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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Baptism of the dead	Claire	Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Question: Hello Br. Ignatius, Could you please explain what 1 Cor. 15:29 is about? "Otherwise, what will people accomplish by having themselves baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, then why are they having themselves baptized for them?" This is the passage that Mormons use to explain their doctrine of baptizing the dead. (I don't believe in this false doctrine by the way!) Thank you so much, and God bless you. From Claire
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM+ Dear Claire: St. Paul in this passage is not endorsing the false notion of "baptism of the dead". What St. Paul is doing is trying to make a point about the resurrection. To make that point he mentions a belief these people have to show them that it is contradictory to have this believe for "baptism of the dead" and not believe in the resurrection. This is a common and very effective debate technique because it appeals to where one's audience is at and shows them that even in there own erroneous view that they are being, in this case, silly and illogical for not believing in the resurrection. This technique serves to win the point. In this case it was the point of the resurrection. Once that point is made and accepted then St. Paul, I am certain, instructed these people on the error of the notion of "baptism of the dead". God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Baptism of the dead

Claire

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

Question:

Hello Br. Ignatius,

Could you please explain what 1 Cor. 15:29 is about? "Otherwise, what will people accomplish by having themselves baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, then why are they having themselves baptized for them?"

This is the passage that Mormons use to explain their doctrine of baptizing the dead. (I don't believe in this false doctrine by the way!)

Thank you so much, and God bless you.

From Claire

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM+

Dear Claire:

St. Paul in this passage is not endorsing the false notion of "baptism of the dead". What St. Paul is doing is trying to make a point about the resurrection. To make that point he mentions a belief these people have to show them that it is contradictory to have this believe for "baptism of the dead" and not believe in the resurrection.

This is a common and very effective debate technique because it appeals to where one's audience is at and shows them that even in there own erroneous view that they are being, in this case, silly and illogical for not believing in the resurrection.

This technique serves to win the point. In this case it was the point of the resurrection. Once that point is made and accepted then St. Paul, I am certain, instructed these people on the error of the notion of "baptism of the dead".

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum