BAPTIZED FOR THE DEAD?  by steve finnell

Did the apostle Paul validate the practice of being baptized for the dead?

1 Corinthians 15:29 Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? (NKJV)

What did the apostle mean when he said baptized for the dead? I do not know what he meant. I do know what he was not saying. Paul was not implying that people can be baptized by proxy after they have died.

If dead men can be baptized by proxy, then other facts must be evident.

1. You could believe for the dead. The dead could believe Jesus was the Messiah by proxy.

2. You could repent for the dead. The dead turn from their unbelief and make the commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God by proxy.

3. You could confess for the dead. The dead could confess that God raised Jesus from the dead and that Jesus was the Son of God by proxy.

If the dead can be baptized by proxy.

 1. Then unbelieving living infants can be baptized by proxy.

2. Then atheists who are alive can be baptized by proxy.

3. Then those who are living, but who reject baptism for forgiveness from sin can be baptized by proxy.

The truth is only those who are alive, those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God, those who believe in the resurrection of Jesus, those who repent, and those who are immersed in water can be saved.

TERMS OF PARDON. FAITH John 3:16---REPENTANCE Acts 2:38---CONFESSION ROMANS 10:9---BAPTISM MARK 16:16

The dead cannot meet the terms for pardon. Only living adults have that option.