Introduction

Introduction - 1

• Chapter 15 concerns some Corinthians denying the resurrection of Christ
• Paul’s Response - There are eye witnesses alive today that saw Christ resurrected.
• He then refutes the teaching of no resurrection.
• Followed by what will happen in that day and what we can expect afterwards.

Introduction - 2

• This study will focus on Paul’s argument against the no resurrection doctrine.
• We will examine vs. 29 and what Paul meant by “baptized for the dead”.

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Preliminary Thoughts

Preliminary Thoughts - 1

• Verses 29-30 has been misunderstood and confusing for many people.
• These verses are a culmination of questions Paul puts forth to show how illogical it is to be a Christian and to deny the resurrection.
• Another translation trap is found in 15:29.

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Preliminary Thoughts - 2

• We need to remember that the congregation consisted of both Jews and Gentiles.
• The Jews
• Pharisees that believed in the resurrection
• Sadducees that denied the resurrection.
• The Gentiles were also divided on the belief in the resurrection. (Acts 17:32)

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Chapter Synopsis

Chapter Synopsis

• 15:1-11 – Christ did rise from the dead and there are eye witnesses still alive to verify it.
• 15:12-19 – Christ has risen and is our hope
• 15:20-28 – Death will be destroyed after the resurrection.
• 15:29-34 – Denying the resurrection is foolish
• 15:35-49 – A glorious body given to the faithful.
• 15:50-58 – Our final victory in Christ by being steadfast and unmovable.

1 Corinthians 15:1-2

Paul Reteaches The Fundamentals Of The Gospel

Reteaching The Fundamentals

• He had previously taught them the gospel
• They had received it and it was their foundation and salvation.
• This was only if they held fast to and believed what he preached.
• If they did not believe what he taught, then their belief was empty.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

Eye witnesses of the Resurrection

Eye witnesses of the Resurrection - 1

• That Christ died, He was buried, and that He rose on the third day.
• All according to the scriptures.
• (Isa. 53; Psa. 22; Gen. 2:17; Ezek. 18:20; Psa. 16:10; Matt. 12:39-40)

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Eye witnesses of the Resurrection - 2

• Paul list the eyewitnesses
• Most all were still alive to verify the resurrection.
• Cephas, then the twelve.
• By over 500 brethren at once.
• Then by James.
• The by all the apostles.
• Last of all He was seen by Paul.

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1 Corinthians 15:9-11

Paul considered himself unworthy to be an apostle

Paul, An Unworthy Apostle

• He persecuted the church
• By God’s grace Paul was who he became.
• He labored more than the rest of the apostles.
• It was not Paul’s pride, but God’s grace that caused him to labor.
• He does not elevate himself over the apostles
• Only two things mattered.
• That the gospel was preached.
• That they believed the gospel that was preached.

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The No Resurrection,

And

The Resurrection

Argument Made By Paul

The Resurrection Argument - 1

• Vs. 12-19 – Presents the “no resurrection view and consequences
• Vs. 20-28 – Present the resurrection view and blessings
• Vs. 29-30 – The resulting questions of the argument that demands answers

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The Resurrection Argument - 2

• Vs. 29 Has been difficult to understand as it is the conclusion of the argument.
• False doctrines are based on it.
• The LDS believe that this verse authorizes proxy baptism for the dead – D&C 137:7-8
• Incorrect translations
• Reinforce false doctrines
• Confuses the reader to what Paul actually said

Proxy Baptism - LDS (D&C 137:7-8)

A Look at

1 Corinthians 15:29

1 Corinthians 15:29

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Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead,

if the dead do not rise at all?

Why are they then baptized for the dead?

Topics of Discussion

• English translators struggle with words
• Analyze of the context (15:15-28)
• Look at punctuation changes (15:29)
• What we should conclude

English Translations - 2

Different Words, Different Meanings

• Why then are they baptized for them? - ASV
• Why then are they baptized for the dead? - NKJV
• Why are people baptized for them? - NIV
• What do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? - ESV

Vs. 12-19

No Resurrection

[12] Now if Christ is preached that He rose from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not risen. [14] If Christ has not risen, then our preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain. [15] Yes, and we would then be found false witnesses of God, because we have testified that God raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up, if in fact the dead do not rise. [16] For if the dead do not rise, then Christ has not been raised. [17] If Christ is not raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. [18] Then they also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. [19] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

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Vs. 20-28

There Is A Resurrection

[20] But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. [21] For since death came by man, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. [22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. [23] But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward, those who are Christ’s at His coming. [24] Then comes the end when He will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. [25] For He will reign until He has put all enemies under His feet. [26] The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. [27] For He “has put all things under His feet.” But when He says, “all things are put under Him,” it is revealed that He, who has put all things under Him, is the exception. [28] When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

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Vs. 29 - 30 - The Two Arguments Reasoned

Seeing what shall they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? why also are they baptized for the dead? why also do we stand in peril every hour? - YLT

Vs. 12-19

No Resurrection

[12] Now if Christ is preached that He rose from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not risen. [14] If Christ has not risen, then our preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain. [15] Yes, and we would then be found false witnesses of God, because we have testified that God raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up, if in fact the dead do not rise. [16] For if the dead do not rise, then Christ has not been raised. [17] If Christ is not raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. [18] Then they also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. [19] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

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Vs. 20-28

There Is A Resurrection

[20] But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. [21] For since death came by man, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. [22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. [23] But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward, those who are Christ’s at His coming. [24] Then comes the end when He will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. [25] For He will reign until He has put all enemies under His feet. [26] The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. [27] For He “has put all things under His feet.” But when He says, “all things are put under Him,” it is revealed that He, who has put all things under Him, is the exception. [28] When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

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Vs. 29 - 30 - The Two Arguments Reasoned

Seeing what shall they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? why also are they baptized for the dead? why also do we stand in peril every hour? - YLT

The Reassuring Truth

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• Christ has risen
• The first not to die again

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• As a mortal man we will die
• As a Christian we will be raised

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• The order of resurrection
• Christ – First
• Dead Christians ­– Second
• Those alive – Third

Vs. 20-28

There Is A Resurrection

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[20] But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

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[22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

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[23] But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward, those who are Christ’s at His coming.

Vs. 12-19

No Resurrection

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[13] If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not risen.

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[16] For if the dead do not rise, then Christ has not been raised.

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[18] Then they also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

If —Then

Reasoning

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• If no resurrection
• Then Christ not raised

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• If the dead will not be raised
• Then Christ has not been raised

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• If Christians have died with their hope in a dead Christ...
• Then they have perished

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Vs. 29-30 challenges Vs. 12-19

Vs. 29 Challenges No Resurrection

A Perplexing questions are asked…..

Seeing what shall they do who are baptized for the dead,

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if the dead do not rise at all?

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why also are they baptized

for the dead?

• If Christ is dead...
• No value in a dead Savior

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• Those already dead, are dead
• Christ has perished

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• If Christ has perished…
• If the dead will perish…
• Why be baptized at all?

A Perplexing questions are asked…..

A Perplexing questions are asked…..

A Perplexing questions are asked…..

Paul now asks some perplexing question....

Two Questions Asked by Paul

“What are you going to do and why are you doing it?”

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Seeing what shall they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? why also are they baptized for the dead?

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Notice the word “They” (Those denying the resurrection)

“What shall they do?”

• Are you going to follow a false no resurrection philosophy where you perish?
• Or will you follow the truth of a resurrected Christ?

“Why Also?”

• What is their reasoning for even being a Christian?

A Third Question Asked by Paul

“why also do we stand in peril every hour?”

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Seeing what shall they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? why also are they baptized for the dead?

“why also do we stand in peril every hour?”

Notice the word “We” (Both believers and non-believers)

“What shall they do?”

• Are you going to follow a false no resurrection philosophy where you perish?
• Or will you follow the truth of a resurrected Christ?

“Why Also?”

• What is their reasoning for even being a Christian?

“Why Also?”

• Why do you jeopardize you life if you have no hope beyond the grave?

Punctuation Can Help or Hurt

The Greek language does not have punctuation

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Punctuation is added by the translators

Punctuation Can Hurt Or Help

Luke 34:43 (ASV)

And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.

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Luke 34:43 (NWT)

And he said to him: “Truly I tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise.”

Punctuation Changes

Suggested by Mike Willis

Suggested by Mike Willis

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“Otherwise what shall they do who are baptized?

For the dead?

Indeed, if the dead do not rise again at all, why are people baptized?

For them?”

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Transliteration (The Greek As it is Written)

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Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized?

For the dead?

If at all [the] dead not are raised why also are they baptized?

For them?

Conclusion

Conclusion -1

1. Vs. 29 - 30 does not talk about proxy baptism
2. Paul disproves the “no resurrection” teaching
3. The verse is asking why are you being baptized even though you say Christ is dead?
4. It makes no sense being baptized if He and his followers remain in the grave?
5. Why do you subject yourself to needless persecution?

Conclusion -2

6. There is a resurrection and Paul and over 500 brethren had seen Christ alive and living.
7. They suffered persecution because of their faith in that resurrection.
8. Today we must have a convicted faith in the resurrection of Christ.
9. We must be willing to suffer for that faith.

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