The ordinance of Christian water baptism by immersion is a beautiful picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Lowering a person under water symbolizes the death and burial of Jesus. Raising a person up out of the water symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus.

Christian water baptism by immersion is also a very accurate picture of what happens when a person is truly saved or born again. Lowering a person under water symbolizes the death and burial of that person’s old self (that person’s old sinful ways). Raising a person up out of the water symbolizes the resurrection of that person to a new life in Christ (a new Christ-directed life). Paul said, “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new” (II Cor. 5:17). This change is part of the evidence of salvation.

There were some at Corinth and other places who didn’t believe in the resurrection of the dead. The Epicureans, the Sadducees and the Stoics were among them. Paul responded by asking, “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” (I Cor. 15:12-13). Paul was saying, “Think it through. If there is no resurrection of the dead, Jesus wasn’t raised from the dead so He is still dead.”

Dropping down to verse 29, Paul asked two more questions that have mystified multitudes and caused a lot of misunderstanding.Paul asked, “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?” There are several different interpretations of this and some have wrongly led to the practice of believers being baptized for the dead, a ritual that is still practiced by some cults today.

I personally believe that Paul was saying, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, we shouldn’t raise people up out of the water. If Jesus wasn’t raised from the dead, we shouldn’t use a symbol that depicts the resurrection of Jesus. Why baptize people by water immersion? Why baptize people fora Christ who is still dead? Why raise people up out of the water when Christ wasn’t raised up?”

If Christ wasn’t raised from the dead, it would be more appropriate to put people under the water and hold them down. That would more accurately symbolize a dead Christ. The problem with that is nobody would want to be baptized unless it was by sprinkling or pouring and that’s not enough water for many.

In conclusion, it is my opinion that Paul was asking, “If you don’t believe in the resurrection of the dead, why do you baptize people for a dead Christ?” He wasn’t promoting baptism for the dead. He was promoting the resurrection of Jesus. He even went on to declare that “Christ is risen” (I Cor. 15:20). So it is right to believe in a resurrected Christ (not a dead Christ), to raise people up out of the water and to live that Christ-directed life, but it is wrong to baptize people for the dead. That is a waste of time and effort.

Prophecy Plus Ministries
Daymond & Rachel Duck

Paul said, “Moreover, bretheren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you” (I Cor. 15:1). What is the gospel? Paul said, “I delivered unto you . . . 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” (I Cor. 15:3-4).

The gospel concerns the death, burial and resurrection of Christ according to the Scriptures. It fulfilled Bible prophecy and has affected every generation, every nation, and every race on the face of this earth for almost two thousand years. It has caused millions to repent of their sins, change their life, and join the Church, sacrifice and share.

But let’s face facts. Millions more have rejected the gospel. And some have rejected it because they don’t believe in the resurrection of the dead. That’s not new. It happened during Paul’s lifetime too. The Epicureans, the Sadducees and the Stoics didn’t believe in the resurrection of the dead.

This unbelief prompted Paul to ask the Church at Corinth, “If Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead” (I Cor. 15:12). It’s an amazing thing, but some Church members don’t believe in the resurrection of the dead. Paul addressed this unbelief (I Cor. 15:13-19).

First, “If there is no resurrection of the dead . . . then is Christ not risen.” If the dead can’t be raised, Christ wasn’t raised. A person can’t doubt the resurrection of the dead and believe in the resurrection of Christ. They are linked together.

Second, “If Christ is not risen . . . then is our preaching vain.” If Christ wasn’t raised, preaching is a waste of time. There’s no need to hear a sermon. Preachers won’t say anything that will do us any good.

Third, “If Christ is not risen . . . your faith is also vain.” Christians are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8). But where does faith come from? The answer: Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). And what is the Word of God about? Among other things, the Word of God is about the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. So if Christ wasn’t raised, the Word of God is wrong.If the Word of God is wrong, our faith is faulty.  If our faith is faulty, our salvation is faulty.

Fourth, “If the dead rise not . . . we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He raised not up.” If Christ wasn’t raised, the disciples lied. They said Christ was raised. But if it didn’t happen, they deceived us.

Fifth, “If Christ is not raised . . . we are yet in our sins.” If Christ wasn’t raised, He wasn’t the Lamb of God. If He wasn’t the Lamb of God, we’re still under the condemnation of our sins.

Sixth, “If Christ is not raised . . . they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.” If Christ wasn’t raised, those who died trusting in Him to raise them have perished. They wrongly believed He was raised. And they wrongly believed He will raise them.

Seventh, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ . . . we are all men most miserable.” If we don’t have hope beyond the grave, we don’t have anything to look forward to. Death will be the end of us.

This is a terrible picture. But don’t overlook the fact that Paul was saying “if”—“if”—“if there is no resurrection of the dead.” He even went on to say, “But Christ IS risen from the dead.” Christ IS risen. Preaching IS worthwhile. Faith IS worthwhile. The disciples DID tell the truth. Our sins HAVE been forgiven. Our loved ones WILL be raised. And we HAVE the hope of being raised from the dead too.

That’s one of the main aspects of the Rapture of the Church. Paul said, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first . . .” (I Thess. 4:16). Hey! Be sure you are ready because some think that trumpet is about to sound. Wow!

Prophecy Plus Ministries
Daymond & Rachel Duck