What does this mean?

Question

29 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?
1 Corinthians 15:29

Answer 1

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I can only tell you that this was a practice in the Early Church that Christ established on the earth while He was here, but which, over time, due to unfaithfulness and 'falling away', and martyrdom's disappeared from here on earth. My Church has re-instituted this practice,(baptism for the dead) that is all I can tell you.

Answer 2

1 CORINTHIANS 15:29
29) Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptzied for the dead?

The apostle Paul is asking; What good is it for you to get baptized if you are going to still wallow in your sin. Why then are you being baptized into Jesus's death if you are not going to rise above the sin. Once baptized, your fleshly ways are dead, you are dead to the ways of the world. You are considered born again, a new creature. ALL old things are passed away. But then again these false religions are not even teaching on what it is to be born again, yet alone baptizing you; correctly that is. So you are lost in the blindness of your preacher. These false churches are teaching you that all you have to say is the sinners prayer and believe with all your heart and except him as your personal saviour and you are automatically born again. THAT'S THE TEACHING OF THE DEVIL. You must be born again by first repenting, second, going down in water in the name of Lord Jesus Christ, and third being baptized of the Spirit, which is the Holy Ghost. And it don't stop there. I pray for you to E-mail me at [e-mail] or [e-mail]. To get you scripturally correct in truth. Amen

Answer 3

An early practice of the Christian church was to be baptized for the dead. It was believed that one could be baptized for the dead who heard not of the gospel of Jesus Christ, this baptism by proxy was done and the person on earth would represent the dead. In verse 28 It talks about when all things shall be subdued unto him... that God may be in all. Redeeming the dead is still practiced today in the true church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The dead have a choice on the other side whether or not to accept this baptism, but seeing they are in the spirit world and not resurrected they have not a body for baptism, this is why they need us to be baptized for them.

---The scriptural reference is specifically saying: Are they wasting there time baptizing the dead. If you believe the dead do not rise again, then why would they baptize for them? You need to believe in the resurrection before you can believe in baptism for the dead.

The Chapter ends vs. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethen, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Answer 4

It's sounds like some of the Corinthians were being baptized on behalf of believing friends and relatives who had died before they were baptized.
Paul is trying to reason with them that their old earthly bodies wont be coming up from the ground so why try to sanctify them now.

Answer 5

1 Corinthians 15:20-34
20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all. 29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I die every day--I mean that, brothers--just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." 33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God--I say this to your shame.

Perhaps you should use the entire scripture instead of using a partial, out of context verse.

Answer 6

Ya gotta read a few verses ahead of 29.... its basically saying that if your not being baptized with Christ then why do it at all

Answer 7

All Christians should read this uplifting, inspirational story of a minister overcoming depression.

http://phifoundation.org/heal.html

Answer 8

Read this, it's written by one of the greatest Christian teachers of all time, St. John Chysostom in the fourth century......

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/220140.htm

Answer 9

I wouldn't worry its all fiction anyway........