What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Which action or which idolatrous cult is meant by the baptism for the dead in 1 Corinthians 15?"
Answer
The provided documents do not interpret the “baptism for the dead” as an idolatrous cult or a representative action for those already deceased. Instead, it is understood as an expression of faith in the resurrection of the dead, with the term “the dead” idiomatically referring to the condition or hope of victory over death.
Baptism is seen as a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection as well as that of the believer; without the certainty of a future resurrection this act would be meaningless. The texts emphasize that it is a baptism “in trust and in the expectation of a resurrection of the dead.”
Baptism as an Expression of Faith in the Resurrection
»6. Baptism for the dead. Most critics understand this as “the immersion in faith in a resurrection of the dead.” ... Dr. Clarke says: “The sum of the apostle’s meaning appears to be this – they are baptized for the dead in complete faith in the resurrection.” ... Dr. Geo Campbell: “What else are those who are baptized for the resurrection of the dead to do if the dead do not rise at all?”«
The Connection Between Baptism and Christ’s Resurrection
»What connection does baptism have with the resurrection of the dead? — Exactly this: Through baptism we demonstrate our faith in Christ’s burial and resurrection. ... But if the dead do not rise, then Christ has not risen, and these events never occurred in his experience; so why would we then perform an action that shows our faith in them...? Why are we then baptized “for the dead,” a dead person, a dead Savior?«
Warning Against Fanatical Misinterpretations
»You believe the dead have been raised. You have been baptized in the faith of the resurrection of the dead. I know that this is all a deception. Satan has tried to deceive you. When Christ, the great giver of life, comes in the clouds of heaven to raise the dead, there will be a terrible earthquake.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
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