Baptism has to do with being immersed into the death and burial of Christ as well as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Some in this Corinthian group were saying that there is no resurrection from the dead.(1Corinthians 15:12 "Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?"), but still advocating physical baptizing.

Paul's point is: if Christ didn't die and rise again, we have no hope for any resurrection:.1Corinthians 15:13-20 "But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen. And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain and your faith is also vain. Yea and we are found false witnesses of God because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ; whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised. And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.(do we only have faith that Christ will do it all or do we have faith in the resurrection of people coming back to Earth from the 'other' life?). But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the firstfruits of them that slept.(nobody dies; they're in a state the apostle Paul calls sleep)."

If there is no hope for a resurrection, one is basing beliefs upon superstition if they figure that they require physical baptizing, thinking that this act of some physical baptism alone is the one which will save them into eternity. Without really getting the meaning of Christ having risen, that is, without us believing in resurrection, there is no hope.

1Corinthians 15:29 "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?"

Paul is saying 'Why be baptized into His death if He doesn't rise, why did you become dead through baptism.(or, baptized into His death).if the dead don't rise? But they do rise! But they were believing that they must be physically baptized in order to qualify to be resurrected. Paul was correcting this by pointing out the spiritual aspect of it all:.Hebrews 6:1,2. 

Adding a phrase which Paul implies anyhow, would have made the verse easier to understand. The phrase 'hope of the' if added, would read:.'Else what will they do which are baptized for the.(hope of the).dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the.(hope of the).dead?'.And, what is the hope of those dead, those in the next realm after passing? It's coming back to life, that they will be resurrected? How? Where?.Revelation 5:10.

Paul implies the phrase.(hope of the).by saying "the dead rise" here and by.1Corinthians 15:32 "If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage was it for me if the dead rise not? Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."

The hope of those here Paul was addressing his letter to, is resurrection. That's what this whole chapter in 1Corinthians 15 is all about. Paul is saying, why be baptized to look after your 'after death life' if the dead don't rise? And if they do rise, which they do, concentrate on good works for your reward and get your mind off physical things you may have thought were necessary to be sure you'll be resurrected. If you're in Christ, you'll be resurrected, whether of not you were physically baptized:.John 3:5; 4:24; 1Peter 1:3,21,22; Hebrews 6:1,2.

Dr. McAll's concern was for reconciliation for people here and now, and also between the living and the dead.

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