"THE BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD – 5”
Larry Yarber
"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" (1st Corinthians 15:29)?
This passage has baffled scholars for centuries. Some believe there were those who were being baptized in behalf of another who had already passed away. Others believe it to be a reference to the symbolic baptism of martyrdom. The interpretations are as numerous as scholars themselves. With this in mind we will limit our discussion to the more prominent interpretations and consider them in light of other Biblical teachings.
First, I personally do not believe that Paul is addressing the false doctrine of baptism in behalf of another who has already died. This practice doesn't seem to have appeared in church history until the second century. But, even if this is the case, Paul is by no means teaching that this is an acceptable practice. Other scripture plainly teach that salvation is personal and each individual will have to give an account unto God for his/her own obedience or disobedience, "For we must ALL appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that EVERYONE may receive the things done in HIS body, according to that HE hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2nd Corinthians 5:10 - all emphasis mine LY). Thus, it is obvious that no one can be saved for another. If this is what the passage is addressing, it is a condemnation of this practice and is in no way sanctioning this false doctrine.
Nor do I agree with the idea that this is a reference to some type of symbolic baptism. Admittedly, some Bible baptisms are symbolic. We have already noted a few of these. However, this baptism seems to be attached to the literal death, burial, and resurrection itself (1st Corinthians 15:29). Therefore, I cannot see any thing within the text which would indicate that this baptism should be considered symbolic.
Christian baptism is conformable to the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord, "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up form the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin" (Romans 6:3-7). Some at Corinth were now teaching that there was no resurrection of the dead, "... how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead" (1st Corinthians 15:12). If this were true, then Paul asks, "... why are they then baptized for the dead" (1st Corinthians 15:29). For if there is no resurrection, conformity to this pattern of salvation would be meaningless and they would still be living in their sins, "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins" (1st Corinthians 15:17). Since 1st Corinthians chapter fifteen was written in defense of the resurrection of Christ, I believe the baptism for the dead of verse number twenty-nine, to be a reference to our baptism into Christ's death for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16). The "they" of this passage would then be a reference to those Corinthians who no longer believed in the resurrection of the dead yet still baptized others into the death of Christ (1st Corinthians 15:12).
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