BAPTISM AND PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD (Pt 1)
By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi
1 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?"
Ecclesiastes 9:5 "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten."
Is it possible that people who are alive on the earth can be baptized for and prayers be made for the dead and is there any efficacy of these baptisms or prayers in the lives of those who already have died and are in the spirit realm ?
The scriptures eliminates this possibility and here are some of them , "When the wicked die, their hopes die with them, for they rely on their own feeble strength." Proverbs 11:7 NLT the dead do not have any expectations of anything on earth . You cannot add or subtract from the dead.
The story of Lazarus and the rich man who both died and were taken to the great beyond is proof that once dead a person's life cannot be influenced by the prayers or baptism of the living on earth . “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there. " Luke 16:22-23, 26 NLT the is a great chasm ( Greek : Chasma meaning impassable interval ) prayers can't pass in or out .
On whether it is possible for a sinner to become righteous after death, Jesus Christ said to the unrepentant sinner who think that their religion will guarantee their salvation ."That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I Am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”
John 8:24 NLT Religion cannot guarantee a person salvation in the present and the after life.
Man deserved the full punishment for breaking the 613 laws of Moses but Jesus Christ took the punishment for humanity and in exchange gave us his righteousness . For those who reject this offer the bible says "For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body." 2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT
This is a confirmation that sins are not forgiven after a person dies through the prayers or baptism of the living . Satan does not want people to repent before death so they can fall into the trap of hell fire like he did to the rich religious man in Luke 16.
Prayer : Heavenly father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as lord and saviour and receive faith for the miraculous . Amen
+2348035536911, +2348098536911 e-mail . michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
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