> -----Original Message-----
> From: john-thomas richards [mailto:jtrspam@...]
> Sent: Wednesday, 30 April 2008 9:45 AM
> To: soundofgrace@...
> Subject: Re: [soundofgrace] Baptism Celebration
> 
> >
> > There is a clear similarity at the point of whether we give glory,
> implied
> > or otherwise, to the person rather than God.
> 
> Ah.  Gotcha.  However, celebrating one's baptism is hardly giving glory
> to the person, any more than hugging one's child who professes faith is
> giving glory to the child.  We can celebrate new life without glorifying
> the person who has received new life.  I am shocked that you cannot see
> the difference.
> 

I am shocked that you cannot see that what is happening so often is in fact
giving glory to the person. No matter how much you might wish it to be
otherwise that is not what is happening. The focus so soon comes on the
person being baptised that all else is forgotten.

I remember one baptism where after the candidate was immersed someone called
out across the church at the top of his voice, 'Yeay.....Tom.'

> >
> > NO I will never accept that. I have seen it almost always be something
> that
> > misses the point of what the baptism is about. I have always come away
> from
> > it considering that the whole process has been thoroughly debased and
> > looking at those who have been the candidates on those occasions and
> their
> > subsequent lives fully justifies how I see it.
> 
> This is terribly sad.  

What is sad? That this is actually happening or that I see it that way.


>Have you no joy in life?

Did you not read what I wrote above?



> >
> > Well that is what the scripture says. We have only done our duty (Luke
> > 17:10)
> 
> Yes, we only do what we must and, yet, God will one day say, "Well done,
> good and faithful servant."  This does not give us glory; it reveals His
>   glory in us.
> --


Yes well let Him throw the party. I can wait. In the meantime I am not going
to confuse people, particularly our young people, into thinking that they
have done something for which they need to be congratulated.
'Congratulations on your baptism' was what I saw on one cake.

And I don't want other young people to think that can have a party if and
when they decide to be baptised. You won't sort out the sheep from the
goats. The party animals will know just what to say to you if you try to
quiz them.

God bless,
Jeff