Yes, a believer's eternal destiny is guaranteed by the Holy Spirit's baptism into the body of Christ at the moment of salvation.
Les Feldick explains that the moment a person believes the gospel, the Holy Spirit invisibly places them into the body of Christ, which is the only baptism that counts for eternity. This act, along with having one's name written in the Lamb's Book of Life, ensures the believer is safe for eternity. This assurance is grounded in the promises of God's Word, not in human feelings or church membership.
1 Corinthians 12:13 — This verse directly states that by one Spirit all believers are baptized into one body, which is the foundation of the guarantee.
The Bible teaches that all believers are baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. As it is written 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.' This baptism is not a physical act but a spiritual reality that unites every believer with Christ. Additionally, the Bible assures that nothing can separate us from God's love, as seen in Romans 8:35-39. The believer's security is further reinforced by the promise that God is in total control and is sovereign, as stated in Romans 8:28.
Les Feldick emphasizes that the guarantee of a believer's eternal destiny rests on the invisible work of the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation. He teaches that when a person believes the gospel, the Holy Spirit immediately places them into the body of Christ—a spiritual union that is the only baptism that counts for eternity. This body includes believers from every nation, race, and social status, and it will one day be the Bride of Christ. Les contrasts this with local church membership, which may include unsaved individuals, whereas the body of Christ contains only true believers. He also stresses that this assurance comes from taking God at His Word, not from feelings or outward signs. Doubts are countered by claiming God's promises and trusting in His sovereignty.
Les teaches that the Holy Spirit's act of baptizing a believer into the body of Christ is the defining moment that secures eternal destiny. This is an invisible act that happens the moment one believes the gospel, and it is not something a person feels or sees. It is the Holy Spirit who places the believer into the body of Christ, making them safe for eternity. This baptism is contrasted with water baptism, which is not what saves. The Holy Spirit's work is the only baptism that truly counts for eternity.
Les emphasizes that the body of Christ is a spiritual body that includes every genuine believer worldwide, regardless of denomination or church membership. A local church may have members who are not truly saved, but the body of Christ contains only those who have been placed there by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, being a member of a local church does not guarantee eternal destiny; being a member of the body of Christ does.
Les affirms that a true believer cannot be separated from God's love. He points to Romans 8:35-39, emphasizing that nothing can separate us from the love of God. He also notes that God is sovereign and in total control. For those who have been baptized into the body of Christ, they are safe for eternity. Les dismisses the idea that a person must work to keep their salvation or fear losing it.
Spirit Baptism into the Body
Les explains that by one Spirit, every believer is baptized into the body of Christ at the moment of salvation, which is an invisible act that guarantees eternal belonging.
Church Membership vs. Body of Christ
Les contrasts local church membership with the body of Christ, stating that only the saved are in the body, and that Spirit baptism is what counts for eternity.
The Only Baptism That Counts
Les emphasizes that Spirit baptism into the body of Christ is the one that secures eternity, regardless of any water baptism.
Eternal Life Through the Body
Les stresses that being a member of the body of Christ is essential, and those who are not are eternally lost, but those who are have eternal life.
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And when we believe it, God is going to reward us with the greatest experience in all human history. And what's that? Salvation. To have that blessed assurance, not only of eternal life for that which is to come, but for the here and now. You know, I tell my classes again in Oklahoma over and over, too many Christians have got the idea that salvation is just simply a fire escape.
Immediate Placement at Salvation
Les teaches that the Holy Spirit places every believer into the body of Christ immediately upon believing the gospel.
Assurance of Salvation
Les encourages believers to have enough faith to take God at His word, knowing that no one can take them out of His hand.
God's Sovereign Control
Les argues that the verses in Romans 8 confound those who deny assurance of salvation, affirming that nothing can separate us from God's love.
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 directly states that the Holy Spirit baptizes all believers into the body of Christ, which is the basis of eternal security.
Romans 8:35: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Les references this to emphasize that nothing can separate a believer from God's love, reinforcing eternal security.
Romans 8:38-39: For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
These verses affirm that no external force can separate the believer from God's love, confirming the guarantee of eternal destiny.
It means that at the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit places a believer into the spiritual body of Christ, uniting them with all other believers and securing their eternal destiny. This is an invisible act, not a water baptism.
Les teaches that once a person is genuinely saved and placed into the body of Christ, they are safe for eternity. No one can take them out of God's hand, and nothing can separate them from His love.
No. Les emphasizes that local church membership does not guarantee salvation. Only being a member of the body of Christ, through the Holy Spirit's baptism, matters for eternity.
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