Understanding what the Apostle Paul wrote in the above passage is a perplexing and annoying riddle for many students of the Bible. It has also been a source of some consternation for much of church history. As one author wrote, “To date no satisfactory explanation of the practice described in 1 Corinthians 15:29 has appeared, though not for lack of trying.”[i] Another scholar has noted that “…throughout the centuries over forty readings have been offered to explain 15:29.” He adds “In fact, many scholars, even after considering an array of alternatives and expressing their dissatisfaction therewith, simply shake their heads in frustration and admit ignorance as to how 15:29 ought to be read.”[ii]
Part of the problem is that there is no known context for understanding this passage: it seems to stand alone. Most attempts at explaining it seek to find some sort of scriptural or historical setting but fail to produce any satisfactory results.
Nevertheless, I propose to take a fresh look at this passage by making the following points:
- 1. The New Testament often uses the word baptism to mean something other than the ordinance
or sacrament of Holy Baptism.
2. In this passage the Apostle Paul is not referring to Christian baptism, but to a Jewish practice sometimes called baptism, but usually referred toas immersion, cleansing, or ceremonial washing.
3. Paul is referring to a specific known burial practice of the Jews which was based on the belief in the resurrection of the body.
4. While this passage is usually translated to suggest that people were being baptized for the dead, it can also be taken in the sense that they were doing baptism as part of the burial practice of the Jews.
Whereas in theology there really is “…nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9) the ideas presented here are not new; the pieces of the puzzle have always been there, waiting to be discovered and put together into a clearer context for understanding the meaning of baptism for the dead.
I pray that you will find this helpful, enlightening, and worthy of further consideration.
[i] DeMaris, Richard, “Corinthian Religion and Baptism for the Dead” in Journal of Biblical Literature 114/4 (1995), p. 661
[ii] Hull, Michael, Baptism on Account of the Dead (1 Cor 15:29): An Act of Faith in the Resurrection, Society of Biblical Literature, 2005, p. 8
Copyright © 2022, 2024, Robert D. Claiborne
