Christians, your interpretation of 1 Corinthians 15:29?

Question

1 Cor. 15:29 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?

If someone believes baptism is essential for salvation, why would they not want to do vicarious baptisms for those who might not have had the chance to hear and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ? Are those people who died in ignorance just SOOL when it comes to salvation? They can't be saved without Jesus Christ. But if they die without even knowing they can be saved, why would God be so cruel as to ban them to everlasting hellfire?

I just don't get it! How could you be so cruel?

Answer 1

What was being baptized for the dead? It is a mysterious passage, and there have been more than thirty different attempts to interpret it. 1. The plain meaning of the Greek in verse 29 is that some people are being baptized on behalf of those who have died--and if there is no resurrection, why are they doing this? 2. Either Paul is referring to a pagan custom (notice he uses they, not "we"), or to a superstitious and unscriptural practice in the Corinthian church of vicarious baptism for believers who died before being baptized. 3. Either way, he certainly does not approve of the practice; he merely says that if there is no resurrection, why would the custom take place? The Mormon practice of baptism for the dead is neither scriptural or sensible. Baptism for the dead is a practice that was common in the pagan religions of Greece and is still practiced today by some cults; but it doesn't change a person's sentence, for that is determined while he lives (Luke 16:26).

Answer 2

I thought he was saying, what's the point in getting baptized if you don't believe in the resurrection? If you get baptized and don't believe in the resurrection, then you are being baptized with no hope for the future except death. Acts 24:15 says there will be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous - so baptism shouldn't be "essential" for salvation. Although the bible does say in James 4:17 that if you know what is right and yet don't do it, it's a sin for that person. So if you know enough about the scriptures and you know what's right and wrong according to the Bible, you're either going to follow it(which would include baptism-or dedication to God) or not....If someone has never heard of "the gospel of JC" then they should be able to have something like a second chance to do so - according to Acts 24:15, which includes the unrighteous in the resurrection.

Answer 3

Having read all the answers thus far, and having my own opinions as to what the verse means, here's my take - for what it's worth.

It seems most of the answers so far are of the opinion that Paul is speaking about the ressurection. I agree. I think most if not all Mormons agree too.
I think what a lot of these answers are focusing on is that he (Paul) was infering that Christ rose, and as such, baptism is necessary as part of what is required to gain eternal life. And that in Paul's time there were those who questioned whether or not Christ really rose from the dead. So in Paul's unique way, he's saying If Christ didn't rise, then what is the need to be baptized?
I think that is what many non-Mormon Christians take away from this verse, including most of the ones who have answered this question so far. I agree with this view. There is great truth in this view. For me that is the true way to look at that aspect of this scripture.

HOWEVER, as is so often the case with deep verses of scripture, there are other things going on in this verse. The practice of baptizing for the dead was obviously taking place, at the very least amongst the Corinthian Christians. I believe it was also an established practice by Christians in general. However, two questions are raised by the baptism for the dead portion of this verse. First, who was practicing baptism for the dead? The Christians, the Greeks, who? Was it a pagan practice, or a Christian practice? Second, was this a righteous practice? Was it something that was "sanctioned" by Christian Church leaders (aka, the Apostles, aka, Peter - as head Apostle).
My opinon is that while Greeks/pagans may have practiced this ordinance as well (I don't know enough about paganism to offer a an opinon on this possible pagan practice), it was a distinct practice of the Christian church as a whole. Meaning, the ordinance or practice of baptizing by proxy for the dead was something that was uniquely Christian, if not in practice then in the reason it was done. I think the practice was known by all Christians, but was only practiced by certain Christians - call them a subset, hence the term "they" in the verse, instead of "we". Paul seemed to not be very shy about calling a spade a spade. I get the impression from his letters that if he felt something was wrong, he had no problems telling them EXACTLY what was wrong, what would happen if they continued doing it, and expressing his sorrow for their choice just as a loving albeit stern father would tell a wayward child what they were doing, how wrong it was, and sort of wonder where they went wrong in teaching them. Because Paul doesn't mention the whole baptism for the dead concept any more than in this one instance, I'm left to believe that this was a righteous thing to do, and was sanctioned by the Christian Church at the time.

The way I read this verse and the thread of verses before it is like this:
Some among you say Christ didn't rise from the dead. He did rise from the dead, else why are those who are being baptized for the dead doing so? I mean come on, if the dead don't rise through Christ, then why are we doing this whole baptism for the dead thing to begin with? So OF COURSE Christ rose from the dead, and baptism for the dead is just one way that proves that He did! (Duh!)
At least that's how I read this verse.


EDIT: Rose, what about those who died before Christ was born? Those are the dead being referenced in this verse. In todays culture, you are probably right. A person would be hard pressed to find someone (even in the furthest reaches of the planet) who hasn't at least heard of Jesus Christ. But what of those who lived good, wholesome, God fearing lives, prior to Christ? It is they of whom Paul is speaking of.

Answer 4

Your question is sound, especially for non-Mormons. What many of them fail to understand is that God's great gift of free agency still exists in the spirit world where all the spirits await the resurrection and judgment by Christ.

They are being taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ now and any vicarious ordinances performed for them in the holy temples of God are subject to acceptance or rejection. All the spirits may choose for themselves to accept or reject any ordinance performed in their name.

As for the validity of baptism the topic is approached numerous times in the Bible. Here are but a few referenced biblical scriptures to the requirement of baptism to enter the kingdom of heaven:

Rom 6: 3-4; Acts 10:48; 2;38,16:33.
John 3:5 & 26; Mat. 28: 19; Mark 16:16.

To claim that baptism is of no importance is to deny that part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for He so commanded His apostles to do just that.

Further, baptisms and any other ordinances must be performed in mortality because in the next life there will be no opportunity.

Answer 5

Also Read

1 Peter 3:18-21, 4:6
18 For Christ hath also once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened in the Spirit:

19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

4:6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God and the Spirit.

This also supports baptism for the dead as you can see.

Have a good day! :)

Answer 6

God is not cruel? Everyone have a chance to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. No one is left out - the gospel is being spread throughout the country. No one has died in ignorance, televisions, radios, missionaries are sharing the good news of the gospel. It's people choice to accept or reject Christ. Matthew 24:14 - And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. No one will die without having someone witnessing to them about the Lord. Have you repent of your sins and ask Christ to come into your heart?

Answer 7

Baptism is not essential for salvation. The thief on the cross was not baptized , yet the Lord said he would be with Him in Paradise. All a baptism does is a ceremonial washing, like taking a bath. In Jewish culture of that day, all dead were "Baptized" or washed before the burial clothes were added. Paul was simply pointing out that if the dead were not going to be resurrected, why wash them. Simply put, the people who believed like the sect of the Saducees did not believe in the resurrection while the Pharisees did. Paul was pointing out the practice of washing the dead to draw attention to the issue of resurrection. Not creating a new doctrine that we are to run around baptizing everyone who ever died in the hope that you would get a second chance later to believe. Once you die , that is it , no more chances.
Predestination determines who gets saved and who doesn't. On this side of the point of death we have free will and the Spirit only reveals Himself to whom He chooses. On the other side of the point of death, the ones who have been chosen in Him since the foundation of the world are united eternally with Him. We are like angels, not male or female, and guess what, no celestial marriage either. The believers are symbolically "The Bride of Christ" to be united eternally with Him. Those who didnt believe or most accurately, "Were not chosen", simply perish in the lake of fire. They do not eternally abide there in torment as most churches teach. There is no such verse in the Bible that precisely says that about the general population. It does appear to say that one who has taken the "Mark of the Beast " and worships his image during the Great Tribulation will suffer eternally but someone who was simply not chosen would perish.
BTW , when one believes, he is not simply acknowledging the fact that Christ lived. He is embracing our Lord and accepting His teachings. Of course we will not all see things the same way and this leads to disagreements. The main thing is who do you accept. Does Joseph Smith , Gordon Hinkley or a religious institution have more influence on you than Jesus? Christ said "My word will never pass away" The LDS say it has passed away and you need them to tell you what it means. Therefore as you follow the prophet , Jesus takes a back seat. Do the LDS have any Hymns praising Joseph Smith? Pinkadot sent me one but I dont know if it is true. I will e-mail it to you. If it is true, then the entire LDS church blasphemes Christ by praising a man instead of the Lord.

LDS Hymn "Praise to the Man"
1. Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!
Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer.
Blessed to open the last dispensation,
Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.
[Chorus]
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.
2. Praise to his mem’ry, he died as a martyr;
Honored and blest be his ever great name!
Long shall his blood, which was shed by assassins,
Plead unto heav’n while the earth lauds his fame.
3. Great is his glory and endless his priesthood.
Ever and ever the keys he will hold.
Faithful and true, he will enter his kingdom,
Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.
4. Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven;
Earth must atone for the blood of that man.
Wake up the world for the conflict of justice.
Millions shall know “Brother Joseph” again.

Answer 8

If someone dies without having heard the good news, they still have the hope of the resurrection. John 5:29 say's that even those who practiced 'vile' things will be resurrected. After having the chance to learn what it is that God expects from them, they will be judged according to what they do from that point on. Also, the Bible explains clearly that baptism is not something someone does in ignorance. They need to have an understanding of the meaning of thier baptism. Matthew 28: 20 says that they need to be taught "all the things" that He commanded. John 17:3 says that it is essential that we take in knowlege of God and Jesus Christ in order to have everlasting life.

Answer 9

This is a vey difficult passage to interpret by itself. One of the things that helps me get clearer understanding is back track and see who he was talking too. The simple term who, what, where, why and how always helps me get a better understanding on scripture where it applies. There are some things written in the bible that refer to a particular people in a particular time and at a particular place.

Paul is writing a letter to the Corinthian Church warning some and rebuking others. If you start at the 12th verse you will get a clearer understanding of the foundation of this chapter. Paul is dealing with the resurrection. He proposes a question to the church. It is obvious the some were teaching that there is no resurrection of the dead. Paul goes on to tell them that if there be no resurrection of the dead then Christ is not risen. Basically they are one in the same. You can't have the saints risen and not Christ because the saints ressurection totally depends on Christ to have risen.(ver.13 to 16 supports) Paul tells us plainly that no resurrection of Christ equals vain faith and a life of sin.

After this point Paul goes into more detail concerning the order of the rapture. He talks about Christ taking totally authorithy and reigning over his enemies. (ver.20 to 25)

Paul was I believe challenging them to think about what they heard and what some might have been saying. He begins almost sarcastically by saying something like. What other option would they have. Or what would they do. No Christ No life. What I take from verse 29 is Paul was saying to them. It is pointless from them to be bapitize unto Christ if He had not risen at all. If Christ being not risen. Why be baptized at all. We cannot resurrect in our on power. There were some foolishly teaching Christ hadn't risen (ver.15).

I'll look at it some more and If I get more
I'll pass it to you.

Answer 10

Cruel? Yes, perhaps it is. If you look at baptism as having saving properties, and you draw a line at death where love suddenly turns to wrath, then you make a very good point. I'm not Mormon and I don't interpret the verse the same way as you, but I hear you. Logically, why not?