I Corinthians 15
Defense of resurrection of Christverses 1-2
Moreover – brethren – I declare to you the gospel
which I preached to you
which also you have received – and wherein you stand
by which also you are saved
if you keep in memory what I preached to you
unless you have believed in vain
Witnesses after HIS resurrectionverses 3-7
FOR I delivered to you first of all that which I also received
how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures
and that HE was buried
and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures
and that HE was seen of Cephas – then of the twelve
after that – HE was seen of about five hundred brethren at once
of whom the greater part remain to this present
BUT some are fallen asleep
After that – HE was seen of James – then of all the apostles
Witness of Paulverses 8-11
And last of all HE was seen of me also – as of one born out of due time
for I am the least of all the apostles
that am not meet to be called an apostle
because I persecuted the church of God
BUT by the GRACE of God I am what I am
and by HIS GRACE which was bestowed on me was not in vain
BUT I labored more abundantly than they all
yet not I – BUT the GRACE of God which was with me
THEREFORE whether it were I or they – so we preach – and so you believed
Truth of resurrection important to our faithverses 12-19
Now if Christ be preached that HE rose from the dead
how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
BUT if there be no resurrection of the dead – then is Christ not risen
and if Christ be not risen – then is our preaching vain
and your faith is also vain
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
FOR if the dead rise not – then is not Christ raised
and if Christ be not raised – your faith is vain
you are yet in your sins
THEN they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished
if in this life only we have hope in Christ
we are of all men most miserable
Future resurrections taughtverses 20-24
BUT now is Christ risen from the dead
and become the firstfruits of them that slept
for since by man came death
by man came also the resurrection of the dead
for as in Adam all die
even so in Christ shall all be made alive
BUT every man in his own order – Christ the firstfruits
afterward they that are Christ’s at HIS coming
Then comes 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
Christ conquers deathverses 25-28
FOR HE must reign – till HE has put all enemies under HIS feet
the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death
FOR HE has put all things under HIS feet
but when HE says – All things are put under HIM
it is manifest that HE is excepted
which did put all things under HIM
AND when all things shall be subdued to HIM
then shall the Son also HIMSELF
be subject unto HIM that put all things under HIM
that God may be all in all
Personal advantage of the resurrectionverses 29-34
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?
And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord
I die daily
IF after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus
what advantage it me – IF the dead rise not? Let us eat and drink
for tomorrow we die
BE not deceived -evil communications corrupt good manners
AWAKE to righteousness – and sin not
FOR some have not the knowledge of God
I speak this to your shame
Physical bodies vs. Spiritual bodiesverses 35-44
BUT some man will say – How are the dead raised up?
and with what body do they come?
You fool – that which thou sow is not quickened – except it die
and that which you sow – you sow not that body that shall be
but bare grain – it may chance of wheat – or of some other grain
but God give it a body as it has pleased HIM
and to every seed his own body
All flesh is not the same flesh – but there is one kind of flesh of men
another flesh of beasts – another of fishes – another of birds
There are also celestial bodies – and bodies terrestrial
but the glory of the celestial is one
and the glory of the terrestrial is another
There is one glory of the sun – and another glory of the moon
another glory of the stars
for one star differs from another star in glory
SO also is the resurrection of the dead
it is sown in corruption – it is raised in incorruption
it is sown in dishonor – it is raised in glory
it is sown in weakness – it is raised in power
it is sown a natural body
it is raised a spiritual body
THERE is a natural body – and there is a spiritual body
First Adam vs. Last Adamverses 45-49
AND so it is written – The first man Adam was made a living soul
the last Adam was made a quickening spirit
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- 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
AND as we have borne the image of the earthy
we shall also bear the image of the heavenly
Physical bodies can’t inherit heavenverse 50
NOW this I say brethren
that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God
neither does corruption inherit incorruption
Listen for the trumpet soundverses 51-52
BEHOLD – I show you a mystery
We shall not all sleep – BUT we shall all be changed
in a moment in the twinkling of an eye
at the last trump
for the trumpet shall sound
and the dead shall be raised incorruptible
and we shall be changed
Victory over deathverses 53-56
FOR this corruptible must put on incorruption
and this mortal must put on immortality
SO when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption
and this mortal shall have put on immortality
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written
Death is swallowed up in victory
O death where is your sting?
O grave where is your victory?
The string of death is sin – and the strength of sin is the law
Present responsibilityverses 57-58
BUT thanks be to God
which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ
THEREFORE – my beloved brethren – be you steadfast – unmovable
always abounding in the work of the Lord
forasmuch as you know that your labor is
not in vain IN THE LORD
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. (1124 “Scriptures” [graphe] means writing, sacred writings, written document, letter, passage, or holy Writ)
DEVOTION: Paul started this passage with the three important facts regarding the life of Christ. HE died for our sins. HE was buried. HE arose the third day from the dead.
After HIS resurrection HE was seen of many witnesses to HIS resurrection. The Bible states these things as facts. We can either believe them or not but the facts stay the same.
A false story was given that the disciples came and stole the body. These individuals were paid by the Jewish leaders to lie. So there is a lie that many Jews believe today that Jesus wasn’t the Messiah.
We believe HE was and are willing to serve HIM on the basis of the testimony of the witnesses. We share the truth of the resurrection to all those who will listen. Jesus is the only way to heaven.
We are all sinners until the day we die but because of Jesus we can join the family of God through the blood of Jesus. HE died for each of us. Praise HIS name.
CHALLENGE: Are we giving a good witness to the truth of the Word of God? Do we understand the basics of the Word of God?
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 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 labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (5485 “grace” [charis] means favor, that which affords joy, loving-kindness, merciful kindness, gift, goodwill, thankfulness, or acceptable)
DEVOTION: This is a personal testimony of Paul. He knew who he was before he became a believer. He knew that he hurt the ministry of Jesus Christ. He knew that he hurt those who were believers.
He met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. He became a follower then and never looked back. Now he was encouraging those in Rome to understand just who they were following.
They needed to realize that they were following a risen Savior. They were given a place of favor in HIS eyes. They could be a follower just like Paul if they dedicated their life to service for HIM.
He knew that Jesus Christ didn’t waste HIS time with him. He had been faithful in his service for his Savior. He did over and above what others had done. He also knew that he could do nothing without the help of the LORD. He gave him all the glory.
Paul appreciated the loving-kindness he had been shown. Even with all the time he spent in prison he appreciated his service to the LORD. He went where no one had gone before to witness for the LORD. It was not easy but he was fruitful because the LORD blessed his ministry.
Our time of serving the LORD might not always be pleasant. HE sends things in our life just like Paul. HE tests our faithfulness to HIM. HE does give us blessings even in the hard times.
Understanding HIS way of loving us sometimes leaves us asking questions. We would like our Christian life to be an easy time. It will never be if we are faithful.
HIS tests in our life are for our growth. We have to understand that HE will never leave us during those times. We sometimes wish that HE would send the trials to someone else but we know that if HE did we would not be in the place we are with HIM now.
CHALLENGE: Understand that we stand in a place of favor with the LORD once we make a decision to follow HIM. We are to remember that it is HIS favor that causes us to grow stronger in our relationship with HIM.
: 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. (3140 “testified” [martureo] means bear witness, bear record, give testimony, have a good report, to solemnly assert something, offering firsthand authentication of the fact, attest, or give a good report)
DEVOTION: False witnesses are all around us today. Some are even in the church. The death, burial and resurrection is the Gospel message. It is the message that needs to be believed.
Paul states that if the resurrection is a lie than all the preaching in the world is vain. If it is true every individual needs to realize that they have to make a decision regarding the message.
Those who decide to reject Christ will spend eternity in the lake of fire with the devil and his angels. Those who accept the truth of the gospel will spend eternity in heaven. The message is plain.
Many other religions teach other ways to get to heaven. If the testimony of Christianity is false than the message of other religions might be right. The message of Christianity is not wrong or a lie or false. It is truth while other religions are false. It presents the only true way to a life in heaven with the Creator of the universe.
Faith plus nothing equals salvation. It is not a religion of works it is a belief in a resurrected Savior. Works are done as a sign of gratitude for what Christ did on the cross. CHALLENGE: Any religion that states that heaven or any afterlife is based on OUR works is false. More people believe a lie than the truth of the Word of God)
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (3534 “victory” [nikos] means a conquest, triumph, success or to utterly vanquish)
DEVOTION: We have a shoe company called Nike. This company wants to give the impression that if people wear their shoes – they will win. They chose their name because it means success or triumph. They want to have triumph in their sale of sneakers. Those who are athletic want to win the events they enter.
We have entered an event once we have chosen to follow Christ. However, God doesn’t imply anything. HE states that those who are followers of the LORD Jesus Christ will be triumphant. In Christ, there will be given an incorruptible body that will dwell in heaven forever.
Today, we live in a corruptible body. Jesus came to this earth to live in a corruptible body like ours to die on the cross for our sins. Once HE had died on the cross they put HIM in a grave. HE was buried. HE didn’t stay there. HE arose!!! So we spread the good news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Paul was dealing with a problem in the Corinthian church. The problem was that false teachers were coming into the church and telling the people that there was no resurrection from the dead. Some of the Christians had believing their lies. Now Paul had to reassure them that there was a resurrection.
How did he go about showing that Jesus rose from the dead? First, he stated that more than five hundred people had seen HIM. Also the disciples had seen HIM. Finally, Paul stated that he had also seen the resurrected LORD.
He then goes on to explain that if Christ never rose from the dead then their faith was vain. They should just go out and eat, drink and be merry for they were just going to die and go into the grave forever. However, Christ did rise from the dead and HE is alive now. HE conquered death. They were going to conquer death. We are going to conquer death.
Christ was the firstfruits of those who died. It is thought that at the ascension of Christ HE took with HIM the Old Testament saints. At the Rapture, HE is going to take the New Testament saints. Finally, there is going to be the “end ones” who are those that are saved during the Tribulation. All these individuals are saints. Each in their own time period.
Our responsibility is to make disciples. Our responsibility is to encourage our fellow believers. We want to triumph in at least those two areas in our life. There are times when we don’t triumph in these areas. We can praise the LORD that HE gives us new mercies every morning.
There is coming a day when our life here on earth is going to end. On this earth it might seem like sometimes we are losers but because of Christ we are those who utterly vanquish the pains of death. In eternity we will always be winners because of the blood of Christ. Today and every day we can have some triumphs. Do we realize that we are winners with Christ both now and forever?
CHALLENGE: Remember that you are on the winning side of eternity!!!
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Preachedverses 1, 2, 11, 12, 14
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Gospelverse 1
According to the Scripturesverses 3, 4
Adamverses 22, 45
It is writtenverse 45
That is writtenverse 54
Lawverse 56
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Godverses 9, 10, 15, 24, 28, 34, 38, 50, 57
Church of Godverse 9
Grace of Godverse 10
False witness of God verse 15
Testified of God verse 15
Raised Christ from deadverse 15
Kingdom of Godverses 24, 50
Fatherverse 24
Son subject to Fatherverse 28
Knowledge of Godverse 34
Creatorverses 38-41
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Christverses 3, 12-20, 22, 23, 31, 57
Died for our sinsverse 3
Buriedverse 4
Rose again on the third dayverses 4, 12, 20
Seen of Cephasverse 5
Seen of five hundredverse 6
Seen of Paul (Saul)verse 8
Christ be preachedverse 12
Christ the first fruitsverses 20, 23
Christ will reignverse 25
Put all enemies under HIS feetverses 25-28
Sonverse 28
Son subject to Fatherverse 28
Jesus verses 31, 57
Lordverses 31, 47, 57, 58
Christ Jesus our Lordverse 31
Last Adam: quickening spiritverse 45
Second man verse 47
Lord from heavenverse 47
Lord Jesus Christverse 57
Work of the Lordverse 58
God the Holy Spirit Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Celestial bodiesverse 40
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Adamverses 21, 45, 47
Enemiesverse 25
Natural bodyverses 44, 46
Living soulverse 45
Earthyverses 47, 48
Image of the earthyverse 49
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Sinsverses 3, 17, 34, 56
Persecuted the churchverse 9
Teaching no resurrectionverse 12, 13
False witnessesverse 15
Miserableverse 19
Stand in jeopardyverse 30
Deceivedverse 33
Evil communicationsverse 33
Corruptverse 33
Some have not the knowledge of Godverse 34
Foolverse 36
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Brethrenverses 1, 6, 50, 58
Preachverses 1, 2, 11
Gospel receivedverse 1
Standverse 1
Savedverse 2
Keep in memoryverse 2
Believedverses 2, 11
Fallen asleepverses 6, 51
Graceverse 10
Laboredverses 10, 58
Faithverses 14, 17
Hopeverse 19
Baptizedverse 29
Die daily to selfverse 31
Righteousnessverse 34
Spiritualverse 46
Image of the heavenlyverse 49
Incorruptionverses 50, 52-54
Immortalityverses 53, 54
Victoryverses 54, 55, 57
Thanksverse 57
Steadfastverse 58
Unmovableverse 58
Always aboundingverse 58
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Church (New Testament people of God)
Gospelverse 1
Preachedverses 2, 11
Cephas (Peter)verse 5
Twelve apostlesverse 5
Jamesverse 7
Apostlesverses 7, 9
Paulverses 8-11
Saw Jesus
Least of Apostles
Persecuted church of God
Labored more abundantly
Preached
Baptism for the dead (?)verse 29
Ephesusverse 32
Last Things (Future Events)
Deathverses 3, 12, 13, 15, 16, 20-22, 26, 29, 32, 36, 42, 52-58
Fallen asleepverses 6, 18, 51
Resurrection from the deadverses 13, 35, 42
Perishedverse 18
Christ’s comingverse 21
End onesverse 24
Coming of the endverse 25
Kingdom of Godverse 24, 50
God puts down all ruleverse 24
God puts down all authorityverse 24
God puts down all powerverse 24
Reign of Christverse 25
Last enemy: deathverses 26, 54-56
Raised in incorruptionverse 42
Raised in gloryverse 43
Raised in powerverse 43
Spiritual bodyverse 44
Mysteryverse 51
All be changedverse 51
Last trumpverse 52
DONATIONS:
Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org. Also, if you can support this ministry through your local church please use that method. Thank you.
QUOTES regarding passage
In this fourth collection of arguments against those who deny the Resurrection, Paul drew on Corinthian practice (v. 29) and also on his own way of life (vv. 30–32).
15:29. Up to 200 explanations have been given of this verse! Most of these interpretations are inane, prompted by a desire to conform this verse to an orthodox doctrine of baptism. It is clear from the context, however, that Paul distinguished his own practice and teaching from that described here. He merely held up the teaching of being baptized for the dead as a practice of some who denied the Resurrection.
How the false teachers came to this view may never be known, but just across the Saronic Gulf, north of Corinth, lay Eleusis, the center of an ancient mystery religion lauded by Homer (Hymn to Demeter 478–79) and widely popular (cf. Cicero, himself an initiate, in De Legibus 2. 14. 36). Part of the rites of initiation into this pagan religion were washings of purification in the sea without which no one could hope to experience bliss in the life hereafter (cf. Pindar Fragment 212; Sophocles Fragment 753). A vicarious participation in the mysteries was not unknown either (cf. Orphica Fragment 245). Given the Corinthian propensity for distortion in matters of church practice (11:2–14:40), it was likely that some in Corinth (possibly influenced by the Eleusinian mystery) were propounding a false view of baptism which Paul took up and used as an argument against those who denied the Resurrection. No interpretation of this text is entirely satisfactory, but this view has as its chief strength the natural reading of the Greek verse, an asset singularly lacking in other explanations. Also it is noteworthy that Paul referred to those (not “we”) who are “baptized for the dead.”
15:30–32. In contrast to the practice of those cited in verse 29, Paul now mentioned his own lifestyle as a forceful statement of his conviction about the certainty of the Resurrection. Some of the Corinthians may have accused Paul of duplicity (cf. 2 Cor. 1:12–14; 2:17; 6:8), but no one thought him a fool even though he affirmed that he would be one if he ministered without certainty of the Resurrection. Many times his life was imperiled (I die every day; cf. 2 Cor. 6:4–5; 11:23–28). At least once he thought he would die (2 Cor. 1:8–9), probably referred to here as his fight with wild beasts at Ephesus. Though this was probably not an arena experience, it was like it in that Paul saw no hope of deliverance. Why face that if this life were all there is? The Epicureans (and less philosophical men before them; cf. Isa. 22:13) would be right—pursue pleasure and avoid pain (cf. Epicurus Letter to Menoeceus 128). But Paul knew there was more, and his life testified to that fact (cf. 1 Cor. 9:24–27; 2 Cor. 4:16–18). (Lowery, D. K. (1985). 1 Corinthians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 544–545). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Evangelism (v. 29). What does it mean to be “baptized for the dead”? Some take this to mean “proxy baptism,” where a believer is baptized on behalf of a dead relative; but we find no such teaching in the New Testament. In the second century, there were some heretical groups that practiced “vicarious baptism,” but the church at large has never accepted the practice. To begin with, salvation is a personal matter that each must decide for himself; and, second, nobody needs to be baptized to be saved.
The phrase probably means “baptized to take the place of those who have died.” In other words, if there is no resurrection, why bother to witness and win others to Christ? Why reach sinners who are then baptized and take the place of those who have died? If the Christian life is only a “dead-end street,” get off of it!
Each responsible person on earth will share in either the resurrection of life and go to heaven, or the resurrection of judgment and go to hell (John 5:28–29). We weep for believers who have died, but we ought also to weep for unbelievers who still have opportunity to be saved! The reality of the resurrection is a motivation for evangelism. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 619). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
15:29 This difficult verse has numerous possible interpretations. Other Scripture passages, however, clarify certain things which it does not mean. It does not teach, for example, that a dead person can be saved by another person’s being baptized on his behalf, because baptism never has a part in a person’s salvation (Eph 2:8; cf. Ro 3:28; 4:3; 6:3, 4). A reasonable view seems to be that “those … who are baptized” refers to living believers who give outward testimony to their faith in baptism by water because they were first drawn to Christ by the exemplary lives, faithful influence, and witness of believers who had subsequently died. Paul’s point is that if there is no resurrection and no life after death, then why are people coming to Christ to follow the hope of those who have died? (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (1 Co 15:29). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
29. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead] St Paul now abruptly changes the subject, and appeals to the conduct of Christians as a witness to their belief. This is again a passage of extreme difficulty, and it would be impossible to notice one tithe of the explanations which have been proposed of it. We will only touch on three: (1) the natural and obvious explanation that the Apostle was here referring to a practice, prevalent in his day, of persons permitting themselves to be baptized on behalf of their dead relatives and friends. This interpretation is confirmed by the fact that Tertullian, in the third century, mentions such a practice as existing in his time. But there is great force in Robertson’s objection: “There is an immense improbability that Paul could have sustained a superstition so abject, even by an allusion. He could not have spoken of it without anger.” The custom never obtained in the Church, and though mentioned by Tertullian, is as likely to have been a consequence of this passage as its cause. Then there is (2) the suggestion of St Chrysostom, that inasmuch as baptism was a death unto sin and a resurrection unto righteousness, every one who was baptized was baptized for the dead, i.e. for himself spiritually dead in trespasses and sins; and not only for himself, but for others, inasmuch as he proclaimed openly his faith in that Resurrection of Christ which was as efficacious on others’ behalf as on his own. There remains (3) an interpretation suggested by some commentators and supported by the context, which would refer it to the baptism of trial and suffering through which the disciples of Christ were called upon to go, which would be utterly useless and absurd if it had been, and continued to be, undergone for the dying and for the dead (vv. 6, 18). The use of the present tense in the verb baptized, the close connection of the second member of the sentence with the first, and the use of the word baptized in this sense in St Matt. 3:11 and 20:12, are the grounds on which this interpretation may be maintained. (Lias, J. J. (1896). The First Epistle to the Corinthians, Edited with Notes and Introduction (pp. 151–152). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.)
I have spoken of four suggested interpretations of these words, and I come now to what I believe is the exact meaning of the text. First, let me say that the expression, “Baptized for the dead,” means literally in the Greek text, “Baptized in place of, or over, the dead ones, or those who have died.” The word “dead” is in the plural, it is not a singular noun; therefore it cannot refer to the Lord Jesus Christ; it is not, “Baptized because of Christ.” Neither the preposition nor the noun will permit of that interpretation, but the actual rendering would have to be, “Baptized in place of dead ones.” It is not, “baptized on behalf, or for the benefit, of dead ones.” The preposition does not suggest that. In the earlier part of the chapter the apostle reproves those who denied the physical resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and says, “If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” (ver. 17). Everything for a believer depends upon the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was delivered up to death for our offenses, He was raised again for our justification, and if He be not raised, manifestly redemption has never been accomplished, the sin question has never been settled, they who have fallen asleep in Christ are perished, they have found that their profession has gone for nought, for there is no redemption if Christ be not raised, and it naturally follows that if that be the case, we are making a tremendous mistake for, “If the dead be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins,” and therefore Christ is powerless to save. Think of the millions of people who have been willing to stake everything for eternity upon this Christ who cannot save if the dead rise not, but if Christ be not risen, they have blundered terribly. We might better go on and enjoy this world, for death ends all if that theory be true. (Ironside, H. A. (1938). Addresses on the First Epistle to the Corinthians. (pp. 496–498). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers.)
Ver. 29. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, &c.] The apostle here returns to his subject, and makes use of new arguments to prove the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, and reasons for it from the baptism of some persons; but what is his sense, is not easy to be understood, or what rite and custom, or thing, or action he refers to; which must be either Jewish baptism, or Christian baptism literally taken, or baptism in a figurative and metaphorical sense. Some think that he refers to some one or other of the divers baptisms of the Jews; see Heb. 9:10 and particularly to the purification of such who had touched a dead body, which was done both by the ashes of the red heifer burnt, and by bathing himself in water; and which, the Jews say, intimated לתחיית המתיﬦ, the resurrection of the dead; wherefore such a right was needless, if there is no resurrection; to strengthen this sense, a passage in Ecclesiasticus, ch. 34:25 is produced, ροαπτιζομενος απο νεκρου, he that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, what availeth his washing? but the phrase there used is different; ’tis not said, he that baptizeth or washeth himself for the dead, but from the dead, to cleanse himself from pollution received by the touch of a dead body: ’tis also observed, that the Jews, as well as other nations, have used various rites and ceremonies about their dead, and among the rest, the washing of dead bodies before interment; see Acts 9:37 and this by some is thought to be what is here referred to; and the reasoning is, if there is no resurrection of the dead, why all this care of a dead body? why this washing of it? it may as well be put into the earth as it is, since it will rise no more; but how this can be called a baptism for the dead, I see not: rather therefore Christian baptism, or the ordinance of water-baptism is here respected; and with regard to this, interpreters go different ways: some think the apostle has in view a custom of some, who when their friends died without baptism, used to be baptized in their room; this is said to be practised by the Marcionites in Tertullian’s time, and by the Cerinthians in the times of the Apostle John; but it does not appear to have been in use in the times of the Apostle Paul; and besides, if it had been, as it was a vain and superstitious one, he would never have mentioned it without a censure, and much less have argued from it; nor would his argument be of any weight, since it might be retorted, that whereas such persons were mistaken in using such a practice, they might be also in the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead: others are of opinion that such persons are intended, called Clinics, who deferred their baptism till they came upon their death-beds, and then had it administered to them; but as this practice was not in being in the apostle’s time, and was far from being a laudable one; and though the persons to whom it was administered were upon the point of death, and nearer the dead than the living, and were as good as dead, and might be intended by them, for their advantage, when dead and not living; yet it must be a great force and strain on words and things, to reckon this a being baptized for the dead; others would have the words rendered, over the dead: and suppose that reference is had to the Christians that had their baptisteries in their places of burial, and by being baptized here, testified their faith and hope of the resurrection of the dead; but this was rather a being baptized among the dead, than over them, or for them; and moreover it is not certain, that they did make use of such places to baptize in; to which may be added, that the primitive Christians had not so early burying-grounds of their own: others would have the meaning to be, that they were baptized for their dead works, their sins, to wash them away; but this baptism does not of itself, and no otherwise than by leading the faith of persons to the blood of Christ, which alone cleanses from sin, original and actual; nor is this apposite to the apostle’s argument. Others imagine, that he intends such as were baptized, and added to the church, and so filled up the places of them that were dead; but the reason from hence proving the resurrection of the dead is not very obvious: those seem to be nearer the truth of the matter, who suppose that the apostle has respect to the original practice of making a confession of faith before baptism, and among the rest of the articles of it, the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, upon the belief of which being baptized, they might be said to be baptized for the dead; that is, for, or upon, or in the faith and profession of the resurrection of the dead, and therefore must either hold this doctrine, or renounce their baptism administered upon it; to which may be added another sense of the words, which is, that baptism performed by immersion, as it was universally in those early times, was a lively emblem and representation of the resurrection of Christ from the dead, and also both of the spiritual and corporeal resurrection of the saints. Now if there is no resurrection, why is such a symbol used? ’tis useless and insignificant; I see nothing of moment to be objected to these two last senses, which may be easily put together, but this; that the apostle seems to point out something that was done or endured by some Christians only; whereas baptism, upon a profession of faith in Christ, and the resurrection from the dead, and performed by immersion, as an emblem of it, was common to all: and therefore he would rather have said, what shall we do, or we all do, who are baptized for the dead? I am therefore rather inclined to think that baptism is used here in a figurative and metaphorical sense, for afflictions, sufferings, and martyrdom, as in Matt. 20:22, 23 and it was for the belief, profession, and preaching of the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, both of Christ and of the saints, that the apostles and followers of Christ endured so much as they did; the first instance of persecution after our Lord’s ascension was on this account. The Apostles Peter and John, were laid hold on and put in prison for preaching this doctrine; the reproach and insult the Apostle Paul met with at Athens were by reason of it; and it was for this that he was called in question and accused of the Jews; nor was there any one doctrine of Christianity more hateful and contemptible among the Heathens than this was. Now the apostle’s argument stands thus, what is, or will become of those persons who have been as it were baptized or overwhelmed in afflictions and sufferings, who have endured so many and such great injuries and indignities, and have even lost their lives for asserting this doctrine, if the dead rise not at all? how sadly mistaken must such hare been! why are they then baptized for the dead? how imprudently have they acted! and what a weak and foolish part do they also act, who continue to follow them! in what a silly manner do they expose themselves to danger, and throw away their lives, if this doctrine is not true! which sense is confirmed by what follows: the Alexandrian copy, and some others, read, for them, and so the Vulgate Latin version; and the Ethiopic in both clauses reads, why do they baptize? (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, pp. 736–737). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
FROM MY READING:
GLORY BE TO GOD
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. John 17:4
The coming of the Holy Spirit is part of this great and vital plan of salvation, and it is, of course, one of the most wonderful aspects of all. In the council in eternity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit spoke together and planned the salvation of man. The Father stated the great scheme, and the Son accepted the decision that He should be the One to carry out the plan; and then it was equally decided that the Holy Spirit should complete what the Son had done for mankind.
This is what is sometimes called “the economy of the Trinity,” the division of the work between the three Persons, and it is something that appears very clearly throughout the Scriptures. It appears, for example, in the very beginning, in Genesis, where we are shown how the creation itself was the work of the Trinity: “In the beginning God…” Then we are told that “the Spirit of God moved…“Everything was made through the Word, but in a sense the agency was still the Spirit.
The Father sends the Son, and the great business of the Son is to glorify the Father. He says, “I have glorified thee on the earth; I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4).There is a sense in which the Lord Jesus Christ never glorified Himself. That is why He laid aside His glory, and why He was not born in a king’s palace but in a stable. That, too, is why He took upon Himself the form of a servant; it was all to glorify the Father. All His life as a man was in a sense lived just in this way, in order that all the glory and power might be to God the Father.
A Thought to Ponder: Our Lord lived so that all the glory and power might be to God the Father. (From Saved in Eternity, pp. 85-86, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Exodus 19
The Israelites migrate to Mount Sinai where Moses meets with God.
INSIGHT
God’s love for us is nothing less than total. And He leaves no doubt in our minds as to His commitment to us. The Lord goes so far as to establish a covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai and with us at Calvary as an expression of His absolute commitment to us.
We should have two responses: we should love fully the God who first loved us. And, if we are to love our family as God loves us, we must leave no doubts in their minds as to the totality of our love for them. Communicate your love to them in certain terms. (Quiet Walk)
Wages or a Gift
“The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
This wonderful verse has been used by the Holy Spirit countless times to bring a person to the point of salvation, and rightly so. Seldom did the author of Scripture pack so much into so few words, and seldom is the gospel of salvation more clearly and succinctly presented.
Perhaps the key to this verse and its teaching is the little word but, for marvelous contrasts hinge on it. In fact, pointing out the parallel but contrasting statements has proven to be an effective witnessing tool. Let us consider these individual contrasts.
First, wages versus gift: Wages are something that must be earned, while a gift cannot be earned; it is free. The wages of employment follow directly from having done the work, just as the wages of sin follow directly from having done the sin. Similarly, the gift of God follows directly from God’s own character. He is a loving, gracious God who freely showers His gifts on those who will accept them.
Second, sin versus God, or sin versus the sinless one: We might even define sin as the opposite of godliness. Sin is the deed that merits the wages, while God is the being who gives the gift. Sin is a wrong action, attitude, or thought, while God is a person, active and loving. Sin takes; God gives.
Third, death eternal versus life eternal: Conscious existence in separation from God versus conscious existence in communion with God. Sin brings death, surely and permanently; God gives eternal life.
This gift of eternal life is not given capriciously, however; it is based on the work of Jesus Christ, the one who Himself collected the wages of our sin. The sinner who accepts God’s gift, through Jesus Christ, can hardly fail to recognize Him as Lord. (JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)
Worldly grief is not good grief; it leads to death (2 Cor. 7:10). Because worldly grief does not allow us to see our offensiveness to God, we don’t deal with our sin in a vertical direction. And when we don’t repent upward, we don’t get forgiveness from God, the lack of which leads to spiritual death. Worldly grief deals with symptons, not with the disease. It produces despair, bitterness, and depression because it focuses on regret for the past (which can’t be changed) instead of personal sinfulness (which can always be forgiven). (p. 142, The Hole In Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung)
Visit our Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.