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Topics answered:
| 1 Corinthians 15:29 | Jehovah's Witnesses |
| Tony Blair and One World Religion | 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 |
Herb from Indiana asked:
Can you please explain I Corinthians 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?”
Mike answers: In this discourse, Paul is making a point in chapter 15.There is obviously a dispute at Corinth over the resurrection and whether it really happens. Paul is making a point, if there is no resurrection, then Jesus is not alive and all we do is silly. V. 14, why are we preaching if Christ did not rise? V. 17faith is vain if there is no resurrection.
In V. 29, apparently it was a practice in Corinth and very possibly in some other areas, although Paul nor any of the other apostles gives an endorsement to it, to baptize for the dead. The belief was that since the people did not have the opportunity to be baptized as baptism was not instituted before they died, these people that were now believers would be baptized on behalf of these loved ones that had died pre-baptism. In I Corinthians 15:29, Paul does not endorse the act as legitimate. He simply notes the Corinthians are doing it. He is saying it makes no sense for them to say they do not believe in the resurrection and yet be baptized for dead people. If there is no resurrection, then why do this?
Groups like the Mormons who practice baptism for the dead have taken this verse as an endorsement. Obviously the practice was meaningless anyway as baptism does not save a person, but is only a testimony of their salvation. Therefore, with no endorsement of the apostles, the practice did not continue in the mainstream church. It also would have become mute as, even if it was significant, everyone born post-baptism would have had the decision to be baptized for themselves. Therefore, it would mean nothing to us today who have that opportunity to be baptized and we cannot be saved after we are dead.
Again, taken in context, Paul is defending the reality of the resurrection and not the need to be baptized for the dead or baptism at all. The argument is to establish that the resurrection is a reality and it is silly to say you don’t believe in it and then have practices that go against what you say you believe in. I hope this helps in this tough discussion.
Mike,
Could you tell us about the Jehovah’s Witnesses?
ANSWER: Here are just a few things about the Jehovah’s Witnesses. They are good people with good hearts, but they are very much a cult deceived by a false doctrine. The group was founded upon two false prophesies, one in the late 1800’s and one in the early 1900’s when the group professed to have discovered the day when Jesus would return. We know that the Scriptures make it clear that Jesus did not know that day when He was on the earth Matthew 24:36. When Jesus did not return as they said, they claimed to have made a mistake and changed their promise. We know the Scriptures that a true prophet of God is never wrong and they can’t change their mind after the prediction doesn’t come true.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus is a created being. In fact, they believe that He was Michael the Archangel and then became the Christ. They believe he is a prophet, simply a son of God and not God the Son. In fact, they reject the trinity completely and their leaders have done their best to delete from their bible every reference that brings about the trinity teaching. They believe the Holy Spirit is nothing more than the breath of God.
To teach that Christ is a created being is to fly in the face of even their Bible. Colossians 1:16-17 “For by Him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: All things were created by Him and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.” To say that Jesus is created is to say He somehow created Himself. That is an impossibility to create yourself before you exist.
Their answer to John 1:1 which says in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God, they simply insert their own word “the Word was a god.” This goes against the original text, but their bible arbitrarily changes the wording to fit their belief.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses also deny Hell to be eternal. They believe the lost will be burned up and cease to exist. That is why you will not see Mark 11:44 or 11:46 in their bible as it tells us the soul or worm will never die. Hell is eternal and the Bible makes that clear. However, they have removed that from their Bible.
Another famous wrong belief of the Jehovah’s Witnesses is the belief that only 144,000 people will make it to Heaven. Everyone else will live on Earth in a paradise here. That teaching is based out of Revelation chapter 7. The Bible makes it clear it is talking about Israelites that are sealed to God. It calls them by tribe and has nothing to do with the people in Heaven. In fact, if you look at verse 9 of chapter 7 right after the 144,000 are called off, John talks of a multitude no man can number in Heaven in white robes.
This belief of 144,000 that make it to Heaven has caused the Jehovah’s Witnesses to become a works based religion. That is why they go out and knock on doors and put their entire life into work. They do not believe we are saved by grace and not by works lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 They believe they will earn Heaven by being super saints and that is not according to Scripture.
One other thing to quickly discuss, they do not believe in blood transfusions based on the Scripture Genesis 9:4 and Leviticus 3:17. The Bible is clearly speaking of eating blood and has nothing to do with blood transfusions.
There is so much more and if you need more, I will get it to you. This is a basic overview of some of the reasons the Jehovah’s Witnesses are a cult. I have spent a lot of time talking with them and they need prayer. They are not bad people, but deceived people.
ANSWER: Regarding Prime Minister Blair's initiative to provide peaceful coexistence between the world's religions and tackle global poverty and conflict ...call me naive, but this doesn't sound like a very bad idea.
Reasoning together between Christians is one thing Jesus instructed us to do. There is so much diversity in this world ...so are we to focus on our differences and block any 'coexistence' or can there be agreement between Christians where we can make a difference in this world? I like reaching an agreement with others, understanding that the rest of the world is not going to follow what I believe in! Having said that, I never researched Pastor Rick Warren's point of view. Nevertheless, I still stand by my
former statement about 'coexisting', especially with other Christians.
II do absolutely agree that Christians need to come together with other Christians and forget our doctrinal differences. If we are going to make a difference in the world, we must do that and that is why we have not been having the impact we should. We fight too much with each other. I agree, I agree. However, what Mr. Blair is doing isn't trying to bring Christians together. He is trying to bring about a one world religion movement where we would join with Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Hare Krishna, Rastafarians, and any other religions and become social religions concerned about social issues and not spiritual issues. While I would gladly work hand in hand with a Muslim to feed a poor neighborhood, if they cared about poor neighborhoods, I can't set aside the fact that I am a Christian and I abide by Christian standards and light has no fellowship with darkness. This is exactly what the false prophet who works with antichrist will do. He will bring all the religions of the world together and make it a one world religion "tolerant" of everyone else’s views. While I will never force my views or beliefs on anyone, I will also never give up my right to share them as I would expect others to share theirs. So I agree with you that we must work together as Christians to accomplish these things and that is why we are failing. We do not follow Christ’s command that we be one, whether we are Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Lutheran, or whatever. However, we can't become one with Muslims or Hindus that believe in a different God. I hope that makes sense why I object to what Mr. Blair is doing. A one world Christian attitude is a good thing. A one world religion is not a good thing. Thank you again for your email. God bless you.
I would like to ask a question. I heard and read that people that die in Christ go to Heaven and have a Spiritual body. If that is so, why does it say in Bible, I Thessalonians 4:16-17? Just wondered what your opinion is?
(I Thessalonians 4:16-17 “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”)
ANSWER: This is one of those questions most ministers fear. There is not, regardless of what anyone says, an absolute answer. It is a good question that we can discuss and briefly try to offer some solutions. I believe the Scripture teaches clearly that when a Christian dies, he/she goes to Heaven. Jesus spoke of the rich man and Lazarus and spoke about Lazarus being in the bosom of Abraham and the rich man being in torment. The rich man was very aware of whom Abraham and Lazarus was, that his own deceived brothers were still alive and lost as he was, and he spoke of his tongue and the Bible mentions his eyes as well. It also mentions Lazarus finger. Luke 16:20-31 This was not a bunch of blobs in eternity but recognizable people. In Philippians 1:20-23 “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I know not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. I believe the Bible is clear that we go to be with Christ when we die. However, then why would the dead in Christ have to rise first? There are a number of theories out there. There is the theory that we will not receive a glorified body until that time. That is when the soul will unite with the spirit and we will be given the glorified body. Jesus raises the question in His actions after the resurrection. He tells Mary Magdalene in John 20:17 “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto my Father.” Yet in John 20:27 He says to Thomas “Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: And be not faithless, but believing.” In Luke 24:39, He says to the disciples “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have. Jesus, after His resurrection, still was human form. He could be touched and He could be seen and He could be held onto. He was not a spirit. Yet we know from I Corinthians 15:50 “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. He goes on to say in chapter 15 that this corruptible body shall be changed to incorruptible. It could be possible that this is what is happening at that time of the “dead in Christ” rising first. I Corinthians 15:42-44 says “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a spiritual body and a natural body.” We are not exactly sure what is behind all of this. We simply believe the Scripture teaches we will go home to be with Jesus at death. We also believe the Scripture teaches the dead in Christ will rise first. Even if it is just a show of God’s power, the Scripture account will be true in both beliefs.