Can Christians Be Baptized for the Dead?

Christians be baptized on behalf of deceased loved ones best is one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity either. This is Bill Meyer along with pastor Adm. Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. Our phone lines are open right now and you can call us for the next 25 minutes or so with your question. At 833, the court might want to make a note of that number for future reference. You can also call 24 hours a day and leave us a voicemail 833. The core that's 1-833-843-2673, as always, you can post your question on our Facebook, Instagram or twitter accounts. You can watch us live on YouTube. You can email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com will first up today. Here's a voicemail that we received from one of our listeners named Sandy hello I'm calling Canada on personal reasons I'm going to ask anonymous this because my question is regarding family members. Now I was recently saved but I do know that biblically women are not ordained pastors about his qualification in the Bible. Now, how do you navigate through our faith, family members, such as parent, don't find mad and wanted to pastor how do we deal with that lovingly and also biblically. Thank you for taking my call.

I really appreciate your question because in the Christian life.

We are going to encounter others brothers and sisters in the Lord who differ from us on particular doctrines, certain beliefs and there are some doctrines I think right that that strike the vitals of what it means to be a Christian. The you know to get to the heart of core Christianity people might claim to be Christians but deny the resurrection of Jesus or the deity of Jesus and and there's a different way of approaching.

I think that in that issue. In particular, because it's a very serious issue. That's a very serious heresy. That essentially would keep someone from the kingdom of God. But then there are other other questions that people have our differences within within the church that people have where where were not singing at this person is necessarily a Christian would we just and we disagree with your interpretation of the biblical text, and I think one of those one of those questions. What is issues is just this very one related to women teaching in the church at that. That is, in particular holding the pastoral office and I sense to me like your your specific question is morally due to how do I approach those kinds of discussions and the first thing I would just say is one with no heart full of charity prayerfully.

Obviously you want to you want to build the relationship further and edifying be able to encourage one another through Scripture, and it seems to me that throughout the New Testament. In particular, Paul's writings, you know what he talked about having these kinds of discussions. He always emphasized the importance of speaking with grace with clarity. Those kind of thing. So there are a few passages that I would look at why nominate in Colossians and Colossians chapter 4 verses five and six. Paul said this walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious. Season with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Let your let your speech be filled with grace let it be healing, edifying building up that is and we got to agree with everybody we can disagree, but we do so graciously.

I also think about what Paul said when he was writing to Timothy in second Timothy chapter 2 verses 24 and 25 listen to what he said there the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach patiently enduring evil correcting his opponents with gentleness God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth and then in both of those passages really the focus in particular is is correcting those were really outside of the faith, but I think there's an application for us and were having discussions with with mother, friends, brothers and sisters are just differ from us on on doctrines that are going to keep us from being in the presence of the Lord for all eternity. That kind of thing so so you want to be filled with grace not be quarrelsome patient, you know that is slow to speak, quick to listen and pray that the Lord guides your conversation, and so thank you so much for that question. Really appreciate that phone call.

This is core Christianity with pastor Gabriel Sanchez. Let's go to Duane in Boonville Missouri doing what you're question for Israel. Yeah, my court believer guy only died we go to heaven or do we have to wait for the return yeah this is an excellent question. What an important question. A very practical question and the answer to your question is when we die as believers is the believer who dies that that person soul is immediately in the presence of the Lord Paul said this to the Corinthian to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

I also think about what the apostle Paul said in Philippians chapter 1 where he's writing to the Philippians about his his death and he knows he's going to die really soon, and he sees trying to sort of way is he's thinking you know, do I want to stay around here and continue to serve the church and minister the gospel or do I want to depart and be with the Lord. He says for me to live is Christ.

This is Philippians chapter 1 verse 21, and to die is gain.

If I am to live on in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me yet which I shall choose I cannot tell I'm hard-pressed between the two.

My desire to get this is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. So both fate, he envisions it when I die I'm to depart and be with Christ and that's better than anything I've ever experienced, then goes on to say, but to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this. I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith. You also have Jesus's words to the thief on the cross in Luke 23 verse 43 recess today.

You're going to be with me in paradise.

And I mentioned also.

You know what he said in a to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. That second Corinthians chapter 5 verse eight, or even this glorious picture that were given of heaven.

In Hebrews chapter 12 where it talks about base basically the throne of God being surrounded by the saints by the people of God who have died and gone on into glory around God's throne is so when we die were immediately in the presence of the Lord were waiting for the resurrection of the dead when art when our souls and our bodies are reuniting were raised up glorified body, but were not in a sort of soul sleep or where we just sort of not conscious, not conscious that kind of thing were immediately in the presence of the Lord and enjoying fellowship with him and so thank you Duane for that for that question Ray question Duane and thanks for listening to core Christianity. If you have a question for Pastor Israel about the Bible or the Christian life. You can call us right now. Our phone lines are open for the next 15 minutes or so at 8334 that's 1-833-843-2673. By the way, we should mention that some of the radio stations that air our program actually errored on a tape delayed basis so you're not hearing it live. That means if you want to call and actually get into the studio and ask drill your question you want to call it these times 11:30 AM Pacific time, which translates into 1230 Mountain 130 Central or 230 Eastern time call for that 30 minute.

And that's when you get through to the studio.

Let's go to Fritz in Indiana Fritz what you're question for Pastor Israel. Yeah a problem with. I lived a rough life when I was younger and I did a lot of bad things and I wish you all going to Rome and when I got there Chris first Corinthian chapter 3 verse 16 and 17. It really bothered me you'll do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the spirit of God will continue if anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him in the temple for the temple of God is holy, which temple you all that made person can lose your salvation. Hey Fritz, thank you so much for your call brother and I can tell that this is a really really important question for you know I don't believe that first Corinthians chapter 3 verses 15 and 16 teach that you can lose your salvation here.

The apostle Paul is talking about the fact that we are through our union with Christ now filled with the Holy Spirit.

Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and he's calling the Corinthian church to live in light of that reality, we are called. You are called as Christians to live in light of that really another. Now the truth is we fail we fall short.

We don't perfectly obey God's law and because we don't oftentimes we can we can have this this angst this concert or we look back on our lives is is you were mentioning we think men I've done so many terrible things.

I've seen it in such horrible ways. Does that mean that God is just going to destroy me that he's done with me.

Let me tell you something brother Jesus Christ is the temple cleanser and we go to Jesus broken as we are weighed down by our sins, he purifies our hearts by faith through his blood. In fact, the author, the Hebrews talks about this is our hearts have been sprinkled clean from an evil conscience sprinkled with white with the blood of Jesus Christ.

And so if your concern is what I look at my past and I failed in some way, ways of died, I've lived a rough life as you said, maybe there's no hope for me.

Let me just tell you Fritz, there is hope for you in the hope is not that you were sinless, or that you lived a really good life. The hope is that the blood of Jesus Christ is sufficient to cleanse even you, my friend. That's the hope. That's the good news of the gospel and because by faith. You are cleanse. Now Paul there in first Corinthians 3 Assange live in light of that reality, the Spirit of God lives in you. So walk in the spirit balls in a talk about that and in the book of Galatians walk by the spirit day by day that were not to do that perfectly but it's what were called to. It's what you're called to as we grow and the word is as we draw near to the Lord through prayers were part of solid churches that faithfully preach the Bible were worth eating that call that the Lord gives to us and so may the Lord one Fritz give you comfort in the blood of Jesus, knowing that you are and can be cleansed by faith in him, and may also help you to live in light of that great reality. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and so we ought to live holy lives following the Lord God bless you like so much Fritz for your question.

Glad to hear that you were digging into God's word on a regular basis. This is core Christianity and we want to say a huge thank you to our listeners who have joined what we call our inner core. Your financial support makes this program possible with your gift of $25 or more a month. We send you some very special exclusive resources, including some video devotionals from Pastor Israel. Also, the book core Christianity and your first group that receives our new Bible studies and resources.

So if you join inner core is a lot of extra perks for you. Would love to have you sign up. Just go to core Christianity.com/inner core. To learn more dip and Bill can I just add it really is such a huge encouragement for us and it's part of how we we keep doing what were doing. So if you've been encouraged blessed by core Christianity, would you consider please join inner core love to have you do that you can do it anytime core Christianity.com/inner core. Let's go to Anita in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Anita what you're question for Pastor Israel will you Pastor, why not that likely okay and I know that you had mentioned that there are white looking at what Scripture can you refer me to the New Testament that states that women are not allowed to be pastors, they think it Anita, thank you for the follow-up men and as I said, I recognize that this is this is an issue where there's gonna be a lot of diversity of opinion.

I have friends who disagree with me on on this issue, but at the end of the day. As you said, we want to go to the text of Scripture, we want to look at what the Bible teaches and granted there are different ways in which some of these passages have been interpreted.

My take is that when I look at certain texts in particular in the pastoral epistles that it seems to me to be very clear in terms of you who should hold the office of pastor or teacher within the church that my view is is not that that means that women can't teach in general or teach Sunday school class or that anything or be theology professors. But Paul is speaking about something very specific to this office. The office of elder or minister in the church and in some of the places I go first Timothy three Titus chapter 1 where Paul talks about the qualifications for an elder, and yet it seems to be there, but just in terms of the qualifications uses the need to be the husband of one wife. But then even a little bit earlier in first Timothy in first Timothy chapter 2 Paul said in verse 12, I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over man then goes on to say.

And in verse 13, for Adam was firm form first then Eve and Adam was not deceived with the woman was deceived and became a transgressor yet. She will be saved through childbearing if they continue in faith and love and holiness with self-control a little a lot in that passage of Scripture.

You also have a statement from the apostle Paul in first Corinthians chapter 14, which seems to indicate also that the office of of elder was reserved specifically, it is to be reserved specifically for men. Not now, having said all of those things and I always want to be very cautious because I want I want people to understand that that doesn't mean that women don't play a very important role in the life of the church and so many times when we happen we have this these kinds of discussions or questions will A-OK your say I can't teacher be a pastor within the church with more than what can I do with the fact that matters is even in the New Testament. You see the prominent roles that women held in the life of the church. One passage I love to go to is in the book of acts in acts chapter 18 you have this guy whose is this amazing preacher and speaker. His name was Apollo's and yet doctrinally he had some he had some issues in his theology wasn't fully developed yet and essentially what we read in acts chapter 18 verse 26 he began to speak boldly in the city synagogue.

But when Priscilla and Tukwila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. I love that comes all of us men or women within the church should know God's word and theology so well that we can be buried in that we can go to our our pastor others and say hey I think you were missing it here so that there is a sense in which we we all are called to this Anita is beautiful because you know Priscilla and Aquila are referred to by the apostle Paul as co-workers in the gospel assigned. I never want to minimize that reality but but it does seem to me that in the New Testament the office of of pastor was reserved specifically for men.

So ask for your question. Thank you so much Anita. This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez today we want to tell you about a book that we are offering. It's actually written by a pastor and theologian who was a hero in World War II. His name was Dietrich Bonhoeffer yet he hero and and also martyr someone who who died for for his faith, and in contrast to to the gospel. This book life together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer is really an edifying read. It's a short read, but it'll help you understand the significance of Christian community.

Why it's so important what what Christian community ought to look like there are so many questions about that today and what is fellowship look like is it the sort of coffee time.

After the worship service work. You know eating the doughnut and drinking some coffee and catching up on the week or something much deeper and and it is and that's a Dietrich Bonhoeffer gets into in life together. So get a hold of this resource. All you have to do is take advantage of this offer is make a donation of any amount@corechristianity.com/offers that's core Christianity.com/offers or give us a call for that offer or any one of our offers at 833. The core ask us about Dietrich Bonhoeffer's classic book life together.

Let's go to a voicemail that we received from one of our listeners involves a particular passage from first Corinthians, help me want to know which right now� I thought I don't know what would you please help me thank you thank you for your encouragement and I do want to I want to help you with this passage of Scripture as it is a text that has been confusing for for many people when they read it first printing to gamma read again. Verse 2915 29. Otherwise, Paul wrote, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead. If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf. First context is key. What is the context of first Corinthians chapter 15. The context is the apostle Paul is addressing a problem in the Corinthian church where people had begun to essentially believe that there was no resurrection of the dead back in verse 12 of chapter 15 Paul said now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead. How can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead.

This is a serious issue. Some of the some of the Corinthian who knows how many but they bought into this lie. This heresy that there was no resurrection and Paul is explaining in first grade. It's 15 how devastating that would be slick if Jesus Christ didn't actually bodily rise from the dead and were still dead in our sins. There is no hope for us because our resurrection is wrapped up in his resurrection. We know working to rise from the dead because he rose from the dead, and so this is great hope that we have as believers. But if you get rid of Christ's resurrection were hopeless Christianity is, what's the point that sometimes he will say like it. Christianity is about helping people to live a better life and and you know to make you more moral in that kind of thing Paul says no action. I disagree that the kernel of Christianity.

The main thing is not a be a nice person. If Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and because he rose from the dead, he is conquered sin and death, and in him you can have life now in implication of that is love the Lord can walk with him but but the essence of the gospel is the Christ rose from the dead. That was was been called into question there in Corinth so that's that's the issue now. The language of verse 29 is really important and a lot of people miss this list again pulses otherwise. What do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead is eight what do we mean by baptizing people on behalf of the dead. He uses a verb. The third person plural.

He 55.

What do they mean what it one of eight mean when they talk about being baptized for the dead. In other words, this was not a practice that the apostles were doing. The apostles were not going around baptizing people for the debt, you know, does that actually today, the Mormon church the Mormon church will appeal to this passage in the sale of the apostles you is even happening in apostolic days. But Paul's point here is not that this is something we do that this is an apostolic brought thing that that that happens. This point is there. There's a group out there that denies the resurrection of the dead, but still baptizes people on behalf of the Denny's and look at the inconsistency. What are they even doing you know that's the issue. It's people who were denying the resurrection of the dental uses the third person plural is what did they mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead that there is an inconsistency with their doctor and he's exposing it is not saying we, the apostles baptized for the dead, and so this is not an apostolic brought practice. It's not something that were called to do as Christians. And it's not something that even the apostle is encouraging here. In fact, in verse 30, he switches to the first person plural is is why are we in danger. Every hours week is that you know why or why are we baptizing people for the Debbie doesn't he's pointing to another group that was doing it. Probably a sect in the first century and he rejects it and the key is focusing on the resurrection of Jesus. And so, thank you so much for that question sister. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez's wills go to Laura in Whitewater Kansas.

Laura what your question for a drill.

I know the Bible that keep the monkey for killing a pronoun for H first in lowercase I question but a kind only nation people up a Laura, thank you for that? The first thing I want to say is you know the capitalizations. Those are some of those are essentially done by by Bible translator so this is something that we see in like the, the original Greek text per se, but it's something they there is an interpretive move that's being made in and out of respect for the name of God or for the Lord himself lately capitalized it to show that they're talking about God, the deity now.

Sometimes it you know that there are like interpretive questions you for looking at a passage in the Old Testament or even in the New Testament where the question is will who's who's a subject here is it God or is it someone else so sometimes will be capitalize in some Bibles and not in others, but I don't think that we need to make too big of a deal about it because it's not really something that we see in in the original tax. It really is just it does sort of lies. I said, out of respect, then it does help you to see that that they are talking or at least the interpreters believe that that this subject.

Here was referring to God it is God who is the subject there and so that's what you have, that there was no true that with the Jewish people. They actually wouldn't even write the name of God, yeah that is true. To me they wouldn't say the divine name they would say I deny. Instead, I get out of out of respect so there was this great emphasis on the Lord, his transcendence, his glory, even our inability to say his name, but we do know Jesus reveals to us. God perfectly and so we look to him. Thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers and the menu or call us at 1-833-843-2673. That's 833 when you contact us. Please let us know how you been encouraged by this program and be sure to join us next time. As we explore the truth of God's word together