can the dead be baptised by proxy?

Answer 1

Yes, they absolutely can!!

Has anyone ever considered those people who have ever lived on this Earth and never had the opportunity to hear the Gospel and about Jesus Christ? Does God simply just condemn and damn those souls to eternal hell for something that was out of their control?

Is that fair? Of course not!

A kind and loving Heavenly Father would provide a way for those people to achieve salvation and the teaching of baptism by proxy (or baptism for the dead) is such a teaching that demonstrates the love that God has for all of His children, and His mercy.

For those of you who say that it is not a Biblical teaching, could you please explain what Paul was referring to in 1 Corinthians 15:29?

Perhaps taking in some context might make it easier (KJV).

12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then Christ not risen:
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
17And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of the them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
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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?

Paul was writing to a group of following who started preaching that there was no resurrection which, of course, is a false teaching. In the above verses he uses several teachings to persuade and show the Corinthians why that teaching (no resurrection of the dead) is false.

One thing he says is "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable" and shows that in the early Christian church it was understood that those who have passed on would have the opportunity to hear the Gospel and accept Christ, cause not only in this life can we have hope in Christ.

In his mentioning of baptism of the dead, he asks then why they are baptizing for the dead if there is no resurrection? What's the point? The way he brings it up shows that they not only had an understanding of the practice of baptism for the dead, but that is was indeed a common practice back then. He wasn't condemning baptism for the dead, but the teaching that there is no resurrection and doing what could to persuade of them of the truth.

Also read 1 Peter 3:17-20 to learn what Christ was doing between the time of His Crucifixion and Resurrection. This scriptures also indicates that the Gospel is preached to those who have passed on.

These scriptures are in your Bible, and the teaching and practice of baptism by proxy is a Biblical teaching which was lost over centuries. How can anyone deny this is true. Not only is it in the Bible, but again, demonstrates the love that God has for all of His children that He would provide for all to achieve salvation through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This was one of several ancient teachings and practices that was restored through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. What not investigate it for yourself, instead of casting it to the wayside. The truth HAS been restored~!

Answer 2

According to the Apostle Paul they can. Read 1 Corinthians 15:29. The LDS Church interprets that verse literally and practices "baptisms for the dead." This doctrine reveals that God is a merciful God and will allow all of his children, even those who live in the day before knowledge of Christ's gospel was widespread, to have the change to accept his teachings. That is logical. If God loves his children, he will not limit it to those countries that are open to Christianity, but will allow ALL of his children a chance to hear and accept his Gospel. Both is this life and the life to come.

Answer 3

This is probably a touchy subject for you right now.

My church believes that people choose to be baptised as a symbol of uniting with Christ, publicly declaring their faith for Jesus Christ.

This requires the person to be alive.

Baptism is a requirement of us and very good to do, but slavation is through believing in your heart that Jesus Christ died and rose again and confessing him as Lord.

So in conclusion no the dead cannot be baptised by proxy, as it has to do with an act of their will.

Answer 4

I don't see why not....

Here's some other questions/thoughts to consider....

Is God merciful? If God is merciful, there must be a way for those who didn't hear about Jesus in this life to learn about Him in the next (heaven?).

Is a person's spirit make choices or learn? If we can't continue to make choices and learn after this life, then those who never hear of Jesus are damned without having even a chance.... If we are able to continue learning and making choices after death, God's mercy would be able to be fulfilled... Those who lived before Jesus, or just never heard of Him would have a chance to accept Him... but they'd still need baptism....



I personally feel that proxy baptism for the dead is a sign of God's mercy. Jesus was required to be baptized, how much more the rest of us need it, even those who never hear about it.... How fair is that?... "You're going to hell because you never even got the chance to hear about Jesus, let alone the opportunity to choose to accept or reject."

Answer 5

The dead in Christ can be Baptised But the physical sence dead can not be baptised. They are dead

Answer 6

The LDS church does not just BAPTIZE them, have their endowments done, and then they SEALED them (marry them in a temple by proxy(stand ins!) forever.... to say their wife or another person in the life!) AS in Hitler was sealed to his girlfriend Eva Bruan. Hitler was vicariously baptized, ordained to the LDS Melchizedek priesthood, then sealed to her. Can you imagine have to be the "stand in" for say Hitler, or a murderer? AND wear their NAME TAG. It just crazy to me... Its really just a slap on the persons name and to their family members (say they are another religion or an atheist.) It's for sure not necessary. :) Also now "LDS"...(The belief is IF they choose to except the Mormon work, in Heaven) IS... Timothy McVeigh (Bomber of the OK building) John Wayne Gacy (Rapist and Murderer) Josef Stalin Jimmie Hoffa (mombster) And other murderers.. and criminals, etc. (there's no drawing the line.. ) ALSO,LDS work done for.... A host of Roman Catholic popes and saints, among them Joan of Arc, Ignatius Loyola and Francis Xavier, the latter now listed as married, or sealed, despite lifelong celibacy. Columbus also is there, sealed to a Beatriz Enriquez Harana — the explorer’s mistress; so are Buddha and the mysterious "Mrs. Buddha." King Henry the VIII, along with several of his six wives, have appeared in church records, along with the Communist foursome of Karl Marx, Joseph Stalin, Mao Tse-Tung and Ho Chi-Minh…… *Then the belief is that their in spirit paradise, learning, etc, and that they can receive ALL God has and progress to attain all that God has and is doing. (not kidding!)

Answer 7

Check out 1 Corinthians 15. Read the whole chapter. Paul is talks about this. Interesting how it would be mentioned by him...

Here is a site you can check out about this subject. It may help explain a few things.

Answer 8

NO. Part of Baptism is the personal choice made to follow in Christ's example and when your dead, well, your not making that choice anymore.

Answer 9

No, that's not Biblical at all. Baptism is for the believer, and is an outward sign of your trust in Christ, the dead can't say they trust Jesus to take them to Heaven. Baptism won't get you into Heaven.

Answer 10

Isn't baptism supposed to be performed on someone who is either completely innocent, such as a baby, or someone who is willing? A dead person is neither.