Question:
Can the living be baptized for the dead?
Answer:
One of the erroneous practices of the Mormon church
is the practice of baptizing for the dead. Let’s suppose a past relative
has died without becoming a Christian. The Mormons believe people still
living may be baptized on behalf of that dead person to save them.
This belief is based on passages from the Mormon book, Doctrine and
Covenants. This book is not inspired. Yet, they also base the practice
on a passage from 1 Corinthians 15:29, “Otherwise, what will they do
who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then
are they baptized for the dead?”
At first glance, one could be easily persuaded to believe that this is a
proper proof text to justify water baptism for the physically dead. Yet,
such a teaching causes a contradiction and the Bible cannot contradict
itself. Passages must harmonize with one another because “God is not
the author of confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:33).
Thus, to answer the question let’s examine the contradiction this verse
creates, then the Biblical context as a whole and the immediate context
to find a proper understanding of this passage.
The contradiction vicarious baptism creates is that it eliminates the
personal responsibility involved with free will. Ezekiel 18:20 says,
“The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the
father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of
the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked
shall be upon himself.” The good and evil deeds one has committed
belong only to the individual. No one else is responsible for them and
no one else will be judged for them. Romans 14:12 says, “So then each
of us shall give account of himself to God.”
Now, also consider 1 Corinthians 15:29 by looking at its New Testament
context. First, the passage says nothing of water baptism. Mormons, and
perhaps others, assume the reference is to water baptism. Yet, Jesus
said (long after he was immersed in water by John the Baptist), “...I
have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is
accomplished!” (Luke 12:50). Most understand this “baptism” to be an
overwhelming immersion of suffering. Indeed, as he looked ahead to his
persecution, betrayal and crucifixion He said to His disciples, “Are
you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism
that I am baptized with?...You will indeed drink the cup that I drink,
and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized…” (Mark
10:38,39). Jesus was prophesying that His disciples would be persecuted
and suffer!
Now, consider the context of 1 Corinthians 15. The entire chapter is a
reference to the hope of the resurrection of the dead. Verses 23-28
refer to Christ’s victory over our “last enemy” which is
“death.” Verses 30-32 refer to the risky suffering and persecutions
of the disciples of Christ. The point of verse 29, based on context, is
“Why would a Christian be overwhelmed (baptized) in persecution and
suffering if we have no hope when we die? Why die when there is no
compensation for such a sacrifice?
The resurrection of Jesus gives us all a hope after death!
April 2006