Baptized For The Dead
Dan Corner
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Oftentimes when a Mormon is trying to defend his own unique beliefs or destroy the faith of a Bible believer, that Mormon will bring up baptism for the dead, as it is mentioned in 1 Cor. 15:29. Here is how that text reads:
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? (KJV)
It is very easy for a Christian to answer this Mormon question after examining the immediate context, that is, verses 29 and 30:
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? And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? (1 Cor 15:29,30)
Baptism For The Dead
Please notice the contrasting pronouns they and we in 1 Cor. 15:29,30. The pronoun they refers to the ones believing in and practicing baptism for the dead, while the pronoun we refers to the Christian group that Paul identifies himself with. In other words, that passage refers to baptism for the dead, but it was not practiced by Christians. It was done by the non-Christian people in Paul’s day and not the group Paul identified himself with! This also explains why there is never any other reference to baptism for the dead anywhere else in God’s Word, the Holy Bible.
Mormon Mythology
The Mormons have nothing to draw from for the details of this strange doctrinal distinctive. Hence, they must depart from the all-sufficient Bible, which is obvious error in itself:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16,17)
Such has resulted in people being baptized for the dead and baptism by proxy. One example is Karen Carpenter. After she died, the Latter Day Saints by proxy have baptized Karen Carpenter, the singer who passed away in 1983. Other famous people were similarly baptized. This is done in a Mormon Temple and the people baptized by proxy will have a special opportunity, because of it, for salvation! (Of course, none of those details or benefits are found in the Bible anywhere.)
In Summary
Sometimes the false religions will bring up some strange doctrine/s and because Bible-believers are not acquainted with the Scriptures, they are thrown into confusion. Too often it is much worse than merely being thrown into confusion, that is, the gullible, naive and exploitable do get deceived into the Latter Day Saints group, which also ludicrously believes in God the Mother, that Jesus is the Spirit-brother of Lucifer, that God was once a man and man can become God, baptism is necessary for salvation, etc. It is vitally important that we all recognize Joseph Smith Jr. for who he was based on Scripture. His true identity is false prophet and deceiver (Mt. 24:11):
Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
There is no need to pray about the Book of Mormon or the LDS church. We don’t lack knowledge about either or its founder. Since they are so different and contrary to the Bible, the real Holy Spirit (who gave us the Bible) can’t be leading or directing them. Do not be deceived by their baptism for the dead practice. It is not Christian. Click here to read much more on Latter Day Saints. This information could make an eternal difference. GOD BLESS YOU.
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