Despite the presumption that baptism is the basic bond of unity between the churches, the path toward mutual recognition remains a long one. Here is a brief yet authoritative guide to the historical, theological, and practical issues involved. Deeply grounded in scholarship and teaching, Heller's work offers an overview of the ecumenical theological discussion on baptism: the different confessional views, Faith & Order work on baptism, the historical development of the divergences, ways towards mutual recognition of baptism as they have been proposed or realised on local and regional as well as multilateral and bilateral levels. Beyond that, Heller, who has worked on the issues for nearly two decades, offers her own assessment of the prospects for and path toward Christian unity on this most basic symbol of Christian identity.