With Naaman on the road to healing

It was the second divine service in the Chief Apostle's most recent trip to Angola. Over 10.000 members enjoyed the high point of the weekend in the "Cidadela" stadium in the Angolan capital of Luanda. The sermon was based on a Bible passage from 2 Kings ?: ?: "So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean."

This quotation is taken from the events surrounding Naaman (2 Kings 5,1-19): The Syrian captain had fallen ill with leprosy. A young girl, his slave, made him aware of the Prophet Elisha. Naaman travelled to Israel and sought out the king, who was unable to help him. Once he finally found Elisha, he received the instruction to bathe himself in the Jordan River.

At the right address

"In this we can see a beautiful image, namely that of the day when a human being is redeemed from sin," noted Chief Apostle Schneider. Here Naaman represents the human being who is sick with sin, and in the prophet we see God's redemptive actions. Just as Naaman at first turned to the wrong person, namely the king, the prince of this world is not the right address for human beings either. Although he may have wealth, honour, and power to offer, "there is only one address we must seek for the recovery of our souls, and that is Jesus Christ."

Naaman came to Elisha with rich gifts, but the prophet did not want to accept them. "This shows us something very important: one cannot earn salvation for one's soul"—not even "with very good works" or "with a very large offering". One can only come to salvation through faith. "To believe in Jesus Christ means to believe in the gospel and to live in accordance with it, in very concrete terms, in daily life."

Messengers of God and a life-long task

Just as Elisha did not come to the captain in person, so too Jesus Christ has sent His messengers, namely the Apostles. "The Apostle ministry is holy to us," emphasized the Chief Apostle. However, "We do not worship the Apostles. — The man who bears the Apostle ministry is not important." The Apostle cannot deliver anyone. Only God can do that. "Nevertheless, we have the guarantee that God will deliver those who live precisely in accordance with the Apostles' doctrine."

Naaman had to dip himself in the Jordan seven times. "First of all, this is an image for baptism out of water and the Spirit. The old Adam must disappear, and the new man must emerge." In the Bible, the number seven often serves as a symbol of perfection. "This shows us that we must do the job until it is done—a life-long task! We must battle against the old creation until the end."

Showing the way and providing encouragement

The young Israelite slave was prepared to show Naaman the way to find help, even though he had torn her away from her family. According to the Chief Apostle, she represents those faithful souls who keep their faith in times of trial and desire salvation for their neighbour, even if he has done them harm.

And then there were also the servants of Naaman, who convinced the captain to heed the words of the prophet. "These servants are an image of the caring congregation, whose members care for one another's souls." This signifies supporting one another so that we may all pursue the path that leads to redemption. "Let us help our neighbour and encourage him. Instead of complaining and criticizing, let us speak of Jesus Christ and testify of His kindness, His love, and His grace."

"This well known account actually has a great deal to teach us," summarized the Chief Apostle:

• Let us enter into fellowship with God.
• To this end, we must go to the right address: Jesus Christ.
• We cannot earn this. We must believe.
• We must do our work until it is done in order to be completely renewed.
• Let us share this news of redemption with our neighbour.
• Let us edify one another in our congregation.