Baptismal Dress

In the early congregations, faith in Christ alone forms the basis for belonging. Baptism seals this belonging. It establishes itself as an initiation ritual in Christianity. Paul writes in the Letter to the Galatians: "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (Gal 3:27).

Paul uses the imagery of "putting on" to describe the acceptance of faith: like a garment, Christ envelops the baptized person, shaping and protecting their life. Faith is embraced like a second skin.

For Paul, belonging to the Christian community is not a human achievement; it is a gift of God's grace. Faith opens the way to this grace, while baptism makes it visible and seals one's admission into the community. According to the biblical texts, Paul himself is baptized following the events on the road to Damascus.