What is “baptism for the dead”? What does Paul’s reference to bad company corrupting good morals have to do with his discussion of the resurrection? This paragraph has many puzzling enigmas in it that we seek to sort out and see in its original context.
Teaching Notes:
What Difference Does The Resurrection Make?
1 Corinthians 15:29-34
We have been making our way through this great Resurrection chapter – 1 Corinthians 15 for the past several weeks. Paul begins by laying out the gospel and its transforming power both in the Corinthians and his own life. Next, he proceeds to describe what it would mean if the dead are not raised, as some were actually teaching in Corinth: Christ is not raised, our preaching is vain, your faith is vain, we are false witnesses, your faith is worthless, you are still in your sins, those who have died in Christ have perished, we are of all men most to be pitied. However, Christ has been raised! That means that there are 3 inevitable results: the resurrection of His people, the destruction of His enemies, and the handing over of His kingdom.
That brings us to the text we are considering this morning. At first reading it seems a bit confusing, like it really doesn’t belong in the chapter. However, I think we will see that it does belong, and has an important place in this great chapter. This paragraph shows us the practical difference belief in resurrection should make in our lives.
Notice the repetition of the phrase “if the dead are not raised.” It occurs in vs.16, 29, and 32. Paul is showing us that the reality of the resurrection has made a real difference in people’s lives. It has caused some to be baptized for the dead, and it has caused Paul and his team to endure constant, untold hardships to spread the gospel. The question is, “what difference does the resurrection make in our lives?!”
Notice the change of pronouns in this paragraph: vs.29 – “those”; “they”. Vs.30-32 – “we”; “I”. Vs.33-34 – “you”. Paul begins with an unspecified group in Corinth, then turns to himself and his missionary band, and then concludes by addressing the Corinthian believers themselves. Each time, Paul shows the practical difference the future resurrection makes or should make in our lives.
1. A Concern For The Salvation Of Others: 15:29.
Meaning of “Baptism For The Dead”: This is one of the most perplexing and difficult verses to interpret in the entire Bible! There are at least 40 different possible solutions. No one can be dogmatic as to its meaning because we lack the historical information needed to be certain. The plain meaning is that some people in the 1st century were being baptized, apparently in proxy, for other people who had already died. However, there are 2 big problems with that.
1) Historical: There is no historical or biblical precedent for this kind of baptism. The NT is completely silent about it and there is no known practice in any Christian church of the 1st century. Further, there are no known parallels or precedents in pagan religions of the 1st century.
2) Theological: how can Paul appeal without apparent disapproval to a practice which stands in such contradiction to his own understanding of salvation by grace through personal faith? We are left with the impression that some believed that a person who died outside of Christ could be eternally saved if a living person was baptized for them.
Possible Interpretations:
1. Understand “baptism” metaphorically (Mk.10:38; Luke 12:50).
A) Some were being baptized into the ranks of the dead by martyrdom; or
B) the apostles were being destroyed by their labors on behalf of the dead (the lost).
2. Understand “for” in various ways.
A) They were being baptized over the graves of the dead.
B) They were being baptized with death before their eyes.
C) It means “with a view toward”, suggesting that the “dead” are Christians and those being baptized are new converts who are being baptized with a view toward their being reunited with their departed loved ones.
D) It means “because of”, suggesting that some had become Christians because of the testimony and witness of others who were now dead.
E) They were baptized “in reference to” death, giving the symbolic meaning of baptism.
F) They were being baptized “to fill up the ranks of” the dead martyrs.
3. Understand “the dead” in various ways.
A) The “dead” refer to the soon to be dead bodies of the Christians themselves, and that they were being baptized for the part of them that was dying and would soon be a corpse.
What is the best option? One of the principles of hermeneutics is “to look for the plain and natural meaning of the text.” If we do that here, the plain and natural meaning is that Paul is referring to some form of proxy baptism. However, we don’t know who they were baptized for. The “dead” may have been believers, or those on their way to becoming believers, or family members of believers who died before they could be baptized. Notice “those” and “they”, not “we”, “you” or “us.” These people are not the whole church, but rather some fringe group, perhaps not even part of the Corinthian church. Paul may be referring to a practice that is going on in another part of the world that all of them were aware of. Paul does not condone this practice – he simply refers to it. Why doesn’t he condemn it? Perhaps because he had done so already while he was with them, and now just makes a passing reference to the erroneous practice.
Life Application: Though their practice was wrong, their concern was right. They were concerned for the salvation of others. Paul had a tremendous concern for the salvation of the Jews – Romans 9:1-3; 10:1. What about you? How strongly do you desire the salvation of lost people? Your family? Your friends? Your co-workers? Your neighbors? What are you willing to do for their salvation? Are you willing to risk embarrassment or rejection? If the resurrection is true, we must be concerned for the lost!
2. A Willingness To Endure Danger and Hardship For The Gospel: 15:30-32.
In danger every hour: vs.30. not just once in a while, but every hour. Just read through the book of Acts. Paul was constantly faced with riots, mobs, stoning, beatings, and often had to sneak out of town.
I die daily: vs.31. He is not speaking of “dying to self”, but rather facing threats of physical suffering and even death on a regular basis.
I fought wild beasts: vs.32. Did this take place literally? Was Paul thrown into an arena with lions and tigers? Probably not. He was a Roman citizen which would exempt him from such treatment. Further, when he gives us his litany of suffering sin 2Cor.11:23-29 he does not mention fighting wild beasts. Also, Luke does not mention this in Acts, which he surely would have if it had happened. This, in all likelihood is a figurative expression for evil men who persecuted him. Compare Titus 1:12; 2Tim.4:17. Paul was in Ephesus as he is writing this letter. He states in 1Cor.16:9 that he has many adversaries, and eventually Demetrius the silversmith will incite a riot against him.
What is Paul’s point? If the dead are not raised, it is absurd for him to willingly endure such hardship and sufferings and danger. What’s the point? Rather, he should adopt the philosophy of the Epicurians and eat and drink for tomorrow we die. Or to quote a beer commercial, “We only go around once in life, so grab all the gusto you can!” If there is no future resurrection, then live for Now! Get as much pleasure and happiness as you can out of this present life, because there isn’t any other.
Life Application: Paul and his band’s belief in a future resurrection enabled them to focus on the life to come, and face hardship and suffering now. Read the litany in 2Cor.11:23-29. Jesus sent his disciples out as sheep in the midst of wolves – Mt.10:16; Mk.8:35. Following Christ may not mean we have a safe life. It may not mean we live in the best and safest neighborhoods. It may mean we take risks for the sake of the gospel. It may mean we end up moving to a Muslim country closed to the gospel where our life is in jeopardy. But if we believe in the resurrection, it’s O.K. This life is just preparation for the next. It’s not our home. Momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison – 2Cor.4:17. Does your belief in Resurrection make you willing to suffer for the gospel?
3. A Resolve To Shun False Teachers: 15:33-34.
Bad Company: who is this? The same as “some have no knowledge of God” (vs.34). In 15:12 Paul said “how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” There were false teachers in Corinth who were denying the resurrection. I believe this was the “bad company” Paul was warning the Corinthians about. What would be the result of entering into fellowship with them? Their good morals would be corrupted. If we reject the resurrection, we will forsake a life of holiness, service, and suffering, and indulge our flesh trying to squeeze every ounce of happiness from this present life.
Become sober-minded and stop sinning: awake from this drunken stupor you are in. These false teachers had been intoxicating them with lies from hell. Awake! Stop sinning: perhaps their chief sin was listening to these false teachers instead of shunning them. Their false doctrine was leading to sin in the lives of these believers. They had no true knowledge of God. The Corinthians who were listening to the false teachers should be ashamed of their behavior.
Life Application: our belief in future resurrection should cause us to shun all teachers who deny it. Paul exhorted the same in 2Tim.2:16-18. Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the future bodily resurrection. Avoid their influence. Belief in the resurrection is required to be saved! Rom.10:9. When Joel Osteen tells you “You Can Have Your Best Life Now”, he is taking your eyes off the future resurrection and encouraging you to squeeze your pleasure out of this present life. Avoid his teaching!
______________________________
© The Bridge
Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by The Bridge.
Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By Brian Anderson. © The Bridge. Website: www.TheBridgeOnline.net
Follow Us!