The framework of Proxyism is found in the Bible.
After Life
It is partly from scripture but also from life that we learn that there is an after life.
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. (1 Corinthians 15:19)
74% of Americans believe in life after death. (Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, 2007.)
Judgment
Our acts in this life may be likened to the farmer. He knows he will reap what he has sown.
Same goes for mortals, we are destined to reap in the after life what we have “sown” in mortality.
Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. (Job 4:8)
Different Places
In the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man we see depicted all three elements essential to the framework of Proxyism:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man‘s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. (Luke 16)
We see that there are different places in the after life and that our actions or inactions in this life will determine where we go.
Great City – New Jerusalem
Perhaps the best place anyone could go is the city where God presides:
10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21)
To get there one must have their name recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Lamb’s Book of Life
Besides living a good life in order to make it to the good side of the gulf spoken of in The Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man, there is yet another place (on the good side) that has an additional requirement – your name recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
How to get in the Lamb’s Book of Life obviously is the ultimate question. The answer is inherent in the title. Here is the break down of it:
Lamb = Messiah
Book = Accepted the lamb Jesus.
Life = Given eternal life.
The disciples of Jesus did accept Him and thus their names were recorded in Heaven:
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20)
The Lamb was sacrificed for the sins of the world, children have no sin and therefore don’t need their names recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Baptism
Baptism is the outward manifestation of the internal conviction and is required:
He that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:16)
The importance of this was expressed by the resurrected Jesus to Saul saying:
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. (Acts 9)
Though baptism is required, it’s no guarantee by itself:
38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:
40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. (Mark 10)
An analogy that shows what part baptism plays in the after life is college admission.
College Analogy
The college application is to college admissions what baptism is to gaining entrance to the City of God. When we are baptized (correctly) our ‘application’ is submitted and it is up to God whom he will accept.
Without that application, there is no consideration. People who are incorrectly baptized are like those who would attempt to send an application from one college to another. Colleges will not accept applications from other colleges. If the application is not from God, i.e. not according to His command, then it is not of Him and therefore not recognized.
Scenario
When a deceased person seeks access to the City of God they must pass one of twelve entry points. The departed inquires at the gate if they have been accepted, to which the the guarding angel will check.
His response could be like this:
1. I see you have applied (proper baptism) but have been denied access (God’s choice.).
2. We have no application on file. (No baptism recorded. There is no difference between an incorrect baptism and no baptism.)
Hope
There is hope through Proxyism. Baptisms for the dead were performed during New Testament times:
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)
Coupled with the promise that believers have the authority to do things on earth and they will be reflected in heaven:
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: AND whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:18)
So long as the law of witnesses is obeyed:
18 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
19 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18)
Outcome
Because God does allow for Proxyism, it is possible to add entries in the Lambs Book of Life and to remove entries in the other books in heaven. If in life you made covenants that are an offense to God, it is possible to have someone on earth “loose” you from those, through Proxyism.