Bible Dictionaries
Baptism for the Dead
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Only mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:29 . This expression as used by the apostle may be equivalent to saying, "He who goes through a baptism of blood in order to join a glorified church which has no existence [i.e., if the dead rise not] is a fool." Some also regard the statement here as an allusion to the strange practice which began, it is said, to prevail at Corinth, in which a person was baptized in the stead of others who had died before being baptized, to whom it was hoped some of the benefits of that rite would be extended. This they think may have been one of the erroneous customs which Paul went to Corinth to "set in order." Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.
Bibliography Information
Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Baptism for the Dead'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ebd/​b/baptism-for-the-dead.html. 1897.