An Analysis of I Corinthians 12:13

1. "For by one Spirit" - This is an obvious reference to the Holy Spirit. The context of I Corinthians 12 bears this out. It was the work of the Holy Spirit to reveal and confirm the Word of God (I Corinthians 2:9-14; Ephesians 3:3-5; John 16:13; 14:26). The Holy Spirit through the inspired spokesmen and writers of the New Testament revealed the truth about how to become a Christian. Thus one is led, instructed, or taught by the Holy Spirit through His inspired word (which is the sword of the Spirit - Ephesians 6:17) to be baptized in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).

2. "are we all" - Everyone, whether Jew or Gentile, becomes a Christian in exactly the same way. Paul explains this further in Galatians 3:26-28 when he states, "For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Jesus Christ. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ and put on Christ. There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

3. "baptized" - Of necessity this is the baptism of the Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-16. The baptism of the Great Commission clearly has the following characteristics: a) It was to be administered by man (the disciples); b) It was universal in scope and application. It was for "every creature;" c) It stands between the alien sinner and salvation.

Clearly then, the baptism of the Great Commission is water baptism. By a cross examination of the three accounts of the Great Commission one finds that the steps or conditions of salvation or remission of sins are as follows: a) being taught the gospel; b) believing the gospel; c) repentance; d) baptism (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47). The baptism of I Corinthians 12:13 includes "all." The baptism of the Great Commission includes "all" (or every creature; Mark 16:15). Both passages refer to the same baptism. Holy Spirit baptism came only upon the apostles (Acts 1:2-8).

4. "into one body" - Paul says that there is only "one" body (Ephesians 4:4-6) and that one body is the "church" (Ephesians 1:22-23). To be in Christ and to be in the body of Christ, the church, means the same thing in the New Testament (I Corinthians 12:20, 25, 27; Galatians 1:22).

RK