Baptism is a commandment.
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20).
Why baptism?
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)
Baptism for the dead was a known practice during early Christianity.
We baptize our deceased ancestors because we believe that they will rise again!
To members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints it makes complete sense that if God has commanded that we must all be baptized, even though the majority of His children would never hear the gospel of Jesus Christ during their lifetime, then surely a loving God would have provided a way for them to receive this saving ordinance. We believe that this is done through the process of baptism for the dead by proxy.
I've often wondered how Christians, of other denominations, reconcile a belief that the majority of God's children, for the mere fact that they did not have the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ in this life, are damned to hell for not receiving the ordinance of baptism. Personally I can't relate to a God who would not have made accommodation for all of His children. Through modern revelation we learn the extent of God's love for us.
For those who might struggle with the concept of one person doing for another, that which they are not able to do for themselves, consider the greatest vicarious work of all -- the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The work that is done in LDS temples, for those who are deceased, is done in similitude of what Jesus Christ did for each one of us. He has invited us to partake in His work by helping to bring to pass the salvation of our brothers and sisters, through acting as proxy. This ensures that necessary earthly ordinances are ultimately performed for every child of God -- ever born.
Gordon B. Hinckley had this to say about vicarious work for the dead...
I've often wondered how Christians, of other denominations, reconcile a belief that the majority of God's children, for the mere fact that they did not have the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ in this life, are damned to hell for not receiving the ordinance of baptism. Personally I can't relate to a God who would not have made accommodation for all of His children. Through modern revelation we learn the extent of God's love for us.
"For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39)I suppose that at first thought, if one is not familiar with this practice, visions of Mormons digging up dead bodies and baptizing them in our temples might come to mind. Seriously? Thankfully that's not how we do it. Through genealogical research Mormons indentify the names of deceased family members, who never had the chance to be baptize in this life, and then serve as proxy on their behalf to have them baptized. Baptisms for the dead are performed in LDS temples. This process does not then make the deceased Mormon. We believe that once a proxy ordinance is done for a person who has died they are given the opportunity to either accept or reject the baptism. Although some members have had spiritual experiences confirming to them that a proxy baptism was accepted, most of the time the end result is not known.
For those who might struggle with the concept of one person doing for another, that which they are not able to do for themselves, consider the greatest vicarious work of all -- the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The work that is done in LDS temples, for those who are deceased, is done in similitude of what Jesus Christ did for each one of us. He has invited us to partake in His work by helping to bring to pass the salvation of our brothers and sisters, through acting as proxy. This ensures that necessary earthly ordinances are ultimately performed for every child of God -- ever born.
Gordon B. Hinckley had this to say about vicarious work for the dead...
“I think that vicarious work for the dead more nearly approaches the vicarious sacrifice of the Savior Himself than any other work of which I know. It is given with love, without hope of compensation, or repayment or anything of the kind. What a glorious principle.”
Scriptural evidence proclaims that every person born must accept that Jesus is the Christ:
From Old Testament -
20 ¶Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
24 Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
25 In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory. (Isaiah 45:20-25)In The Book of Mormon Alma the younger, also a prophet of God, bears a strong witness that all men must be born again to gain salvation.
29 My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more.
30 I rejected my Redeemer, and denied that which had been spoken of by our fathers; but now that they may foresee that he will come, and that he remembereth every creature of his creating, he will make himself manifest unto all.
31 Yea, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess before him. Yea, even at the last day, when all men shall stand to be judged of him, then shall they confess that he is God; then shall they confess, who live without God in the world, that the judgment of an everlasting punishment is just upon them; and they shall quake, and tremble, and shrink beneath the glance of his all-searching eye. (Mosiah 27:29-31)
The prophet Joseph Smith, through modern revelation, confirmed this same doctrine and how it will be applied at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ:
"And this shall be the sound of his trump, saying to all people, both in heaven and in earth, and that are under the earth—for every ear shall hear it, and every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess, while they hear the sound of the trump, saying: Fear God, and give glory to him who sitteth upon the throne, forever and ever; for the hour of his judgment is come." (D&C 88:104)
There is no greater witness -- nor is there any other way -- to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer than to keep His commandment and law to be baptized in His name. The Day will come when every child of God will have heard His voice, bowed in submission to it, and confessed through receiving this ordinance that Jesus is the Christ -- fulfilling the words of His holy prophets! Be it on this side of the veil or in the afterlife, the Way has been prepared for all men to receive Jesus Christ and gain salvation.
For me personally, the doctrine of vicarious baptism for our deceased ancestors is one of the great witnesses that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His Church upon the earth today. No other Christian organization upon the earth proclaims such a vast undertaking to ensure the salvation of all of God's children, nor does even one begin to address Paul's teachings in the Bible of vicarious baptism.
The reason Mormons perform proxy baptism for our deceased ancestors is because this is the way that God makes manifest His love for all of His children and ensures their safe return home to His presence. How grateful we are, as members of His Church, to have a part in this great work for the salvation of every child of God!
tDMg
Kathryn Skaggs
2/23/12 Update:
On Faith: What baptism for the dead means to Mormons by Michael Otterson
"Toward the end of May, 1970, I stood waist high in water in a baptismal font of a temple in Hamilton, New Zealand, while the name of my deceased father was read aloud. Moments later, on his behalf, I was buried in the biblically mandated full-immersion baptism that is so powerfully symbolic of rebirth and entry into the kingdom of God.
That first visit to a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints --and my first experience of what Mormons call “baptism for the dead”--was one of the most intensely significant religious experiences of my life."
2/21/12 Update: Church Statement on Violations of Proxy Baptism Policy
"In response to questions about violations of the Church's proxy baptism policy, the Church issued the following statement:
LDS Newsroom: Background Explanation of Temple Baptism
"For nearly 180 years, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have performed baptisms in Church temples on behalf of deceased relatives. The practice is rooted in the belief that certain sacred sacraments, such as baptism, are required to enter the kingdom of heaven and that a just God will give everyone who ever lived a fair opportunity to receive them, whether in this life or the next. Church members who perform temple baptisms for their deceased relatives are motivated by love and sincere concern for the welfare of all of God’s children. According to Church doctrine, a departed soul in the afterlife is completely free to accept or reject such a baptism — the offering is freely given and must be freely received. The Church has never claimed the power to force deceased persons to become Church members or Mormons, and it does not list them as such on its records. The notion of coerced conversion is utterly contrary to Church doctrine."
Mormon.org: Why do Mormons perform proxy baptisms in their temples?
"Jesus Christ taught that baptism is essential to the salvation of all who have lived on earth (see John3:5). Many people, however, have died without being baptized. Others were baptized without proper authority. Because God is merciful, He has prepared a way for all people to receive the blessings of baptism. By performing proxy baptisms in behalf of those who have died, Church members offer these blessings to deceased ancestors. These individuals in the next life can then choose to accept or decline what has been done in their behalf."
Why Do We Baptize for the Dead? BY ELDER D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON
"Christian theologians have long wrestled with the question, What is the destiny of the billions who have lived and died with no knowledge of Jesus? With the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ has come the understanding of how the unbaptized dead are redeemed and how God can be “a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also” (Alma 42:15)."
Why Are Mormons Performing Baptisms For Dead People? McKay Coppin
"The discovery this week of a proposed posthumous baptism for Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel — who is alive — has revived a longstanding controversy surrounding the Mormon Church's practice of performing "saving ordinances" on behalf of its members' non-Mormons ancestors.
After The Huffington Post broke the story, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints moved quickly to assure Wiesel that it wouldn't allow a baptism—before or after his death. But the incident had already dragged Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney into an escalating, semi-informed debate that's bobbed in and out of public consciousness for nearly two decades."
Posthumous Baptisms of Holocaust Victims Daniel Peterson
"An article has appeared on The Daily Beast (and may perhaps yet appear in its printed companion, Newsweek), about vicarious Latter-day Saint baptisms for Jewish Holocaust survivors, a controversial topic that has arisen yet again.
I was interviewed for the article.
There are several things in it on which I could comment, but, owing to lack of time and reader patience, I think I’ll restrict myself to just a few:"
For me personally, the doctrine of vicarious baptism for our deceased ancestors is one of the great witnesses that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His Church upon the earth today. No other Christian organization upon the earth proclaims such a vast undertaking to ensure the salvation of all of God's children, nor does even one begin to address Paul's teachings in the Bible of vicarious baptism.
The reason Mormons perform proxy baptism for our deceased ancestors is because this is the way that God makes manifest His love for all of His children and ensures their safe return home to His presence. How grateful we are, as members of His Church, to have a part in this great work for the salvation of every child of God!
Video: Why Mormons Build Temples
tDMg
Kathryn Skaggs
2/23/12 Update:
On Faith: What baptism for the dead means to Mormons by Michael Otterson
That first visit to a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints --and my first experience of what Mormons call “baptism for the dead”--was one of the most intensely significant religious experiences of my life."
2/21/12 Update: Church Statement on Violations of Proxy Baptism Policy
"In response to questions about violations of the Church's proxy baptism policy, the Church issued the following statement:
The Church keeps its word and is absolutely firm in its commitment to not accept the names of Holocaust victims for proxy baptism.
It takes a good deal of deception and manipulation to get an improper submission through the safeguards we have put in place.
While no system is foolproof in preventing the handful of individuals who are determined to falsify submissions we are committed to taking action against individual abusers by suspending the submitter’s access privileges. We will also consider whether other Church disciplinary action should be taken.
It is distressing when an individual willfully violates the Church’s policy and something that should be understood to be an offering based on love and respect becomes a source of contention. "
LDS Newsroom: Background Explanation of Temple Baptism
"For nearly 180 years, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have performed baptisms in Church temples on behalf of deceased relatives. The practice is rooted in the belief that certain sacred sacraments, such as baptism, are required to enter the kingdom of heaven and that a just God will give everyone who ever lived a fair opportunity to receive them, whether in this life or the next. Church members who perform temple baptisms for their deceased relatives are motivated by love and sincere concern for the welfare of all of God’s children. According to Church doctrine, a departed soul in the afterlife is completely free to accept or reject such a baptism — the offering is freely given and must be freely received. The Church has never claimed the power to force deceased persons to become Church members or Mormons, and it does not list them as such on its records. The notion of coerced conversion is utterly contrary to Church doctrine."
Mormon.org: Why do Mormons perform proxy baptisms in their temples?
"Jesus Christ taught that baptism is essential to the salvation of all who have lived on earth (see John3:5). Many people, however, have died without being baptized. Others were baptized without proper authority. Because God is merciful, He has prepared a way for all people to receive the blessings of baptism. By performing proxy baptisms in behalf of those who have died, Church members offer these blessings to deceased ancestors. These individuals in the next life can then choose to accept or decline what has been done in their behalf."
Why Do We Baptize for the Dead? BY ELDER D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON
"Christian theologians have long wrestled with the question, What is the destiny of the billions who have lived and died with no knowledge of Jesus? With the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ has come the understanding of how the unbaptized dead are redeemed and how God can be “a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also” (Alma 42:15)."
Why Are Mormons Performing Baptisms For Dead People? McKay Coppin
"The discovery this week of a proposed posthumous baptism for Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel — who is alive — has revived a longstanding controversy surrounding the Mormon Church's practice of performing "saving ordinances" on behalf of its members' non-Mormons ancestors.
After The Huffington Post broke the story, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints moved quickly to assure Wiesel that it wouldn't allow a baptism—before or after his death. But the incident had already dragged Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney into an escalating, semi-informed debate that's bobbed in and out of public consciousness for nearly two decades."
Posthumous Baptisms of Holocaust Victims Daniel Peterson
"An article has appeared on The Daily Beast (and may perhaps yet appear in its printed companion, Newsweek), about vicarious Latter-day Saint baptisms for Jewish Holocaust survivors, a controversial topic that has arisen yet again.
I was interviewed for the article.
There are several things in it on which I could comment, but, owing to lack of time and reader patience, I think I’ll restrict myself to just a few:"
So beautifully explained, Katherine. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteVery well explained, so very needed to those are willing to learn the truth!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the truth! Thanks.
DeleteBeautfully stated! I am married to a wonderful Catholic man and I feel he would appreciate your blog. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteRachel
What a great compliment! Thank you, Rachel.
DeleteSadly, a comment is not really enough space to get into this, but here goes...
ReplyDeleteBaptizing the dead only makes sense if one accepts the LDS premises, which I and most other people do not.
Firstly, the LDS church does not teach the truth about God and the nature of the universe. This is obvious to anyone not indoctrinated into it, primarily because it's founder was a con-artist and a liar. The Book of Mormon was made up out of whole cloth. Unfortunately, I know that you will not be willing to believe this; however, your unwillingness to see the truth does not make it any less true. (However, my later points do not require you to concede to my first point.)
Secondly, if, as you say, 1) God decreed that Baptism is a necessary requirement for admittance into Heaven, 2) most people do not have the chance to be Baptized in life, and 3) God would therefore create a mechanism whereby dead people can be baptized, then the baptism of the dead still makes no sense. This is because baptism of the dead, as practiced by the LDS church, requires Morman people to discover the names of the deceased and intervene on their behalf. This is not exactly a reliable mechanism to provide dead people with the opportunity for baptism. Imagine, if you will, a dead person suffering the torment of not being baptized, and dearly wishing that he/she could be baptized, and God withholding that baptism while waiting for a random Mormon to administer baptism of the dead for that person. Such a god is monstrously cruel if that is the case. A far more simple and compassionate system would be for God to simply offer the choice of baptism to the dead person after death, without the need for any middle-men.
Thirdly, history is a vast place and there aren't exactly good genealogical records stretching back to include all people. This means that regardless of the diligence of the LDS church, it will be impossible for them to baptize everyone who ever lived. This shows that there is an obvious flaw in God's supposed system for providing this choice to every dead person. Again, if God is deliberately withholding salvation from dead people just because it's impossible for Mormons to be able to baptize them, that makes God into a monster of extreme cruelty.
As for your question about how other Christians reconcile a loving God with the existence of Hell and the eternal damnation of those who never had the chance to hear about Jesus, they generally either try not to think about the issue, or jump through mental hoops to convince themselves that God will sort it all out somehow. It is, however, far easier to reconcile such things once you realize that there is no evidence for any religious belief, as they are all based on myth, delusion and outright lies. When people die they are dead, and they no longer exist. (Again, a comment is not nearly enough space to expound on this, but there is much on the subject written elsewhere.)
At best the LDS practice of baptizing the dead is harmless (as it does absolutely nothing and has no effect on the dead person), and at worst it is insulting to the life and memory of the deceased who knew better than to believe in such claptrap. I very much hope that Mormons leave me alone after I'm dead, but it really won't matter if they baptize me, because I'll never know about it. I'll be dead.
I would expect no less of a comment from someone who clearly disregards God and chooses to reject any possibility that they could be absolutely wrong. And that you even attempt to address how other Christians reconcile anything pertaining to God is pointless.
DeleteYour comment also shows your great lack of knowledge about Christian beliefs in general. Mormons understand that their endeavor to research the names of deceased family members, via genealogy research, is greatly flawed in this life, but will continue this work into the Millenium where we believe we will have complete access to all the needed information.
And lastly, you have no authority to speak for the countless souls born into this world, who have never heard even the name of Jesus Christ, let alone an opportunity to either accept or reject His gospel.
If you truly believe that death is the end of you, then nothing that I or any other Christian might have to explain about the great love God has for you and that His plan for your eternal life was prepared before the foundations of this world -- then all I can say is: Only time will tell.
Typical. Your assumption that I know nothing of religion is incorrect. In fact, I was raised in a Christian household and was deeply religious for many years; however, the logical inconsistencies and lack of evidence for any beliefs -- indeed, the fact that Christian belief contradicts real world evidence -- led me to question what I believed. I then spent many years studying my own religion and the religion of others, both on my own and in academic settings. I daresay that I probably know more about the religion I was raised in, as well as most other religions, than you do.
DeleteHowever, you will dismiss everything I say and cling to your ignorant dogma because you have been taught to do so. You will refuse to honestly look at what you and others believe, and so you won't ever learn anything. Unlike you, I have had the courage to actually look for truth, instead of deciding I already knew what it was. It was in recognizing the possibility that I may be wrong that I was finally able to throw off the shackles of religious dogma. Indeed, I might still be wrong, but until actual evidence of religious claims comes to light -- evidence that can be independently verified, I might add -- I see no reason to believe in those claims.
If I don't have the authority to speak for the countless souls born into this world than neither do you, and neither does the LDS church, which should leave well enough alone and let the dead be.
The imaginary love of a being that does not exist is of no value. I would agree with you that time will tell, except unfortunately you will never learn of your error when you are dead, because there will be no "you" to know anything.
Also, good job ignoring the substance of my argument about how God would be monstrous indeed if he devised a system whereby the salvation of souls depends upon the efforts of the LDS church. (Your "Millenium" won't ever come to pass, by the way.)
I do commend you on actually publishing my comment though. I didn't think you would. :)
I'm always willing to publish oppositional comments as long as I feel they won't be offensive to my general readership, they don't spew incorrect or misinformed doctrine and they are free from foul language. You barely qualified. ; )
DeleteMy critique of your religious knowledge was focused strictly on Christianity and even more specifically Mormonism -- of which I'm pretty darn certain I'm ahead of you there.
So, I'm happy to agree to disagree with you on multiple points and move on. In my opinion once faith in God is removed by one, in a conversation about religious beliefs, there is really no use in continuing to dialogue.
That's unfortunate, because you are missing out on what some very intelligent and knowledgeable people could teach you. If you dismiss someone's entire argument because of one of their beliefs (or lack thereof in this case), you close yourself off to so very much. After all, if you only really listen to those who already agree with you, it's impossible for you to expand your horizons.
DeleteAs far as the Mormon church goes, I have no doubt that you know more about what goes on internally than I do. However, you can't possibly know the truth of how your religion came to be founded and yet still believe in its doctrines. So I can only assume you are either unaware of it or choose instead to believe the lie your church feeds you.
I do agree that it's pointless to continue the discussion though. Your critical thinking skills have undoubtedly been destroyed by blind obedience, and I have little chance of getting through the haze of indoctrination. Couldn't help but try though. I pity you in some ways, but my pity is tempered by the fact that you, and others like you, would like nothing better than to bind me and our society in the fetters you yourselves wear.
I was simply referring to the topic and discussion of this post, of which requires the faith of, at the very least, a mustard seed to continue.
DeleteI think I have a pretty good handle, as well, on the origin of my faith and the many criticisms leveled against it by those who think they know more. And with that said, I have a firm conviction of the the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as founded by the prophet Joseph Smith -- and also a strong testimony of the divinity of the Book of Mormon.
I won't be approving any further of your comments as I clearly see now that you are only here to offend, which makes me pretty sad, because I could have helped you understand so much more...
Lack of evidence . . . isn't that the point of faith? If God wanted to just slap your face with proof of the truth, then faith would not be necessary. Nevertheless, faith is a spiritual concept and to understand spiritual things you must first start with faith and a nearly complete lack of evidence. Don't ask me why it works that way, it just does. Also, it works.
DeleteFantastic, well-written article. Definitely going in my "save" file. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you!
DeleteI have just discovered your blog and want to thank you for taking so much time to produce such wonderfully well-written and well-thought-out explanations of the Mormon church.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennie. I'm glad you found me too! I love writing about our Mormon faith. It's my favorite thing!
DeleteA wonderful post - you've explained things so well. Thanks for this uplifting entry.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm so glad you find this info helpful.
ReplyDeleteNicely written as usual, Kathryn. I'm an Evangelical and so not a Latter-day Saint, but I've never found the LDS concept of proxy baptism for the dead to be especially difficult to understand or articulate. If I had to summarize it in brief, I think I'd simply say, "Latter-day Saints believe that baptism is an absolutely necessary, universal requirement for the fullest sort of salvation. Many people die without having the chance to receive it. But God is too loving to allow a mere matter of circumstance prevent those people from having the chance to come to him and receive everything he has to offer. Therefore, if God is loving and if baptism is a necessary universal requirement, there must be a way for those who die without it to get its benefits. Latter-day Saints believe that the rite of baptism can be performed by proxy on behalf of those dead persons, which gives them the opportunity to accept it or to reject it as they will, so that all will in the end have received a fair opportunity to have everything they need to gain eternal life."
ReplyDeleteNow, you did say in your post, "I've often wondered how Christians, of other denominations, reconcile a belief that the majority of God's children, for the mere fact that they did not have the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ in this life, are damned to hell for not receiving the ordinance of baptism." I'm not actually aware of that many (if any?) denominations that teach that anyone will be damned to hell simply for not receiving baptism. There are various different views on baptism in the broader Christian world, but I think that even those who take some of the strongest views of baptism generally would say that there are exceptions through God's mercy - for example, the traditional notion of a 'baptism of desire' or 'baptism of blood', such as in cases where a person witnessing Christians being martyred is drawn to the faith, promptly declares him- or herself a Christian, and is immediately killed for the faith. In my understanding of baptism as an Evangelical, baptism is a strong obligation but not a prerequisite for forgiveness and/or salvation.
Personally, I have a difficult time really understanding the outrage that many non-LDS people have over the idea of their ancestors receiving LDS baptism by proxy. It's merely intended to provide an opportunity for the deceased to make a decision - and who could be opposed to that? At its best, it's a display of genuine love for the world, without limiting it to, in G. K. Chesterton's words, "those who just happen to be walking about".
Thank you, JB. You did an excellent job of summarizing my post! I wish proxy baptism was as easy for others to understand and accept our intentions. You make complete sense to me! ; )
DeleteI also really appreciate you addressing my question as to how other Christian denominations reconcile what Mormons believe, and take literally, the commandment that baptism is a necessary commandment/ordinance to enter into the kingdom of God. I am aware that there are many nondenominational sects of Christianity that only require one to verbally confess Jesus Christ as their Savior and Redeemer in order to receive salvation - so in that way, baptism is not considered necessary. I still take issue with such an approach to salvation as it, IMHO, disregards the commandment to be baptize. I truly believe that God is merciful and loving, but still requires that His children, who profess His name, keep His commandments. "If ye love me, keep my commandments". To me, this is very clear.
I guess my more specific question is how do Christians of other denominations reconcile 1 Cor. 15:29? Paul clearly teaches or acknowledges the doctrine of baptism for the dead in the early Church. From a Mormon perspective the necessity of baptism was made clear by Jesus Christ, who Himself set the example for all of us. And again, as Paul teaches, Christ did make accommodations for the those who died without baptism. Baptism by proxy for the dead is the sign of Gods love and mercy. No exceptions are necessary with this system -- the law can be fulfilled. It's really beautiful, I think.
I do have compassion for those who are uncomfortable with or hurt by the Mormon doctrine of baptism for the dead by proxy. If they are offended, then I'm sorry to hear that. The LDS Church is respectful in these circumstances and are doing what they can to honor these families. I think that's important. For Mormons it is about love and serving our brothers and sisters.
Thank again for taking the time to help me, and my readers, understand how other Christians understand baptism and honor this commandment.
Always glad to chip in, Kathryn! I'm glad I made sense and summed things up fairly and accurately.
DeleteI can understand why you'd take that approach to baptism, because I do agree that baptism is important. My belief is that baptism is definitely an obligation, though not a prerequisite. In other words, Christ commands us to be baptized, and that's vital. And so if there are those who know of Christ's command about baptism and what the ancient apostles said about baptism, and they choose not to be baptized in spite of it, that's not a good sign and it may highlight a deeper attitude of disobedience that could come between them and God. But at the same time, I don't believe that those who die before they have the opportunity to be baptized (perhaps they come to meet the grace of God shortly before or at the point of death, or perhaps they were oblivious to the need through poor teaching, or some other such scenario) are in any way missing out on something they yet need; in some cases (as with the case I mentioned of a swift martyrdom), the individual might be quite a vivid example of saving faith. Perhaps it may be that if baptism is a symbolic outward participation in Christ's death and resurrection (something I believe we can already have through faith alone, though it's normative to display it publicly in this way), so too might actual death and resurrection serve a similar purpose. Those are a couple of my thoughts.
Now, as to your question about how other Christians understand 1 Corinthians 15:29, that's a really good question. Most probably don't give that particular verse much thought on its own, but there has been a lot of discussion of the verse among various commentators. Late last year, I had the chance to read a great book by a Roman Catholic scholar of the New Testament devoted just to that one verse, called Baptism on Account of the Dead. I think he made a convincing case (convincing to me, at least, though I started out in disagreement) that the 'baptism on account of the dead' in 1 Corinthians 15:29 isn't a practice of proxy baptism at all, but is a reference to just ordinary baptism; and Paul's point is to hold out for the Corinthian Christians a good example in their midst: new converts who haven't yet lost their belief in the general resurrection, and therefore are being added to their number. As the author summarizes what he takes Paul's point to be: "Look at those eager baptismal candidates. Look at their faith. It was once yours. They believe all that I preached about Jesus. They do not doubt that many persons including myself have seen him alive after death. They do not doubt that those among us who have fallen asleep will rise on the last day. As a matter of fact, it is their firm faith in the resurrection of Christ and of his dead that moves them to baptism. That is what they believe. That is what you once believed. Come back to your senses!" (page 235).
I agree, and I'm glad that Latter-day Saints do show such compassion toward those who can't see clearly the intent behind the practice.
You're very welcome! I'm always glad to listen and share. You've got an excellent blog and a fine readership (your somewhat belligerent and unreasonable anonymous atheist visitor from earlier aside).
God bless,
JB
Thank you for your response. You do know that I'm going to continue to stand by my original response about the commandment/law to be baptized, right? I figured you would. ; )
DeleteI do find much of what you shared very interesting and appreciate you taking the challenge to address 1 Cor. 15:29. If I didn't have such a strong testimony of baptism for the dead by proxy, indeed I might be persuaded to considered other such possibilities. And yet, I really do believe that Paul meant what he said in all of its simplicity. We do proxy baptisms because the Lord commands that everyone must be baptized for entrance into His Kingdom -- and truly it is because we shall all rise again and be accountable to the God at the Last Day.
Many blessings to you as well.
Some things that are true are not very useful.(Spoken by one of the Church's own "prophets") In order to receive salvation, each individual must accept Jesus Christ as his/her personal savior and the son of G*D. Baptizing by proxy, you are making that decision for them and it's bogus. It is not a sincere acceptance of Christ, by that person. If you stick to the Bible, you don't have to choose which truths to believe. Revelation 22:18
ReplyDelete"By performing proxy baptisms in behalf of those who have died, Church members offer these blessings to deceased ancestors. These individuals in the next life can then choose to accept or decline what has been done in their behalf." Mormon.org
DeleteQuestion: how long does a person have to be dead? Or is it how long ago must they have been born to be eligible to be baptised once they're gone?
ReplyDeleteFrom LDS.org: "Policies for Preparing Names for Temple Work
DeleteGenerally, you may perform temple ordinances for deceased
persons one year or more after the date of death without regard to the
person’s worthiness or cause of death."
I'm a Mormon. I write a blog on several topics and Mormon faith is one of those. I've written "Saving The Dead" and I was looking for a picture of LDS baptismal font for the dead. While I was searching from the net, I came across a picture from your blogsite. I used it without first asking permission from you. Sorry. If you wouldn't mind, may I continue using it?
ReplyDeleteHi Gil,
DeletePlease give photo credit to LDS.org
Thanks!