Kevin wrote: > 1 Co 15:29 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? > Here Paul abruptly switches gear and refers to a group > outside of the Christians he had been refering to throughout > the whole chapter. He now uses the THIRD person pronoun "they", > since he is refering to PAGANs and Heathens.
Excellent point. The Mormons always seem to ignore this point. I have not seen an answer to it. Blaine and Dave, can you give some kind of answer to the language used here? Why does he talk "we" up to this verse, then switch to "they" if he did not consider those who baptized for the dead to be in some other group? Kevin wrote: > If Baptism is essential to the Gospel & Salvation, then > why does Paul say? 1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me > not to baptize, but to preach the gospel They are 2 separate > things, on the one hand Baptism (NOT sent), the other Gospel > (sent). If baptism was an essential part of the Gospel, then > he would have been "sent" to perform such. Instead he was sent > to Preach the Gospel.� I do not believe that baptism is essential to salvation, but I do believe that baptism plays a role in salvation for those who use it in the faith filled way that it was meant to be used. I believe that baptism is part of the gospel. Remember how the Eunuch asked Philip to baptize him after hearing the gospel? Why would he ask that if baptism was not part of the gospel? Why did the apostles always usher new converts into the waters of baptism if it was not part of what they preached? Furthermore, the "Great Commission" distinctly mentions baptism as part of the work, so we know that the twelve were sent to baptize even though Paul was not. "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:18-20 KJV) The reason that Paul was not sent to baptize was because Jesus sent his ministers out as teams. The labor among them was divided. For example, Paul and Barnabas made one such team. Paul preached; Barnabas baptized. We can find a clear mention in Scripture that Paul was the principal speaker, but we don't really read much about what Barnabas did. What was he, some spectator? I think not. It seems safe to assume that Barnabas played a role in baptizing considering Paul's statement that he did not baptize much. We know the Corinthians were baptized. Who would argue that the Corinthians did not receive baptism? Furthermore, we know that Paul baptized some of them, especially the important ones, such as when Crispus, the chief of the synagogue, believed on Christ. The logical conclusion here is that Paul preached and others with him baptized those who responded to the gospel. Peace be with you. David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
