The best argument I have heard for it was by John Robbins on a lecture about logic. He stated that it was an ad hominem argument, it went like this; if you are baptizing for the dead you must believe in the resurrection otherwise what would be the point in baptizing them? He was not arguing whether or not baptism for the dead was plausible, (0r some practice we no longer have any evidence for) but since they did believe in it he used this against them as a way to prove the resurrection. He used their argument against them.

I hope this is clear. If you understand the principle of an ad hominem argument apply it to this.

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Erick Bohndorf PCA, KS
http://qayaqtraveler.blogspot.com/
Jeremiah 23:16,17, "Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. 17They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you."