Baptized For the Dead

If it wasn't for expository preaching, I am sure that this verse would never be preached on. Some commentators regard it as one of the most difficult verse in the whole Bible. Its difficulty can be measured by the fact that there are apparently some 40 different interpretations as to its meaning. The pastor's concern, therefore, is that believers when confronted with a verse like this and after wrestling with the many different interpretations, throw up their hands in despair thinking that the Bible cannot be understood or trusted. Thus, I want to cover four things: 1) Does the difficulty of this verse undermine the authority of Scripture? 2) Is it possible to be sure about what it doesn't mean? 3) What are some of the popular suggestions as to it s possible meaning? 4) My suggested meaning.