taken out of spirit prison by Jesus, and they now believe in Jesus Christ as their savior. The spirits cannot go to heaven unless they are baptized. Read John 3:5 ““Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” Baptism is required to enter heaven!!! So, how are dead people’s spirits going to be baptized? Without baptism, we cannot be resurrected like Jesus Christ was and receive a glorified body. So now read the scripture in 1 Corinthians 15 in a different light. Do you see what the Apostle Paul is writing about? Do you have ancestors who were not baptized? Wouldn’t you like for them to be baptized? I would. I love them. Then how can baptism be performed for the dead? Before answering this question, one must understand how Christ died for our sins. He “proxy” for all of us; “proxy” is biblical. His proxy took away our sins so that we can be resurrected like Him. We are saved by Him. We can “proxy” too. Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15 that we can “proxy” for our ancestors; we can perform baptism for our ancestors! Isn’t that awesome!!! Then our dead ancestors can accept the “proxy” baptism just like all of us accepted Jesus Christ “proxy” sacrifice for our sins. He died on the cross for all of us.
I would study thoroughly all the bible verses I wrote down in this article. Pray and ask God and Jesus if you need to do baptism for your ancestors. So, as a Christian, will you throw out an emergency life preserver to your ancestors who repented as spirits by doing proxy baptism for them? Or do you feel there is no need for a baptism life preserver for the dead ancestors?
Actually, this letter isn't claiming that baptism for the dead was being practiced. It's arguing through reason, and saying that *if the dead don't rise, then Jesus is dead, and therefore when people are baptized in Jesus' name they are being baptized for a dead man!*
To get at the truth of what Paul wrote, we have to consider the context surrounding verse 29. 1Cor 15:13-18 says, "But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished."
The argument being put forth here is that there is a resurrection, and the proof is that Jesus was resurrected from the dead. *If Jesus had not risen from the dead, then He is still dead. So, (the argument continues in v. 28-29) why would anyone be baptized for the dead Jesus, if the dead don't rise?* And (v. 30) why are we (the early Christians) jeopardizing our lives if there's no rising from the dead?
Thanks for sharing Josh!
One related possibility I've heard. It's fairly clear that the practice of taking a new name at baptism, in honor of a deceased saint, is fairly ancient and universal East and West, and is partially founded on the Scriptural idea (cf Revelation) that the departed saints pray for us.
I've heard at least one commentator suggest that this might mean on behalf of the dead, in the sense of taking the name of a particular martyr, prophet, etc.