The Church is the mystical body of Christ. This mystical body holds the'Church militant' the ‘church expectant' and the ‘church departed'. An iceberg floating on sea could be seen 1/3rd of it only. Like wise the Church which we see is also only 1/3rd. The unseen part of it is the ‘Church departed’ and the ‘church expectant’.
People must have a clear understanding on the word salvation. The word salvation referred in Bible means 'salvation from sin only. Jesus Christ came into this world to save us from sin. So the question is whether it is possible for a soul to have salvation or not? The Bible says it is possible.
When the Church was started, all the newly become Christians were worried about the salvation of their forefathers. Baptism is the only way to become a part of Christ's body. Bible says that the apostles gave baptism for the dead.
"Otherwise what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?” 1 Cor. 15:29
Because the apostles had a clear conviction on what their great Master had taught them, they started giving baptism for the dead in the early church. This was performed by the apostles who where authorized to do so.
"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded to you. And lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age."(Mtt.28: 18-20)
The possibility of becoming a part of the Body of Christ even after death is seen in the Bible as follows.
" by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison.”1 Pet:3:19
“For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” 1 Pet 4:6
Here it says that Jesus died on the cross and went into the Hades in spirit. Moreover, he preached the gospel to the souls who were there. If they cannot repent and turn away from their sins, Jesus would not have been gone there.
This is the teaching of the Orthodox Church.
Therefore, it is meaningful to pray for the dead. Do rituals for and on behalf of them….
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