Additional Proof of Resurrection Hope

1. Those Who Sleep With Hope (v29)

1 Corinthians 15:29 NASB95

29 Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?

We look again at 1st Corinthians 15 this afternoon and we will see Paul revisiting some evidences or proves that we can believe can find help in with Christ and his resurrection. Its as if Paul has a few more examples that pop into his head regarding the proof of the resurrection from the dead. Let us be reminded that Paul was dealing with skeptics in the Corinthian church who denied the resurrection of the dead. Paul wanted them to see the conflict of that thinking with the basic Christian doctrine of Christ’s resurrection, which they believed in. Paul displays their theological conflict and basically calls them to repent.

Let's look at a few more arguments now;

Those who sleep with hope

1 Corinthians 15:29 (NASB95)

29 Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?

Verse 29 at first Corinthians 15 is a very challenging and difficult verse that we need to look at this afternoon. In his first proof in the second argumentation for the hope of resurrection from the dead, Paul starts with a challenging verse for the church. The challenge lies, in Paul's usage of the phrase “baptized for the dead”.

A disclaimer as we begin the study would be that there are over 50 different interpretations of this one verse. The reason why there is such a discrepancy is because we do not have the full context of what Paul means by baptism from the dead. What I will attempt to do this afternoon is give you a few of the most popular interpretations and concede at the end that the church cannot fully understand the meaning of this phrase, this side of heaven.

Let's look at a few of the differing interpretations:

1. I will start with the most familiar to us, which takes a literal meaning, "baptism for the dead.” As you might know, this is the belief and interpretation of the Mormon church as they practice baptisms for the dead. Their belief according to their doctoral literature is that the Mormon church can bless those in the afterlife, who failed to be baptized during their earthly life. The process for baptism, for the dead includes a living believer in the Mormon church going into the baptismal waters on behalf, or representing those dead ancestors. This, of course means that the Mormons are promoting a doctrine of representational salvation for the dead by way of baptism. Of course, there is a myriad of reasons why this is erroneous and contrary to scripture.

First and foremost, salvation is not merited by a persons works in this life, and therefore cannot also be attained by the religious or meritorious works of another person.

Ephesians 2:8–9 (NASB95)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Secondly, this belief goes against the doctrine of justification by faith alone that is proclaimed in the gospel. If baptism saves a person from their sins, then baptism becomes a works based act generating salvation, and therefore justification by faith alone is untrue. Yet Paul says,

Romans 4:3–5 (NASB95)

3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,

LASTLY WE COULD REFUTE THIS INTERPRETATION BECAUSE WHEN DEATH COMES UPON INDIVIDUAL, THERE IS NO FURTHER HOPE OF SALVATION FOR THEIR SOUL. SCRIPTURE TEACHES US THAT THE SOUL THAT SINS SHALL DIE, WHICH MEANS THAT IN DEATH COMES THE PUNISHMENT AND JUDGMENT OF GOD UPON THEIR SIN.

2. The second interpretation is one proposed by some like John Calvin, who states that that Paul is describing a baptism that occurs at the deathbed of a believer. The argument for these verses hinges on the Greek preposition, HUPER, which in v 29 translates “for” as in “baptism for the dead.” The mormon view is a substitutional baptism while Calvin holds to the interpretation to mean, baptism in view of death, or at their deathbed. He alludes to the idea that a person who is given a grim prognosis is sparked by the gospel influences of his or her life and believes upon Christ, as they stare death in the face. It would be a deathbed baptism as a fruit of salvation.

3. The third interpretation to consider is interpretation, “baptism because of the dead.” This interpretation would mean that Paul is referencing those who receive baptism because of the representation or modeling of godliness of those who have passed on to the grave. In this interpretation then the dead are dead believers in Christ who have been godly models and examples for the church.

This interpretation is proposed by some scholars like RH Lens. Hw writes,

‘their example, their baptism and their godly life and final death in the sure hope, furnishes the motive that prompts the living also to desire and to receive baptism for the same blessed purpose” RH Lenski- p691

And if Paul is alluding to these ideas, then it makes sense for him to be making the argument that those who are asleep in Christ, our godly examples, for those who are still living. The resurrection of Christ, and those from the dead, therefore would give hope to unbelievers who see godliness modeled in their loved ones, andho seek baptism by faith in Christ. If Christ is not raised, even such an act would be hopeless.

I would admit that this interpretation also struggles with soundness. While this interpretation is helpful, it's still displays holes and the argument. For example, if Paul was referring to believers who were dead in Christ, he would have most likely identified them as those who are asleep as he previous he has in this chapter. Therefore, this argument is challenging as well.

In the end, we are unable to fully understand Paul's argument if we don't know exactly what he meant by baptism from the dead and so our exhortation is based on a speculative interpretation of this verse.

But as I choose one, I choose the final interpretation and reflect on the countless saints who have gone before us who lived a life worthy of Christ. We are blessed by their legacy, many of them that contributed to the faith with devotional and theological literature, gospel rich music, art, and poetry. The church is blessed by the influence across the timeline and landscape of those who follow Christ.

But we also have those who are close to us who were steadfast in their faith and were models of Christ to us. Some modeled it when we did not care to listen or see but nonetheless they were consistent and that memory of faithfulness stands in forefront of our minds.

Hebrews 13:7 NASB95

7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.

I don’t like the term Calvinist because it this area of country, that word invites all forms of misrepresentations and heresy. But I do appreciate John’s Calvin’s theological tradition. I want to understand and love Christ in a similar that he did. I imitate his doctrinal convictions because I believe they are based in God’s word. He is not my hero, Christ is my hero. I appreciate Calvin, Luther, Spurgeon in the same way I appreciate my the apostle Paul, Peter, Isaiah, and King David for that matter. They were imperfect vessel of the Most High King who in some way demonstrated a love for Christ that is worthy to be imitated.

2. Those Who Suffered With Hope (v30-32)

1 Corinthians 15:30–32 NASB95

30 Why are we also in danger every hour? 31 I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.

Paul’s second point is somewhat of a personal testimony again, but this time, it is a testimony of dangerous ministry. He states three times in these versus that his ministry had occupational hazards to overcome. First he makes the argument that why would a person face the dangers of publically following and serving Christ if there was not resurrection. (30)

There was a moment on the jobsite many years ago that I had this thought. We were replacing two story decorative columns on a big house in G-town and I found myself at teh bottom of that new column as we hoisted that column in place. If those pulleys holding the weight of that massive column failed, I would have been rolled over like a fresh wad of pizza dough. I asked a similar question, “Why am I facing this danger?”

Now Paul’s question is rhetorical because the answer is “because the resurrection is real and so the dangers are worth it. Its worth it even if Paul figuratively “dies daily.” This simply means that there are daily dangers for his life, not that he actually dies every day. I can’t get an understanding of the daily danger for Christians

in the American context. At least, not a threat to physical life at this point. But support and follow ministries like Voice of the Martyrs and you will see the great risk some brothers and sisters take in living for Christ. We know the risks that Paul took to make Christ known.

2 Corinthians 11:23–28 NASB95

23 Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.

Paul gets more specific about his suffering in the name of Christ when he mentions “fighting with beasts in Ephesus.” Now we are not aware that Paul ever faced literal beasts like many Christians did during the early church. Persecution of Christians by beasts were a reality the church faced in the first few centuries after its beginning. Polycarp was a well known Christian martyr who actually expected to face wild beasts as a result his faithfulness to Christ.

Historian Bruce Shelley tells the story of Polycarps death:

Church History in Plain Language 4. If the Tiber Floods

“Simply swear by Caesar,” the governor pled.

“I am a Christian,” said Polycarp. “If you want to know what that is, set a day and listen.”

“Persuade the people,” answered the governor. Polycarp said, “I would explain to you, but not to them.”

“Then I’ll throw you to the beasts.”

“Bring on your beasts,” said Polycarp.

“If you scorn the beasts, I’ll have you burned.”

“You try to frighten me with the fire that burns for an hour, and you forget the fire of hell that never goes out.”

The governor called to the people, “Polycarp says he is a Christian.” Then the mob let loose. “This is the teacher of Asia,” they shouted, “the father of the Christians, the destroyer of our gods.”

So Polycarp, praying that his death would be an acceptable sacrifice, was burned at the stake.

Now Paul isn’t using Wild Beasts literally like Polycarp was, but instead he is describing the riots and mobs of Ephesians that acted like wild animals in their attacks against him. What we know about Paul’s experience in Ephesus is recorded in Acts and we do read a detailed account in Acts 18-19 of Paul’s ministry in this city and a riot that rose up as a result.

Paul’s was faithfully proclaiming the gospel and in doing us, Luke tells us that people were repenting of their practices in the occult. In addition, businesses that made profit off of the worship of gods like Artemis. With the gospel confronting the error of such worship, the economy itself was disrupted in Ephesus because of Paul. All this came to a head on day as Acts 19 describes:

Acts 19:28–30 NASB95

28 When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia. 30 And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, the disciples would not let him.

Paul’s point to the Corinthians regarding the suffering he is willing to face for the sake of the gospel hinges on the reality of the resurrection of Christ and all believers from the dead. It was the gasoline to Paul’s gospel engine. It truthfulness gave him confidence to face even the figurative lions of Ephesus and Rome.

Notice how he concludes in v 32,

1 Corinthians 15:32 NASB95

32 If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.

If the dead are not raised, then let’s party and live life to the fullest because the joys of this life is all that we have. Simply put, the resurrection of Christ changes our worldview completely. Everyone we know without Christ lives according to this common proverb that Paul quotes here. They find value in earthly treasures and when those earthly treasures wear out, they replace them with new ones. They also strive for earthly achievements and when those achievements are forgotten, they look for new fresh ones to remain relevent in the eyes of the world.

But for the Christian, hope in resurrection is a gamnechanger for the way we think and live our lives. It gives us boldness like the Lord Jesus to fulfill the will of God no matter the costs. It is also what give us courage today in the church knowing that Christ defeated death itself. It gives us courage, not because Christians believe we will be protected at every moment by those threats but that in the face of those threats, Christ will use our lives for his glory.

Romans 8:35–39 NASB95

35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

3. Those Who Are Steadfast in Hope (V33-34)

These final verses are Paul addressing all of chapter 15 up until this point. He has given all good arguments for the belief in the resurrection from the dead and now he will simply just “go Pauline on them.” He is always shepherding these people and in these verses, Paul rebukes and exhorts them for their erroneous thinking.

Do not be deceived, “bad company corrupts good morals.” Paul is now calling those in the midst of the Corinthian congregation that were corrupting the good in that body. He calls them in v 34, ignorant of God or having no knowledge of Him. This is the danger of ever church when people come in and begin spreading erroneous teaching or ungodly behaviors. It is like Paul has already stated, yeast that leavens the whole lump of dough. So the exhortation is “be steadfast in the hope and truth of Christ and the gospel. First to be steadfast, we cannot be deceived in believing erroneous doctrines or teaching. Ground and root everything in good interpretation of God’s word. Interpret verses based on the author’s original intention for the audiences of that day because the word of God is unchanging. What was true for them is true for us. The positive command then is to become sober-minded.

Colossians 1:23 NASB95

if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.