Bible

[plugger]

1 Corinthians 15: 29
29 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?

OK!! Why did I shift gears from Luke to 1 Corinthians 15----not my fault, and old, old friend gave me a call last evening and while chatting I was ask my opinion on this verse, after reading stuff on it last night and then a few hours this morning I think I have a pretty good handle on it, but doubt seriously that I can properly communicate my thoughts......Even today some churches practice baptizing for the dead, so some of might say that's nuts while others the opposite. I used 6 difference references and will pass on a couple thoughts...Don't shoot me, I am just the messenger.

I suppose the 1st thing I checked into was the author of this and why. Author is Paul and the reason is concerning the resurrection and also we have to think on the ancient church in Corinth as that is where Paul's letter addressed to. Might keep in mind that a lot of the people of this church was not living right at the foot of the cross, sort of a strange bunch, another story,---so, let me try to keep on subject here---"baptized for the dead".-----is used to defend the notion that a dead person can be save by being baptized vicariously through a living Christian. I learned that there are over 40 different thoughts on this verse....Let me make mention that in Scripture there are some things that are crystal clear, while in Scripture there is also things that are not so clear---shall I say some things are cast in stone while other things are not. Notice also that Paul's statement if followed by a question mark. ? Reckon 1st let us be clear on Paul who in Ephesians 2: 8 wrote "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God" and in Romans 3:28 " Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law."---then Romans: 6:3-4--" do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."...SO! Paul wrote these verses so there is no way he believed that salvation could be accomplished by the baptism of a living person for a dead person. In reading 1 Corinthians we learn that some folks believe in the resurrection and some folks did not and Paul's point here is , if you do not believe in the resurrection why in the world would you even be thinking of baptism. Then I also learned that way back in that time many folks put off their baptism until they were real close to their death, then some died before being baptized, so some of the living thought it was a good gesture to be baptized for them. Another curve ball some folks will toss in here is from 1 Peter 4:6--"For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."---Notice "was preached"---meaning the dead heard the Gospel before they died---they now live in God's presence.

Great subject and I thank my ole friend for rattling my cage--- The letter to the Corinthians was written nearly 2000 years ago and over the years many well educated theologians have studied this and written their thoughts out, as I made mention at the beginning over 40 different takes on this, which also means over 40 different opinions---I am a firm believer that if a person seriously speaks with God asking for clear understanding of His Scriptures, then God will grant that understanding. Does not mean that my understanding is 100% right nor should I assume your understanding is 100% wrong---God leads, we follow & God's explanation is always 100% correct, I just may not get it right on the 1st try, some of us are just plain thick, what can I say.

God Bless OH!! Yes your 2cents worth is appreciated