The Devotional

Papa “J” says

This world at best offers mankind a little entertainment, However Psalm 16:1-11 provides a path of life, a fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. “Be There”

Once at an auto accident I was the first EMT on the scene. Four young people on their way home from school and not paying to much attention to the traffic and crossed a very busy intersection, they were broadsided. Their little car was knocked into a cornfield. Three of the four were okay with minor cuts and bruises, but the fourth, a young girl lay motionless and her head was in an awkward position. She was breathing but I could not revive her. I held “C spine” people were complaining that I should do something, but I was doing the only thing I could until other EMS arrived. As the scene was brought under control we got everyone off the hospital. The girl was fifteen, her neck was broken but she did survive and fully recover. The accident could have been avoided, but like most young drivers their attention to safety and the details of life are not fully mature. A lot of power in an automobile for the immature mind. Such is the Word of God in the hands of those who fail to be steadfast and mature in faith. The apostle Paul would say that these folks may experience a “shipwrecked faith” 1 Timothy 1:18-20.

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 15:29 Here is the passage that many have been waiting for. What will Jesse do with 1 Corinthians 15:29? Again, this passage is the cement that holds many religions and cults together and if one should attempt to destroy these foundations; Who knows what may come of it! It would also be a lie for me to tell anyone that I have the interpretation or the answer to this nearly 2,000 year old theological problem.

Early on I was instructed to not just look at one verse and form a theological thesis, but to look at the context as a whole. To me this means looking at more than just a paragraph or a chapter. Also it means to have the open mindedness to seek the advise of other commentators on the subject of study. In this short devotional, it would be impossible to give an account of what the apostle has on his mind as he relates these words to us through his writer. This does not suggest that his writer, most likely Luke, was not paying attention and got it all wrong.

So, in the course of a few days I will attempt to say a few things about these verses that may clear up some of the confusion of whether or not there should be a baptism for the dead. Let's let God guide us through this, since it is His Word that is being evaluated and not the word of a religion, a cult or any one person who wishes to re-invent the wheel. One always needs to hang on the the literal interpretation of the Word of God and by His grace we will do just that.