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Is there a possibility that we could be raised from the dead to live again? If so, what are the implications?

I had concerns over the dialectic example Paul gave in 1 Cor. 15:29, whereby he asks, “What will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?” (NASB)  This is a mysterious verse because there is no other reference to this practice of baptizing for the dead in Scripture.  What could it mean? I pictured some superstitious ritual carried out by some of the new believers in Corinth similar to the Catholic practice of lighting a candle for the dead in hopes of extricating their family member from purgatory.

New believers often incorporate extra-biblical practices into their Christian life. When one of my dearest friends became a believer, he xeroxed certain pages from his Bible and put them on the desks in our office. I did not have the heart to tell him that it might violate copyright laws and that some in the office might complain. Instead, I rejoiced with my friend for his salvation and his beautiful expression of love for his coworkers by sharing the Word of God in this way. As Jesus reclined as a dinner guest in Bethany, a sweet and sickening aroma overwhelmed the smell of the food at the table. A woman had come in and broke her flask of expensive ointment to anoint Jesus' feet. Everyone was offended - everyone except Jesus himself. He said to them, "Leave her alone. She has done a beautiful thing to me" (Matthew 26:10).

Corrinth was a large seaport city.  It was a pluralistic society where they mixed many cultural traditions into a one big worldview stew. So, I thought that Paul was using an example that the Corinthian church would identify with, even if it was a practice that was not prescribed by Scripture.

Nevertheless, I pondered this passage in my heart for years. Then, only recently, I heard an explanation that not only seemed more plausible, but from which I could readily identify. You see, some of the purposes of Scripture are to provoke us into seeking salvation and to inspire us into obedience and godly living.  How then might the practice of being baptized for the dead apply?

In 2000, one of my uncles died.  So, my father and I made the long drive from Virginia to Rolla, Missouri, to attend the funeral.  I was given an opportunity to preach, and I spoke about my Uncle Kenneth as a loving father, husband, and Christian.  I said to the large crowd that most of them knew my uncle more personally than I did.  They knew about his faith firsthand.  And I proclaimed, “He is with our Lord Jesus now. And some of you will see Kenneth Goff again! You will have the opportunity to be reunited with your beloved friend and relative again, but only if you repent of your sins and put your faith in Jesus.  He is the only way to be saved!  Jesus is resurrection and the life!”

Little did I realize that I defined at that funeral service what “being baptized for the dead” meant. It means that Corinthians were putting their faith in Christ and witnessing to their new life by being baptized because they wanted to see their Christian family members and friends who had died before them.

Jesus tells us in the Great Commission, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB). If the dead are not raised, why obey this verse…or any verse?  But if the dead are raised as Christ has been raised, then there is a heaven and a hell. If the dead are raised, then we have an obligation to believe, to be baptized, and to mature into disciplemakers. If the dead are raised, “Go therefore…” - END -