Proving that we are who we say we are has become a normal way of life. If you go into your cell phone company’s store, you are going to have to produce your photo ID as well as giving the pin number on your account. You might even have to give the last four digits of your social security number. Calling in to the same place requires you to give your address and phone number as well as answering some security questions.
Flying to Seattle, we had to show our driver’s license at Detroit Metro when we checked luggage and then through the TSA screening. When going into Canada, we had to show our passports, holding it in our left hand so that our fingers wouldn’t obscure the photo. The DMV even requires you to show your driver’s license even though you have the paperwork to renew your license plates.
In some instances, we might have to produce our birth certificate along with other forms of identification. Some of our jobs require fingerprinting and FBI/BCI checks. Proving we are who we say we are can become a very detailed process these days.
So, how did people prove their identity before photo IDs and all the other identifiers we have to use today?
For centuries, a name was often unique enough to identify a person and their claim to the name was accepted. When several people had the same name, the individual was often identified with their father. In ancient Greece, the name Pericles must have been fairly popular. To specify which Pericles was identified, they might say, “Pericles son of Xanthippus.” This was actually found on a 5th c. BC shard of pottery. This is also a common way of identifying someone in the Bible.
Another method of identification might have been scars, deformities, unique features, or birthmarks. “An Egyptian will from 242 BCE describes its subject with remarkable specificity: “65 years old, of middle height, square built, dim-sighted, with a scar on the left part of the temple and on the right side of the jaw and also below the cheek and above
the upper lip.”1
Clothing was another method of identification. Insignias, badges, or the style of clothing often marked the identity of an individual, especially if they were distinct and unique. Others used seals or their signature to identify themselves.
There is another identity that we must prove. It’s our identity as a Christian. How do you prove to someone that you are a Christian? There’s two ways.
First, listen. Does the individual give a clear verbal testimony of salvation? Philip shared the Gospel with an Ethiopian eunuch Acts 8:35-37. Read how the eunuch gave testimony of his faith. “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. (36) And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? (37) And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” There has to be a testimony of salvation by grace through faith minus any works or self-effort testimony.
Second, look. There are going to be lifestyle indicators that identify a person as a believer. Romans 12:9-21 gives several characteristics marks of believers. The first five verses say, “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. (10) Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; (11) Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; (12) Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; (13) Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”
It is impossible to see another person’s heart. Only God sees that clearly. All we have to go on are the external indicators.
Let’s make sure that we can easily be identified as a child of God. Matthew 7:20 says, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
1https://historyfacts.com/science-industry/article/what-did-people-use-for-ids-before-photos/
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