"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?" (I Corinthians 15:29)\n\nThis verse is commonly used by LDS to explain the temple "baptism for the dead" practice.  I've never heard any other takes on it, except my own studies.  Any givers?
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I don't know if this helps but it is the the notes\nfrom "Clarke" in e-sword\nPraying God blesses u in ur search for answers....\nShaz\nx x x x x x\n\n1 Cor 15:29 - \nElse what shall they do which are baptized for the dead - This is certainly the most difficult verse in the New Testament; for, notwithstanding the greatest and wisest men have labored to explain it, there are to this day nearly as many different interpretations of it as there are interpreters. I shall not employ my time, nor that of my reader, with a vast number of discordant and conflicting opinions; I shall make a few remarks:\n1.The doctrine of the resurrection of our Lord was a grand doctrine among the apostles; they considered and preached this as the demonstration of the truth of the Gospel.\n2.The multitudes who embraced Christianity became converts on the evidence of this resurrection.\n3.This resurrection was considered the pledge and proof of the resurrection of all believers in Christ to the possession of the same glory into which he had entered.\n4.The baptism which they received they considered as an emblem of their natural death and resurrection. This doctrine St. Paul most pointedly preaches, Rom_6:3-5 : Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead, even so we also should walk in newness of life: for, if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in his resurrection.\n5.It is evident from this that all who died in the faith of Christ died in the faith of the resurrection; and therefore cheerfully gave up their lives to death, as they took joyfully the spoiling of their goods, knowing in themselves that they had in heaven a better and an enduring substance, Heb_10:34.\n6.As is the body, so are the members; those who were properly instructed, and embraced Christianity, believed that as all who had died in the faith of Christ should rise again, so they were baptized in the same faith.\n7.As so many of the primitive followers of Christ sealed the truth with their blood, and Satan and his followers continued unchanged, every man who took on him the profession of Christianity, which was done by receiving baptism, considered himself as exposing his life to the most imminent hazard, and offering his life with those who had already offered and laid down theirs.\n8.He was therefore baptized in reference to this martyrdom; and, having a regard to those dead, he cheerfully received baptism, that, whether he were taken off by a natural or violent death, he might be raised in the likeness of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, and that of his illustrious martyrs.\n9.As martyrdom and baptism were thus so closely and intimately connected, βαπτιζεσθαι, to be baptized, was used to express being put to a violent death by the hands of persecutors. So Mat_20:22, Mat_20:23 : “But Jesus answered and said, Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of? etc.” (Can ye go through my sufferings?) “They say unto him, We are able. He saith unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of my cup,” (ye shall bear your part of the afflictions of the Gospel), “and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with (that is, ye shall suffer martyrdom.) See also Mar_10:38. So Luk_12:50; “I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!” That is, I must die a violent death for the salvation of men.\n10.The sum of the apostle’s meaning appears to be this: If there be no resurrection of the dead, those who, in becoming Christians, expose themselves to all manner of privations, crosses, severe sufferings, and a violent death, can have no compensation, nor any motive sufficient to induce them to expose themselves to such miseries. But as they receive baptism as an emblem of death in voluntarily going under the water, so they receiv
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Because they are dumb and don't understand why Jesus told us to baptise:\n\n1Pe 3:21  Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
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The Bible only allowed sacrifices to be brought to Jerusalem to the Temple.  When there is no Temple standing, sacrifices can not be properly brought.  This was true during the Babylonian exile (way before Jesus), and it is true today, since the year 70 CE/AD when the 2nd Temple was destroyed.\n\nBut God did not leave the people without a way to Him.  Hosea told the people what to do in those times when there is no temple.  He said the Jewish people would be many days without a temple, and during that time, the people should simply offer prayers in place of sacrifices.\n\nThis is what the Jews do today, in obedience to the words of God through the Prophet Hosea.  \n\nThere are 3 daily prayers, coinciding with the temple services.  There is the morning (shacharit), afternoon (minchah), and Evening (ma'ariv) prayers.  Religious Jews say these every day.  And there are additional prayers for Sabbath and holidays, also coinciding with the additional sacrifices that would have been brought in Temple days.\n\nThanks for asking.  It is a common question, and it is good to clear up any misunderstanding!
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How about this:\n\n1 Cor 6:19-20\n\n19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
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Well it is interesting that you ask that. My brother who is not mormon recently married a mormon. They were married in the temple and we were not alowed to attend because we are not mormon. We asked what the big deal was and we were told that the temple is considered a sacred ground for the worship of mormons to their god and that non mormons entering this temple curses the belief of the church. I know it sounds ridiculous but that is part of there religion and so be it I guess. I sure am glad I am not mormon.
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The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. Baptism is the sacrament of faith. But faith needs the community of believers. It is only within the faith of the Church that each of the faithful can believe. The faith required for Baptism is not a perfect and mature faith, but a beginning that is called to develop.\n\nThrough Baptism the Christian is sacramentally assimilated to Jesus, who in his own baptism anticipates his death and resurrection. The Christian must enter into this mystery of humble self-abasement and repentance, go down into the water with Jesus in order to rise with him, be reborn of water and the Spirit so as to become the Father's beloved son in the Son and walk in newness of life.\n\nRom 6:23 tells is that it a free gift from God and 1 Cor 6:9-10 tells us that it’s an inheritance. When your parents have established an inheritance for you, you do not say that you earned that inheritance; however, by being bad long enough, you could lose that inheritance. We cannot earn our inheritance nor do we need to, but we could lose it. In 1 Cor 6:9-10, St. Paul gives us a list of sins and sinners and adds that they “will not inherit the kingdom. We are not saved as individuals, or by our own power, but we are saved inasmuch as we are members of Christ. That means we must be like Him; hence in Gal 5:13-26, St. Paul gives two lists: the fruits of the Spirit and the works of the flesh. If we follow the flesh, we will die. Rom 8:9 reads “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him”; that Spirit leads us to do as Christ did (avoid sin). We cannot say: “If we have taken Christ as our Savior we can sin as much as we want”, for faith includes obedience (Rom 1:5).\n\nSt. Paul surely thought salvation could be lost. “No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Cor 9:27) If anyone took Jesus Christ as his Savior, it was St. Paul; but he knew he could be eternally lost.\n\nAre we saved by faith alone?\n\nThere is only one location in the entire Bible where the words "faith" and "alone" are used in the context of justification. "See how a person is justified by works and NOT by faith alone. And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route? For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead" (Jas 2:24-26).\n\n"Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works." (Jas 2:20-22)
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The book for explaining God's salvation plan is in the Bible. The Book of Mormon will not have this because Mormons are not a\nchristian religion. Although they acknowledge Jesus, they consider Him either a prophet or just one of many different gods, which they believe they themselves will become some day.\nPeople confuse Mormons' good works and family values with being a christian religion. Christians base their salvation on Christ's life sacrificed as the atonement for sins. Because He is God's son and therefore holy, Christ was the perfect sacrifice and part of God's plan from the start to redeem mankind from sin. There is only one God, not many, Within that Godhead are    three persons - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, which is a mystery to many.  Belief or trust in Christ's sacrifice as the atonement to cover our repented sins is the basis for our salvation and eternal life. These are the main tenets of \nthe Christian faith which Mormons do not embrace. Several places in scripture have words from Jesus, Paul and John warning against adding or changing the inspired words of God.The subtitle on a "Book of Mormon" that I received on a tour of the Mormon premises in Salt Lake City reads "Another Testament of Jesus Christ". The one and only reliable source of truth is the Bible.
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I believe you to be true in what your saying.\nYou seem to me like a christian. I find demons to be in mormons. I find them to stick together like a cult group as well. They have hard time figuring out what is real and what is correct. Have you noticed that non member is always corrected even when you join "you get corrected".\nLike that other girl said For some reason like other post of yours you seem to know alot about mormons. \nTalking to the mormon lady who spoke up  well so what if he does! Do you want convert him cause you lose people more and more everyday! Wake up silly mormon tricks are from  the \ndevil not from God. Real christians know that mormons dont live the way God says in the bible. Real christians know that mormons have to have there way. Real christians also know you dont go by a cross you go by a spare that sticks straight up. Nothing you can say can change a christ follower thats "christ", no one else shall i follow, but christ. As a christian follows a true christian knows they can not do works to get there self in to heaven. By the way there is only one heaven and one hell. Sorry that i had to be the one to tell you the true truth.
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Baptism, is a step in the right direction but not the end result of your efforts. If you die while being baptized you still have no hope of getting to heaven if your heart is evil. Likewise if you die with a pure heart right before you get baptized, God saw the intent of the heart, and you would be saved. He doesn't do the doctrinal nit-picking people do.
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Isn't it comical seeing people trying to explain spiritual matters when they are not guided in the least by a living prophet or modern scripture.\n\nI have a firm, unshakeable knowledge that the Lord restored His kingdom to the earth in 1830 when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was organized.  It contains the priesthood of Jesus Christ, restored by John the Baptist in 1829 and Peter, James and John, that same year.  It has modern prophets who can communicate the mind, the will, and the voice of the Lord to this generation.  It has a second witness for Jesus Christ--The Book of Mormon.  While most religions contain some truth and some good things, they lack much of what was lost between the death of Christ and the apostles and the raising up of the Prophet Joseph Smith in the early 19th century.
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Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. \nI have learned a great deal from you, and I try to share that knowledge \nwith as many people as I can. \nI do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other specific \nBiblical laws and how to follow them.\n\na) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a \npleasing odor for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. \nThey claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?\n\nb) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in \nExodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price \nfor her?\n\nc) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her \nperiod of menstrual uncleanness (Lev.15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? \nI have tried asking, but most women take offense. If I come into contact with \na woman who is menstruating and she doesn't tell me until afterwards, must I \nkill her immediately or can I just beat her?\n\nd) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, \nprovided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims\nthat this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? \nWhy can't I own Canadians?\n\ne) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 \nclearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill \nhim myself? Also, is Sabbath on Saturday as Seventh Day Adventists \n(Christians, like us...or are they?) or is it on Sunday as Baptists and \nsome other faiths agree? I am beset by not knowing who to kill and when \nto kill them...please clarify this for me.\n\nf) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination\n (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality (Lev. 18:22). \nI don't agree. I'm also confused about how homosexuality can be an abomination \nwhen Jonathan and David were married in the Bible (1 Samuel 18:1, 3 - 4). \nHere, I'll quote it - "And it came to pass, when he had made an end of \nspeaking unto Saul that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David \nand Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Then Jonathan and David made a \ncovenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself\nof the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even \nto his sword and to his bow and to his girdle." and also Ruth's relationship \nwith Naomi is suspect, (Ruth 1:16-17) "And Ruth said to Naomi, Entreat me not \nto leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, \nI will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, \nand thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: \nthe Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part three and me.\n" Can you settle this?\n\ng) Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a \ndefect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my \nvision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?\n\nh) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around \ntheir temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.19:27 and even \nthough 1st Cor. 11:4-6 says that it is a shame upon a man to have long hair. \nHow should they die?\n\ni) I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me \nunclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves? Also, since it is \nstrictly forbidden to "eat neither fat nor blood" in Lev. 3:17 & Lev. 19:26, \ndoes that mean that I must be a vegetarian and must I smite those who choose \nto eat meat?\n\nj) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different \ncrops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two \ndifferent kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse \nand blaspheme a lot. Is i
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The Old Testament law commanded the Israelites, “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:28). So, even though believers today are not under the Old Testament law (Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:23-25; Ephesians 2:15), the fact that there was a command against tattoos should cause us to question. The New Testament does not say anything about whether a believer should or should not get a tattoo.\n\n \n\nIn relation to tattoos and body piercings, a good test is to determine whether we can honestly, in good conscience, ask God to bless and use the particular activity for His own good purposes. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). The Bible does not command against tattoos or body piercings, but it also does not give us any reason to believe God would have us get tattoos or body piercings.\n\n \n\nAnother issue to consider is modesty. The Bible instructs us to dress modestly (1 Timothy 2:9). One aspect of dressing modestly is making sure everything that should be covered by clothing is adequately covered. However, the essential meaning of modesty is not drawing attention to yourself. People who dress modestly dress in such a way that they do not draw attention to themselves. Tattoos and body piercings most definitely draw attention. In this sense, tattoos and body piercings are not modest.\n\n \n\nAn important Scriptural principle on issues that the Bible does not specifically address is that if there is room for doubt as to whether it pleases God, then it is best to not engage in that activity. "For whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Romans 14:23). We need to remember that our bodies, as well as our souls, have been redeemed and belong to God. Although 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 does not directly apply to tattoos or body piercings, it does give us a principle, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." This great truth should have a real bearing on what we do and where we go with our bodies. If our bodies belong to God, we should make sure we have His clear "permission" before we "mark it up" with tattoos or body piercings.
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Jesus Christ said Himself that if we LOVE Him, we WILL DO as He commands. If you don't want to go to church and be baptized, then you have to ask yourself, "do I really love Him?" \n He did not only command us to be baptized, but He got baptized Himself. So there: walk in His footsteps. How else can you live for Him than by obeying Him??
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Ah ha! Well you  must read of the jewish after life called sheol than you must consider Christians have judgement day. Now why would the dead have to be raised to be judged again. My answer is sheol exsists now, however maybe someone can scripture me wrong. However I think there are places of great harmony in the afterlife. I think you have stages if you were bad that you must go through first as well.
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Another answer pointed to the verse “whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved”  To call on his name, means to rely on his authority.  According to the authority (instructions) of Christ, Belief + Baptism = Saved (Mark 16:16)  Note Saul was told “be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the name of the Lord”.  Obviously this calling was more than saying His name or praying since he had been praying for 3 days.  “Calling on the name of the Lord” is relying on his authority and doing what he instructs.  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matt 7:21)\n \nIn 1 Peter 3, it talks about the salvation of Noah from the flood.  The flood washed away the wickedness in the world and allowed those in the ark to begin a new life in a new world.  Verse 21 says, “And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you – not the removal of filth of the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”\n\nWe are saved by the blood of Christ that was shed at His death (Romans 5:9-10).  In baptism, we are “baptized into his death”, therefore, that is when we come into contact with His saving blood and we “rise to walk in newness of life”, or we are “born again”.  (Romans 6:3-13)  You must be born again to be saved.\n\nSalvation is not by belief only.  The devils believe, but are not saved. (James 2:19)  Some in Jesus’ time believed, but would not confess (John 12:42-43).  Jesus must not only be acknowledged, but he must be lord of our life.  We must be willing to do what he says.\n\nOne more point, EVERY example of conversion in Acts specifically mentions baptism.  None of these converts ate, drank or slept until they were baptized.  It was always immediate.  Saul had been fasting for 3 days (Acts 9:9). He was baptized and then took food (Acts 9:18-19).  The jailer was baptized about midnight (Acts 16:25, 33).  In Acts 2, about 3000 were baptized “that day” (verse 41).  Surely it would have been more convenient to schedule this many baptisms over a period of time, but this shows the importance (urgency) of baptism.  \n\nBelief, confession, repentance, and baptism are all important!  If any one of these is omitted, the plan of salvation is incomplete.\n\nBaptism:\n\nSaves \nMark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21\n\nFor remission of sins\nActs 2:38\n\nPuts one "into Christ"\n Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:27\n\nPuts one into contact with his death/saving blood \nRomans 6:3-13, Col. 2:12\n\nWashes away sins\nActs 22:16\n\nIs by Christ's authority\nMark 16:16, Matt 28:19, Acts 19:1-5
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Hi Rodney. Good evening/day.Very good subject! First of all, in case anyone does not know what sin is, let's define it.  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. or MKJV- Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness-1John 3:4. Myself included, we need to ensure that we know what sin is so that we can be sincerely repentant and strive to not commit sins. You are correct everyone sins, that is why Jesus - the perfect Son of God who was sinless died for our sins and rose from the dead. Second, the word rapture is not in the Bible. Jesus will return to raise the dead and claim those of us who are saved. John 3:13 says  -And no one has ascended up to Heaven except He who came down from Heaven, the Son of Man who is in Heaven. May God Bless  you.
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My friend, I agree with you, yet I also see a more pressing matter at hand. What about those persecutors and all the non-believers? If they die, they will not rejoice with all of us in heaven with the Lord God. I will pray for both the believers and the non-believers. There isn't much I can do from my present state but pray and preach the Word, since i'm not in a position to do anything but that. Email me if you have questions or are a fellow believer in Christ at questinchrist@yahoo.com. God bless