6 Dimensions of Baptism
all spheres of life. Philip Thompson addresses the North American context
with specific reference to the Southern Baptist Convention. He maintains
that Baptist identity has become distorted by the separation of baptism
from conversion with an over-emphasis of an individual's subjective faith
and loss of the communal dimension. Finally, Chris Ellis explores the way
believer's baptism is inextricably linked to the understanding of the Church
only as the fellowship of believers. Within this ecclesiology baptism is not
simply an expression of the fellowship of believers but a sacramental sign
which makes that ecclesial reality possible.
The editors wish to thank the contributors who have given generously
of their time and expertise in preparing the articles which are offered
here in the hope that they will contribute to the ongoing study of baptism
and Christian initiation within the Church of Jesus Christ. Our thanks,
too, to Sheffield Academic Press for their help in bringing this project to
completion.