It has been very interesting so far to see through redeemed eyes to hear what the living Word is actually speaking within and then through us. Instead of just settling for some translators words in print as if that were the only way to get to hear GOD. The Mirror Study Bible has put into print what I have been saying all most from the beginning of this blog. In little more refined wording. Paul is soon to explain the meaning of the Lord Jesus' words of John 12:24-25 which states this, from the KJV: "'Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.'" Now for the ESV, "'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; But if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.'" Like any good lawyer Paul is lying the ground work for his revelation and argument of the Lord Jesus' meaning in these scriptures. This we shall see in the next few posts.
1Corinthians 15:29-34 "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? And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in(G1722) Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die (from Isaiah 22:13). Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame." (KJV)
1Corinthians 15:29-34 "Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? Why are we in danger every hour? I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in(G1722) Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."(from Isaiah 22:13) Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame." (ESV)
1Corinthians 15:29-34 "Now here's a novel idea: if someone died who didn't get baptized then you can baptize someone else in their stead. (That should convince GOD to raise that person from the dead one day; this way you don't have to worry about anything, just remember to charge a decent fee so that you can build an Olympic size pool in your church!)
(There is no doubt that this passage was squeezed in here by some heretic church father; since the practice referred to only existed in some churches 200 plus years later and is in total contradiction to Paul's message; as were other practices that later evolved in churches, such as buying indulgences to shorten a deceased loved one's time in the church's idea of "purgatory!"
Here is Paul's take on baptism: 1Corinthians 1:17, "My mandate was not about winning members for some "Christian club" through baptism! I am commissioned to declare the Good News without any strings attached; nothing to distract from the powerful effect of the revelation of the cross of Christ." [The mystery of the cross is the revelation of humanity's inclusion in his death and resurrection. Look at 1Corinthians 2:7]) Why would we bother to constantly put ourselves in life threatening situations by preaching this gospel if it is all coming to nothing in the end anyway? My passion for your joy in Christ Jesus our LORD puts my life at frequent risk. As [1,G1722]certain as I am of your salvation, so certain am I of the resurrection; therefore, I am more than confident to daily live in danger and closely to death. (This [1,G1722] ne is a particle of swearing. People swear or affirm by their objects of dearest affections and deep desires; our salvation and joy was Paul's dearest affection.) If I like many other prisoners had to fight wild beasts in the amphitheater of Ephesus, what would be my gain if the dead are not raised; then we might as well live by the philosophy, "let us eat and drink as much as we can today for tomorrow we die!" (from Isaiah 22:13) Do not be distracted by a message that excludes the revelation of the resurrection; yielding yourselves to the persuasive conversation of others, their message of negative influence in your lives would be inevitable. Awake to righteousness (innocence), and the distortion of sin will have no further effect on you. GOD is not confused. What a shame that anyone should exchange what GOD knows to be true about us to someone else's inferior opinion." (The Mirror)
Next time we shall, the LORD willing get into the hidden seed faith, spoken of by Jesus in a veiled language, of our co-resurrection revelation. Until then may he increase our own revelation of his gospel message.
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