Does a preacher's baptism put you into the body of Christ?
No. A preacher’s baptism does not place a person into the body of Christ. You did not sign up for it, and no preacher baptized you into it. Instead, upon believing the gospel, the Holy Spirit immediately and automatically places the believer into that body.
Les explains that Paul uses the human body as an example: one body with many members, all connected to the central nervous system. Christ is the head of that body, which is composed of many members. Although some ridicule the idea of the invisible body of Christ, Scripture teaches it, especially in Paul’s writing: believers become members of His body, with Him as the head in heaven and they as the body on earth. Les emphasizes that no one signs up for it, and no preacher baptizes a person into it. Instead, a person must first believe the gospel, and then the Holy Spirit automatically and immediately places that believer into the body the moment they believe, as verse 13 says, “for by one Spirit.”
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
More Questions
Does being baptized by a preacher make you a member of the body of Christ?
No one gets into the body of Christ by signing up for it or by having a preacher baptize them; those are not the means of becoming a member.
What is the prerequisite for being placed into the body of Christ?
Before the Holy Spirit places a person into Christ's body at the moment of belief, that person must first believe the gospel; believing the gospel is the prerequisite.
How does a person become a member of the body of Christ according to 1 Corinthians 12:13?
You become a member of the body of Christ by first believing the gospel, and at the moment of belief the Holy Spirit automatically and immediately baptizes you into that body by one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).