WE can not answer repeatedly in the same volume questions upon the same scripture. The name and address must accompany question. It is well always to enclose stamp for reply.
4251 — BAPTIZED FOR THE DEAD
By Editor
Please explain 1 Cor. 15: 29. This text puzzles me. E. R. M.
Vincent, in his “Word Studies in the New Testament,” has the following suggestions, which may be helpful to you: “Greek expositors regarded the words ‘the dead’ as equivalent to the resurrection of the dead, and the baptism as a manifestation of belief in the doctrine of the resurrection. Godet adopts the explanation which refers baptism to martyrdom—the baptism of blood—and cites Luke 12: 50 and Mark 10: 38.”
There is this further thought in the text, however, which some of the very best Bible students consider the correct interpretation, and that is, we are baptized into the death of Christ. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?” Rom. 6: 3. Then since we were baptized into His death, “if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept.” 1 Cor. 15: 16-20.
A careful study of this whole chapter, as well as the tenor of the entire New Testament teaching upon the subject of baptism, proves to us that baptism is to show faith in the death of Christ. It also shows faith in His burial and resurrection as well, and therefore the whole foundation of the doctrine rests upon the great truth of the cross and the victory over the tomb.
There is no warrant whatever for the belief which some have attempted to teach, and which was particularly prevalent in the Dark Ages, that a living person may be baptized for another person who has died.
