Week 7, Monday

1 Corinthians 15:29 - Baptism for the dead
Lots of questions on this one. Does Paul endorse baptism for the dead? Was it a Christian practice? Here's the text: "29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour?"

Let's break this down:
1. Paul is not associating himself with this practice; he is simply acknowledging that there are people who do this. Notice that he separates Christians ("and as for us") from the group that was baptizing for the dead.
2. Baptism for the dead was a common practice of Greek pagans (non-Christians). He is using a modern example to point out that many believe in the resurrection of the dead (Christians and pagans). The rest of the chapter gives the particulars of the Christian beliefs about resurrection.
3. Though there may be debate about the specifics of this passage, one thing is clear: the early Christians did not practice baptism for the dead - vicariously standing in for deceased people as if a living person's good works could be applied to someone who had already died. The Bible makes it exceedingly clear everywhere - we are saved by faith and not works. Each person is responsible for his or her own decision to accept Christ by faith - and it must happen in this lifetime. There is no second chance after death to respond to Christ, for "today is the day of our salvation".

Have you made that decision yet? If not, try 101.

Week 5, Monday

I love Scott's commentary on 1 Thess 2: "Our crowning achievement will not be our jobs or even our families; it will be the people we have led to faith and maturity in Christ." That's a pretty loaded statement. And I actually believe it. Think about it: leading someone to Christ (including our kids) is the most important thing we could ever do. What matters more than eternity? But do we really believe this? Do we organize our lives, our families, our church around this? What do you think?

Week 4, Wednesday

Galatians is most impacting when you read it with the situation in mind. The Judaizers were pseudo-Christians who tried to teach the young church that you had to jump through hoops to be saved. Pay attention to Paul's passion as he writes. Heresy is no small thing! He sets the record straight right away.