Should Pastors Get Paid?What the Bible Says About Paid or Unpaid Ministry

Welcome to Day 16 of our 60-Day Challenge! But before we tackle today’s question, let’s take a moment to reflect on the question from Day 15: Why would Paul talk about baptism for the dead, and why is this concept overlooked in mainstream Christianity?

If you’ve ever read 1 Corinthians 15:29, you might have wondered why Paul mentions this practice and what it means. Even more intriguing is why mainstream Christianity has largely overlooked or dismissed this teaching, despite its scriptural roots. Let’s unpack it together, explore the perspectives of scholars, and see how the restored gospel sheds light on this ancient practice.

Paul’s Question: Baptism for the Dead

In 1 Corinthians 15:29, Paul asks:

“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?”

This verse raises several questions:

• What is baptism for the dead?

• Why would it have been practiced by early Christians?

• And why has this concept been misunderstood or ignored over time?

To answer these, we need to first understand the foundational principle of baptism in Christian doctrine.

Baptism is Essential for Salvation

Throughout the New Testament, baptism is emphasized as an essential ordinance for salvation. Jesus Himself set the example by being baptized by John the Baptist, and He declared in John 3:5:

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

This teaching highlights the necessity of baptism for all who wish to follow Christ and receive the blessings of His kingdom. But what about those who pass away without ever having the opportunity to be baptized?

This is where baptism for the dead comes in.

What is Baptism for the Dead?

Baptism for the dead, also known as proxy baptism, is the practice of a living person being baptized on behalf of someone who has passed away without receiving this ordinance during their lifetime. This allows the deceased to accept or reject the ordinance in the spirit world, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to receive the blessings of baptism.

While this practice might seem unusual to modern readers, it was clearly known and understood by early Christians, as evidenced by Paul’s rhetorical question in 1 Corinthians 15:29.

But if the concept is so straightforward, why is it so misunderstood today?

What Do Scholars Say?

Interestingly, even Bible scholars and theologians across various denominations acknowledge that 1 Corinthians 15:29 is one of the most challenging verses to interpret. Let’s take a look at what some well-known commentaries have to say:

• Clark’s Bible Commentary:
  Describes it as “the most difficult verse in the New Testament.” Despite extensive analysis, Clark admits that there are nearly as many interpretations of this verse as there are interpreters.

• Gill’s Bible Commentary:
  States that “what is his sense is not easy to be understood,” and the verse has led to a wide range of conflicting opinions.

• Matthew Poole’s Bible Commentary:
  Calls it “a very difficult text” and notes the numerous, varied explanations that have been proposed.

• Pulpit Bible Commentary:
  Admits that the interpretations are so numerous that it’s impossible to list them all, emphasizing the confusion surrounding this practice.

• Johann Bengel’s Commentary:
  Notes that the variety of interpretations is so vast that compiling them all would require a dissertation.

• R. Tuck (Anglican Priest):
  Suggests that Paul is referring to a custom practiced by early Christians in Corinth, where living individuals were baptized in place of those who had died without receiving the ordinance.

These scholars all agree on one thing: Paul’s reference to baptism for the dead points to a practice in the early Christian church, but its meaning and significance have been lost or misunderstood over time.

The Restoration Brings Clarity

This is where the restored gospel of Jesus Christ provides answers. Through modern revelation, we understand that baptism for the dead is not only a valid practice but also a vital part of God’s plan for the salvation of all His children.

Here’s why it matters:

1. Everyone Deserves a Fair Chance
   God’s plan is perfectly just and merciful. Baptism for the dead ensures that no one is left behind simply because they lived in a time or place where they couldn’t hear the gospel or receive its ordinances.

2. The Eternal Nature of God’s Work
   In 1 Peter 3:18-20, we learn that Christ, after His death, preached to the spirits in prison, giving them the opportunity to accept the gospel. Baptism for the dead extends that opportunity, allowing ordinances to be performed by proxy for those who accept Christ’s message in the spirit world.

3. Christ’s Atonement as the Ultimate Proxy Work
   If the idea of proxy baptism feels unfamiliar, think about what Jesus did for us. He took upon Himself our sins and paid the ultimate price on our behalf, enabling us to return to God. Baptism for the dead follows this same principle of love and service.

Biblical Roots of Proxy Ordinances

Some critics find the design of baptismal fonts in temples—resting on the backs of twelve oxen—strange. But this design is deeply rooted in scripture.

In 1 Kings 7:25, we read about a large basin in Solomon’s temple, referred to as a “sea,” which stood on the backs of twelve oxen. This same symbolism is used in modern temples to connect the ancient and restored practices of God’s work.

Why Has This Been Overlooked?

Over the centuries, as apostasy led to the loss of many plain and precious truths, baptism for the dead was misunderstood and eventually abandoned by mainstream Christianity. The restored gospel, through modern prophets and apostles, has brought back this sacred ordinance, allowing us to fulfill God’s work for all His children.

A Remarkable Expression of God’s Love

Baptism for the dead is more than just a practice—it’s a testament to the infinite love and fairness of our Heavenly Father. It ensures that no one is excluded from His plan of happiness and that every soul has the opportunity to receive the blessings of baptism and eternal life.

What’s Next? Question 16

As we wrap up, here’s something to think about: Did the early Christian church have a paid or unpaid ministry? Paul’s teachings in 1 Corinthians 9:18 shed light on this, and it’s a fascinating question to explore.

I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop them in the comments or share this blog with someone who might be curious about baptism for the dead.

Until next time, God bless!

Transcription:

    Hi, my name is Joe Cirilla with Gospel First, and thanks for your decision to follow me on this exciting journey to find Christ's restored church in our day. But before I give you question 16, did you get the answer to question 15? Why would Paul speak to the Corinthians about baptisms for the dead? And why is the concept overlooked in mainstream Christianity?

Even the earliest Christians recognize that baptism is essential for salvation. For those who pass away without the opportunity to be baptized, someone on earth can perform these sacred ordinances on their behalf, allowing them to still receive their blessings. This practice is known as baptism by proxy.

Now this idea is supported by Paul the Apostle in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 29, where he asks, if the dead do not rise at all, why are they then baptized for the dead? However, this passage of Scripture is one of the most misunderstood verses in the Bible by mainstream Christianity. Let's take a look at what a few scholars and theologians who have written their own Bible commentaries have to say about this verse.

Starting in Clark's Bible commentary, who was a theologian and preacher in the Methodist church, he says, This is certainly the most difficult verse in the New Testament, for notwithstanding the greatest and wisest men have labored to explain it, there are to this day nearly as many different interpretations of it as there are interpreters.

I shall not employ my time, nor that of my reader, with a vast number of discordant and conflicting opinions. Then there's the Gill's Bible Commentary, who are the scholars and pastors in the Baptist Church. He says, But what is his sense, is not easy to be understood, or what right and custom, or thing or actions he refers to.

In Matthew Poole's Bible Commentary, he says a very difficult text, and various expounded. In Pulpit's Bible Commentary, who had several contributors who were mostly Anglican, he says, The interpretations of this verse are so numerous that it is not even possible to give a catalogue of them. In Johann Bengel's Bible Commentary, who is a professor of theology in the Lutheran Church, he says, Furthermore, of the baptism for over the dead, the variety of interpretations is so great that he who would collect, I shall not say of those different opinions.

But a catalog of different opinions would have to write a dissertation. And then R. Tuck, an Anglican priest and historian, he's actually honest about what he means. He says, The Apostle evidently alludes to some custom of the early church, or some sentiment that prevailed concerning a custom which has not come down to us.

The only tenable interpretation of the passage, passage, is that there existed among some of the Christians at Corinth a practice of baptizing a living person in the stead of some convert who had died before that sacrament had been administered to him. And then, in Lange's Bible Commentary, is a scholar associated with the Reformed Church in Germany.

He says, How are we to understand these words? The simplest explanation of the act here is spoken of is the suffering of one's self to be baptized for the benefit of deceased persons, or in their stead, so as to redound to their advantage. Example, that the salvation mediated by baptism might fall to their lot.

So that those who themselves died unbaptized might pass for baptized and thus have part in the resurrection and the kingdom of Christ. A custom of this sort is discoverable in subsequent times. Yet, only among heretical sects, such as the Corinthians and the Marcionites. I am deeply grateful that God has once again called prophets and apostles, allowing us to truly understand the meaning of this verse.

We practice this ordinance today because it has been restored in the Church of Jesus Christ. I believe that some critics of the Church of Jesus Christ focus on the unusual design of the baptismal font in our temples, which stands on the backs of oxen. And And they find it strange. The reason they find it odd is because they're unaware of what the Bible actually teaches about it.

In 1 Kings 7, verse 25, we learn about a large basin, referred to as a sea, that was placed in Solomon's temple, along with descriptions of the structure it was set upon. Verse 25 reads, it stood on the 12 oxen. Three looking toward the north, three, looking toward the west, three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east.

The sea was set upon them and all their back parts pointed inward. Well, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is the most biblically oriented church on earth. It teaches that Jesus, the only sinless person, obeyed the will of the Father and was baptized, making baptism essential for anyone who wishes to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

It is truly remarkable that our loving Heavenly Father has provided a way for this important ordinance to be performed by proxy for those who have died. If the concept of proxy work is new to you, consider this. Jesus atoned for all of us in the Garden of Gethsemane and completed His sacrifice on the cross.

He paid the ultimate price so that we could return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. Isn't what Jesus did for us the greatest example of proxy work on our behalf? So here's question 16. Many pastors get paid big bucks to be pastors when Paul says he would minister for free. Did a church have a paid or unpaid ministry?

You can find the answer in 1 Corinthians 9, verse 18. And of course, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

For more insights on God's plan of happiness for you, you can visit our website at gospelfirst. net. Now, I'd love to hear from you, so please leave your questions or comments in the comments section of this video. Also, you can help me spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ by hitting the like, subscribe, and share button.

Together, we can make a difference. So, until next time, God bless.