Lesson 483

(Lesson 483)(12-11-12) 1 Corinthians 15:26-32, "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 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. 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. 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 advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die."

In this lesson, Paul again addresses the resurrection of the dead whom have place their trust in Jesus Christ.

Because Jesus overcame death (His enemies), by and through his own death, burial, and resurrection, He remitted the sins of all who will place their faith in Him and assured their resurrection unto eternal life.

There are some "Christian" sects today who totally misunderstand the reference made in this lesson pertaining to those "baptized" for the dead.

It is my opinion, since Jesus, during His entire ministry, made no reference to anyone being required to be baptized for the dead, that the reference in this question "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead,", refers to the sacrifice made by Jesus on behalf of all of mankind.

As is recorded in Matthew 22:31-32, "But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."

The baptism referred to in this lesson is not a reference to any form of water immersion, or sprinkling, for the benefit of someone who is dead, but is simply representative of the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the price paid to return, through faith, all who were lost by the sin of Adam, to the presence of God, and reestablish them among "the living".

If this were not to be true, there would have been no reason for the sacrifice of God's only begotten Son.~