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Five Marks of a Counterfeit Christian
Counterfeiting is on the rise thanks to sophisticated technology. You may even have some counterfeit money in your wallet now. With the church being less sophisticated, counterfeiting is on the rise.
Don’t have a counterfeit faith! This is a very important topic and one that is quite personal with me. You see I have several family members who I believe have a counterfeit faith. They have walked the isle, and some have even been baptized and yet I see nothing that would indicate that they are saved.
The problem is that they think that they are. They are victims of what is often called “easy believism.” The teaching that you can be saved without being committed to Christ. Or to put it another way, you can have Christ as your Savior without Him being your Lord. But friend, Christianity is not a cafeteria line where you say “I’ll take a little Savior, but no Lord.” And so this text is very important.
We come to a new part of Acts so to speak. We come to the witness in Judea and Samaria. The gospel is moving beyond the confines of Jerusalem. And to do that God, in His sovereignty is using opposition to move the believers to different regions.
Last week we saw the murder of Stephen. We see this week that Saul “was consenting to his death.” Look at the first 3 verses in chapter 8:1-3
Acts 8:1-3
And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Notice the word “scattered” in v. 1. There are different words for scattered in the Greek. There is a word for scattered that would be kind of like us saying we scattered someone’s ashes across the ocean or something. That is not the type of word used here. The one God uses here has the idea of “being scattered in order to be planted.” This is important because it highlights the fact that God allowed these believers to be scattered so they could be planted elsewhere to preach the word!
In v. 3 we see Saul’s heart. Look at that word “ravaging.” This verb tells us that Saul was continually doing this. He was constantly trying to destroy the church. The text kind of makes it sound like Saul just began this, but actually it is saying that he made a habit of ravaging the church. We will read much more about Saul in chapter 9.
So the church was scattered and as a result Philip took the gospel to Samaria. Now this was no small thing that the gospel should be taken to Samaria. As you know the Jews looked down on the Samaritans. But why?
This hostility goes back to ancient times. The Assyrian army had overthrown Samaria and carried away the Jews of the northern kingdom to Assyria. But some Jews were left behind. These soon intermarried with foreigners in Samaria. This led to a people who were considered to be ethnic and religious half-breeds. To make matters worse these half-Jews, if you will, set up a temple on Mount Gerizim, which was against the OT teaching. This is why in John 4:9 we read that the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans.
Philip was a gentile and he was taking the gospel to the Samaritans. Did you realize that Philip is the only person to be called an evangelist in the NT (Acts 21:8)? Philip kind of inherits the mantle from Stephen. Much like Stephen, Philip is merely a layman. You don’t need a Ph. D to be used of God!
Acts 8:4-8
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.
And we see that God was saving many and He was using miracles to “confirm” the gospel message. But that didn’t mean that there were no problems. Satan is always trying to cause problems when God is at work. Enter a man named Simon!
Proposition:
We can observe 5 marks of a counterfeit Christian.
1. A counterfeit Christian is self-centered – vv. 9-10
Acts 8:9-10
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."
“Sorcery” was the ability to exercise control over nature or people by means of demonic power.
Satan will be the work behind the Anti-Christ. He will perform signs and wonders. Rev. 14:16 – spirits of devils working miracles. Rev. 13:13
But notice that Simon was “claiming that he was someone great.” He wasn’t claiming the greatness of God, as Philip was, Simon was promoting himself. Now I want to say that there are preachers who do this today. And like today, many people believed that Simon did what he did by the power of God.
Do you realize that the hallmark of false religion is pride. It started with the fall of Satan and has continued. Now you don’t have to perform miracles to be prideful. Do you realize that Paul told Timothy this in 1 Tim. 6:3-4
1 Timothy 6:3-4
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,
What was Paul warning of here? He was warning about prideful teachers. I pray to God, that I never become a prideful teacher.
2. A counterfeit Christian has a superficial faith – vv. 11-13
Acts 8:11-13
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.
The verb “believed” used in v. 13 does not always genuine faith. It is used of the Demons in the book of James—2:19.
The objective of true faith to have a relationship with Christ. Faith in faith is just positive thining. It is not faith that moves mountains, it is God. There is a whole system of teaching out there known as “faith teachers.” They are just like Simon.
We have people all around us who make a profession and then are baptized and they are on their way to hell.
There are some who claim that Simon was saved. Some even say that he was saved and lost his salvation. So how do we know that Simon is actually a picture of someone who has come up short of true saving faith? Let’s look at 7 quick facts from this text:
I cannot stress the importance of understanding that many people today are lost, but think they are saved. The Bible constantly warns people to make sure they are of the faith.
3. A counterfeit Christian has a sinful understanding– vv. 18-19
Let me say a word about vv. 14-17
Acts 8:14-17
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
You need to understand this or you will have a messed up theology. Here we have a unique situation where people are saved, but yet not have the Holy Spirit. Now many times I have told you that at the moment one becomes saved they have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. So what do we make of this? Well, we must remember three important things. First, Acts is a transitional book. So we see some things that we don’t see in the rest of the NT. Second, the church had just begun. It was still in its infancy. Thirdly, the gospel was just now reaching Samaria.
This is important because some teach that you are saved and then some time later you get this “baptism of the Holy Spirit.” Sometimes they call it the second blessing. But again this is not normal this is unique because of the factors I just mentioned. Now let me prove to you that once you are saved you get the Holy Spirit. Paul says this in Romans 8:9
Romans 8:9
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
Do you see that. If you don’t have the Holy Spirit you are not saved. Paul tells us in Ephesians that the Holy Spirit “seals” us for the day of redemption (cf. Eph. 4:30).
Ephesians 4:30
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Acts 8:18-19
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."
Counterfeit Christians are often thrill seekers not truth seekers. Now we have seen that miracles were to confirm the gospel message. But those who truly believed in Christ were focused on Christ not the miracles. But we see that Simon was all about the miracles, not Christ. Like all counterfeit Christians, Simon wanted the benefits that come from a saving relationship with Christ, but he didn’t want to yield his life to Christ. Much different from what we saw with Stephen.
Faith based on signs alone is not a trustworthy faith. Remember John 2:22-23. Let’s look at that briefly.
John 2:22-23
When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.
Here we have those who were thrill seekers not truth seekers. They believed, but it wasn’t genuine saving faith. They were more interested with the miracles than the Messiah!
Now here in our text in Acts we see that some believed in the master, but Simon believed in the miracles. Notice also, that the text does not say that Simon received the Holy Spirit. That is important. He saw others receive it but he did not receive it, because he was not really saved.
[PT Barnum, the great “circusteer” heard about Spurgeon’s success. Barnum wanted Spurgeon to come to the states. He figured he could market Spurgeon. So he wrote Spurgeon a letter and offered to make him a wealthy man if he would come to the states. Spurgeon wrote back and just put one Scripture in the letter – Acts 8:20.]
We see then that a counterfeit Christian has a sinful understanding of the things of God. Of course this also is the result of not having the Holy Spirit. Natural man cannot discern the things of God (cf. 1 Cor. 2).
4. A counterfeit Christian will shun responsibility – vv. 22- 24
Acts 8:22-24
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." And Simon answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."
Verse 22 is very important. In fact, I think that v. 22 is the clearest proof in this passage that Simon is not saved. Look at what Peter says. You don’t say that to a true Christian. A true Christian has their sin forgiven, they must simply confess their sin. Their sin has been paid for by Christ. This is a statement that can only be made to an unbeliever.
V. 23
False religion will bring at least two things: bitterness and bondage. They are sour or bitter because they are not satisfied. Why? Because they do not have the truth. Some of the most bitter people are unbelievers who are in the bondage of false religion. You don’t think that many Muslims are bitter towards Christians!
These people have religion without reality, church without Christ. What a terrible thing. Be sure today that you are genuinely saved.
Furthermore, they are in bondage to sin. Romans 6 makes it clear that unbelievers are slaves to sin. This, too, is proof that Simon was not saved.
And notice v. 24. Simon did not want to pray. He was not concerned about having a relationship with Christ, he just did not want to deal with the consequences of his sin. He was doing what so many do today when they shun their responsibility.
5. A counterfeit Christian is sure for hell – v. 20
Acts 8:20
But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
Literally it reads, “be with you for destruction.” Very simply Peter was saying this: YOU AND YOUR MONEY CAN GO TO HELL! That can only be said to an unbeliever.
Simon was clearly not a believer by the biblical definition. Unfortunately, he was a believer by many people’s definition today. Anyone who teaches this text and says that Simon was a true believer does not fully understand the gospel. I don’t care what degrees they have or what seminary they teach in, the text is all to clear. Jesus said “narrow is the way that leads to heaven,” and man has no business trying to make it broader!
| Conclusion: | |
| To the believer | Be sure that your faith is genuine. Be sure that you are not like Simon. |
| To the unbeliever | You will perish just like Simon and go to hell for eternity without Christ. Will you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior today? |
