Yes, the role of the baptizer changed from Jesus to the Holy Spirit.
According to Les Feldick, in the early Jewish economy Jesus was the baptizer, baptizing believing Jews into the power of the Holy Spirit. After Israel's rejection, the operation reversed: the Holy Spirit became the baptizer, placing believers—predominantly Gentiles—into Christ and into the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:13 — This verse, as quoted by Les, describes the Holy Spirit baptizing believers into the body of Christ.
The Bible shows a distinction between two baptisms. In Acts, Jesus promised to baptize with the Holy Spirit, a reference to the nation of Israel (Acts 1:5). By the time of Paul's letters, 1 Corinthians 12:13 states that by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether Jew or Gentile. This baptism is not water baptism but a spiritual act placing believers into the body of Christ.
Les Feldick teaches that in the early Acts period, while God dealt with Israel, Jesus was the baptizer. He baptized believing Jews into the power of the Holy Spirit, often associated with signs and wonders. After Israel rejected the kingdom program, the operation reversed: the Holy Spirit became the baptizer, placing believers—predominantly Gentiles—into Christ and the body of Christ. This new baptism is not water baptism and does not involve water from the Jordan or any other source. Water baptism does not determine eternal standing; the only baptism that counts is the Holy Spirit's work at salvation, placing a believer into the body of Christ. In this body, distinctions like Jew/Gentile, bond/free, race, or wealth are irrelevant.
In the early Acts period, Jesus was the baptizer, and He would baptize believers—the nation of Israel—into the Holy Spirit. This was an empowering for the continuation of Christ's earthly ministry, often accompanied by signs and wonders. Les explains that baptism in Scripture does not always refer to water baptism, as evidenced by the nation of Israel being 'baptized unto Moses' in the cloud and through the Red Sea on dry land.
In the current dispensation, the Holy Spirit is the baptizer. At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit places every believer—whether Jew or Gentile—into the body of Christ. This baptism is not with water; it is a spiritual act that unites believers with Christ and with each other. Les emphasizes that water baptism cannot put anyone into the body of Christ; only the Spirit's work can do that.
Les teaches that the difference is a complete reversal. In the Jewish economy, Jesus baptized Jews into the Holy Spirit. In the Gentile age, the Holy Spirit baptizes predominantly Gentiles into Christ. The former was about empowerment; the latter is about placing believers into the body of Christ for eternity. The same Spirit is at work, but the roles of the baptizer and the recipient have changed.
Holy Spirit Baptizes into Body
Les explains that by one Spirit we are all baptized into the body of Christ, not a local church, and that this baptism by the Holy Spirit secures the believer for eternity, regardless of any water baptism.
Reversal of Baptism Roles
Les highlights a complete change: in the Jewish economy, Jesus baptized Jews into the Holy Spirit; by Paul's time, the Holy Spirit baptizes predominantly Gentiles into Christ.
Baptism When Saved
Les asserts that when we are saved, the Holy Spirit immediately places us into the body of Christ—a baptism without water, guaranteeing we are Christ's.
Every Believer Baptized
Les emphasizes that every believer, regardless of station, is baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ, and that both Jews and Gentiles share the same Spirit.
Water Cannot Baptize into Christ
Les teaches that being baptized into Jesus Christ is not water baptism, as water cannot put anyone into the body of Christ; it must be the Spirit's work.
Baptism Not Always Water
Les uses the example of Israel's baptism in the cloud and sea to show that biblical baptism often refers to being engulfed, not necessarily water immersion.
What Must I Do to Be Saved? Acts 2 vs. Acts 16 Explained
Not on the basis of repentance and baptism, but the moment they heard the Word and believed, and the Holy Spirit came down. Now Peter, of course, is still tied to that Jewish economy, and he hasn't gotten it out of his craw. So now when he sees what's happening, now what does he say? Oh hey, we've got to catch up. We've got to baptize them. See, verse 47.
Why Did the Holy Spirit Fall BEFORE Baptism? Acts 10
They would be filled or receive the Holy Spirit. Now, what was the order? They had to repent. They had to be baptized. And then they received the Holy Spirit. What happened in chapter 10 of the Gentile? A reverse in the order. Total reversal. Because, you see, Peter hadn't even finished preaching yet, let alone baptize them, let alone hearing their repentance.
1 Corinthians 12:13: 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.
This verse is the key text Les uses to explain the Holy Spirit as the baptizer placing believers into the body of Christ.
No. Les Feldick teaches that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a spiritual act that places the believer into the body of Christ at salvation, and it involves no water. Water baptism, whether in the Jordan or any other river, does not accomplish this and is not what determines eternal standing.
In the early chapters of Acts, while God was dealing with Israel, Jesus was the baptizer, baptizing believing Jews into the Holy Spirit. This was part of the Jewish economy and was associated with signs and miracles.
In the church age, the Holy Spirit is the baptizer. He baptizes every believer—whether Jew or Gentile—into the body of Christ at the moment of salvation. This is a complete reversal from the earlier Jewish program.
Watch the Teaching: Two Baptisms Explained: What Most Christians Miss in Acts 1