How can the gospel be preached to the dead?
What is this verse actually saying?
1 Peter 4:6
ESV - 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
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Asked September 09 2013
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Shushant Mojumdar
Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
Win Alme
If they are spiritually dead, we need to be faithfully praying for them. If they are physically dead, it's too late.
Ken Laney
Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses This and other passages certainly lead me to believe that redeeming the dead certainly related to the spiritual condition of people who live in a state of unrepentant sin.
Olofin Adebayo
It appointed unto a man to die once after which is judgement, it's when they are still physical alive but spiritually they are dead b'cos they are still living in sin. The gospel of Jesus Christ is preach only to the living.
EL Mohel Castorena
Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are "alive from the dead", and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. The dead spoken of are those the living dead servants of sin.
Jack Gutknecht
There is no hope beyond the grave, Jesus said (cf. John 3:36; 5:24). Decide now BEFORE it is TOO LATE! There's no second chance after death to get saved! John 3:36: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. John 5:24: Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment but has passed from death to life. No Christ, no hope. Know Christ, know hope.
Benita Randolph
The gospel will not profit the Dead, Luke 16:23-31 tells the story of the rich man and the beggar that died and one went to heaven and the other to hell. The one in hell asked for mercy and the reply was that there was a sphere that prohibit anyone from crossing over, he then asked to have the beggar that was in heaven to return from the dead to warn his family not to come to hell where he was and the response was that they have prophets and preachers in the earth to warn them. Although the only account of the dead being given another chance at salvation after they were physically dead was the account of Jesus after his death on the cross went into hell to conquer death and the scriptures says that he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto them. But that would be the only exception. After death then comes judgement and they will be without excuse.
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