Suffering and Prayers for the Dead

Oh yes it is, It's in the bible!

Published on February 3, 2005 By Sabbatismus In Religion

Did Christ die for the sins of Noah, Abraham, Issac, Jacob, the Prophets of the Old Testament? Were they Dead when Christ died? Then Christ did die for the sins of the dead. Chist made atonement for the dead, so that they might be delivered from their sin."

In the Spirit and mind of the Apostles, the sacrifice of Christ offering on the cross is an offering for those who are dead in sins, whether they be alive in the body or departed from the body before Christ died. From Adam to Christ, countless righteous besides those listed in the scriptures, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Melchezedec, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, all of the Old Testament prophets and others had all died before the coming of Christ. They all had sinned in the flesh, and now were dead in the flesh. Christ hundreds of years later lived his life, free from sin as a petition to save those that had died in the flesh, yet had sin. Christ made himself an offering for their sin, for our sins and a sacrifice for sin for those who were dead.

The concept of sacrifice for the dead is not foreign to the Apostles or to Christ. The Apostle Paul makes it known that Christ's offering was not only for those that would be dead in the flesh but those who are even dead in their sins. Col.2: 13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

So great and holy an offering is Christ's sacrifice, that it is applied to us while we are dead in our sins. To whence, when we come to Christ, it is because the grace of Christ calls us, even while we are dead in our sins. Therefore, having this sacrifice already applied, the grace of Christ may bring us to repentance that we might live according to His Grace.

Again, the Apostle Paul explains in his epistle to Ephesus in Chapter 1:Eph.2: 1"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins"

2: 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) .

So great is the sacrifice of Christ which is applied to us while we were dead in our sins, that it is able to bring us to Christ by his grace. Therefore, the scripture says, "by grace are you saved".

Those that repent and are baptized admit and gracefully receive the act of baptism which Christ and the Apostles used to demonstrate the FACT, that Christ sacrifice was an offering for us, while we were dead in sin.

What foresight by the Holy Spirit to leave such a witness and prophetic picture of Christ's own offering for those countless others who had died in the flesh without the one true sacrifice of Christ which was to come. For His sacrifice would free all those who were dead in the flesh and make them alive to God by making atonement for their sins. Not only for their sins but all of the sins of mankind. 1John 2.: 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Not only so, but when the High Priests of Israel made an atonement for ALL the SINS of the children of Israel ONCE A YEAR, as commanded in Lev.16:29-34, he made the atonement for all the sins of those who died during that year, that did not live unto the day of atonement. Lev.16: ".. to make an atonement for the children of Israel for ALL their sins once a year. " just as Christ made an atonement not only for the living but for the dead.

My point in the teaching is that Christ offered himself a sacrifice for the sins of those who were dead, while they were dead. His suffering and death benefited those who had already died in the flesh and for those who were also dead in sin. From this we learn the deeper and profoundity of the meaning of the word "GRACE" which is found in Christ Jesus. In scripture we learn to be like Christ, to pray for those who are dead in sin. That by the merits of the grace of Christ's sacrifice for all of us who were dead in sins "their sins may be blotted out" as 2Maccabees 12 uses the same words as does the Apostle Peter, borrowing from the very words of 2Maccabees 12:42 in Acts 3:19 " that your sins may be blotted out" , Peter, likewise teaches us to learn to be like Christ in 1Peter 2: 21 "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: "

Luke 12: 47And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. 49I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? 50But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

In this context Christ brings up his own baptism of suffering, he must suffer in context of warning of suffering to those who knew God's will but did it not.

The word "baptism" in Luke 12:50 comes from the Greek word, "1. baptisma (908), "baptism," consisting of the processes of immersion, submersion and emergence (from bapto, "to dip"), is used (a) of John's "baptism," (

of Christian "baptism," see B. below; (c) of the overwhelming afflictions and judgments to which the Lord voluntarily submitted on the cross, e.g., Luke 12:50; (d) of the sufferings His followers would experience.., in fellowship with the sufferings of their Master. Some mss. have the word in Matt. 20:22-23; it is used in Mark 10:38-39, with this meaning." (Vines Expository Dictionary of Greek Words).

The word again occurs in Mt.20:22 below:
Mt. 20:22 22But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with:.."

The context of both of these scriptures significantly demonstrates that the word baptism in both of these does not mean immersion in water but to suffer affliction as the context clearly defines. We find in 1Corinthians 15, that Paul speaks of a similar use of the term "baptism", in the sense of vicarious water baptism but a vicarious suffering with Christ in the baptism which Christ speaks of affliction. So that Paul in context of the resurrection of the dead, asks, "why are they suffering affliction for the dead, if there is no resurrection? 1Corinthians, Paul writes 1Cor.15:29 "29Else 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?" Paul ties the resurrection chapter directly with the baptism for the dead.

We can hear the words of 2Maccabees repeating the similar thought in context of the resurrection, 2Maccabees 12" "44 For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. 45 But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought." So holy and pious a thought is it, that Christ himself SUFFERED and died for the sins of the countless numbers of those saints among whom are the Prophets of the Old Testament, Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the other great saints, Noah, Abel, Melchizedek and others who had lived and died before his first advent. Christ made himself an offering for all of these dead. Even more, the whole of mankind which were dead in their sins, are redeemed Christ suffering for us while were dead in sins. ( Col.2:13, Eph. 2:1-5). Therefore, it is not surprising that we find others in the baptism of suffering for the dead in 1Cor.5:29. No, my friends it is not nothing to be ashamed. The act of prayer for those who have died is an act of love patterned for us in the holy and pious life of Christ. 1Peter 2: 21 "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: "

Yes, Christ made propitiation for our sins, but that does not mean that the sufferings or prayers of others are not effacious. We understand that the sufferings and even death of our soldiers in Iraq, aid the benefit of mankind, and yet take nothing from Christ's sacrifice. We also know that Paul SUFFERED for the Church so that the Gentiles may be brought to salvation, just as Christ suffered for Jews and Gentiles. Christ's sacrifice is the ONLY sacrifice unto salvation, while and Peter's sacrifice also benefited the salvation of man. Col.1. I Paul am made a minister; 24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

2Tim.4: 6For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

Phil.2: "17Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

2Cor.1:6 "And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. "

There is always a part of a person wishes they could do something for the peron who has passed on. Often at the even the most anit-Catholic funeral services there is an unoticed prayer for the dead saying "may he rest in peace" . The prayers and sacrifices are not replacement for Christ's sacrifce but a joining together of our offering and desires of our hearts for mercy and God's graces to be poured out upon the one who has passed away. There is no prayer of love and kindness that God ignores, mostly those out of pure heart expecting nothing in return but all good wishes and hopes for the one who has left us. These are the purest prayers. Not only does the one who has passed away benefit, but we are benefited to knowing that God has heard us and will by our petitions through Christ be petitioned to share his abundant grace unto the departed. If Christ so willingly offered his whole body and soul as a petition for mercy , how much more ought we to offer up our prayers through Him.

Comments

No one has commented on this article. Be the first!

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!