Question 158: What is to be understood by being "baptized for the dead"?

Answer:

Beuzel translated the familiar passage in 1 Corinthians 15:29 thus: "Over the dead" or "immediately upon the dead," meaning those who will be gathered to the dead immediately after baptism. Many in the ancient church put off baptism until near death. The passage probably referred to some symbolical rite of baptism or dedication of themselves to follow the dead even to death. Another view held by some expositors is that it was a custom to baptize certain persons with the names of the dead, in the hope that they might inherit their spirit and carry on their work.