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From: mberkley@watdcsu.UUCP (J.M.Berkley - Computing Services)
Newsgroups: mod.religion.christian
Subject: Re: Baptism for the dead
Message-ID: <6280@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU>
Date: Fri, 17-Oct-86 04:44:57 EDT
Article-I.D.: topaz.6280
Posted: Fri Oct 17 04:44:57 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 17-Oct-86 06:05:30 EDT
References: <6230@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU>
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In article mikes@tekecs.UUCP (Michael Sellers) writes:
>  To my knowledge, the only church or branch of Christianity that doesn't
>ignore the practice of baptism for the dead is the LDS church.  This practice
>is mentioned in 1 Cor. 15:29 ("Now if there is no ressurrection, what will 
>those do who are baptized for the dead?  If the dead are not raised at all,
>why are people baptized for them?" NIV).  What I would like to know is, what
>do other Christians think about this verse and this practice?

If someone did not become a christian during their lifetime, it was
probably because a) they didn't know about him or b) they did not like
to be around God :-)

If the reason was b, then a loving God (which Jesus is) would not
force them to abide in his presence for all of eternity.  They would
probably be more unhappy in heaven than in hell.  I'm not being silly,
I really think that they would be happier not being around Jesus if
they did not want to be around him on this earth.

If the reason was a, then a loving God could not justly condemn them
to hell.  This may tread on a few religious toes, but if they don't
know that they have to be saved to get to heaven, then God wouldn't
justly hold them back from being in heaven.

God is just, merciful, loving and omnicient.  He knows what is best
for each person, whether they be christian, actively non-christian or
un-educated.  He will choose what is best for each person, because he
loves us all.

Mike Berkley