Great Naaman was favored by his Syrian king,
for God gave him Israel to punish and sting.
Though Naaman was blessed by the king’s scepter,
to his distress, he was found a leper.
Then from the lips of an Israelite maid,
foundations for hope and faith were laid.
"The Prophet, Elisha, his God does he please;
If you could but find him, he’d rid that disease!"
The king sent Naaman to Israel in haste,
with gold and silver and clothes of good taste.
With these and a letter of words so grand,
Naaman went to the king of the Israelite land.
The Israelite king, though strong indeed,
he without God could fill no need.
He only languished in gloom and despair;
With cries of anguish, his clothes he did tear.
The Prophet, Elisha said, "Why do you grieve?"
"There’s lesson to teach here—send him to me!"
Great Naaman came in princely procession,
thinking to gain a royal reception.
But there was only a message, without a big scene,
"Wash seven times in Jordan, and you will be clean."
"How can this be?" Naaman said in a rage,
"These are not deeds nor words of a sage!"
"Why not in splendor before me stand,
beseeching and healing with upraised hand."
("All Israel has no waters as pure as I have seen;
Why can’t I wash in others and still be cured and clean?")
So Naaman was turned by pride and anger,
oblivious to impending danger.
But counsel prevailed from servants wise;
So Naaman in Jordan seven times baptized.
Children know the end of this thing—
When Naaman obeyed, he was made clean!
The greatest of lessons are simple and sure;
We too must "wash" to be clean and pure!
Abhor all evil, and turn to be cleansed;
Baptism in Christ means remission of sins!
See God’s words—don’t hesitate!
Read Acts, chapter two, verse thirty-eight!
Doctrines of demons confuse and dissuade:
"Baptism is needless when penance is made!"
"It’s only a ritual, a sign of your love—
an earthly seal for Heaven above!"
But apply that same logic to Naaman’s plight—
What would have come of fanciful flight?
Though he was humbled to walk Jordan’s shore,
that wasn’t compliance, there was yet more!
The promise fulfillment could not be revealed,
unless by obedience would Naaman be healed.
The principle of obedience remains the same:
Obedience is baptism in Jesus’ name!
God’s plan of redemption is simple still;
It is free to all—"Whosoever will"!
Believe in Jesus! Repent today!
Confess your faith and do not sway!
Salvation is for believers who obey;
Be buried in baptism—it is His way!