Baptized into One Body (1 Corinthians 12:13)

2024-07-05

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. (1 Corinthians 12:13)

When or how do we join the church? The Spirit Himself has placed us into a single body, the body of Christ. This happens at our rebirth. There is a single Spirit and a single baptism. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:4-5).

Consider this part: we “have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” We were immersed into the body by the Spirit, but we also have been made to drink into Him. We think of water cleansing the exterior and hydrating the interior; the Spirit does both spiritually to the body of Christ. Our position in Jesus Christ is both individual and corporate.

This baptism, like much discussion throughout the New Testament, is not water baptism, which also has its place. The Spirit Himself baptizes us into His body. “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47).