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Baptism for the dead, as practiced by certain religious groups today, is a non-biblical ritual where a living individual is baptized on behalf of a deceased person. The purpose of this practice, also known as vicarious baptism, is to publicly declare faith for someone who has already passed away. Essentially, it involves baptizing a deceased individual.
The underlying belief behind baptism for the dead is that baptism is essential for salvation, suggesting that those who died without being baptized cannot attain eternal life. These souls require a living surrogate to undergo baptism on their behalf so they might gain entry into heaven. However, this belief contradicts Scripture. The idea that baptism is a means to achieve salvation is not supported by the Bible. Furthermore, salvation is a personal journey and cannot be granted to another based on someone else’s faith. The practice of baptism for the dead lacks biblical support.
So, what should we understand from 1 Corinthians 15:29? In this verse, amidst a discussion on physical resurrection, Paul raises the question, “If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?” While this verse is challenging to interpret, the rest of Scripture clarifies that it does not imply that a deceased person can be saved through proxy baptism. It is clear that the baptism of a living person cannot affect the salvation of a deceased individual. As previously mentioned, baptism is not a prerequisite for salvation (see Ephesians 2:8;Romans 3:28;Romans 4:3;Romans 6:3-4). The entire passage from 1 Corinthians 15:12–29 emphasizes the certainty of resurrection; the mention of “baptism for the dead” serves to reinforce the truth of the resur
Direction is our confident hope.
There have been many different interpretations put forward to explain what 1 Corinthians 15:29 means in referring to those “who are baptized for the dead.” Some believe Paul is referring to a pagan custom or to a superstitious and unscriptural practice in the Corinthian church. But why would Paul, a champion of salvation by grace, countenance such a practice?
Here are three viable interpretations that preserve the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith:
1. Those baptized for the dead “had been baptized with the hope and expectation of a resurrection of the dead. They had received this as one of the leading doctrines of the gospel when they were baptized. It was a part of their full and firm belief that the dead would rise” (Barnes, A., Notes on the Bible, 1834). According to this view, the verse could be paraphrased like so: “Every Christian has embraced belief in the physical resurrection of the dead, a doctrine illustrated in the very act of baptism. To deny the resurrection is to denounce the very foundation of the Christian faith and make baptism meaningless.”
2. Those baptized for the dead are those who are taking the physical place left vacant by believers who have already died. The idea of 1 Corinthians 15:29 is that, as Christians are martyred, their places are continually being filled by new converts, ready to take a stand for Christ. One commentator likens this to “ranks of soldiers that advance to the combat in the room of their companions who have just been slain in their sight” (The Works of the Rev. P. Doddridge, Vol. 9, Leeds, 1805, p. 99). C. I. Scofield paraphrased the verse this way: “Of what value is it for one to trust Christ and be baptized in the ranks left vacant by the believing dead, if there is no resurrection for believers? Why place life in jeopardy and forfeit the benefits of this life, if there is no life after death?” (The Scofield Study Bible III, NKJV, Oxford University Press, 2005, p. 1,593).
3. Those baptized for the dead are those who are taking part in the baptismal ceremony on behalf of deceased believers. This act symbolizes a solidarity with the dead in their faith and commitment to Christ. It is a way of honoring their memory and continuing their legacy within the community of believers.
Used for the deceased are “living believers who provide outward testimony to their faith in baptism by water because they were initially attracted to Christ by the exemplary lives, faithful influence, and witness of believers who had subsequently passed away. Paul’s argument is that if there is no resurrection and no life after death, then why are people turning to Christ to follow the hope of those who have passed away?” (MacArthur, J., The MacArthur Study Bible ESV, Crossway, 2010, p. 1,710).
The Mormon practice of baptism for the dead is unscriptural and can be traced back to Marcionism, a heresy of the mid-second century AD. The act of baptism is a means for the living to declare their faith and dedication to Jesus Christ. It is not to earn grace or bestow the hope of salvation upon the deceased.
