“Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?” (ASV) “This is certainly the most difficult verse in the New Testament; for, notwithstanding the greatest and wisest men have labored to explain it, there are to this day nearly as many different interpretations of it as there are interpreters” (Clarke 284-85). Some take the position that Paul is advocating the custom of people being vicariously baptized for loved ones that have died without being baptized. “It is known that such practices took place during the second century. They were chiefly associated, however, with heretical sects and there is no reference to the practice as early as this” (Davidson 988).

The church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints is known for its practice of the baptism of the dead. However, it would be an incorrect assumption to assume that this is what Paul is referring to. The idea of baptism by proxy is no where else supported in scripture. The scriptures make it clear however that baptism is the conscience choice of a believer. Even though the theory of baptism for the literal dead is ruled out by the scriptures there are many legitimate theories that must be examined.

One theory concerning this passage is that the phrase “baptized for the dead” “means to be baptized as dead, being baptized into Christ, and buried with him in baptism, and that by their immersion they were regarded as dead” “ (Barnes 793). This theory is valid in the fact that it is based in scripture. Romans 6:3-5, makes the comparison between the physical death, and being dead to sin as stated in Romans chapter six. This is a legitimate theory, however there are other ones that have need to be examined.

Another theory concerning this passage is the theory that is supported by Tertullian. Tertullian made this statement about the passage in question. “To be baptized for the dead therefore means, in fact to be baptized for the body” (Tertullian 449). This theory fit’s the text well. In verses 35-40 the word for body is used five times. However, since Paul uses the word for body many times, what would be the purpose in him not using it in verse 29.

Another theory is based on the word construction in the Greek. It is stated that the Greek word for “for” could be better translated “on account of. If this definition of the word is used, when applied in context, it would have Paul saying “If there is to be no resurrection, as some of you allege (vs. 12), why do you continue to practice baptism, thus following the example of those saints (now dead), who were baptized in order to become Christians?” In other words, there is no virtue in the on-going practice of baptism, which depicts a burial/resurrection, if, in fact, there is to be no resurrection from the dead” (Jackson).

In this writers opinion the previous theory best fit’s the text. The purpose of baptism is for the hope of the resurrection of the dead. If they were denying the resurrection of the dead, then why were they being baptized for the state of the dead.

In conclusion, what the apostle Paul was saying in 1 Corinthians 15:29, makes clear sense when applied to the immediate context of the passage. The application of the passage, is to always remember that if we are in Christ, we have the hope of resurrecting from the dead, just like our Lord. However, if we deny the resurrection of the dead, what is the point of us being baptized for it.

Arndt, William .and F.W. Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1967.

Barnes, Albert. Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament. Edited By, Ingram Cobbin, Grand Rapids: Kregal Publications, 1975.

Bercot, David W. A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers Inc, 1999.

Browne, Harold. The Bible Commentary. Vol. 1. F. C. Cook, Editor Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1981.

Clarke, Adam. Clarkes’ Commentaty; Mathew-Revelation. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1824.

Davidson, F. The New Bible Commentary. E. F. Kevan, A. M. Stibbs. Grand Rapids: W.M. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1963.

Jackson, Wayne. “The Mormon Doctrine of Baptism for The Dead” Christian Courier. May, 1999. Accessed May, 2004.

<http://www.christiancourier.com/archives/dead baptism.htm>

Rees, T. “Baptism for the Dead”. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ed. James Orr. 1:399: Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1939.

Robertson, Archibald Thomas. Word Pictures in the New Testament Vol. 4. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1931.

Sailhamer, John. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Frank Gaebelein, Ed., Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Co, Vol. 2. 1990

Tertullian. Against Marcion. The Anti Nicene Fathers, vol.3 page 449., n.d.; Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1965.