Pastor Chris Oyakhilome addresses questions about baptism for the dead. He explains Paul’s writings and defends the Christian view on resurrection and outlines what the Bible says, and what it doesn’t.
Pastor Chris teaching on baptism for the dead, clarifying scripture and the truth about Christian resurrection.
What Pastor Chris Says About Baptism and the Dead
In one of his teachings, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome responded to a question from a member of his audience: Is it scriptural to baptize someone on behalf of the dead? It’s a question that has puzzled many believers, especially those who’ve come across a particular verse in 1 Corinthians 15.
Pastor Chris started by pointing to verse 29 of the chapter, where Paul writes: “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?” At first glance, the verse seems to suggest that early Christians may have baptized others in place of the dead.
But Pastor Chris made it clear, this verse is not a command or endorsement. Rather, it’s an argument made by Paul to support the resurrection of the dead. According to Chris Oyakhilome, Paul is referring to the actions of a group outside the Church and using their practices to strengthen his own case for resurrection.
Paul’s Rhetorical Argument: Them and Us
To support his view, Pastor Chris highlighted Paul’s deliberate choice of words. In 1 Corinthians 15:29, Paul uses “they” and not “we.” This, Pastor Chris explained, is a key distinction. It means Paul was not speaking about the apostles or the Church but about others who practiced baptism for the dead.
Chris Oyakhilome believes this rhetorical move was a strategy. Paul wasn’t teaching doctrine but appealing to the audience’s logic. If people, somewhere, were going so far as to baptize for the dead, then they must have believed in the resurrection. And if that was the case, how could anyone deny that the dead would rise?
Pastor Chris clarified that this scripture has often been misinterpreted. He warned against building doctrine from a single verse, especially when the context shows a different purpose. The larger chapter, he said, is a defense of resurrection—not a guide on how to perform baptism.
Resurrection Is the Real Message
Chris Oyakhilome emphasized that the focus of 1 Corinthians 15 is resurrection, not rituals. He urged his listeners to read the entire chapter to get the full meaning. Paul’s goal, according to Pastor Chris, was to remind the early Church that death is not the end.
The “dead in Christ,” a phrase also used by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4, will rise again. This, Oyakhilome said, is the hope of the Christian. The practice of baptism for the dead was mentioned only as a supporting point, not as a model to follow.
Pastor Chris stated plainly: “You cannot baptize anyone on behalf of the dead.” The Bible doesn’t teach this, he said. And the language Paul uses proves that he was making an argument, not giving instructions.
Baptism as a Symbol, Not a Substitute
In explaining Christian baptism, Pastor Chris returned to Romans 6:3–4: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” This, he said, is the true meaning of water baptism.
According to Oyakhilome, water baptism is symbolic. It’s a public testimony of faith in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. When a believer is immersed in water, it represents their identification with the death of Christ. When they rise out of the water, it symbolizes resurrection and a new life.
For Pastor Chris, this is deeply meaningful. Baptism is not just a tradition. It’s a spiritual statement. But it must be personal. It cannot be done on behalf of someone else, especially not someone who has already died.
Baptism and the Final Separation
Chris Oyakhilome drew another parallel, this time to the Old Testament. He compared Christian baptism to the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul writes that the Israelites were “baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.”
Pastor Chris said this moment in scripture represents separation. When the Israelites passed through the sea and the Egyptians drowned behind them, it marked the end of their slavery. They were no longer connected to their old life.
In the same way, he explained, baptism marks a Christian’s separation from the world. It’s the point at which they fully declare their allegiance to Christ. Again, he emphasized, this cannot be done on behalf of the dead. Each person must make that choice while alive.
Misinterpretations and the Need for Context
Pastor Chris warned about the dangers of misreading scripture. A verse taken out of context, he said, can lead to wrong teachings and confusion. The idea of baptizing for the dead is one such example.
He acknowledged that this practice has existed in various religious movements, but said it has no basis in the New Testament doctrine. “It’s mentioned in the Bible,” he said, “but that doesn’t mean it’s approved by the Bible.”
Chris Oyakhilome called for believers to approach the scripture with care. Not every phrase should be treated as a command. Instead, he urged listeners to consider who is speaking, who they are speaking to, and what issue is being addressed.
The Dead, the Living, and God’s Justice
So, what does the Bible say about the dead? Pastor Chris pointed out that all who die will one day stand before God. Those who die in Christ will be raised to eternal life. Those who rejected the gospel, he said, face judgment.
He made it clear that salvation is a personal decision. You cannot make that decision for someone else. And no ritual, no matter how sincere, can change a person’s eternal destiny after death.
In this context, baptism loses all its meaning when performed for the dead. It is a sign of personal faith, not a ritual to be performed on behalf of someone who has passed away. According to Pastor Chris, this is why the Church must teach the truth clearly.
The Importance of Clarity in Doctrine
Chris Oyakhilome closed his teaching with a challenge. He encouraged church leaders and teachers to explain the scripture responsibly. When topics like resurrection or baptism are taught incorrectly, it can mislead believers and weaken their faith.
He also called on Christians to value the Bible above all else. Traditions, he said, should never replace Word. And when questions arise, they must be answered with clarity, not confusion.
Pastor Chris emphasized that doctrines concerning the dead must be handled with reverence and care. Life, death, and resurrection are central to the Christian message. And they deserve to be taught with understanding.
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