Yes—believers become part of the body of Christ when the Holy Spirit baptizes them into it at the moment they believe the gospel.
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:13, "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body." Les Feldick explains that this is not a human sign-up or something a preacher does in water baptism; the Holy Spirit automatically and immediately places every believer into the body when they believe the gospel. The body includes all believers from every corner of the globe, regardless of race, status, or spiritual maturity. Unbelievers, no matter their church membership, are not in the body.
1 Corinthians 12:13 — This is the key verse that directly answers how people enter the body: "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body."
In 1 Corinthians 12:12, Paul writes, "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ." Then verse 13 says, "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." These verses show that baptism into the one body is accomplished by the one Spirit. Paul later applies the image directly to believers: "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."
Les Feldick emphasizes that the term "body of Christ" is strictly Pauline—Jesus never spoke of it, and Peter never spoke of it; only Paul did [Clip 0]. Paul uses the human body as an illustration of many members functioning as one [Clip 0]. The body of Christ is not a visible organization; Christ is the Head in heaven and believers are the body still on earth [Clip 1]. How does a person enter? Les says you didn't sign up for it, and no preacher baptized you into it. First you must believe the gospel, and then the Holy Spirit automatically, immediately—the moment you believe—places you into the body [Clip 1]. This is the invisible act of the Holy Spirit [Clip 3]. It is not limited to the spiritual elite or those who have had emotional experiences. Every believer, from the least to the greatest, of whatever station in life, whether Jew or Gentile, bond or free, is placed into the body [Clip 2][Clip 4][Clip 7]. Only saved people are in the body; unbelievers cannot be members, no matter how many church rolls they are on [Clip 5]. Water baptism and church membership do not accomplish this. The only baptism that counts for eternity is the Holy Spirit's placement into the body of Christ [Clip 5]. Once placed, every believer has a function in the body—some like a little pinky, some like a little toe, some more visible [Clip 6]. This body, the Church Universal, will one day be His Bride [Clip 3].
The body of Christ is made up of believers from every corner of the globe, whether Jew or Gentile, bond or free [Clip 3]. Christ is the Head, and He is in heaven, while believers are the body still here on earth [Clip 1]. Les describes it as an invisible entity or organism, the Church Universal, that will one day be Christ's Bride [Clip 1][Clip 3].
Paul says, "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body." Les explains that the Holy Spirit is the one who places believers into the body of Christ. The verse is not just about the most spiritual believers; the word "all" means every true believer, from the least to the greatest [Clip 2][Clip 7]. The verse also includes Jews and Gentiles, bond and free, and says all have been made to drink into or partake of the one Spirit [Clip 3][Clip 4].
No. Les says that no preacher baptizes anyone into the body of Christ, and people do not sign up for it [Clip 1]. A person can have their name on many church rolls and still not be in the body if they are not a true believer [Clip 5]. The only baptism that counts for eternity is the Holy Spirit's baptism that places the genuine believer into the body of Christ [Clip 5].
Yes. Les repeatedly stresses the word "all" in 1 Corinthians 12:13. It is not just the spiritual elite or those who have reached a higher plateau; even believers who are less spiritual are still members of the body [Clip 2]. Every believer of whatever station in life is baptized into the body the moment they become a child of God [Clip 4]. Even if a believer's function is like a little pinky or toe, they still have a place and a function in the body [Clip 6].
Paul's Body-of-Christ Analogy
Les notes that only Paul uses the term 'body of Christ,' and Paul compares it to the human body with many members functioning as one unit.
The Holy Spirit Automatically Places Believers
A person does not sign up or get baptized by a preacher into the body; when they believe the gospel, the Holy Spirit automatically and immediately makes them a member.
Every Believer Included
Les stresses the word 'all'—the Spirit places every believer, not just the spiritual elite, into the body.
Spirit Baptism at the Moment of Salvation
At the moment someone is saved, the invisible act of the Holy Spirit places them into the body, with no distinction of Jew or Gentile, bond or free.
Every Believer of Every Station
When any person becomes a believer, the Holy Spirit baptizes that person into the body, regardless of their station in life.
Water Baptism Does Not Put Anyone Into the Body
Les says church membership and water baptism do not place anyone into the body; only the saved are put there by the Holy Spirit, making Spirit baptism the only one that counts for eternity.
Immediate Placement and Function
The Holy Spirit immediately places every child of God into the body, and even believers with small or hidden roles have a function.
All True Believers, Wherever They Are
Every true believer, regardless of location or spiritual experience, is a member of the body of Christ because the Holy Spirit baptized them into it.
1 Corinthians 12:12: For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
This verse introduces Paul's comparison between the human body and Christ, showing many members in one body.
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 is the central verse: the Holy Spirit is the agent who baptizes all believers into the one body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:27: Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Paul applies the body image directly to believers, saying they are the body of Christ.
Believe the gospel. Les teaches that the moment you believe, the Holy Spirit automatically and immediately places you into the body of Christ. No preacher baptizes you into it, and no church membership does it.
No. Les says no preacher baptizes you into the body. People can have their names on many church rolls and still not be in the body, because only the Holy Spirit places true believers into the body of Christ.
Yes. Les emphasizes the word 'all' in 1 Corinthians 12:13. It is not just the spiritual elite; even believers who are unspiritual are still members of the body.
It is the body of believers from every corner of the globe, with Christ as the Head in heaven. Les describes it as an invisible entity, the Church Universal, that will one day be His Bride.
Watch the Teaching: Two Baptisms Explained: What Most Christians Miss in Acts 1