Baptized for the Dead?

BAPTIZED FOR THE DEAD?
“Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?”
– 1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭29‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

Some religious teachings have taken this controversial verse out of context and built an entire non-Biblical doctrine around it. I hope this short, straight-forward expose will help to clear things up.

It occurred to me this morning as I read 1 Cor 15 – the entire chapter, in context, from verse 1 – that verse 29 actually refers back to verses 12-19, where Paul makes the case that if Christ were NOT resurrected, our faith is in vain – having faith in an UN-resurrected, DEAD Messiah. After making this case, beginning in verse 20, Paul then states emphatically that we don’t have to worry about that, because it is an undeniable fact that Christ WAS INDEED raised from the dead. He then returns in verse 29 to punctuate this by reiterating his first negative argument. This is consistent with Paul’s writing style throughout his epistles.

“Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. … Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?”
– ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭12‬-‭19‬,29 ‭NASB1995‬‬

So verse 29 is saying that if Jesus himself was not resurrected, what will happen to those who are baptized into faith in a dead messiah? If there is no resurrection of the dead for anyone, what good is that faith?

And just a few verses later, Paul says…

“… If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭32‬b NASB1995‬‬

If there is no eternal life after death in this earthly body, just live for yourself in this body and get the most out of it now, before you die. Be selfish.

But we can be thankful that, though Jesus did indeed die and was buried, He most certainly also rose from the dead (having conquered death), and ascended into heaven! When we are born again of the spirit according to John 3:3,5 having repented and turned from our sins, we are cleansed from our sins and become joint heirs with Christ to this glorious salvation, saved from eternal damnation, resurrected to eternal life.

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!!

(originally drafted 12/16/2023)

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THE GOOD NEWS IS A FREE GIFT FOR EVERYONE WHO RECEIVES IT
If you’re not 100% sure what is going to happen to you immediately after you die, perhaps you might want to click here and watch this short video presentation of the gospel, by Ray Comfort of Living Waters ministries.