First Corinthians 15; Part 2: Baptism for the Dead? Resurrection, The Believer’s Hope but the Unbeliever’s dread:

1 Corinthians 15:1 - 311 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

29 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?

30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?

31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

was the subject of the last study where believers are assured that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and everyone who has ever lived will someday be resurrected. The next resurrection will be the Church, which is The Body of Christ consisting of all believers since Paul, that will be caught up (raptured) to be with the Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven for eternity. The 7-year Tribulation will follow the Rapture; at the end of which all believers prior to Paul as well at those who die during the Tribulation will be raised from the dead when Christ returns to earth. This is referred to as His Second Coming when He will establish His Kingdom on earth with the 12 Apostles sitting on 12 Thrones judging Israel’s 12 Tribes. Israel will be a nation of Priests, ministering to the world for 1000 years; a perfect government never experienced before. However, at the end thereof, Satan will be loosed from the bottomless pit where he was held for 1000 years, and he will deceive the nations for the last time. Christ will put that rebellion down in short order after which all the unsaved dead who have every lived will be resurrected to stand before the Great White Throne Judgement Seat of Christ and be sentenced to eternity in Hell. The old heaven and earth will be dissolved and replaced by new and perfect ones in which believers will live for eternity.

It was also pointed out that verses 20 through 28 are a parenthesis explaining how all mankind has suffered death because of Adam’s sin and that life comes by Jesus Christ. Today we continue after the parenthesis with verse 29; reviewing the flow of thought from verse 19 to verse 29: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” 1 Corinthians 15:1919 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

. “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?” 1 Corinthians 15:2929 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?

29 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?

29 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?

29 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?

29 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?

. This verse is the only place in Scripture alluding to baptism for the dead. It has caused misunderstanding and consternation because some have taken it to refer to a living person being baptized in water for someone who died previously. According to Bible Commentator John Gill, baptism for the dead was practiced by the Marcionites in the 2nd to the 4th century AD, long after the Scripture was completed. And the Mormons practice this today. But this is not what verse 29 teaches.

1 Corinthians 15:29 must be considered in light of the context. In his book “Figures of Speech Used in the Bible” Bullinger provides a detailed explanation of this verse in pages 41 - 44. Summarizing his explanation: “If Christ be not raised, well may those who are being baptized into Christ’s burial be asked, ‘What shall they do?’ Truly, ‘it is for the dead.’ For they will remain dead, as corpses. In this life, they ‘die daily’ (verse 31); in death they perish (verse 18); and are thus ‘of all men most miserable’ (verse 19). ‘What shall they do who are being baptized? It is for the dead if the dead rise not at all! It is to remain dead, as corpses, without hope of resurrection.”

“The Complete Bible Commentary” by George Williams deals with this verse on page 893. He also refers to the context, indicating that Paul refers in this verse as the baptism of suffering which Gospel ministers must accept in seeking to rescue and save the perishing. This is similar to what Christ spoke of as His baptism of suffering at Calvary on behalf of lost humanity: “But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!” Luke 12:5050 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

. Williams indicates “the words ‘baptized,’ ‘die’ and ‘beasts’ in 1 Corinthians 15:29 and 1 Corinthians 15:33 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

131 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

- 3231 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

are figurative, pointing to Paul’s statement that he stood hourly in jeopardy of his life, 1 Corinthians 15:3030 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?

; that he died daily, 1 Corinthians 15:31; and that the rejoicing of the Corinthians had been purchased by such suffering, seeing he had begotten them in the Gospel, 1 Corinthians 4:1515 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

. Williams paraphrase’s 1 Corinthians 15:29: “If the dead rise not, what shall they do who are being daily baptized into misery on behalf of them?, i.e. why expose themselves to such suffering?”

I suggest reading 1 Corinthians 15:19 followed by 1 Corinthians 15:29 - 3229 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?

30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?

31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

to understand what Paul is saying in verse 29. Remember/recall that Paul reminded believers about the afflictions and tribulations they can expect to suffer in 1 Thessalonians 3:1 - 51 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

. Here in 1 Corinthians 15:29 Paul points out the futility of the suffering of believers for their faith if Christ was not risen from the dead and the double folly of ministers of the Gospel if the dead don’t rise.

Continuing in our text: “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1 Corinthians 15:3333 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

. The word “communications” is from the Greek noun “homilia” (G3657) found only here in the NT. It means “companionship, intercourse, communion.” The verb form of “homilia” is “homileo” (G3658) and is found 4 times in the NT. It is translated “talked,” where we read that Paul “talked a long time,” Acts 20:1111 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

and the 2 Disciples on the road to Emmaus “talked” to Jesus, Luke 24:1414 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

. It is also translated “communed,” in the same account of the 2 Disciples talking to Jesus in Luke 24:1515 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

, as well as in Acts 24:2626 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

where Felix is said to have communed with Paul. The word translated “manners” is from the Greek “thos” (G2239), found only here in the NT meaning “moral habits, customs, morals.” According to the Companion Bible this verse is a quote from the Thais of Menander, an Athenian poet and means that evil associations corrupt excellent morals. Didn’t our mothers teach us not to hang out (commune or talk) with bad people?

Paul then exhorts the Corinthians and all believers since: “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” 1 Corinthians 15:3434 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

. Paul is saying “to return to sobriety” for some are ignorant of God, which is to their shame. The word “shame” is from the Greek “entrope” (G1791) found only twice in the NT, here and in 1 Corinthians 6:55 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

: “I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?” Thus, it is truly a shame that some believers, all of whom are Saints (set aside) by God, don’t have the knowledge of God and need to stop communing with evil, return to sobriety and avoid sinful behavior.

What happens at resurrection? “But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.” 1 Corinthians 15:35 - 3835 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

. I looked up the secular description of seed germination on the internet, which is quoted in part: “that dormancy, appropriate environmental conditions, such as suitable temperature and access to water and oxygen, as well as time are needed for seeds to grow.” It continues “that time may be required for continued embryonic development in the seed or for some necessary finishing process—known as “after-ripening - the nature of which remains obscure.” The nature of “after-ripening” may be obscure to the experts who wrote this article, but it appears, at least to me, that death may be the nature of what they term “after-ripening.” “And Jesus answered them, saying, the hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” John 12:23 - 2423 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

. It was necessary for Jesus Christ to die for our sins, 1 Corinthians 15:3. When Christ arose from the dead, He was still the Second Person of the Trinity, The Son of God, but He came forth from the grave a Person that had never before existed; He became and is “The Lord Jesus Christ” with a Spiritual Body, but never-the-less of flesh and bone. For it was when God raised Christ from the dead that Paul could “… declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.” Acts 13:30 - 3330 But God raised him from the dead:

31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

; Psalms 2:77 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

. Believers are the fruit The Lord Jesus Christ produced and will have glorified bodies like His when raptured or resurrected, Philippians 3:2121 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

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Paul continues; there are different kinds of flesh; that of men; of beasts; of fish and of birds, 1 Corinthians 15:3939 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.

. He describes the differences of the glory (splendor/brightness) of celestial (heavenly) bodies and terrestrial (earthly) bodies, 1 Corinthians 15:4040 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

, such as the glory of the sun, being different than of the moon, and the stars, which are each different in glory than the other, 1 Corinthians 15:4141 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

. So also is the resurrection of the dead (believers), sown in corruption; raised in incorruption, 1 Corinthians 15:4242 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

; it is sown in dishonor, raised in glory, sown in weakness, raised in power, 1 Corinthians 15:4343 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

; sown a natural body raised a Spiritual Body for just as there is a natural body and there is a Spiritual Body “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam (The Lord Jesus Christ) was made a quickening spirit.” 1 Corinthians 15:44 - 4544 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

. The first was natural, the last is Spiritual, 1 Corinthians 15:4646 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

; the first man is of the earth, (the Lord formed man from the dust of the ground, Genesis 2:77 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

; Ecclesiastes 3:2020 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

), the second (Jesus Christ) from Heaven, 1 Corinthians 15:4747 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.

; “As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.” 1 Corinthians 15:4848 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

(the word heavenly here is the same as translated celestial in 1 Corinthians 15:40). And as the believer has borne or wore the image of the earthy, they will (at resurrection) bear the image of the heavenly/celestial, 1 Corinthians 15:4949 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

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Keeping the above in mind, Paul later exhorts believers: “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:6 - 126 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

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