Wednesday in Easter Week

I Corinthians 15:29-41

But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised?"

As we continue in Paul's great examination of the resurrection we reach what is certainly the most confusing part of the chapter, a passage that ranks among the most confusing in the whole New Testament.

We don't really know what Paul means by this talk of baptism for the dead.  Some take it to mean that the Corinthians were vicariously baptizing each other on behalf of dead people.  If that is the case Paul's mentioning of the practice doesn't mean he's condoning it.  Either way, this sort of vicarious baptism has been condemned by the church for centuries.  Personally, I take Paul's comments here to mean something different.  Remember, he is the middle of talking about the resurrection and defending it against those who would try to explain it away.  What I think Paul is saying is that if there is no resurrection then why do we baptism our bodies at all.  Why do we put them in the water and cleanse them if they are as good as dead?  It is our belief in a resurrection of the body which makes baptism make sense.

Now, of course that raises another question.  If we will have a resurrected body what will it be like?  Well the answer is: it will be different.  As different as the seed is from the plant.  As different as the moon is from the sun.