Baptism for the Dead - 1Co_15:29

Baptism for the Dead - 1 Corinthians 15:29.
"Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?"

Many are the interpretations of this verse.  We shall list a few which we believe to be unfounded and untrue; then examine what we believe to be the correct interpretation.

"Baptismal Regeneration," i.e., that God requires baptism to be saved. That a saved person is baptized for a lost person who has died.

That a saved person is baptized for a believer who died unbaptized. To arrive at a proper interpretation, let us begin with the word "baptized." It is the Greek word "BAPTIZO" and means "to immerse by being identified with something or someone." The second thing to notice is that these were Christians who probably had died as a result of their faith. Paul gave testimony, in Verses 30,31, of being in jeopardy of losing his life.

"And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? (30) I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily." (He meant that any day he could lose his life.) (31) In other words, it would be foolish for Paul—or anyone else identifying themselves as a Christian—to risk their lives daily; if there be no resurrection from the dead. For an account of the persecution of Christians, one only has to read Fox's Book of Martyrs. It becomes evident that no one is going to be identified as a Christian, replacing those who died; if there was no resurrection or hereafter. Therefore, "being baptized for the dead" simply means, that other Christians are going to step forward by proclaiming the Gospel of their faith. The word "baptized" is only used metaphorically, showing identification. "Baptized for the dead" could be paraphrased as "being identified as those who are going to work in the place of those who gave their life for their faith."

There have been many great Bible teachers, preachers, missionaries, Sunday School teachers, etc., who have now passed "from death unto life," or into the presence of the Lord.  Their gap in the ranks of the Lord's army needs to be filled.  Let me ask you, are you willing to be placed into one of these positions left vacant?  Are you willing to discipline yourself to allow Christ to fulfill His will in your life?  Do you fit Christ into your schedule when convenient; or is Christ first in your life and your schedule arranged around Him?  What a need we have today for Christians to be dedicated and unafraid to stand for their faith.

"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none." - Ezekiel 22:30