Why baptism for the dead

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Doctrinal Study Revelation. Doctrinal Study Sabbath Day. Doctrinal Study Sacrament. Doctrinal Study Salvation. Doctrinal Study Scriptures. Some people interpret this verse to mean that the living can be baptized on behalf of the dead. In this way, a dead person, who had not been baptized while living, is granted a second chance. A living person is baptized for the dead person.

The dead person receives the benefits of the baptism by proxy. This makes it difficult to interpret the passage. However we can say some things with certainty, sufficient to know that Paul does not have a proxy baptism in mind. Is Paul is referring to the baptism that Jesus mentioned in the great commission, and that Peter preached on the day of Pentecost?

That was a baptism of believers in Christ who repented of sin. Mark , Acts Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins Without faith in Christ and repentance from sin, baptism is a meaningless act. So who shall believe and repent?

Shall it be the dead person being baptized for? These people are even willing to die for Christ because they are convinced that the resurrection of the dead is a reality. There are three important factors for gaining this perspective on these verses. The fabric was baptized in the dye. This baptism refers to immersion, but also identification.

This translation would make good sense to the Greeks because of their cultural context. Every Greek would know the account of Alexander the Great's conquest of the world. In only a few years time, Alexander had rolled his military machine across the known continents, dominating any who would try to resist him.

The strength of Alexander's army was known as the Greek phalanx invented by his father, Philip of Macedonia , but perfected by Alexander. The way the phalanx would work is as follows: the soldiers would make several long lines.

The men in the front would carry a large shield that would cover the soldiers from head to foot. Each of the men lined up behind the shield would carry long spears, which they would rest on the shoulders of the men in front of them.

Thus, they would approach their enemies in unison and virtually walk right over them. If the man in the front of the line should be killed, the second man would simply drop his spear, pick up the shield and the lines would continue on their march. From these three important points, we can gain an understanding about what Paul meant in these verses.