What Does 'Baptism for the Dead' Mean in 1 Corinthians 15:29?

Have you ever heard of the "baptism for the dead?" It is referenced in 1 Corinthians 15:29 and has caused a lot of confusion to those who have found it in their daily readings. What does it mean to baptized for the dead?
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[mahjonggmjb]

What a great exposition of this passage. You have explained this passage in a clear and concise way. Thank you for making this video and thank you for continuing to spread God's Word in such a straightforward way.

[johnroberts]

The subject you're attempting to tackle is so much more complicated than what you think. LDS scholar Hugh Nibley writes, “One of the first questions that Clement, the ardent investigator, puts to Peter is, ‘Shall those be wholly deprived of the kingdom of heaven who died before Christ's coming?’ To this the apostle gives a most significant answer: he assures Clement that the people in question are not damned and never will be, and explains that provision has been made for their salvation, but this, he says, is ‘as far as we are allowed to declare these things, ’ excusing himself from telling more: ‘You compel me, O Clement, to touch upon things which we are forbidden to discuss.’” What sort of topic could possibly be so sensitive to the ancient Christians that the mere discussion of it would be forbidden?

In Latter-day Saint theology, topics dealing with the holy nature of the temple tends to be sacred, not secret. Thus, we don't speak of them outside of the confines of the temple. We see this in Paul’s account of being caught up to the third heaven. He writes, “And I knew such a man, whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth; how that he was caught up into paradise and heard _unspeakable words_ which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4)


You can hear a much more detailed presentation on baptism for the dead here:


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[brucemcqueen]

Very informative Pastor on a subject that no doubt has confounded people, including myself, when they have read it. If I can, may I ask what commentaries do you have on the wall behind you, and what commentaries would you recommend.

[jyotigupta]

Thank u pastor for this video. It's a little difficult for me to understand your accent

[VAATAUSILI]

Thank our HEAVENLY PARENT'S, I'm member of, THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS.

[dustdriver]

So if I understand correctly, those baptised for the dead are the Christians who get baptised, knowing what they will probably get killed, as a consequence of it.

[VAATAUSILI]

GOD the FATHER & HIS WIFE, continously, eternally prompting us, that Temple works, are eternal, because life is eternal.

[cindyengland]

This has been a perfect teaching for my witness to a very dear friend who follows the LDS “cult”. They proclaim that they are, indeed Christians! I continue to learn and pray for discernment!

[slonekettering]

Actually this is a more plausible explanation.
It's really understandable is you use a proper Translation of the text and understand it in proper context. Paul is not saying whatsoever that people were being baptized for those who died, but that when we are baptized we are baptized into Jesus' death so that we can partake of his resurrection. If Christ did not raise from the dead our faith is in vain as well as our baptism in that faith since we were baptized in his, Jesus, name to partake of his death. It also matches Romans 6 and Colossians 2 when understood in proper context.
1 Cor. 15.29 GW
However, people are baptized because the dead ⌞will come back to life⌟. What will they do? If the dead can’t come back to life, why do people get baptized as if they can ⌞come back to life⌟?

Romans 6:3-5
Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 When we were baptized into his death, we were placed into the tomb with him. As Christ was brought back from death to life by the glorious power of the Father, so we, too, should live a new kind of life. 5 If we’ve become united with him in a death like his, certainly we will also be united with him when we come back to life as he did.

Colossians 2:11
This happened when you were placed in the tomb with Christ through baptism. In baptism you were also brought back to life with Christ through faith in the power of God, who brought him back to life.

[VAATAUSILI]

2 reasons why some, can't leave THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST alone is, lack knowledge & rebel.

[BrianTerrill]

1) Where in the Bible does it say the Bible is all of God's word
2) Mormons are the only church that does Baptism for the Dead, a clear Biblical passage. It's mentioned in the Bible once, once is enough. This alone proves that Mormons alone are the one true Biblical Christianity.
3) Paul is using "they" in this verse, not because the practice is false. He wouldn't reference it the way he did if it was false. They simply refer to those who participate in that ordince. Even in our church today, not everyone participates in the Temple or in Baptism for the Dead. Only those who are prepared do. In Corinth, not everyone was prepared for that. It was a very sensual and worldly city, and Paul was dealing with the issue of sexual immorality in his epistle. Paul was trying to let them know they needed to be prepared even in the more common and basic ordince of communion as some were participating in that even unworthy.

Further, the use of they was used by Christ to describe all believers when he said:

"17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." ( Mark 16:17-18)

They, in this instance, included those Jesus was talking about. This is common in the New Testament, and pastos know this, so when they play on. The word "they" to imply it must be non Christians, Paul is referring to it. They know they are lying.

[patrickjohnson]

The goodly pastor clearly wants people to stay away from the LDS church. He should have mentioned that Paul didn't condemn baptism for the dead, but used the practice to justify the reality of Resurrection for all. If baptism for the dead was such a contemptuous act why Paul remained silent about it, especial being an Apostle? Some people may say the fact that he didn't condemn the practice doesn't mean it was ok. This would be a reasonable conclusion if Peter, another Apostle, didn't mention in 1 Peter 4:6 that the gospel was preached to the dead and that Christ went and preached to the spirits in prison in 1 Peter 3:18-20. What is the point of preaching the gospel to the dead if there is no hope for them? Contrary to our good Pastor, these are some other scriptures the LDS church use to explain the need for baptism for the dead.

[davidturner]

Elijah said to Alisha if you see me go . Then he went in spirit. The people doing these baptisms using the young teens, they do not see any spirits. They just have a name of a dead person. So are they creating personality conflicts by baptizing a spirit into a young person??? Did they remove the spirit back to God after the baptism was done. Nor does any video talk about seeing the loved one leaving their body. If you can hear and see oh Israel then you can do this. Retain the spirit or remit the spirit up to Father ❤ the spirit has to make a choice just as we a live make the choice to believe and baptize.

[VAATAUSILI]

Temple works are eternal, why? because life continues, life is eternal, that's why.

[jamesbaldwin]

So Jesus himself was babtized to fulfill all righteousness, but that's no reason for you or any other person to get wet...

Do you really believe that all those who say unto me, Lord Lord, will be saved?

[VAATAUSILI]

Baptism for the Dead is eternal, why? because, life continues, life is eternal. GOD the FATHER, & HIS WIFE, GODDESS the MOTHER kept prompting us, why Temple works are eternal.

[kentskoien]

Instead of relying on the false preachers who know very little of the true doctrines of Jesus Christ, and their own opinons of them, go to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The true Church on the earth, which bears His name. There you will find the truth about these things. Based on the principle of vicarious work, the Father sent His Son to perform His atonement for us. Why is it so hard for you to accept that we can do vicarious work for those that did not get the opportunity to receive the ordinance of baptism while in this life ? Christ Himself taught that baptism is necessary for entering into the Kingdom of God : Jn. 3:3-5.