By Keith H Hepworth Part of web site
biblesecrets.org>
The Apostle Paul in answer to the question of whether
the dead will rise in a resurrection asked
the
following question--
"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?"
(1Cor.11:29)
Note: We can conclude from Paul's question that they
were performing the priesthood ordinance
of vicarious baptisms for the dead
in Paul's time.
In John 3:5 Jesus said, " 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."
If John is right, a big question arises: Are the billions of people both living and dead who have never heard of Jesus Christ (probably 90% of God's children) cast out and condemned forever? or has a just God made plans for
each and everyone of his children, making sure that all will have a chance to accept the message of the true gospel of Jesus Christ either in this life or after, and then be baptized? What other scenario makes sense, especially when we know that
God is unquestionably just to all?
This question is answered in 1 Peter .
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which [Spirit]
also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing,
wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water" (1 Peter 3:18-20).
"Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged
according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit" (1 Peter 4:5-6).
The Baptism of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ set the example for everyone, both the living and the dead.
Matthew 3:13-17
At the beginning of Jesus Christ’s ministry, He went to the Jordan River. John the Baptist was there preaching and baptizing the people. Jesus asked to be baptized. John did not want to do it because he thought that Jesus should baptize him. He asked Jesus why he should baptize him. The Savior explained that He needed to be baptized to be obedient to the commandments of Heavenly Father.
And John and Jesus went down into the water and John baptized him.
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon him.
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
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