1 Corinthians 15:30 Being Baptized For The Dead?

1 Corinthians 15:30

Being Baptized For The Dead?

 

1 Corinthians 15:20, 29-30 “But now Christ is Risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits* of those who have fallen asleep (died)… Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? And why do we stand in jeopardy (danger) every hour?”

Baptized in verse 29 is the same Greek word that is used in the New Testament eighty-six ties: baptizeō; from a derivative of baptō; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technical) of the ordinance of Christianity, baptism:-baptist, baptize, wash.

Baptist (one time, Mark 6:14); baptize (nine times); baptized (sixty-nine times); baptizes (one time); baptizeth (two times); baptizing (four times).

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible (KJV), Greek Dictionary Of The New Testament, MacDonald Publishing

In fifty years of being a Christian with three years of Bible College, I have never heard anyone tackle this subject – being baptized for the dead (though there is a lot of internet discussion about it).

The only modern group that I know about that baptizes for the dead is The Latter Day Saints (Mormons), I do not know why they baptize for the dead, maybe it relates to this verse. I do not know why the Corinthians practiced it, but they must have since Paul addressed it, I do not know if they practiced something similar before becoming Christians.

Paul does not approve or rebuke this practice in any of his writings, he seems to use it to prove there is resurrection from the dead. He uses the question “Why are we in danger every hour?” to reinforce that he also believes in the resurrection of the dead (which of course having met JESUS on the road to Damascus, he would believe).

This is one of those Scriptures that cause people to reject The Bible as Divinely inspired, because it is not a Christian practice. No Christian order or denomination practice baptizing for the dead that I know of, in the old days (before Google) it was very hard for the average Christian to research this type of issue. Most commentaries on this passage that I have seen say that Paul was showing how ridiculous the Corinthians were for not believing in the resurrection of the dead in Christ, yet getting baptized for people who had died without being baptized. He also asks, If Christ is not raised and there is no resurrection of the dead, why am I still putting my life in danger for preaching it?

*Colossians 1:13-18, JESUS is the Firstborn of creation (Revelation 3:14) and the Firstborn of the dead (Revelation 1:4-5)! His birth in the flesh was ordained by The Father before the foundation of the earth was laid (1 Peter 1:18-21; Revelation 12:8) and JESUS is the only human to rise from the dead and not die a second time (Revelation 1:18, 2:8).

So do not let Scriptures that you do not understand bother you, as you study and pray if GOD does not give you an answer then put it on a shelf (so to speak) and GOD will bring it to your remembrance when He is ready. Also do not let people justify discounting The Bible because of passages like this that are hard to understand, stand fast in your Trust of GOD and His Word, 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5.

 

https://youtu.be/1BFp9SDJgv0