Bulletin
Some Great Thing?
Some Great Thing?
In the Old Testament, there was a non-Jew named Naaman who suffered from leprosy. The prophet Elisha instructed him to dip seven times in the Jordan River to be cured. Though Naaman initially resisted this simple instruction, his servants wisely counseled him: "My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?" (2 Kings 5:13).
Indeed, immersing oneself seven times in the Jordan wasn't "some great thing." A truly difficult task might have been holding one's breath underwater for an hour or defeating a hundred soldiers while completing the seven dips.
Instead, Naaman was asked simply to demonstrate his faith through this straightforward act of obedience.
When Naaman humbled himself and followed these instructions, his leprosy vanished—"his flesh was restored like that of a little child and he was clean" (5:14). This renewal, this skin "like a little child," symbolized a rebirth. Yet Naaman could claim no personal credit; God had performed the miracle. Naaman simply demonstrated faith by following the prophet's instructions.
In the New Testament, Jesus becomes our prophet, declaring, "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). Just as some rejected Naaman's need to dip seven times, many today question the necessity of baptism. Even Nicodemus struggled with this concept, prompting Jesus to say, "If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?" (John 3:12). If you don’t believe Jesus is the Son of God, then don’t get baptized. But once you have faith in Jesus, you will follow up with his command, even as Naaman did so.
Baptism isn't some grand achievement to boast about—it's a simple act of faith that brings salvation. As Peter explains, "Baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:21). Consider Paul's conversion: When Ananias told him, "Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name" (Acts 22:16), Paul didn't argue or claim faith alone was sufficient. Instead, "he got up and was baptized" (Acts 9:18-19), demonstrating that "faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected" (James 2:22). After baptism is a new life with Christ, every day. Dan Peters
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