PRAYER AND THE BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD (2)

 PRAYER AND BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD (2)

Ecclesiastes 9 :2-3

"The same destiny ultimately awaits everyone, whether righteous or wicked, good or bad, ceremonially clean or unclean, religious or irreligious. Good people receive the same treatment as sinners, and people who make promises to God are treated like people who don’t.

  It seems so wrong that everyone under the sun suffers the same fate. Already twisted by evil, people choose their own mad course, for they have no hope. There is nothing ahead but death anyway."

     The above scripture has been misinterpreted to mean the same destiny awaits all mankind whether godly or ungodly , therefore, of what use is trying to be godly when we shall all end alike. This is the reason why some persons have chosen to live recklessly against the laws of God. 

  This is the devil's trap to get as many person's as possible in to hell .The scriptures says we shall give account before God immediately we take out last breath on earth 

 Hebrews 9 :27 "And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,". God's judgment is instant at the point of death 

   The scriptures says " Ecclesiastes 9 :10/

Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom."  this is further proof that a person's life does not improve by way of prayers being made by the living for the dead. 

   What about  baptism for the dead . ? The Corinthians to whom Paul addressed had a tradition where sacrifices and baptism where made for the dead , this is still being practiced in parts of Asia and south America. 1 Cor. 15:29 says "Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?”  Paul alluded to the fact that the people's belief in the resurrection of the dead but was careful not to endorse the practice of baptism for the dead. This is seen in the use of the third person pronoun  'They ' and not 'we ' .or 'us'.

   He employed the use of the logical argument form known as argumentum ad hominem—an argument premised upon what men were doing at that time and with which the readers would relate to,  based on the prevailing culture .

 Scripturally, the baptism of the dead metaphorically is in reference to the apostles being dead to sin according to the old sinful nature ( Romans 6:6-7)  The word baptism used contextually by apostle Paul refers to the sufferings preachers have to go through in spreading the gospel ( Matthew 20:22, Mark 10:38-39, Luke 12:50, Acts 9:16, and 1 Corinthians 4:9,)

   The second word 'Dead' is referring to those who are yet to be born again. They are described in scriptures as being spiritually dead (Mathew 8:22) 

   Paul was saying that if the dead were not raised then Christianity was a failure and hopeless venture , and given that the resurrection is coming we should not continue to live in sin like those without a hope of salvation.  Ecclesiastes 12 :13-14 "That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad."

  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 the Holy Spirit and power for stability . 

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