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Baptism for the Dead
Baptism for the Dead
“Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?” – 1 Corinthians 15.29
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul is persuading his audience that the resurrection is integral to the Christian faith. The purpose of verse 29 is to support Paul’s overall argument about the resurrection, but because it mentions baptism for the dead, this verse has been the source of much controversy and different theories about what Paul meant. This article will explore two popular interpretations of this verse; one of which we can be certain is not a sound conclusion, and one that is plausible based on the context and other related Scriptures.
What this verse does not mean
One of the most popular interpretations of 1 Corinthians 15.29 is held by the Mormon religion. The Mormon church says this about baptism for the dead, “Because God is merciful, He has prepared a way for all people to receive the blessings of baptism. By performing proxy baptisms on behalf of those who have died, Church members offer these blessings to deceased ancestors'' (churchofjesuschrist.org). Mormons point to this verse as proof that baptism was an acceptable practice in the early church, and the practice was restored by revelation to Joseph Smith in the 1820s. Looking at other Scriptures and principles of the New Testament, we can understand this verse is not suggesting baptism for the dead as an acceptable practice, and therefore any alleged revelation promoting it should be ignored (Galatians 1.8).
In another letter to the Corinthians, Paul puts down any possibility of vicarious baptism being effective, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5.10). We will be held accountable for our own deeds in the body. As much as we would like to be baptized for someone who never believed in the gospel, the plan of salvation is clear that we are only responsible for ourselves and no one else. How God will judge those who never had a chance to hear the gospel is up to Him, but it is certainly not up to us to do something on their behalf. As seen in Luke 16 in the story of the rich man and Lazarus, when we depart from this life our destination is final. There was nothing that the rich man could do, nor was there anything someone could do for the rich man.
What this verse could mean
A plausible viewpoint is Paul is making an ad hominem argument using other Corinthian practices that logically imply there will be a resurrection. Paul is not condoning the practice of baptizing for the dead, but he refers to the practice to show the inconsistencies of not believing in the resurrection. This is called an ad hominem argument. To paraphrase, Paul simply asks, “Why are there people who are being baptized for the dead if there is not going to be a resurrection?” In no way does Paul approve of this practice just by mentioning it. Instead, he is making an ad hominem argument by showing the inconsistency of people baptizing for the dead while not believing in the resurrection. A variant of this viewpoint is the baptism for the dead is a baptism of someone living to be united with someone who has died. Whether Paul is referring to baptism on behalf of the dead or baptism to be with the dead, he is not supporting the practice just by mentioning it. The potential problem with either of these viewpoints is that we would expect Paul to make it explicitly clear that he does not approve of this practice that he is referencing in his argument. However, it may have been obvious to Paul’s audience that he is referring to another group that practices illegitimate baptism. The difference in his pronouns in verse 29 compared to verse 30 make it clear that being baptized for the dead is something “they” do, while being in danger every hour is something “we” do.
Paul’s mention of baptism for the dead, whatever the specific practice was in Corinth, is not an approval of that practice. Baptism is a decision that a person must make personally. We cannot be baptized for anyone else. Make the decision for yourself and be ready for the resurrection.
– William Speer
