Changes

==Baptism for the dead==

==Baptism for the dead==

===Mormon doctrine: baptismal salvation for the unbaptized dead===

===Mormon doctrine: baptismal salvation for the unbaptized dead===

[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints]] practices surrogate water-baptism for the salvation of the souls of the unbaptized dead, including infants, that they might be saved. This is based on their doctrinal interpretation of [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/1_corinthians/15-29.htm 1 Corinthians 15:29]{{cquote|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. (KJV)}}

[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints]] practices surrogate water-baptism for the salvation of the souls of the unbaptized dead, including infants, that they might be saved.<ref>[https://www.mormonwiki.com/Mormon_Beliefs:_Baptism_for_the_Dead Mormon Beliefs: Baptism for the Dead (mormonwiki.com)]</ref> This is based on their doctrinal interpretation of [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/1_corinthians/15-29.htm 1&nbsp;Corinthians 15:29]{{cquote|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. (KJV)}}

 

==="They" not "We"===

==="They" not "We"===

Those who deny that baptism on behalf of the dead was ever part of Christian doctrine and apostolic tradition point out that Paul says, "''they''", in reference to others who believe in the resurrection of the dead. He does not say, "Else what shall '''we''' do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are '''we''' then baptized for the dead?" He does not say this. If baptism for the dead had been Christian doctrine they reason that Paul would have included it as a practice that "we" Christians perform on behalf of the dead as a [[Corporal and spiritual works of mercy|work of mercy]]. There is no evidence from the first centuries of Christianity in the writings of the [[Apostolic Fathers]], the [[Ante-Nicene Fathers]], and the first seven [[Ecumenical council]]s of any mention of the practice of being baptized for the dead as being part of Christian [[doctrine]] and [[dogma]]. According to the [[Orthodox Church]] and the [[Catholic Church]] this practice was never a part of [[Apostolic Tradition]]. No Protestant denomination practices baptism for the dead. It is unknown in the [[Church of Christ]]. For this reason the Mormon doctrine of baptizing for the dead is not Christian.

Those who deny that baptism on behalf of the dead was ever part of Christian doctrine and apostolic tradition point out that Paul says, "''they''", in reference to others who believe in the resurrection of the dead. He does not say, "Else what shall '''we''' do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are '''we''' then baptized for the dead?" He does not say this. If baptism for the dead had been Christian doctrine they reason that Paul would have included it as a practice that "we" Christians perform on behalf of the dead as a [[Corporal and spiritual works of mercy|work of mercy]]. There is no evidence from the first centuries of Christianity in the writings of the [[Apostolic Fathers]], the [[Ante-Nicene Fathers]], and the first seven [[Ecumenical council]]s of any mention of the practice of being baptized for the dead as being part of Christian [[doctrine]] and [[dogma]]. According to the [[Orthodox Church]] and the [[Catholic Church]] this practice was never a part of [[Apostolic Tradition]]. No Protestant denomination practices baptism for the dead. It is unknown in the [[Church of Christ]]. For this reason the Mormon doctrine of baptizing for the dead is not Christian.