Now I say anyone who will read the above verses with an open mind can easily see that it was not the question of the Corinthians making a mistake of baptizing for the dead.

It was a question of there being no resurrection.  that is the entire subject of what Paul is saying in these verses.

So look at it.  v12.  How say some of YOU that there is no resurrection?  See the error was in listening to the teaching that there is no resurrection.  it was not the fact that some of them were baptized for the dead.  this is not the question in this passage.

v13--IF  there be no resurrection, then Christ is not risen...

v14 and if Christ be not risen, our faith is in vain.

v15... and we are false witnesses because we testified that Christ rose from the dead.  (see it is not saying we are false for we baptized for the dead)  that is not the question here.

v16--IF  the dead rise not then Christ is  not raised.

v17--IF Christ be not raised, your faith is vain, and you are yet in your sins.

<NOBR>1co 15:18</NOBR>

Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

See His entire discourse led up to this one statement...that IF THE DEAD RISE NOT  then they which are fallen asleep in Christ  are  perished.

See, without this resurrection from the dead,  there would have been no salvation for anyone.  Not the living, and not those already asleep.

So no one obtained salvation BEFORE that resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Then he goes on to speak of how things will end up, with the son himself  being subject to God that God may be all in all,   ....then he says  ELSE  what shall they do who are baptized for the dead,  why are they doing this, being baptized for those dead if the dead will not rise anyway,  why do it?  That is what he is asking....... and why are we in jeopardy every hour IF  THE DEAD RISE NOT.  He said then just live it up, eat and party, for we will just die and stay dead anyway.  Why live for God?  why baptize for those dead saints?  They are not going to rise anyway? 

People that is what is being said here!  You have to  totally make-over this passage to say anything else!

Now all I can say is,  if anyone can find something in these verses which was in question,  other than the fact of being resurrected, as some taught,  then I say you are reading something OTHER THAN THESE ABOVE VERSES.

Not one word  was said here about the Corinthians being in error with this practice.  Not one word was said about this being a wrong thing to do.  They were NOT rebuked for being baptized for the dead.  They were only told that if there is no resurrection  from the dead,  then why do this?  If would have been of no value  IF  THE DEAD RISE NOT....

Then that clearly, at least to me,   shows that the very purpose for this being baptized for the dead,  was to insure that those already fallen asleep in Christ BEFORE NT Baptism was available, before NT salvation was available,   WAS  TO GIVE THEM THIS MERCY.  TO INSURE THAT THESE SLEEPING SAINTS WERE BROUGHT INTO  NT SALVATION.

To me this solidly PROVES BEYOND ANY SHADOW OF A DOUBT  that Baptism of is more importance than anyone could possible imagine.  It was so important and necessary to salvation, that God made a way for those saints of that day to stand in for those departed saints of the OT times. (and I suppose this is why this teaching is being blacked so much....because people seem to HATE the fact of having to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins!)

And that is why it was NOT  ESTABLISHED by two witnesses for us today.  BECAUSE  WE ARE NOT IN THE POSITION TO DO THIS.

It was completed in their day.  No one can baptized for anyone who lived SINCE THEN AND REJECTED NT SALVATION.

I SAY ALL WHO SAY THAT BAPTISM IS NOT A NECESSARY PART OF SALVATION ARE MISSING SALVATION JUST AS SURELY AS THOSE OT SAINTS WOULD HAVE,  FOR YOU ARE REJECTING GOD'S OWN WORDS ABOUT HOW SALVATION   comes about.

I say you all would do well for yourselves to FORGET what your little church or 'scholar'  said or says,  and get into the Word for yourself,  and believe what is written and reject what is not written.

Show me one single verse stating that baptism has nothing to do with receiving salvation.  Just one.  And if it is not there,  then how do you dispute all those which says it is part of salvation?  How can you call Peter a lie?

How can you call Jesus a lie?  Paul?  Phillip?  and you have not one verse saying baptism is only a confession of an outward show, or anything of that nature, which your false teachers claim, who say baptism is not escential to salvation.

The word says  it is.

You must also call Ananias a lie, for here is what he told Paul:

<NOBR>Ac 22:11</NOBR>	And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
<NOBR>Ac 22:12</NOBR>	And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
<NOBR>Ac 22:13</NOBR>	Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
<NOBR>Ac 22:14</NOBR>	And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
<NOBR>Ac 22:15</NOBR>	For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
<NOBR>Ac 22:16</NOBR>	And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Now you must call all five of these Holy Men a lie to keep saying that baptism is not part of salvation.....the part which actually washes away, or REMITS your sins.  there is no other way mentioned in Scripture  to remit your sins.

if you say there is,  show it to me.