Ultra or Hyper-Dispensationalist

Text: 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Introduction: Our text tells us to “rightly” divide the word of truth, which means that you can “wrongly” divide the bible and that’s what the Hyper-Dispensationalist’s do.

 2 Timothy 3:16,17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.  If your bible has “thoroughly”, you have a bible that Satan has messed with. You can “thoroughly” take a sharow, but you can't take a sharrow "throughly". The "spellings" are different and the "meanings" are different!

I believe this Cambridge King James Bible is the perfect “word” and “words” of God, NOT “Word” of God”.
The “W”ord is Jesus Christ (John 1:1,14; 1John 1:1;5:7; Rev. 19:13) in the AV, the “w”ord is the written word)
I. Every verse in the Bible has three applications
1. Historical...this means the thing happened in history as the Bible said it happened, where it happened and how it happened.
2.Doctrinal...Every verse in the Bible is aimed at a specific person or race, for a specific reason, to teach a specific truth.
3.Inspirational...since all scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, every verse has a spiritual application, which can be used to correct or instruct people.

Definitions:
Hyper-: 1. Over; above; beyond: hypercharge. 2. Excessive; excessively: hypercritical.
Dispensationalist: A specific arrangement or system by which something is dispensed. 2. An exemption or a release from an obligation or a rule, granted by or as if by an authority. 4.   Theology. The divine ordering of worldly affairs. A religious system or code of commands considered to have been divinely revealed or appointed.
Another Definition: the act of dispensing or something dispensed; a specific arrangement or system by which something is dispensed. Moses dispensed the Law. The word dispensation does not mean a period of time. However, the dispensing of a particular message or ministry will usually have a beginning and an ending.

A bible believer has to arrange the bible into different periods of time and doctrines or he’ll have contradictions.
Examples:
a. Don’t eat pork or shellfish:
Leviticus 11:7 And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.
Leviticus 11:12 Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you. But, in the N.T. you can eat anything, if prayed over.
1 Timothy 4:4-5 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

b. The division between the Old Testament and the New Testament is easily recognizable.
John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, BUT (there’s a brake here) grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

c. There are also divisions within the Old Testament. 
The most obvious two are before the Law and after the Law.  Noah could eat anything: Genesis 9:3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. but Israel could not! (Leviticus 11).

d. There are divisions in the N.T. The Bible says that the New Testament didn’t come into effect until Christ died.
Hebrews 9:16, 17 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.  Doctrinally speaking the four gospels before Jesus death are still dealing with Jews under Mosaic Law.

There is nothing wrong with “rightly dividing” the bible, however, the Hyper-Dispensationalist puts an over emphasis or hyper-dividing the bible where God doesn’t divide it. Where the bible divides, you have to divide.
Example:
1 Corinthians 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
(Note, in the bible doctrinally, God divides people into three groups.)
Jews: God’s chosen people, Shem to Abraham’s seed through Isaac, Jacob and the 12 tribes.
Gentiles: They are everyone from Noah’s three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, excepting the descendants of Shem, that didn’t come through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the 12 tribes who are the Jews or Israelites.
Church of God: Every saved person whether Jews or Gentiles from the cross to the Rapture.
Example:
The books from Hebrews to the book of Jude are not DOCTRINAL books for Christian salvation.
Gentiles: Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Jews: James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
From Hebrews to Jude, you have to be careful applying everything to the church age saint. But, you can’t just throw them out unless the verse contradicts the Pauline epistles. From the cross to the Rapture, you have saved Jews; lost Jews – saved Gentiles; lost Gentiles but all the saved in both groups are in the Church of God or body of Christ. How did they get in the body of Christ? “Holy Spirit put them 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. Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

This first one comes from the teaching of Cornelius R. Stam, J.C. O’Hair, Richard Jordan and Charles F. Baker. Dave Reese, a missionary to China teaches this, but he retains water baptism and the Lord's Supper, so he doesn't go as far as the rest of the "Mid Acts Dispensationalist"..

Edited for space from this website: http://www.dispensationalberean.com/berean.html.
1. Mid Acts Dispensationalists: Christians who believe the body of Christ did not begin until Paul was saved are referred to as Mid Acts Dispensationalists. Since Paul was saved in Acts chapter 9 (considered to be the Mid Acts Period), and his first recorded sermon is in Acts chapter 13 (which is still in the Mid Acts period), these brethren may differ among themselves as to exactly when the body of Christ began (some believe it began in Acts chapter 9; some believe it began in Acts chapter 11; some believe it began in Acts chapter 13). However, Mid Acts Dispensationalists generally believe that Paul was the first member of the body of Christ.
As a result, they associate the present body of Christ with the dispensation of grace, which was given to the apostle Paul (Eph.3:2; Col.1:25). So Mid Acts Dispensationalists, in general, also teach that the body of Christ could not have been in existence before this dispensation of grace began (although this is not a required belief). Men such as Charles F. Baker and C. R. Stam are examples of Mid Acts Dispensationalists.
From what I could find, there isn’t a second group now
2. Acts 18: J. C. O’Hare was a radio preacher and pastor out of Chicago. He saw that 1 Corinthians 12 is already dealing with the “mystery Body” and the members in the Body, and it says clearly “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body....”. This epistle was written during the Acts period to converts of the Corinthian church. So, O’Hare decided that the Body of Christ began in Acts 18.  This second group was made up of preachers like J.C. O’Hair, but if you’ll notice the first group also has O’Hair in it. It seams that the “Hypers” have compromised and combined the Acts 9 group with the Acts 18 group. Thy call their selves, “Mid Acts Dispensationalists”.
This third group mostly came from a scholar named Ethelbert William Bullinger (December 15, 1837 - June 6, 1913) an Anglican clergyman, Biblical scholar, and dispensationalist theologian. He has a very good work called, “The Companion Bible”. (If you buy one, don’t go to the Hebrew and Greek to explain or interpret a word)  Charles H. Welch 1880-1967 also was an Acts 28 Dispensationalist.
3. Acts 28 Dispensationalists: Christians who believe the present church did not begin until after Paul wrote his Acts epistles (Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, and 1&2 Thessalonians) are referred to as Acts 28 Dispensationalists. Like most Mid Acts Dispensationalists, the Acts 28 Dispensationalists also believe that Paul was the first member of the body of Christ. Consequently, Acts 28 Dispensationalists will also associate the present body of Christ with the dispensation of grace, which was given to the apostle Paul (Eph.3:2; Col.1:25).
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Hyper-Dispensationalists’ Beliefs on When the Body of Christ Started
All agree that the body of Christ began with the apostle Paul. The “Hyper-Dispensationalists” comprise both the Acts 28 position and the Mid Acts position. These two groups may disagree among themselves as to exactly when the church began, but both groups believe that Paul was the first member of the body of Christ. Some even believe that Paul was the first earthly member of the body of Christ. They put the Apostles and anyone saved before Paul in Acts 9 or before Acts 28 in a separate Jewish body.

Rebuttal on Hyper-Dispensationalists’ Beliefs on When the Body of Christ Started
The above can’t be true, because of the statement of Paul about some folks being “in Christ” before him. In Romans 16:7 he says, “Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.” (The “in Christ” has to be the body of Christ)

Notice, Paul knew that those folks were “IN CHRIST” before him so he didn’t believe there were 2 bodies of Christ. Also, he says, “who are of NOTE “among” the apostles” indicating the apostles were in Christ before him and they got in Christ in: John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: (I believe the “body of Christ” started right when Jesus breathed on them and they received the Holy Spirit.)

Here is what brother Ruckman says about when the body of Christ started: “The local church did not begin at Pentecost. This is perfectly clear in the passage in Matthew 16 and 18, the calling out of the twelve, and in the commissioning of this local church in Matthew 28 and Acts 1. This group has a roll of 120 names on it in Acts 1. It had a treasurer who died and was replaced in Acts 1 and Matthew 26. It had a leader who was spokesman for the group, Simon Peter, Acts 1 and 2. It was a local, called out assembly … As such, it was a Jewish church. It certainly had Jews and Gentiles in it after Pentecost. It became a living organism, and its members were placed in Christ by a baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.” (Hyper-Dispensationism-PSR)
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Hyper-Dispensationalists’ Beliefs on Salvation
“Salvation is a free gift without any work whatsoever. (Eph 2:8-9) Salvation is not dependent upon walking the aisle, joining the church, being baptized, turning over a new leaf, repenting of your sins, turning from your sins, forsaking your sins, confessing your sins, asking for forgiveness of your sins or inviting Christ into your heart. Forgiveness is available to all who believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again and that God forgave us for Christ’s sake. (I Cor 15:1-4) Salvation is trusting completely in what Christ did in our behalf on Calvary. (Eph 1:13) We believe that this glorious truth has been hidden from the world in general by the religious system of this world that has substituted the traditions of men for the truth. If by Grace it is no more of works... Rom 11:6”

Rebuttal on Hyper-Dispensationalists’ Beliefs on Salvation
This is heresy IF they really believe what they wrote. He did say, “Salvation is trusting completely in what Christ did in our behalf on Calvary!” I didn’t like what he didn’t say. I know that biblical salvation is easy, but if there is no seeing yourself a lost sinner, no repentance, no prayer or believing in your heart! That certainly doesn’t sound like biblical salvation, just “head belief”. What are you saved FROM? James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
C.H. Spurgeon said: It will not save me to know that Christ is a Saviour; but it will save me to trust him to be my Saviour. I shall not be delivered from the wrath to come, by believing that his atonement is sufficient; but I shall be saved by making that atonement my trust, my refuge, and my all. The pith, the essence of faith lies in this---a casting oneself on the promise. It is not the life buoy on board ship that saves the man when he is drowning, nor is it his belief that it is an excellent and successful invention. No! He must have it around his loins, or his hand upon it, or else he will sink.
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Hyper-Dispensationalists’ beliefs on being “Born Again”
Some Hyper-Dispensationalist says that we don’t need to be born again! That term is Jewish as in John 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. They say since we as Gentiles are adopted, we can’t be born again.
Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (also Rom 8:15; Rom. 8:23; Rom. 9:4; Gal. 4:5

Rebuttal on Hyper-Dispensationalists’ beliefs on being “Born Again”
1 Corinthians 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel (Definition: “begotten” To produce sexually or asexually others of one's kind. v.reproduce, bear, beget, breed, bring forth, engender, generate, get, give birth to, have, multiply, procreate, produce, proliferate, propagate, sire, spawn.)
Philemon 1:10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
The above verses show that the Corinthians, Onesimus and everyone that is saved were begotten and that’s a new birth.

Gal 3:26-28 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. [Jew and Gentile in the body of Christ.]
1 Cor 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me [Paul] also, as of one BORN out of due time. [Paul had a new birth] Rom 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, [If one can’t be adopted and also born again, than what about these ADOPTED Israelites? If Israelites aren’t born again, and Gentiles aren’t born again - who is?] The answer to, “Are we born again, or adopted?” is - YES! It could be both.
You say, how can that be? Well, are we in Christ, or is Christ in us? Answer, Both! How can both be true? We are adopted and spiritually born again.
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Hyper-Dispensationalists’ beliefs about the King James bible
Just like Baptist, some believe or use other translations and/or go to a Greek or Hebrew text to teach, however, one I found said this: "We believe that the King James Bible is God’s inspired, pure, perfect and preserved word without error for English speaking people".
That’s a good statement, however as far as I’m concerned, I believe the AV will correct, not only the Greek and Hebrew, but also any language that contradicts anything in the English  AV, the AV corrects them.
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Hyper-Dispensationalists’ beliefs on Water Baptism
Hyper-Dispensationalism abandons many church practices. They teach that the church started after Acts 28 and that Paul was not sent to baptize: therefore, baptism has no place in the Church age.

Rebuttal on Hyper-Dispensationalists’ beliefs on Water Baptism
The Apostle Paul, who they follow was baptized, Acts 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. Also, he told us to follow him.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. And Paul baptized some of his converts: Acts 16:33 And he (the jailer) took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. Acts 18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
1 Corinthians 1:14-17 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (Notice, Paul didn’t say he wasn’t suppose to baptize because it was just for the Jews or you shouldn’t baptize. He said, “lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” He didn’t want to put the emphasis water baptism, because the emphasis is suppose to be on what the Lord Jesus Christ did on the cross.
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Hyper-Dispensationalists’ beliefs on Communion or the Lords Supper
Most Hyper-dispensationalists reject Communion or the Lord’s Supper, assuming it to be a Jewish rite.

Rebuttal on Hyper-Dispensationalists’ beliefs on Communion or the Lords Supper
The Apostle Paul is the very one that gave instruction to a Gentile church at Corinth on its order and purpose.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
 The Lord’s Supper is a local church ordinances and should be practiced as the Lord commanded to” shew the Lord's death till he come” and He hasn’t come yet!
I guess the ones that doesn't believe the Lord's Supper is for now, isn't looking for The Lord Jesus to come back.
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Some Hyper-Dispensationalists’ forsake the local church or the people in their church are usually stolen from an Independent Baptist Church.
I have a good friend that is involved in Hyper-Dispensationalism. He left my church and is having a bible study with one other man who was going to my church also. He or the other man doesn’t go to any church now as far as I know. He used to go soul winning with me while he was in my church. Not all, but most like to go to a local church and pull some folks out of that church, so they can teach them “real” bible doctrine. Their end result is a dead little assembly that does nothing to win people to the Lord Jesus Christ, they win them to "Hyper Dispensationalism"!

Rebuttal for some Hyper-Dispensationalists’ forsaking the local church 
Reasons for going to church.
Eph. 4:11-13 – If Christ gave us Pastors and teacher, He wants us to use them.
Heb. 10:24,25 – We are provoked to love and good works by assembling ourselves.
Rom. 10:13-17 – The local church is where preachers is to build us up in the faith and the lost to be saved.
Matt. 18:17 – This has to be a local church.
Matt. 18:20 – 2 or 3 make up a local church.
Matt. 26, Luke 22 and 1 Cor. 11 shows Christ wants us to keep the Lords Supper. Has to be in a local assembly.
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Many who reject dispensations (I call them “Lumpers”) are guilty of the same mistake the “Hypers” make. The Hypers throw out the local church practices mentioned above. Others throw out all dispensations, which is just as much a heresy as the Hyper-Dispensationalists.
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WHEN DID THE BODY OF CHRIST START? – Tommy H. Heffner Sr.
Bullinger says the body of Christ started at Acts 28; O’Hair says Acts 18 and Stam says Acts 9 and I say it started at the cross which incorporates the resurrection, below are my reasons. My comments are in [….. ] when commenting on part of a verse.
Rom 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, [Jews] and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were ***in Christ*** before me. [these people were in Christ before Acts 9. the phrase ***in Christ*** is referring to being in the body of Christ:]
Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body ***in Christ,*** and every one members one of another.
Gal 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the ***church of God,*** and wasted it: [The body was present before Paul was saved. Paul persecuted the ***church of God*** before he was saved and in 1 Cor 10:32, it says, “Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the ***church of God***” and the ***church of God*** is the body of Christ, 1 Cor 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 church”, “disciples of Christ” and being “in Christ” all refer to the “body of Christ”. If you are still not convinced, let’s look at what happened at the time Paul was saved. When Stephen was stoned, Paul, who was called Saul then (Acts 13:9) was consenting to Stephen’s death (Acts 8:1) and then went around persecuting the church;

Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Also, the term “made havock of the church” included killing some the disciples of the Lord, note the word “slaughter” in Acts 9:1; Acts 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord ...

Note the words in Acts 9 verse 2, “this way”:
Acts 9:2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
The people of “this way” was plainly “disciples of the Lord”, which made them part of the church or in other words, part of the body of Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
Saul was on the road to Damascus to arrest some more “disciples of the Lord”, when the Lord suddenly appeared to him and he fell to the ground. Then the Lord ask him in verse 4; ... Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Then in Acts 9:6 he was saved and asked, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

OK, this is what I want you to see from Acts 9:
1. Saul, the persecutor of the church or body of Christ is the same man as the apostle Paul who was saved on the road to Damascus. Acts 13:9
2. The “disciples of the Lord”, “the church” and “the body of Christ” are terms that mean the same. The only difference is the term “church” can also mean a local congregation of people.
3. The phrase (Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?) was used three times. Acts 9:4; 22:7 and 26:14. The last two times Paul was telling his conversion story. Each time Jesus said that Paul was persecuting Him, but Paul was really just threatening, killing and making havoc of the church or the disciples of Christ. Question: Now how was Paul persecuting Jesus Christ, since He was up in the third Heaven?
Answer: Those people were part of His body and that means His body was there before Paul was saved. After Paul was saved, the mystery was revealed to him that the Jew and the Gentile are in the same body.

Alright now we’ll go verse by verse in Eph. 2:12-3:11
Eph 2:12-22 That at that time ye [Gentiles] were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye [Gentiles] who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he [Christ] is our peace, who hath made both one, [Jew and Gentile in one body] and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [the body of Christ] so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God [Jew and Gentile] in one body by the cross, [Jesus Christ’s death was “by the cross”, but in order for His death to do any good, there had to be His burial and His resurrection, so the body had to begin at the resurrection] having slain the enmity thereby: [”enmity”=mutual hatred, in this case between the Jews and the Gentiles]
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him [Jesus Christ] we both [Jew and Gentile] have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles [Peter, James and John, etc.] and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye [Gentiles] also are builded together [with Jews] for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

3:1For this cause [what cause? Eph 2:12-22 what we just read] I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: [notice it didn’t say it was given “to me”, like God gave Paul a special dispensation, it said, “given me to you-ward”, God dispensed “grace” to Paul so he could give the “mystery” in verse 6]
3 How that by revelation he made known [it was already there, but wasn’t made known] unto me the mystery; [What is the mystery, verse 6] (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
[Here comes the definition of the “mystery”, verse 6]
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: [the mystery revealed to Paul is Jew and Gentile in the same body]
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 And to make all men [Jew and Gentile] see what is the fellowship of the mystery, [verse 6] which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
 
CONCLUSION
1. How does a person get into the body of Christ?
We’re baptized in the body by the Holy Spirit, 1 Cor 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, … then the Holy Spirit is the one that puts us in Christ. Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. According to the above verses, there is ***one body*** and the way to get in that body is to be baptized by the Holy Spirit, so no one is in the body of Christ unless the Holy Spirit is inside his body.
2. How many bodies are they?
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God into one body by the cross, [Eph. 4:4 says there is ONE BODY and the cross is the beginning of body of Christ, however no one was in the body but the Apostles in Jn 20:22 and the rest that were in the room, Lk 24:33, until Pentecost] having slain the enmity thereby: [ Definition - enmity = “Deep-seated, often mutual hatred between the Jews and Gentiles”; but they were put together in one body by the cross Eph 2:12 and 3:6] In John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: [At this time they received the Holy Ghost, Rom. 8:9 for salvation and SERVICE]
Jn 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained.. [That “SERVICE” was applied at Pentecost and 3000 were saved.]
[Let’s compare Acts 11:16 with 1 Cor 12:13. Acts 11:16]
Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he [Jesus] said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. [1 Cor. 12:13]
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them [Cornelius and those with him] the like gift as he did unto us, [Peter and the disciples on the day of Pentecost spoke in tongues] who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? [He’s not saying that on the day of Pentecost WAS when he received the Holy Spirit, that was in Jn 20:22, but that was when he got the “like gift”. Cornelius and those with him spoke in tongues (Hebrew) in Acts 10]
This had to be at Pentecost, because that is when Peter and the rest of the disciples spoke in tongues when the Holy Spirit came fulfilling the promise in Luke 24:46-49 and Acts 1:4. So in view of the above, I believe the “Body of Christ” started at the Cross, which included the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If Christ hadn’t risen from the dead, there wouldn’t have been a body.
Heb. 9:16,17 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

The body of Christ was there in John 20:22, but it wasn’t REVEALED until God gave it to the Apostle Paul after Acts 9.

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