Counterfeit Christianity
We live in a world where we have to watch out for counterfeits. I read an article recently about the dangers of counterfeit beauty products. Often these products contain dangerous chemicals that can be extremely harmful to a woman’s health.
But there’s another more dangerous kind of counterfeit that the scriptures warn us about, and that is a counterfeit christianity. Counterfeit christianity is not only detrimental to one’s life, but it can lead to eternal ruin. Yet many churches are offering it and many Christians are falling for it. There are people who may act the part of a Christian, but they have never been transformed inwardly by the power of the Holy Spirit. (2 Tim. 3:15).
As we will see, through Philip the evangelist’s Spirit filled witness, many of the Samaritans believed in Jesus. In addition, a man by the name of Simon, who had demonic influence over the Samaritans, also believed. Although Simon professed to believe, I want to submit to you that a careful examination of the text suggests that he did not possess saving faith.
“But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed” (Acts 8:9-13).
When the Apostles heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John, who prayed for the Samaritans that they might receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17). It’s important to note that believers today receive the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation (Ephesians 1:13). But due to the fact that there existed a long-standing hatred between Jews and Samaritans in the first century, the delayed reception of the Holy Spirit allowed for the Apostles, Peter and John, to come from Jerusalem and put their authoritative stamp of approval on the Samaritan believers being grafted into the body of Christ. This participation by the Apostles helped to give credibility to the Samaritans before Jewish believers and thus prevented division from the start. After the affirmation of the Apostles through the laying on of their hands, the Samaritan believers received the Holy Spirit.
Now when Simon the Sorcerer saw this, he offered the Apostles money so that he might be given this same authority. But Peter rebuked him saying: “... May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:20-23).
The selfish ambition in Simon’s heart and Peter’s rebuke of him raises the question of whether or not Simon was truly saved and converted. There is evidence from the text that indicates that Simon was a false professor, a counterfeit christian who did not possess saving faith.
Simon’s faith was in the miracles, not in the message.
In Acts 8:13, we read that Simon believed. Did he believe in Jesus as his Savior and Lord, or as a source for miracles? Simon’s faith was in the miracles that Philip performed in the name of Jesus and not in the message of salvation in Jesus that he preached. Concerning the Samaritan believers who were genuinely saved, their faith came through the message that they heard: “But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12).
The following verse says Simon also believed, but then Doctor Luke emphasizes that he followed Philip and was amazed by the miracles that he performed (v.13). Simon believed, but “even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:19) Simon believed in the power of Jesus’ name to perform miracles, but not in the person and work of Jesus to save Him from His sin. To have saving faith, one must believe in Jesus not simply as a miracle worker, but as Savior and Lord. We must turn from our self-rule and fully trust that Jesus paid our sin-debt with His blood and rose from the dead so that we might have eternal life. Saving faith is more than head knowledge; there must be heart trust.
Simon’s motivation was gain, not godliness.
When Simon saw that through the laying on of the Apostles’ hands the Samaritan believers received the Holy Spirit, he coveted the same power. Beginning in verse 18, we read: “Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:18-23).
Simon wanted the Holy Spirit so that he could continue to have power and control over people, not so that the Holy Spirit would have power and control over him. He had great power over the Samaritans through his sorcery, but after hearing the gospel and trusting Jesus, they were set free. Simon knew he was losing his hustle, his gravy train, his livelihood.
The fact that Simon continued to lust for power over people that were set free by the gospel, reveals that he was unconverted. This appears to be the reason why he continued with Philip who also worked great miracles. He continued with him after his baptism not because he loved Jesus and wanted to grow, but because he envied Philip’s power (Acts 8:13). Do you know that Jesus also had those who followed Him for His miracles but not because of His message? (John 2:23-25)
Do you desire for your life to be under the control and influence of the Holy Spirit? Or do you only want God’s power and blessings to continue to do what you want to do and live your life the way you want to live it? If that describes you, it could be that you are in the same boat as Simon: “…in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” That is to say, you are still a slave to sin and in need of salvation.
Simon’s heart had regret, not repentance.
We see in our text that Peter rebukes Simon for his selfish financial proposal and calls him to repentance. But there is no indication that Simon ever truly repented. Notice Simon’s response to Peter’s rebuke: “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me” (Acts 8:24).
Although Peter calls him to repent, rather than doing so, Simon asked Peter to pray for him so that he might not suffer the consequences of his sin. He never prayed for himself or asked God for forgiveness. There is no evidence that he wanted to change his ways or that he desired Jesus to be Lord and Savior of His life. If this false professor and counterfeit Christian had not been exposed and would have become a member of the new church in Samaria, there is no doubt that Satan through him would have corrupted the compelling beauty of the growing church in Samaria.
“Do you know why so many churches have trouble? Because there are people who are bitter and in bondage. They’ve met religion, but they’ve never met Jesus. They’ve never been broken at the foot of the cross. They’ve never laid their pride in the dust. They’ve come into a church not for what they can give, but for what they can get. They’ve never met Jesus. The Spirit of God is not in these people. And they are trouble makers everywhere they go, because their religion has never satisfied them and it never can.” -Adrian Rogers
How many of you know, only Jesus can satisfy? Only Jesus can set us free from sin and Satan. Only Jesus can make something beautiful of our lives and our church. Do you know Jesus as Savior and Lord of your life?
If you have not come to saving faith in Jesus, I pray that you have heard the voice of God calling you, like He did Simon, to repentance and saving faith. I pray and I plead with you that unlike Simon you would respond humbly and in true repentance and faith. Trust Him before it’s too late.
Maybe you’re saved, but you have received a burden for someone you know is not saved and is on the way to hell. They profess to be saved, but they do not pass the test of scripture. Pray for their hearts to be open to hear and receive the saving gospel. We can’t repent and trust Jesus on behalf of another person, but we can pray for them to see their need and turn to Jesus to save them. And you can pray for God to open a door for you to share and show them Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.
In your service,
Pastor Marco
But there’s another more dangerous kind of counterfeit that the scriptures warn us about, and that is a counterfeit christianity. Counterfeit christianity is not only detrimental to one’s life, but it can lead to eternal ruin. Yet many churches are offering it and many Christians are falling for it. There are people who may act the part of a Christian, but they have never been transformed inwardly by the power of the Holy Spirit. (2 Tim. 3:15).
As we will see, through Philip the evangelist’s Spirit filled witness, many of the Samaritans believed in Jesus. In addition, a man by the name of Simon, who had demonic influence over the Samaritans, also believed. Although Simon professed to believe, I want to submit to you that a careful examination of the text suggests that he did not possess saving faith.
“But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed” (Acts 8:9-13).
When the Apostles heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John, who prayed for the Samaritans that they might receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17). It’s important to note that believers today receive the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation (Ephesians 1:13). But due to the fact that there existed a long-standing hatred between Jews and Samaritans in the first century, the delayed reception of the Holy Spirit allowed for the Apostles, Peter and John, to come from Jerusalem and put their authoritative stamp of approval on the Samaritan believers being grafted into the body of Christ. This participation by the Apostles helped to give credibility to the Samaritans before Jewish believers and thus prevented division from the start. After the affirmation of the Apostles through the laying on of their hands, the Samaritan believers received the Holy Spirit.
Now when Simon the Sorcerer saw this, he offered the Apostles money so that he might be given this same authority. But Peter rebuked him saying: “... May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:20-23).
The selfish ambition in Simon’s heart and Peter’s rebuke of him raises the question of whether or not Simon was truly saved and converted. There is evidence from the text that indicates that Simon was a false professor, a counterfeit christian who did not possess saving faith.
Simon’s faith was in the miracles, not in the message.
In Acts 8:13, we read that Simon believed. Did he believe in Jesus as his Savior and Lord, or as a source for miracles? Simon’s faith was in the miracles that Philip performed in the name of Jesus and not in the message of salvation in Jesus that he preached. Concerning the Samaritan believers who were genuinely saved, their faith came through the message that they heard: “But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12).
The following verse says Simon also believed, but then Doctor Luke emphasizes that he followed Philip and was amazed by the miracles that he performed (v.13). Simon believed, but “even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:19) Simon believed in the power of Jesus’ name to perform miracles, but not in the person and work of Jesus to save Him from His sin. To have saving faith, one must believe in Jesus not simply as a miracle worker, but as Savior and Lord. We must turn from our self-rule and fully trust that Jesus paid our sin-debt with His blood and rose from the dead so that we might have eternal life. Saving faith is more than head knowledge; there must be heart trust.
Simon’s motivation was gain, not godliness.
When Simon saw that through the laying on of the Apostles’ hands the Samaritan believers received the Holy Spirit, he coveted the same power. Beginning in verse 18, we read: “Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:18-23).
Simon wanted the Holy Spirit so that he could continue to have power and control over people, not so that the Holy Spirit would have power and control over him. He had great power over the Samaritans through his sorcery, but after hearing the gospel and trusting Jesus, they were set free. Simon knew he was losing his hustle, his gravy train, his livelihood.
The fact that Simon continued to lust for power over people that were set free by the gospel, reveals that he was unconverted. This appears to be the reason why he continued with Philip who also worked great miracles. He continued with him after his baptism not because he loved Jesus and wanted to grow, but because he envied Philip’s power (Acts 8:13). Do you know that Jesus also had those who followed Him for His miracles but not because of His message? (John 2:23-25)
Do you desire for your life to be under the control and influence of the Holy Spirit? Or do you only want God’s power and blessings to continue to do what you want to do and live your life the way you want to live it? If that describes you, it could be that you are in the same boat as Simon: “…in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” That is to say, you are still a slave to sin and in need of salvation.
Simon’s heart had regret, not repentance.
We see in our text that Peter rebukes Simon for his selfish financial proposal and calls him to repentance. But there is no indication that Simon ever truly repented. Notice Simon’s response to Peter’s rebuke: “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me” (Acts 8:24).
Although Peter calls him to repent, rather than doing so, Simon asked Peter to pray for him so that he might not suffer the consequences of his sin. He never prayed for himself or asked God for forgiveness. There is no evidence that he wanted to change his ways or that he desired Jesus to be Lord and Savior of His life. If this false professor and counterfeit Christian had not been exposed and would have become a member of the new church in Samaria, there is no doubt that Satan through him would have corrupted the compelling beauty of the growing church in Samaria.
“Do you know why so many churches have trouble? Because there are people who are bitter and in bondage. They’ve met religion, but they’ve never met Jesus. They’ve never been broken at the foot of the cross. They’ve never laid their pride in the dust. They’ve come into a church not for what they can give, but for what they can get. They’ve never met Jesus. The Spirit of God is not in these people. And they are trouble makers everywhere they go, because their religion has never satisfied them and it never can.” -Adrian Rogers
How many of you know, only Jesus can satisfy? Only Jesus can set us free from sin and Satan. Only Jesus can make something beautiful of our lives and our church. Do you know Jesus as Savior and Lord of your life?
If you have not come to saving faith in Jesus, I pray that you have heard the voice of God calling you, like He did Simon, to repentance and saving faith. I pray and I plead with you that unlike Simon you would respond humbly and in true repentance and faith. Trust Him before it’s too late.
Maybe you’re saved, but you have received a burden for someone you know is not saved and is on the way to hell. They profess to be saved, but they do not pass the test of scripture. Pray for their hearts to be open to hear and receive the saving gospel. We can’t repent and trust Jesus on behalf of another person, but we can pray for them to see their need and turn to Jesus to save them. And you can pray for God to open a door for you to share and show them Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.
In your service,
Pastor Marco