ORDER OF THE RESURRECTIONS (2)
MORAL IMPLICATIONS OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION
1 Corinthians 15:29-34
King James Version (KJV)
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?
30
And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
31 I
protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
32 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.
33 Be
not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
34
Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I
speak this to your shame.
15:29 Baptized for the dead: This difficult verse is subject to
many interpretations. Some see a reference to Jesus Himself, that is "baptized” for [or "with reference to"]the dead"- Jesus who
died, and with whom one is identifying in baptism (Rom. 6:3-6).This view notes that in Rom.1:4, the Greek text may be using the
same noun form in reference to Jesus as is used here. Others see a reference to
vicarious baptism in which someone was baptized on behalf of a Christian friend
or relative who died before baptism, a completely meaningless action if we
understand personal responsibility properly. Others interpret the phrase to mean that some people
were baptized as a result of the witness given to them by someone who later
died. Some feel that Paul referred to a
literal baptism over the graves of departed loved ones. Whatever the proper
interpretation, Paul’s point is clear; all is futile if there is no
resurrection.
15:30-31 I die daily: Paul
daily faced peril, hardship, and possible martyrdom in order to proclaim the
gospel. Why should he take the risk if there is no life after death?
15:32 If there is no resurrection, why not abandon
sacrificial living in favor of self-indulgence?
15:33, 34 Paul
quotes from a third-century B.C. Athenian
writer, Menander, to show that our lives are influenced by what we believe and
with whom we associate. .. to be cont’d
Janet Thomas
Founder/President/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
