Christian Identity As Baptismal Identity

Abstract

The major element in being a Christian is a sense of belonging to Jesus Christ, a sense of belonging to God through Christ or in Christ. Being Christian does not take place in a vacuum. Christian faith and life finds its form in very particular conditions and circumstances in a larger world. This chapter argues that Christian identity, though potentially widely inclusive, is very particular. It is marked by a belonging to God in Christ, the God who is identified in the story of Jesus. The relation between each Christian and Christ is effected and sealed in baptism. One of the major ways of describing Christian identity is to see it as baptismal identity. Baptized persons are immersed in the liberating death of Christ where their sins are buried, where the 'old Adam' is crucified with Christ, and where the power of sin is broken.Keywords: baptismal identity; Christian faith; Christian identity; God in Christ; Jesus Christ