In 1 Corinthians 15:29, what is baptism for the dead? Do the Jews still practice this today?
In our life group, I postulated that the baptism for the dead was a Jewish practice. If a convert to Judaism wanted to save those of his family who were not living, he could be water baptized for their conversion in their stead. Even within Judaism if one wanted to make sure that deceased family members were saved, they could be baptized in their stead.
The natural reading of the text suggests that not Jews but the Corinthians were baptizing themselves for the dead. However, there is no reference to this at all not only in the rest of the New Testament but also in literature of any kind from the first century. What was Paul talking about and how did he come up with this phrase and idea?
Some scholars say that this is not referring to a physical practice happening in Corinth or anywhere else. They suggest that it was a reference to spiritual baptism, something like in Romans 6:1-4.
Another way to understand baptism is metaphorical. For instance those who were being martyred for Christ were being “baptized into the dead.” Paul would here be making an argument for why people would allow themselves to be martyred for something that does not raise them from the dead.
There are so many options that everyone is presenting. I was wrong in my assumptions that the Jews had a practice for the baptism of the dead. However, I was not far off. With such a number of options, all it proves is that we don’t have any idea what Paul is talking about in this verse.
The plainest reading of the verse suggests that the Corinthians were baptizing one another for their dead or close to dead relatives who had not yet accepted Christ or who were on their way to accepting Christ. The closest form of this type of baptism occurs among the Mormons today.
Paul doesn’t seem to fall in judgment against it or supporting it. He mentions it as part of his argument that those who practice baptizing for the dead cannot also say that there is no resurrection. The point of their baptisms for the dead was to prepare them for the resurrection.
I don’t always get everything right whenever I answer without the careful research I put into my blog answers. I apologize for leading with an answer where I was not sure and did not know the complete background. I endeavor to give the best answers possible even before research. But this is my complete answer after research.
Hi Jonathan. I hope you are doing well. I was searching for things about baptism and found your comments. I am “Mormon” and think baptism for the dead is a most beautiful doctrine, as you might imagine. On researching the Bible I find that the word baptism in the Greek ‘baptizo.’ It means “to dip of immerse.” John 3:23 says that John was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there. Mar 1:10 speaks of Jesus coming up out of the water, as does Acts 8:39 with Philip and the eunuch. Jesus taught in Mark 16:16 that baptism was essential. I am sure you know these scriptures inside and out. Don’t you think it is clear that baptism was critical and that it was don’t immersion by someone who had the authority to do so?
I think baptism by proxy for the dead is a beautiful part of God’s plan- to allow those who have died without it have the chance to accept this covenant. Being immersed at baptism is symbolic of the grave. The old, sinful person dies and is reborn in Christ. So when Paul speaks in 1 Cor 15:29 of doing this for the dead, who is doing this? The Greeks and Romans didn’t believe in the resurrection and saw flesh as corrupt. The Jews didn’t practice it. Paul said it was being done without mentioned specifics, as if it was known generally in the Church, and showed faith in Christ that the dead could be resurrected having had this essential ordinance done. This is part of the rapid building of temples now underway around the world.
I am not sure if you have researched this practice in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If not, you can find part of an address from James E. Faust here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2012-06-2320-baptism-for-dead?lang=eng. I am sure you recognize the various differing beliefs on this topic of who is saved, and how they are saved. The LDS view is total faith in Christ and belief in His atoning sacrifice as the only way to be saved. At baptism we take the name of Jesus upon us and covenant to follow Him in our thoughts, words and deeds all our lives. Many think we believe in salvation by works, but this isn’t so. It is only Jesus who saves.
Best wishes,
Susan
If you wish to respond, you can email me. God bless.
Hello Susan. As far as I know, pulse budget of being baptized for the dead is a confusing passage of Scripture. Many scholars have different ideas about what it needs and what he is referring to. I do not know if we have enough background to do what Paul is talking about. It could have been a practice by the Corinthians that he was aware of. Other than that, I am not sure exactly what this practice was and what its purpose was.