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"Baptised for the dead..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:29

A STRANGE PRACTICE

The Corinthians were enmeshed in many problems. Most of them self-created. One of the problems involved the baptism for the dead.

“Otherwise, what will they do who are baptised for the dead,
if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptised for
the dead? And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour?
I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus
our Lord, I die daily.”
1 Corinthians 15:29-31

1. Baptism for the dead

a) This was never taught by the Lord Jesus Christ.

b) This was not a doctrine taught by any of the apostles.

c) But the Corinthians adopted this strange practice.

2. Paul’s criticism of this practice

a) Why would the Corinthians practise being baptised on behalf of the dead?

b) If it is true that there is no resurrection, why be baptised on behalf of the dead?

c) The inconsistency of the Corinthians had to be addressed.

3. The consistency of Paul and his companions

a) They were not afraid to stand in jeopardy every hour.

b) They were often the targets of wicked enemies.

i) They could be jailed.

ii) They could be beaten.

iii) They could be sentenced to death.

c) Why were they not afraid of being in such jeopardy?

i) Because they were not afraid to die.

ii) Because they believed in the resurrection.

iii) Because they believed that Christ would come and establish His kingdom.

d) There was consistency between faith and practice!

4. “I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily”

a) Paul did not actually “die daily”.

b) He was saying that he was in danger of dying every day.

But he was totally unafraid, because of his faith in the resurrection!