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Article 26 - Baptism for the Dead
This passage reads, "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?" (KJV)
This text has been greatly misused and abused, especially by the Mormon church which teaches "proxy baptism," that living people can be baptized for people who are dead.
The contextual background shows us that Paul was responding to the problem of those who rejected a bodily resurrection. Some were saying,"there is no resurrection of the dead" (v. 12). In exposing this view the apostle presents several logical arguments, beginning by saying that if there is no resurrection then Jesus himself did not arise from the dead. "But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen" (v. 13).
To properly understand this passage, it is necessary to identify the meaning of the word "dead." Our Mormon friends assume that the word "dead" refers to the people themselves - - the idea of people who are currently living being baptized for (on behalf of) people who have died. Paul was not speaking of people themselves who were no longer living.
To what then does the word "dead" refer? Paul was speaking of the bodies of those who had died. He was discussing the resurrection, but what resurrection was he referring to? Dead bodies. Only that which dies can be raised; and it is only the body which dies. The word "dead" therefore refers to the bodies of the dead.
Notice in verses 42-44 how Paul identified the "dead." He used the word "it" which is clearly speaking of an object and not of people. "It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption, it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory, it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power, it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body."
Paul's argument regarding those who rejected the resurrection was this: If there will be no resurrection of your body, as some of you believe, why did you go to the trouble of baptizing your body? Why do you go to the trouble of baptizing on behalf of your body?
Paul then confirms his argument by asking, "Why stand we in jeopardy every hour?" (v. 30) That is, if there is no resurrection and nothing for which to look forward, why do we risk our lives for Christ? In verse 31 he stated his willingness to "die daily," confirming his belief in the resurrection. He then adds, "if the dead rise not," his sacrifice at Ephesus was to no avail (v. 32). If there is no resurrection of the body, his obvious conclusion is that it would be better just to "eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."
The doctrine of proxy baptism is flawed due to the fact that we are all accountable for ourselves. No one person is held accountable for another. "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12). "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it is good or bad" (II Corinthians 5:10). Any doctrine contradicting clear, Biblical truth is shown to be false.
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"Baptized for the Dead" - What Is It?
I Corinthians 15:29
Jon Gary Williams
I Corinthians 15:29
Jon Gary Williams
This passage reads, "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?" (KJV)
This text has been greatly misused and abused, especially by the Mormon church which teaches "proxy baptism," that living people can be baptized for people who are dead.
The contextual background shows us that Paul was responding to the problem of those who rejected a bodily resurrection. Some were saying,"there is no resurrection of the dead" (v. 12). In exposing this view the apostle presents several logical arguments, beginning by saying that if there is no resurrection then Jesus himself did not arise from the dead. "But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen" (v. 13).
To properly understand this passage, it is necessary to identify the meaning of the word "dead." Our Mormon friends assume that the word "dead" refers to the people themselves - - the idea of people who are currently living being baptized for (on behalf of) people who have died. Paul was not speaking of people themselves who were no longer living.
To what then does the word "dead" refer? Paul was speaking of the bodies of those who had died. He was discussing the resurrection, but what resurrection was he referring to? Dead bodies. Only that which dies can be raised; and it is only the body which dies. The word "dead" therefore refers to the bodies of the dead.
Paul later confirms in many verses that he was referring to dead bodies:
v. 35 "body,"
v. 37 "body,"
v. 38 "bodies...body,"
v. 40 "body...bodies,"
v. 44 "bodies...body...body"
v. 37 "body,"
v. 38 "bodies...body,"
v. 40 "body...bodies,"
v. 44 "bodies...body...body"
Notice in verses 42-44 how Paul identified the "dead." He used the word "it" which is clearly speaking of an object and not of people. "It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption, it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory, it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power, it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body."
Paul's argument regarding those who rejected the resurrection was this: If there will be no resurrection of your body, as some of you believe, why did you go to the trouble of baptizing your body? Why do you go to the trouble of baptizing on behalf of your body?
Paul then confirms his argument by asking, "Why stand we in jeopardy every hour?" (v. 30) That is, if there is no resurrection and nothing for which to look forward, why do we risk our lives for Christ? In verse 31 he stated his willingness to "die daily," confirming his belief in the resurrection. He then adds, "if the dead rise not," his sacrifice at Ephesus was to no avail (v. 32). If there is no resurrection of the body, his obvious conclusion is that it would be better just to "eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."
The doctrine of proxy baptism is flawed due to the fact that we are all accountable for ourselves. No one person is held accountable for another. "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12). "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it is good or bad" (II Corinthians 5:10). Any doctrine contradicting clear, Biblical truth is shown to be false.
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