Baptized for the Dead by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 6, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 42.

Baptized for the Dead.

By Editor

WE have been asked to explain 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?"

To understand this text, it is necessary to keep in mind the general argument, and especially the proposition laid down in verses 12-14. In this chapter the apostle is meeting the objection of some professed Christians who claimed that there will be no resurrection of the dead. He first proves (what they no doubt believed) that Christ had risen from the dead. Then he says: "Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen." Verses 12, 13. The resurrection of Christ being an established fact, this is an overwhelming argument; for it is manifestly absurd to admit that one person has been raised from the dead, and at the same time to deny that there is a resurrection.

The apostle then shows the condition of the dead, provided there is no resurrection, and reiterates the statement that there will be one. Then in verse 29 he returns to the original question, proving the resurrection from their own faith and practice. Being baptized for the dead, a reference to the death and resurrection of Christ, of which baptism is an emblem. See Rom. 6:3, 4. By being buried in the water we show our faith in the death and burial of Christ, and by coming out of the water, our faith in his resurrection as the pledge of ours. Now comes in his question: "If the dead rise not at all, why are they then baptized for the dead?" Or, in other words, uniting the two parts of the argument: "If the dead rise not, then Christ is not risen; and if Christ be not risen, what is the use of being baptized in memory of his death and resurrection? since in that case your faith is vain."

Following is the closing portion of Dr. Clarke's comment on this text:—

"But as they receive baptism as an emblem of death in voluntarily going under the water, so they receive it as an emblem of the resurrection unto eternal life, in coming up out of the water; thus they are baptized for the dead, in perfect faith of the resurrection. The three following verses seem to confirm this sense."