The Spectrum

On 1/12/16, in his letter titled “Are You Curious?," Mr. Eckman wrote about Mormonism’s practice of baptism for the dead, based on a statement made by Paul in 1 Cor 15:29.

First of all, if read in context, the entire passage in vv. 12-29 speaks about the surety of the resurrection, not about baptism for the dead. When comparing it to the rest of scripture, it becomes clear that a dead person cannot be saved by someone else being baptized on his or her behalf, because baptism is not a requirement for salvation in the first place. (Eph 2:8; Rom 3:28, 4:3, 6:3-4).

Second, Paul is referring to a pagan custom (notice he uses they, not “we”). He is merely saying that if there is no resurrection, why would the custom take place? Baptism for the dead was a practice that was common in the pagan religions of Greece and is still practiced today in some cults. Paul believed it was a superstitious and unscriptural practice. More importantly, baptism does not change a person’s eternal destiny, for that is determined while he lives. (Luke16:26).

Therefore, the Mormon practice of baptism for the dead is not Biblical nor Christian.

Diane Carroll

Santa Clara