Day 24
Baptized
1 Corinthians 15:29
Now if there is no resurrection, what
will those do who are baptized for
the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?
Many
theologians view verse 28 as the end of Paul's arguments about the resurrection
of believers. Starting with today's
verse, Paul adds some additional arguments to prove that both his and the
Corinthians' practices are consistent with the belief in the resurrection of
the dead. He gives assurances of the
resurrection, starting with this verse's assurance of salvation, from his
willingness to risk death. The
Corinthians believed that someone could be baptized for the dead, and this
would infer that they believed in resurrection.
Remember that the Corinthians were pagans and had many rituals, one of
which undoubtedly was water ritual and rites. This is probably where Paul's acknowledgment
of the belief in "baptism" comes from. In modern times, there are religions that use
this verse, out of context, to support their belief that we should be baptized
for the dead -- baptism by proxy, in abstentia.
He is not approving this type of baptism (note: he says "those" and
"them"). Paul's point here is
not about baptism for the dead, it is to prove the doctrine of resurrection.
So
how do we apply this to our lives? The
main principle of this verse is that because we believe in the resurrection, we
have incentives to keep eternal values in front of us. And we know that salvation for the dead does
not come by baptism by proxy. We do not
become a Christian just because we are baptized. We become a Christian because we believe in
the Lord, Jesus Christ, who came to earth in human form to save us from our
sins. Baptism is that outward sign of
our salvation through faith -- the free gift of grace and salvation.
Today,
remember your baptismal vows. Most
hymnals, whatever the denomination, have the ritual for baptism. Read through them. In the United Methodist Church, the
introduction to the "Congregational Reaffirmation of the Baptismal
Convenant" says, "Through the reaffirmation of our faith we renew the
convenant declared at our baptism, acknowledge what God is doing for us, and
affirm our commitment to Christ's holy church." Think about the covenant that you made with
God when you took these vows. Thank God
for what he is doing in your life. And
recommit yourself to the work of Christ's holy church. Amen.
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