DAVEH: > Yes, I understand that many societies and religions > believed in an afterlife. That's not the point that > makes this discussion pertinent....but rather baptism.
Back up, Dave. Read the context of the passage. The resurrection is EXACTLY the point that makes this discussion pertinent. He is pointing to baptism for the dead as an indication that even they have knowledge of the resurrection. It is just like if I were to point to the pyramids that are all around them, and argue that such indicates a belief in the resurrection. DaveH wrote: > How many other non Christian religions practice baptism > would be a more interesting question to consider. It is not more important than the context of the resurrection. You are straying from the text, isolating it, and discussing it away from the reason that Paul mentions it. DaveH wrote: > So how do you weigh in on this, DavidM? Do you think > those practicing baptism for the dead (1Cor 15:29) believed > they were followers of Christ? We have discussed this before. I don't know for sure, but Kevin's point that he referred to "they" instead of "we" is critical for understanding that Paul was not justifying their actions. He was only justifying their belief in the resurrection, not the superstitions they practiced around that belief. It seems very likely to me that these baptizers of the dead were not followers of Christ or Paul probably would have diverged enough to rebuke it. On the other hand, if there was no concern that the Corinthians would think he condoned their practice, he could just mention it as supportive of a belief in the resurrection and move on. Peace be with you. David Miller. ---------- "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.
