On Wednesday Night, Jun 15^th, we will be discussing “Proxy Baptism.”  This past week one of our members shared with me about a relative who is considering becoming a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon). In their conversation, this relative mentioned one of the LDS beliefs called “proxy baptism” or “baptism for the dead.” Our member asked me what they meant by “baptism for the dead.”

This “baptism for the dead” is explained on the LDS website (lds.org):  “Jesus Christ taught that baptism is essential to the salvation of all who have lived on earth (see John 3:5). Many people, however, have died without being baptized. Others were baptized without proper authority. Because God is merciful, He has prepared a way for all people to receive the blessings of baptism. By performing proxy baptisms in behalf of those who have died, Church members offer these blessings to deceased ancestors…. Because He is a loving God, the Lord does not damn those people who, through no fault of their own, never had the opportunity for baptism. He has therefore authorized baptisms to be performed by proxy for them. A living person, often a descendant who has become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is baptized in behalf of a deceased person. This work is done by Church members in temples throughout the world…. The New Testament indicates that baptisms for the dead were done during the time of the Apostle Paul (see 1 Corinthians 15:29).”

IF proxy baptism was taught in Scripture and practiced by the early church, why is it not the standard practice in all Christian churches?

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