Another beautiful illustration of what we receive through the baptism in the Holy Spirit is contained in the story of the healing of Naaman, the Syrian leper, recorded in 2 Kings 5. As a result of his miraculous healing Naaman came to acknowledge that the Lord Jehovah, the God of Israel, was the only true God. He knew, however, that he would shortly have to return to an unclean, heathen land and be associated with the idolatrous ceremonies of a heathen temple. With this in mind, Naaman had one special request to make before leaving the land of Israel.
“So Naaman said, ‘Then, if not, please let your servant be given two mule-loads of earth; for your servant will no longer offer either burnt offering or sacrifice to other gods, but to the Lord.’” (2 Kin. 5:17)
Why did Naaman desire to carry home soil from the land of Israel? He had realised the holiness of the Lord, and, in contrast, the uncleanness of his own land and people. He was determined, therefore, never again to offer worship from unclean earth.
The holiness of the Lord demanded that Naaman should stand and worship Him only on earth from the Lord’s own land. Since Naaman could not remain permanently in Israel, he determined to carry a portion of Israel’s earth home with him and to make there from that earth his own special place of worship.
So it is with the Spirit-baptised believer. He gains a new understanding of these words of Jesus:
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24).”
Such a believer can no longer be satisfied with the mere forms and ceremonies of man-made worship. He has been in the heavenly land; he has had a glimpse of its glories and the holiness of God. He has brought back a portion of that sacred soil with him. No matter where circumstances may take him, he worships now not on an unclean land, but on holy ground. He worships in Spirit – the Holy Spirit – and in truth.
What is true in the worship of the Spirit-filled believer is equally true in every other aspect of his experience. Through the baptism in the Spirit he has entered into a new kind of supernatural life. The supernatural has become natural.
O Lord, how wonderful it is that, with the baptism in the Holy Spirit You have provided a new way to worship You as it should be: in spirit and truth. Thank You Lord Jesus for that grace! Amen.
