I Cor. 15:29 BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD

[newview]

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?" I Cor. 15:29

This is a difficult scripture - does anyone have any thoughts on 'baptizing for the dead'?
I believe there are a few denominations that do practice having someone get baptized for someone that has died and never got saved.

Any thoughts?

[Pastor valentine]

There is no such element in amd of christanity. A person must accept Christ Jesus as Lord and Saviour. While the blood is still warm in there veins[living]. Once we answer the appointment with death , It's too to late,thia goes for Baptism as well as for Salvation.

[newview]

What would you say that scripture means then?

[Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene]

That is an old practice that was done and spoken of by other factions of Christianity. Its now deemed heresy by a majority of the Church. If I'm not mistaken, there were Church fathers that adhered to it before the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches deemed it heresy.

[Hezekiah Ben Israel]

Again you are speaking from the imagination of your heart.

[newview]

Bro Hezekiah - what is Apostle Paul saying?

[Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene]

OK then my dear scholar, what DID happen to that doctrine, and please explain the verse for us!!! If not, then silence would be your best friend right now!

[newview]

"That is an old practice that was done and spoken of by other factions of Christianity. Its now deemed heresy by a majority of the Church. If I'm not mistaken, there were Church fathers that adhered to it before the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches deemed it heresy."

That's fair Bro Trevor, but what is Paul telling saying to the Church - in your minds eye?

[Chaplain Pat Harris]

The practice of vicarious baptism appeared as early as the 2nd century. The expression probably refers to the young converts who were baptized on behalf of others who had died unbaptized. Nothing more is known about this practice. Paul is not promoting this heretical practice; he is illustrating his argument that the resurrection is a reality.

[Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene]

Newview, I would have to agree with Chaplain Harris, except that it appeared earlier, more like around the time of the Apostles. If not then why else would Apostle Paul have mentioned it? This whole chapter focused on the Gospel of Paul, an the resurrection of the dead. He spoke about the actions of expressing their hope for the resurrection of the dead. I guess they believed so much in the resurrection of the dead that they didn't want others who died a believer to go without it. It may even go as far as people doing it for people who died none believers, trying to "help them into Heaven". Its not hard to believe, considering the fact that the Roman Catholic Church has a doctrine on Purgatory, some Christians and even Jews pray for the dead souls.

Other than that, I don't know much about it. I'll start looking it up though to see.....

[Evangelist Altha Fugett]

The practice was forbidden by the Catholic Church in the 4th century as practice of heretical groups, and is not practiced in modern mainstream Christianity, whether Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, or Protestant.

It is however practiced by one group I know of the Latter Day Saints, since Baptism is only an outward show of conversion, Baptism of the dead without their confession would be fruitless

[Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene]

since Baptism is only an outward show of conversion, Baptism of the dead without their confession would be fruitless

Spoken like a TRUE Evangelist!!

[newview]

...It is however practiced by one group I know of the Latter Day Saints, since Baptism is only an outward show of conversion, Baptism of the dead without their confession would be fruitless...

Indeed.