Is special white dress appropriate after baptism?
Another denominational tradition is the wearing of white robes after baptism. Matthew 23:5 condemns those who change the appearance of their garments in order to be seen of men. The wearing of white cloth outwardly in no way helps the appearance of a persons inner man. Luke 16:19 describes a rich man clothed in purple and fine linen on earth, but who was lost in the next life. 1 Peter 3:3,4 shows that Christians do not depend upon beautiful outward appearances. That which is in the sight of God of great price is the adorning of the character or the hidden man of the heart. We must clothe ourselves in good works (1 Timothy 2:9,10). The fine linen which will have meaning in heaven is the righteousness of the saints (Revelation 19:8). Outward adorning does not affect the soul, but inward adorning does. Outward adorning can be deceitful, but inward adorning cannot. Is special dress for the clergy good? The division between clergymen and laymen is a denominational idea which the Bible does
