What Does It Mean to Be Baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ?

Direct Answer

Yes — being baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ means the Holy Spirit places every believer into the body of Christ at the moment of salvation.

In 1 Corinthians 12:13, Paul writes that 'by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.' Les Feldick teaches that this is an invisible act of the Holy Spirit that happens the moment a person believes the gospel. It is not water baptism, is not performed by human hands, and includes every born-again believer regardless of race, class, or station.

Key Scriptures

1 Corinthians 12:13 — This is the key verse that directly states believers are baptized by one Spirit into one body.

What Does the Bible Say?

Scripture says in 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.' The previous verse compares this to the human body: '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). The Bible presents this baptism as something that happens to all believers — Jew and Gentile, bond and free — without exception.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About Baptism by the Holy Spirit?

Les Feldick emphasizes that when Paul writes 'by one Spirit,' he is referring to the Holy Spirit, and that this baptism is performed by the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation. He stresses the word 'all' — not just the most spiritual or an elite few, but every born-again believer of whatever station in life (Clips 1, 4). It is an invisible act of God; no preacher, denomination, or organization administers it (Clips 2, 3). Since the Holy Spirit does not baptize with water, this is not water baptism (Clips 5, 6).

Is This Baptism the Same as Water Baptism?

No. Les Feldick teaches that the Holy Spirit does not baptize with water, so the baptism of 1 Corinthians 12:13 is not water baptism (Clips 5, 6). People can be water-baptized and become members of local churches while still lost, but only the Holy Spirit's baptism places a person into the body of Christ (Clip 1). Any water baptism — by Jordan water or Timbuktu river water — makes no difference to this spiritual baptism (Clip 7).

Who Is Baptized into the Body of Christ?

Les stresses the word 'all' in 1 Corinthians 12:13. Every born-again believer is baptized into the body — not just the most spiritual, not just an elite few (Clips 1, 4). This includes Jew and Gentile, bond and free, whatever color, race, or lot in life (Clips 4, 7). No one signs up for this and no preacher baptizes them into it; it happens automatically when they believe the gospel (Clip 2).

When Does This Baptism Take Place?

The moment a person is saved. Les teaches that the Holy Spirit automatically, immediately, places every believer into the body of Christ the instant they believe the gospel (Clips 2, 3). This is presented as the immediate result of salvation (Clip 3). Les calls this baptism 'the One that counts for eternity' — it makes the believer safe in Christ regardless of any other baptism (Clip 7).

From the Teaching

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benefit of his wife. And she, on the other hand, should not take advantage of that, but rather respond to it. Remember how I've used that word so often? I've taught my classes, and maybe I've even done it here on television, that when God created that first human couple, never throughout all of human history did God command the wife to love the husband. Not once.

All Believers Baptized into the Body

Les teaches that by one Spirit, every born-again believer — not just an elite few — is baptized into the body of Christ, the universal company of believers. No unbeliever enters this body.

No Human Baptism Involved

Les explains that a believer becomes a member of the body of Christ the moment they believe the gospel; no preacher administers this baptism and no one signs up for it.

Invisible Act at Salvation

Les teaches that by an invisible act of the Holy Spirit, every believer is placed into the body of Christ the moment they are saved.

Every Believer Regardless of Station

Les emphasizes that it is not just the most spiritual who are baptized into the body — every believer of whatever station in life, Jew or Gentile, bond or free, receives this baptism.

No Water Involved

Les points out that Paul teaches Holy Spirit baptism only at salvation, the Holy Spirit immediately placing us into the body of Christ — a baptism with no water involved.

Not Water Baptism

Les demonstrates that since the Holy Spirit does not baptize with water, the baptism in 1 Corinthians 12:13 cannot be water baptism.

What Counts for Eternity

Les teaches that being baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ is what counts for eternity, regardless of any water baptism — the believer is His and safe forever.

Bible Verses

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 on Spirit baptism into the body of Christ — it says all believers are baptized by one Spirit into one body.

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 analogy of the human body to show how the many members of the body of Christ form one body.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is baptism by the Holy Spirit the same as water baptism?

No. Les Feldick teaches that the Holy Spirit does not baptize with water, so the baptism of 1 Corinthians 12:13 involves no water. Water baptism is performed by human hands, but Spirit baptism is an invisible act of God that places the believer into the body of Christ (Clips 5, 6).

When does a believer receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

At the moment of salvation. The moment a person believes the gospel, the Holy Spirit automatically and immediately places them into the body of Christ (Clips 2, 3, 7).

Are only some believers baptized by the Holy Spirit?

No. Les stresses the word 'all' in 1 Corinthians 12:13 — every born-again believer, not just the most spiritual, is baptized into the body by the Holy Spirit (Clips 1, 4).

Do unbelievers who are water-baptized become part of the body of Christ?

No. Only genuine born-again believers are placed into the body by the Holy Spirit; no unbeliever enters the body of Christ (Clip 1).

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