What is baptism for the dead in 1 Corinthians 15:29?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible is silent on the practice that Paul references in 1 Corinthians 15:29— the baptism for the dead. Because of this, we can be certain that Paul is not inserting a half-baked doctrine that we need to guess what it means. Instead of that, we are to understand his main point despite not knowing what practice was happening in his day. That is that there is a future resurrection for the dead.

In bringing up the baptism for the dead, Paul was making the argument for it from the fact that Jesus was raised. Because Jesus was raised, then He has already shown His power over death. Therefore, there is nothing that will prevent Him from resurrecting everyone who died. Paul used that practice as an example of how people who were denying there was a resurrection were still acting like it by practicing some form of baptism for the dead. Regardless of what that meant, Paul showed them that such a practice only made sense if, indeed, the dead would be raised.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Old Testament does not talk about baptism for the dead.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• In 1 Corinthians 15:29, Paul writes, “what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?” Understanding this verse is difficult because it is the only time baptism is connected to death. Because of that, a great deal of caution is called for so as to not build an entire doctrine off of a single, unusual verse. What we need to do is to consider guidelines from other passages to guide our conclusions on this one.
• The Bible is clear that each individual must confess and believe in Jesus Christ to be saved (Romans 10:9; John 3:16). We cannot make this confession of faith declaration on behalf of others, whether living or dead. Therefore, this verse cannot be referring to saving people who are already dead.
• While baptism is an important step of obedience to Jesus, is it not essential for salvation (Ephesians 2:8; Romans 3:28; 4:3; 6:3–4). That is, not even the living are saved by baptism, let alone the dead. Therefore, it is unclear what purpose being baptized for the dead would even serve.
• Baptism is a believer’s public identification with Jesus, something that would be rendered nonsensical if people are vicariously identifying a dead individual with Jesus, particularly if it contradicted what that person had believed while alive. So, baptism for the dead cannot refer to saving dead people not identifying someone else with Jesus. That makes it an almost pointless practice. Though we may never know exactly what practice Paul referred to, before considering what it could mean, we need to understand the context of the passage.
• Apparently there were some in Corinth who were denying that there was a resurrection of the dead. Paul said, “Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (1 Corinthians 15:12). But, Paul countered, if the resurrection is false then so is our hope because then even Jesus was not resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:13–14). However, Paul continues, Jesus has been resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:20) and, therefore, will defeat death (1 Corinthians 15:26).
• This is the context of the 1 Corinthians 15:29 passage about baptism for the dead. Paul seems to be pointing out how foolish such an activity would be—whether valid or not—if Jesus had not been resurrected. To put it another way, Paul is pointing out their contradictory logic of baptizing for the dead while also saying that the dead will not be resurrected.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

While many have argued about what Paul might be talking about in 1 Corinthians 15:29, we can understand Paul’s point without knowing what specific practice he was referring to. Any hope for the resurrection of the dead requires that Jesus was resurrected. If Jesus was resurrected, then that means He has defeated death. If He has defeated death, then He is capable of resurrecting all believers in the future.

Because this passage does not provide enough detail about whatever practice Paul was talking about, we would be unwise to build any doctrine on it. What we do learn from Scripture as a whole is that Paul cannot be talking about a practice that saves dead people because baptism is never for salvation. Instead, it is a practice that people who are already saved make to declare their allegiance and new life with Jesus (Romans 6:3–4). Therefore, before they died, those who are now dead were already saved or not. Baptizing for them after they died would change nothing about their eternal state (c.f., Luke 16:19–31).

One conclusion from this is that baptism for the dead, which some practice based on this verse (notably Mormons), is not biblical. Support for such a practice cannot be found in the Bible and gives a false sense of hope to a deceased’s loved ones.

A second conclusion is found in Paul’s point for even mentioning this practice. Our resurrection is a for sure deal. That should cause us to have great joy in our salvation, as well as to fear for the unbelievers we know. If Jesus had not been raised, then no one else would be. But since Jesus has conquered death, then even unbelievers will be raised and condemned for their sin. So, His resurrection is a comfort to the saved but a terrible warning for those who have rejected Him in this life.

UNDERSTAND

• The Bible does not explain the practice of baptism for the dead in 1 Corinthians 15:29, so it should not be used as a basis for doctrine.
• Paul’s main point in 1 Corinthians 15:29 is that the baptism for the dead assumes a future resurrection, affirming the truth of Christ’s resurrection and the hope it provides.
• Baptism is a public declaration of faith by a living believer and cannot save the dead; therefore, baptism for the dead does not refer to saving deceased individuals.

REFLECT

• How does knowing that baptism is a public declaration of faith by a living believer affect the way you view your own baptism?
• What does the assurance of the future resurrection, as emphasized by Paul, mean for your daily hope and faith in Jesus?
• How do you respond to the tension between practices not clearly explained in Scripture and the need to focus on clear biblical truths?

ENGAGE

• What are possible reasons why Paul used the practice of baptism for the dead to argue for the resurrection, even though the exact practice is unclear?
• How can we guard against building doctrines on unclear or isolated verses like 1 Corinthians 15:29?
• How does Christ’s resurrection provide both comfort for believers and a warning for those who reject Him?