Like the unleavened bread of Passover, Christ’s body did not rise on the Sabbath of Holy Saturday. While Christ’s body lay in rest in the tomb, His spirit preached the gospel to spirits in prison.
From 1 Peter, we read:
- 3:18-19 – “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;”
- 4:6 – “For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.”
During His mortal ministry, Jesus had taught, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:1–2, 5). Through the ministry organized by Jesus Christ on Holy Saturday, the work of preaching His gospel among those who are dead commenced. Those who accept the gospel in the spirit world will have the opportunity to receive baptism through baptisms for the dead performed by the living. This vicarious work brings blessings to those who did not have the chance to accept the gospel in mortal life, as well as those who serve as proxies on earth.
Paul taught baptism for the dead with, “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?” (1 Corinthians 15:29). The dead do rise; baptism for the dead is a vital work in our Father’s plan of salvation.
This Holy Saturday, let us reflect on the temporary nature of mortal life and the eternal nature of the soul. Spiritual growth continues beyond the grave, and Jesus Christ is our guide here and will be our guide there.