What is the "baptism for the dead" in 1 Corinthians 15:29?

First let me say for today it is a false teaching that has been twisted by the Mormon church where members are Baptized for people who have already died so that person can go to heaven. In other words a false teaching.


The passage you mentioned in 1Cor 15 is not talking about some special baptism. There was a teaching that had crept into the church that said the dead do not or will not raise. No resurrection. Paul is tying to combat that by making them think.


1Cor 15:12, 13 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead
But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:


So the argument is if the dead do not rise then Christ did not rise so why are you baptizing for the dead (a dead man, Christ). In other words if Jesus did not rise Baptism is a waste of time so why did you people get baptized. Paul was trying to get them see the error of the false doctrine of no resurrection using Baptism as a way to do it since they knew Christ did rise.