1 Corinthians 15:29 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?… Just as Christ died both for us and our sins, i.e., with a mind bent "over us," in order to our redemption, or "over our sins," with an eye to their abolition (see ver. 3), even so catechumens in baptism emerged from the hallowed streams with their thoughts busy about or intent upon the dead, not as particular persons, but as a general class, distinct from the living on earth. And both context and circumstance together proclaim that the ulterior view of a neophite's mind, bending over the long roll of the dead, is their resurrection. But to make certainty doubly certain, St. Paul adds, "If absolutely not raised are dead men, why do persons actually receive baptism on their account?" Between the death of the Duke of Wellington and his public funeral, I remember a lady, pointing to some crape near her, saying, "This will be of use for the Duke of Wellington." The text came immediately to my mind as parallel in structure to the sentence uttered, which, expanded in full, signified, "This crape will be of use for me to wear on the day of Wellington's funeral." (Canon Evans.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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? |
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