Yes, one becomes part of the Body of Christ the moment they believe the Gospel of Grace, through the Holy Spirit's baptism.
According to Les Feldick and the Apostle Paul, becoming a member of the Body of Christ is not a human action—no preacher baptizes you into it, and it doesn't depend on your spiritual status. The moment you believe the Gospel, the Holy Spirit automatically and immediately baptizes you into the Body of Christ. This is a spiritual act of God, invisible to human eyes, and applies to every true believer regardless of background or location.
1 Corinthians 12:13 — This verse directly states that by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, which is the Body of Christ.
The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12, uses the human body as an illustration of the Body of Christ. He 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" (1 Corinthians 12:12). Then, in verse 13, he explains the means of entry: "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 indicates that every believer, regardless of ethnicity or social status, is placed into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit's action.
Les Feldick emphasizes that the Body of Christ is a Pauline term, exclusively used by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. He teaches that becoming a member of this Body is not something you sign up for or something a preacher does for you. Rather, it happens the moment you believe the Gospel of Grace—the Holy Spirit automatically and immediately baptizes you into the Body. This is not limited to the "spiritual elite" or those with dramatic experiences; every true believer, from the least to the greatest, is included. Whether you are a believer in Bolivia, China, Europe, or America, you are a member of the same spiritual organism, connected to the Head, Jesus Christ, who is in heaven.
No. Les Feldick stresses that the word "all" in 1 Corinthians 12:13 includes every believer, not just the most spiritual or those with emotional experiences. He says, "We are all baptized into one body" (Clip 2). This is repeated in several clips, where he emphasizes that "every true believer, regardless of where he is, or regardless of how great an experience he's had, we are all members of the Body of Christ" (Clip 3). Even believers who are less spiritual are still members (Clip 5).
Paul uses the human body to show that it is one body with many members—hands, feet, eyes, ears—each with different functions, yet all part of the same body. Les Feldick applies this to the Body of Christ: believers have different roles and backgrounds, but they are all part of the same spiritual organism, under the control of the Head, Christ (Clips 0, 4, 6). Just as the mind controls the body and each part responds, so too is every believer connected to the Head (Clip 2).
Yes, some people ridicule the idea of the Body of Christ being an invisible entity, but Les Feldick points out that Scripture teaches it, especially in Paul's writings. He explains that we become members of the Body of Christ, of which Christ is the head in heaven, and we are the body here on earth (Clip 1). This is a spiritual reality that cannot be touched by human hands—it's an act of God that we never felt, and we know it only because the Book says it happened (Clips 4, 7).
The Body of Christ and Christians Worldwide
Les emphasizes that all believers, whether in Bolivia, Oklahoma, or elsewhere, are members of the same Body of Christ, demonstrating that community is not limited by location.
How We Become Members: Believe and the Spirit Baptizes
Les explains that becoming a member of the Body of Christ is not by signing up or by a preacher's baptism, but by believing the gospel, after which the Holy Spirit automatically baptizes you into the Body.
Every Believer Baptized into the Body
Les stresses that not just the chosen few, but every believer is baptized into the Body of Christ, which is connected to the Head, Christ.
Inclusion of All True Believers Regardless of Experience
Les teaches that the Holy Spirit baptizes every true believer into the Body of Christ, not just the most spiritual or those with emotional upheavals.
The Holy Spirit's Invisible Work
Les points out that baptism into the Body is by the Holy Spirit and is a spiritual act that human hands cannot touch.
No Spiritual Elite in the Body
Les emphasizes that the Spirit has placed all believers, not just the spiritual elite, into the Body of Christ, even those who are less spiritual.
Universal Baptism of All Believers
Les reiterates that all believers, not a chosen few, are baptized into the one Body of Christ.
Invisible Act of God at Salvation
Les explains that baptism into the Body is an act of God that we never felt and know only through Scripture, applied to every believer, not just the elite.
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 central to the answer, stating that the Holy Spirit baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ.
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.
Paul uses the human body analogy to illustrate how believers, though many, form one Body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:14: For the body is not one member, but many.
This verse underscores that the Body of Christ consists of many different members, each with a distinct role.
Ephesians 1:22-23: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
This passage identifies Christ as the head of the church, which is His Body, supporting the teaching that believers are members of that Body.
No. Les Feldick emphasizes that no preacher baptizes you into the Body of Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who baptizes you into the Body at the moment you believe the Gospel of Grace (Clip 1).
No. Les teaches that every believer is included, not just the most spiritual or those with emotional upheavals. Even believers who are less spiritual are still members (Clips 3, 5).
Yes. Les gives the example of believers in the jungles of Bolivia being in the same body as believers in Oklahoma and the rest of America (Clip 0). All believers, regardless of location, are members of one Body.
Watch the Teaching: Why Only Paul Uses the Term 'Body of Christ' — Bible Study