1 Corinthians 15:29

Doesn’t advocating baptism for the dead contradict Paul’s teaching that each person must believe individually?

PROBLEM: Paul said, “what will they do who are baptized for the dead?” This seems to imply that if a person gets baptized on the account of a dead person, then the deceased will be saved. But, this is in conflict with the clear teaching of Scripture that anyone old enough must believe for himself or herself (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-13; cf. Ezekiel 18:20) to be saved.

SOLUTION: This is an obscure and isolated passage. It is unwise to base any doctrine on such a passage. Rather, one should always use the clear passages of Scripture to interpret the unclear ones. The Bible is emphatic that baptism does not save (see comments on Acts 2:38). We are saved by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7; Romans 4:5). Further, we cannot do anything that would obtain salvation for another person. Each person must personally believe (John 1:12). Everyone must make his own free choice (Matthew 23:37; 2 Peter 3:9).

Some believe Paul is referring to a cultic practice among the Corinthians who had many other false beliefs (cf. 1 Corinthians 5; 1 Corinthians 12). In effect, Paul would be saying, “If you don’t believe in the Resurrection, then why engage in the practice of baptizing people for the dead. You are inconsistent with your own (false) beliefs.” They think that the practice was so obviously wrong that Paul does not need to condemn it explicitly. They point to the fact that Paul says “they” (others) not “we” baptize the dead (v. 29).

Some suggest that Paul is referring to the fact that baptism symbolizes the believer’s death with Christ (Romans 6:3-5). The Greek word “for” (eis) can mean “with a view to.” In this sense, he would be saying, “Why are you baptized with a view to your death and resurrection with Christ, if you do not believe in the Resurrection?”