Jeff Scanlan wrote:
> Personally I fail to see how a celebration of a baptism can ever be
> appropriate. It too easily runs the risk of being seen as something that the
> candidate has done. That is to say, we are celebrating an achievement of
> someone. 
> 
> This gives the glory to the person rather than where it belongs. 
> 
> God bless,
> Jeff

You are missing the point.  This man's baptism is the occasion for 
providing *free barbecue*.  It really is that simple.  ;-)

On a serious note, rejoicing over one who has come to faith is a good 
thing.  It is good for the church to celebrate new converts.  If the 
*risk* of giving glory to the person rather than to God is sufficient 
reason to not celebrate a baptism, then we should never thank a person 
God uses to provide for us.  We should never thank a person for doing 
anything for us, ever, because God is, ultimately, the giver of all 
things good.  I understand the concern, but if done right, celebrating a 
baptism is not only appropriate for the church, but good and necessary.
--
john-thomas

[snip]