What does 1 Corinthians 12:13 say about how believers are placed into the body of Christ?
1 Corinthians 12:13 says that by one Spirit all believers are baptized into one body, whether Jew or Gentile, bond or free, and all are made to drink into one Spirit. Thus believers are placed into the body of Christ by an act of God.
Les explains that this baptism is not water baptism. He notes some groups baptize by proxy, but the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul is really describing a spiritual work: "for by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jew or Gentile, whether we be bond or free, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." He concludes that believers have been placed into the body of Christ by an act of God. He ties this to resurrection, asking why God would place us into Christ's body if there is no resurrection. God does everything in light of resurrection; without it, everything is vanity and futile.
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 1 Corinthians 12:13 mean we are baptized in water or baptized by the Spirit?
In 1 Corinthians 12:13 the "one Spirit" by whom all are baptized is identified as the Holy Spirit, so this baptism is a Spirit baptism, not a water baptism — the verse is as dry as a bone with not a drop of water in it.