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Practice of Baptism for the Dead Is Based on a Revelation Joseph Smith Received

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Practice of Baptism for the Dead Is Based on a Revelation Joseph Smith Received for the www.clearbibleanswers.org Baptism for the dead by proxy (or "vicarious baptism") is an ordinance practiced by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other Mormon denominations. It is also found among the Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran, some of the Neo-Apostolic congregations of Europe, and some Native American religions. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org In the Mormon rite of baptism for the dead, a living person acting as a proxy is baptized by immersion in typical Latter- day Saint fashion. The ordinance is performed only in temples. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org The prayer accompanying the baptism differs from typical wording in that it states that the baptism is being performed for and in behalf of a deceased person whose name has been submitted for that ordinance. Any member of the Church who is at least 12 years old may be baptized for the dead. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org The Latter-day Saints' view of baptism of the dead is based on their view of baptism in general. In John 3:5, Jesus states, "Except that a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." Mormons believe firmly that personal baptism is a required ordinance for those who desire to enter the kingdom of God. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org Baptism for the Dead allows this saving ordinance to be offered to all those who have previously passed away on without having heard of the Gospel of Jesus. If baptism is a required ordinance, as Mormons believe, then this ordinance becomes a burden for all those who wish to spread the Gospel with all the inhabitants of the earth who have previously passed away. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org According to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, their practice of baptism for the dead is based on a revelation Joseph Smith received. Smith first taught the doctrine at the funeral sermon of a deceased member of the Church, Seymour Brunson. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org Answer from clearbibleanswers.org Our KEY text is taken from 1 Corinthians 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?” Answer from clearbibleanswers.org This is one of the most unclear texts found in scripture. There are close to 40 different interpretations to this single verse of the Bible! Answer from clearbibleanswers.org To come to some definite conclusion we need to first see the context of the passage. The issue in discussion is about the resurrection from the dead. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org There were some in the Corinthian church who were teaching that there is NO resurrection from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:12 “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?” Answer from clearbibleanswers.org That is a serious issue that disrupted the harmony of truth in the troubled Corinthian church. The resurrection from the dead is a central pillar of faith. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org If there is no resurrection of the dead— then there is NO Christianity. Christianity revolves around Christ conquering death and giving this victory over death to all His believing saints. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org Look at the thread of truth that the Apostle Paul links one aspect of faith to another. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org If no resurrection— Then Christ is not risen. 1 Cor. 15:13 “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen”. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org If no resurrection— Then our sins are not forgiven. 1 Cor. 15:17 “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” Answer from clearbibleanswers.org If no resurrection— Then the believers dead are forever dead. 1 Cor. 15:18 “Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.” Answer from clearbibleanswers.org If no resurrection— Then Christians are most unfortunate people. 1 Cor. 15:19 “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” Answer from clearbibleanswers.org If no resurrection— Then risking the life for the gospel is foolishness 1 Cor. 15:30 “And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?” Answer from clearbibleanswers.org If no resurrection— Then we could just enjoy this life in eating and drinking 1 Cor. 15:32 “If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die”. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org Answer from clearbibleanswers.org Out of the nearly 40 different interpretations, we will look at the two possible interpretations to this passage of 1 Corinthians 15:29—The rest are contradictory. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org THE SUBSTITUTE BAPTISM We know from scripture that there is only one kind of true baptism—the believing person gets baptized. Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” Answer from clearbibleanswers.org Based on the above text we know that infant baptism is invalid as a little baby has no capacity to believe the gospel and volunteer for baptism. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org Again based on the same text of Mark 16:16 substitute or proxy baptism on behalf of the dead, or another living person, becomes invalid as well, as the individual getting baptized has to believe the gospel and get personally baptized. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org But the plain reading of 1 Corinthians 15:29 seem to suggest the Apostle Paul was writing about substitute baptism that was being practiced by some group of people. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org 1 Corinthians 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?” Answer from clearbibleanswers.org According to this interpretation, Paul is not attesting this practice—he is just mentioning this common practice. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org This was not a practiced taught by Christ or the apostles but it was a wrong practice that was practiced by a section of people. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org What was this practice? Some Christians were getting baptized on behalf of their beloved dead ones to give them the hope of eternal salvation. We know that scripture does not support this idea anywhere. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org The point is simply this. Paul was using a known practice to get his point across. Notice the verse carefully—Paul uses the 3rd person pronoun—“They” 1 Corinthians 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?” Answer from clearbibleanswers.org If this practice of getting baptized for the dead was a practice that the apostle attested, or practiced or taught then he should have used the pronoun “We” or “You”, and not the 3rd person pronoun “they”. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org He should have then written… 1 Corinthians 15:29 “Else what shall WE do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are WE then baptized for the dead?” Answer from clearbibleanswers.org But he wrote.. 1 Corinthians 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?” Answer from clearbibleanswers.org A certain group of people in Corinth were practicing substitute baptism on behalf of their beloved dead. Why would they do that if there was no hope of a future life? The apostle was just using their reference to show that even those people believe in the resurrection, if not they would not be having substitute baptisms. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org By Paul quoting a certain group of people, it is in no way he was attesting that practice. On different occasions as well the apostle referred to different groups of people that were not Christians. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org Acts 17:28 “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” Answer from clearbibleanswers.org Titus 1:12 “One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.” Answer from clearbibleanswers.org Another possible interpretation of the text of 1 Corinthians 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?” “baptized for the dead"—the preposition “for” in Greek is “hyper”, which can be translated as “for the sake of”. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org “For the sake of” the dead, would mean, “in the interest of”the dead”. That is their dead loved one desired that these would be saved and be a part of the final resurrection of the saints. To fulfill their desire they are baptized. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org This interpretation is possible and does not contradict the theology of baptism we find in the New Testament. They are not getting baptized as substitutes for the dead loved one, but rather they are getting baptized to fulfill the prayer and desire of their loved ones who wanted them to be saved. Answer from clearbibleanswers.org "What will those do who are baptized for the dead?" Will they abandon the Christian faith now that they are being taught that there is no resurrection of the dead? That is what the apostle is asking.
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