February 1, 2015 ~ 1Corinthians 15:29-34, “Those Who Deny the Resurrection!”
One of the greatest motives for believing in Christ is the resurrection, through which we have the hope of salvation now and forever through Jesus, the Savior. Verse 29... This is perhaps one of the most difficult and/or ambiguous passages in the New Testament. We will explore some of the proposed meanings of this verse, but first, I want to make it very clear what this verse does not teach: this verse absolutely does not teach vicarious or proxy baptism (as practiced by Mormons), through which a living person is baptized on behalf of a dead person.
Mormon “apostle” Bruce McConkie said, “...the Lord has ordained baptism for the dead as the means whereby all his worthy children of all ages can become heirs of salvation in his kingdom (Mormon Doctrine, p. 73).
This practice takes place in every active Mormon Temple, whereby a Mormon convert assumes the name of a dead person and is baptized on their behalf, quoting 1Corinthians 15:29 as the prooftext for this practice; which, but the way, is a clear misinterpretation of this text, more than that it is heresy!
We can’t save ourselves by baptism, let alone can we save anyone else, whether they are alive or dead!
Hebrews 9:27, “a man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” (Death ends all opportunity for the salvation of those who reject Christ ) Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Baptism is an act of obedience through which one who trusts in Christ, proclaims allegiance to Him. Baptism doesn’t save us, it is our public testimony confessing Christ as Lord and Savior.
When a believer and follower of Christ is baptized, they identify with the death and resurrection of Jesus, for they have confessed Him as Lord and Savior. Romans 6:3-5, “don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his
resurrection.”
In 1Corinthians 15, Paul proclaims, verifies, and defends the resurrection; first,
that of Jesus Christ from the dead, then, all those who belong to Him throughout the ages, from the beginning of time to its end.
Throughout chapter 15, Paul clearly proclaims and testifies to the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ:
• Many eyewitnesses to Christ’s resurrection (vv. 5-8)
• If there is no resurrection, Christ is still in the grave, the Bible’s teaching on salvation is false, our faith is in vain, and we are totally without hope (vv. 13-18) • (vv. 19-28) Christ has been raised, the “firstfruits” of all who will be raised to life, for through His resurrection He conquered death, not just for Himself, but for all who trust in Him (the Church, Tribulation Saints, OT Saints); those who reject Christ (unbelievers) are also resurrected, but this is to Judgment, the Second Death.
John 11:25-26, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.”
For those of us who belong to the Lord, physical death is not the end, and the grave is not our final resting place.
In 1Corinthians 15:29, Paul is in no way insinuating that a living person can be baptized for one who has died; that would go against all Paul’s teachings on baptism.
Consider the Greek word translated for, i.e., “Baptized for the dead,” it could also be rendered “because of.”
Paul seems to be saying people were being saved because of the witness of believers who had died; it is not uncommon for a person to come to Christ because of the testimony of a follower of Christ, perhaps one who died, nevertheless, they were influential in the life of one who then later came to acknowledge Christ as Lord.
1Peter 2:11, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
It is very possible for an unbeliever to be drawn to the Savior after losing a loved one who openly trusted in Christ; unbelieving spouses and children, have committed themselves to Christ after the death of a loved one.
The hope for life after death, not to mention that of being reunited with a loved one, is strong, whether a believer or unbeliever; it was this hope that encouraged David after the death of his son (2Samuel 12:23), “But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
Verses 30-32... Whether or not Paul fought literal wild beasts, we don’t know; but we do know he stood before magistrates, governors, and kings, many times being stoned, beaten, chained, jailed, robbed, shipwrecked, without food, without clothing, without shelter. All of this happened because Paul believed in, proclaimed, and wholeheartedly served Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior.
Paul is saying, if there is no resurrection for believers, why put yourself in danger daily, let alone hourly? Why suffer for Christ’s sake? If He is still in the grave, He did not conquer death, and we might as well live it up now, i.e., “eat, drink, and be merry,” for that is all there is!
But the Lord is not just alive, He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords with authority over sin, salvation, life, death, eternal punishment and eternal reward. Revelation 1:8, ”I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” 17b-18, “I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
Revelation 22:12, ”Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”
Verses 33-34... Paul warns us not to be deceived or influenced by those who reject the resurrection of Christ; they are “bad company” (evil associations) who promote bad theology that eventually corrupts good character.
The hope of the resurrection encourages us to obey God’s Word and to live for the Lord, without it we have no incentive to live holy lives or to proclaim the gospel. Paul is saying, those who know the truth of the resurrection should be leading
“those who are ignorant of God,” into a true knowledge and relationship with God; instead, these believers were allowing unbelievers and heretics to lead them into immorality and godlessness.
Notice (v. 34), “I say this to your shame,” i.e., stop sinning, live for Christ, serve Him by proclaiming the truth that He died and rose again. We who believe in Him will live with Him in heaven forever, and so, we are to live for Him while we are on this earth knowing, obeying and !
Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Hebrews 1:3, After he [God’s Son, Jesus Christ] had provided purification for sins [taking our penalty on the cross], he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven [He was raised to life, appeared to many, then ascended back into heaven to receive glory and honor].
Hebrews 12:2-4, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”