Paul describes the body of Christ as one body made up of many members, using the human body as an illustration.
In I Corinthians 12:12, Paul says the body is one but has many members, and all of those members, being many, are one body—"so also is Christ." Then in verse 13 he adds that by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body. Les Feldick emphasizes that this includes every believer, not just a chosen few, with Christ as the head.
1 Corinthians 12:12 — This is the verse where Paul directly compares the body of Christ to the human body with its many members.
1 Corinthians 12:13 — This verse identifies the one body into which all believers are baptized by the Spirit.
The Scripture's answer is found in 1 Corinthians 12:12-13. 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 he adds, "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 the body of Christ is a single body made up of many members, and that all believers have been placed into that one body by the Spirit.
Les Feldick explains that the body of Christ is a Pauline revelation. Jesus never spoke of the body of Christ, and Peter never spoke of it—only Paul did in his epistles. Paul uses the human body as an illustration: one body with many parts—eyes, ears, fingers, toes—yet all of them operate under one central nervous system and one mind. In the same way, Christ is the head of the body, and every born-again believer is a member of it. Les emphasizes that the body of Christ is not made up of a spiritual elite. According to 1 Corinthians 12:13, all believers are baptized by one Spirit into that one body. Whether rich or poor, black or white, from any nation or denominational background, every believer is placed into the body of Christ. Les also shows that the human body is one organism: strike your thumb with a hammer, and the whole body hurts. So the body of Christ is not isolated individuals; every believer is connected to the Head and to one another.
Les Feldick says Paul uses the human body as an example because it is one body with many members. Our hands, feet, eyes, ears, fingers, and toes are all different members, but they all work together as one body, governed by one central nervous system and one mind. Paul's point is that "so also is Christ"—the body of Christ is one body composed of many members.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:13 that "by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body." Les emphasizes that this means all believers are included—not just the most spiritual or a chosen few. Every believer around the world, regardless of color, wealth, or denominational handle, is placed into the body of Christ.
Les points out that Jesus never spoke of the body of Christ, and Peter never spoke of it either. The body of Christ is a Pauline revelation. You will not find it taught in the Gospels; it is revealed through Paul's epistles, including 1 Corinthians 12.
Just as the human body is controlled from one center—the mind or brain—so the body of Christ is centered in Christ, who is the Head. Les says every believer is connected to the Head, and the whole body responds as one, just as a striking blow to the thumb is felt throughout the entire body.
What the Bible Really Says About the Lord's Table — 1 Corinthians 10:16
been directed by the Holy Spirit, and yet every author maintains his personality. In other words Isaiah writes from a totally different personality than Ezekiel does, and the Gospels are from a totally different perspective than Paul, and yet they are all in a composite way authored by the Holy Spirit.
Only Paul Speaks of the Body of Christ
Les notes that Jesus and Peter never spoke of the body of Christ—only Paul did—and then shows how Paul uses the human body, with its many members and one central nervous system, to picture the body of Christ.
All Believers Baptized into One Body
Les explains that by one Spirit all believers—not just a spiritual elite—are baptized or placed into the one body of Christ.
One Central Nervous System
Les stresses that the whole human body is controlled by one mind and brain, and applies that to Christ being the head of the body.
Human Body as a Type
Les uses the human body as a type of the body of Christ; every different organ and function operates under one center, the mind.
Christ Is the Head
Les says if you strike your thumb with a hammer, your whole body hurts, showing how all the members are connected under Christ the head.
Pauline Revelation, Not Found in Gospels
Les emphasizes that the body of Christ is a Pauline revelation not found in the Gospels; all believers of every color and background are part of that one body.
Every Believer Connected to the Head
Les concludes that "all" believers are baptized into one body—the body of Christ—and every believer is connected to the Head.
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's central comparison: the body of Christ is one body made up of many members, just like the human 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 verse identifies the one body into which all believers are baptized by the Spirit.
Les Feldick says no. Jesus never spoke of the body of Christ, Peter never spoke of it, and it is only Paul who reveals this doctrine in his epistles.
Every believer. Paul says in I Corinthians 12:13 that by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body. Les emphasizes that it is not just a chosen few or the most spiritual; it includes all believers, regardless of race, wealth, or denominational background.
Paul uses the human body to show how many different members—hands, feet, eyes, ears—make up one body. Just as the human body is directed by one mind and central nervous system, so the body of Christ is one body with Christ as its head.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About the Lord's Table — 1 Corinthians 10:16