Sunday, April 28, 2013 pm
STUDIES IN 1 CORINTHIANS
(55)
What about Baptism for the Dead?
1 Corinthians 15:29-34
a.
Otherwise – that word
indicates that this expression is tied to that which Paul previously
said.
b.
Baptism for the dead –
i.
This is a difficult
passage to understand. It is
also one that has been clearly misinterpreted by many.
We will take a few moments to notice a few ways that it has been
interpreted and seek to make some observations about this passage.
I have my beliefs about this passage, but I will admit I do not
fully understand it.
ii.
Some believe the baptism is associated with suffering
– as Jesus associated it in passages like Mark 10:38 where Jesus asks
James and John, “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the
baptism that I am baptized with?”
While the next verse (30) does deal with suffering, there are
contextual problems with this view. It really doesn’t make sense as Paul
is dealing with the hope of the resurrection.
iii.
Vicarious baptism.
The word vicarious means in the place of another.
This is the view of Mormonism and others.
Mormons believe that it is immoral and unthinkable to allow those
who are not baptized to be damned forever.
As a result, it was a decision of their prophets that some could
vicariously (by proxy) be baptized for their deceased ancestors and
possibly others as well.
This is one reason Mormons are so concerned about genealogy.
Furthermore, they believe that after death, one who is the
recipient of this baptism has the right to choose it or reject it.
The major problem with this view is how it contradicts the rest of
scripture on many fronts.
The call for obedience comes WHILE we are living – Acts 2:38,
17:30-31.
Nowhere in scripture do we read
of a 2nd chance AFTER one dies.
When one dies, their fate is determined – Heb. 9:27.
You may also consider the example of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk.
16:25-31). The fates of both
were sealed.
2 Cor. 5:10 says we must all appear before the judgment seat and give an
accounting for our own life.
iv.
Baptism because we are spiritually dead. It is
baptism that raises us to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4, Col.
2:11-12, etc.). So some
reason that Paul is saying, you are baptized to be saved.
IF there is no resurrection – Why?
While the premise is true, the only problem with this is fitting
that in the context.
v.
Baptism because of dead saints or faithful martyrs.
Another plausible interpretation, this one says that as a result
of the faithful who have gone before, many of whom have died for the
cause of Christ, their former example causes one to respond to the
gospel. An example of this would be Stephen (Acts 7:57-60).
In this case, the point is that what hope do you have as a result
of their efforts.
Furthermore, what hope did THEY (the martyrs) have?
vi.
Baptism with the realization that one day you too will die.
If this were Paul’s point, He is saying what’s the use of obeying
the gospel if you are going to die, if there is no resurrection?
I seem to lean toward this understanding, though there are
difficulties. My reasoning
is the rest of the context.
Paul talks about his frequent jeopardy and his sacrifice for the truth.
Why? If there is no resurrection?
vii.
There are other
interpretations, some plausible and others ridiculous.
Whatever your understanding, it must be consistent with the rest
of scripture which means that the baptism is probably the ONE baptism
they were familiar with (cf. 1 Cor. 1:14-17, Acts 18:8).
a.
Paul’s point is that if
there is nothing beyond this life, why is he suffering to the extent
that he does? Paul’s life was continually in danger.
Jeopardy means that he didn’t know what was going to happen to
him. In 2 Corinthians
11:22-29, 2 Cor. 4:7-12. He
describes some of the suffering he endured for the cause of Christ and
for them.
b.
I die daily!
Paul’s point here is that it is a DAILY danger he faces.
Remember 1 Cor. 4:9-13, Rom. 8:36.
Actually Luke 9:25 summarizes this as Jesus says, “For
what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself
destroyed or lost?”
c.
I have fought with wild
beasts in Ephesus – we do not have a record of this happening, but as we
have noted Paul suffered greatly and in many ways.
It could be that he also faced wild animals in one form or
another (cf. 2 Tim. 4:17).
Or he could be speaking figuratively of his enemies who are described as
wolves (Acts 20:29, Mat. 10:16)
d.
Lesson: We DO believe in
the resurrection (I assume).
IF so, what are we willing to do or endure to attain eternal life with
the Father? Are we willing
to suffer for His cause?
Will we sacrifice for Him?
Will we put ourselves in jeopardy to stand for the truth?
That truly is something to think about!
a.
Quoted from Isaiah 22:13
where the impending trouble of Judah is discussed.
b.
It is a TRUE statement
if there is no resurrection.
Then this life is all there is.
You might as well enjoy it and live for yourself.
And how many live as if they have forever?
OR at least plenty of time?
How many of US live that way?
c.
BUT realize that this
was the mistake of the rich fool!
Luke 12:16-20
a.
Finally Paul warns them
about false teachers. Paul
is addressing a damnable error that is at the very foundation of the
Christian’s faith – Jesus died for us and arose the 3rd day
(1 Cor. 15:3-4). The errors
being taught had consequences (as most errors do).
In this case, denying a resurrection can lead to a loose life –
which is what we have seen throughout our study if 1 Corinthians.
Thus Paul warns…
b.
Evil company corrupts
good habits
– the word for company means to associate with another.
Paul’s warning here is that if you associate the ungodly, they
will corrupt you.
i.
So who is “evil
company”?
ii.
IN this text it is
dealing with FALSE TEACHERS!
2 Pet. 2:1-3 warns them about such.
Paul told Timothy to watch for and turn away from those who lived
ungodly lives. 2 Tim. 3:6-7
notes that they crept into households and took advantage of gullible
women.
iii.
It also applies to
immorality! IF you associate
with the ungodly, they will influence you.
iv.
Friends, let us
understand that such doesn’t always happen overnight.
Both verbs – “deceived” and “corrupts” are present tense which
means ongoing action. It’s
about ongoing association!
If you wonder why we continually warn against the false teacher, it is
because if we choose to be friends with them, in time they will
influence us. The wariness
that is there at first will wear off and gradually you will receive them
more and more. We need to
think about this when we associate with brethren and congregations that
are creeping into various and sundry errors.
Heed again 1 Corinthians 5:6, “a little leaven, leavens the whole
lump.” If not, in time we will say, “That’s not so bad”.
THIS also applies to who you pick to be your friends in the world!
Think about it!
c.
Awake to righteousness, do NOT sin – rather than being caught up in evil, WAKE UP to
righteousness. We always
need to remind ourselves that it is time to wake up.
(Rom. 13:11-12, Eph. 5:14, 1 Thess. 5:6)
Do the “first works” (Rev. 2:5).
d.
And do NOT sin!
Don’t get caught up in sinful
activity. Furthermore, Paul
is saying that if we begin following after such teachers it IS sin!
Consider 2 John 9-11
e.
Some do not have the
knowledge of God
– Paul is directing this statement to these false brethren who were
teaching various errors.
They did not have the truth.
We NEED the truth! Hosea
4:6, “My people are destroyed for
lack of knowledge.”
How often did Paul say to brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant?
1 Cor. 12:1, 2 Cor. 1:8, cf. 1 Thess. 4:13, etc.
f.
I speak this to your shame. We sometimes
say, “Shame on you!” From
that statement, it is clear that these brethren ought to have known
better. But for some reason
they didn’t. I’m reminded of
Heb. 5:11-14 where they are rebuked for their lack of maturity in
knowledge.
And
thus we are again reminded of the resurrection.
Paul has concluded his discourse on the fact that there is a
resurrection. But he is not
done. In our next lesson we
will begin examining what the resurrection will be like.
In the meantime, because we KNOW that Jesus arose and so will we,
let me remind you to prepare yourself for that day.
Think about it!