Fake Faith?
The Church faces many attacks from outside and within. We’ve seen these attacks through the infancy of the Church and how Jesus Christ turned them around to grow the Church. Today we see how false messiah’s can infiltrate the Church and how they need to be dealt with. Simon the magician was always after power and attention, yet he joined the Church and instead of repenting of his pride and selfish ambition, he saw Jesus Christ as a way to get what he wanted. We need to be aware of Simons in our Church, but also examine our our faith and make sure that we are not like him.
Scripture
Acts 8:9-25 ESV 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. [10] They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” [11] And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. [12] 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. [13] Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. [14] Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, [15] who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, [16] for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [17] Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. [18] Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, [19] saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” [20] But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! [21] You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. [22] Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. [23] For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” [24] And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.” [25] Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
Bible Study Questions
Fake messiahs threaten the Church
Acts shows how the Church grew under the attack of enemies outside and inside of the Church. Today we meet Simon an occultist. People thought he was empowered by God and were amazed by his deceptions. What does what he says about himself reveal about his heart and motives?
Acts 8:9-11 ESV 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. [10] They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” [11] And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.
Proverbs 16:5 ESV Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
They believed and were baptised
The preaching of the Gospel is powerful, and despite the attacks on the Church, it continues to grow with more and more people believing the good news being preached by faithful servants of Jesus Christ. Simon joins the Church and he looks like anyone else in the Church. What danger does Simon pose to the Church?
Acts 8:12-13 ESV 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. [13] Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
2 Peter 2:1-2 ESV But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. [2] And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.
The Holy Spirit is given
In some instances in Scripture believers receive the powerful anointing of the Holy Spirit the moment they believe. In this case He is given to them obviously and powerfully at a later time in the presence of the Apostles. The topic of the infilling of the Holy Spirit and baptism of the Holy Spirit will be looked at more deeply later on in Acts. Today we look at how we are called to believe the Gospel, instructed to repent and be baptised, and are promised the Holy Sprit.
Acts 8:14 -17 ESV Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, [15] who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, [16] for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [17] Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38 ESV And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Simon wants to buy more power
Simon is said to have believed and been baptised, and while he witnessed the Holy Spirit being given, the text doesn’t say that he himself received the Holy Spirit. What does Simon’s request tell us about his heart, and has his heart’s desire changed?
Acts 8:18-19 ESV Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, [19] saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
James 3:14-16 ESV But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. [15] This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. [16] For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
Simon’s heart is not right before God?
Simon believed and was baptised, yet from what Peter says to him, it appears that he has not been saved. What evidence is there that he was probably not saved?
Acts 8:20-23 ESV But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! [21] You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. [22] Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. [23] For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.”
James 2:14-18 ESV What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? [15] If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, [16] and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? [17] So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. [18] But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
Luke 8:11-15 ESV Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. [12] The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. [13] And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. [14] And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. [15] As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.
Repentance, or fear of consequence?
Guilt, shame and fear of consequences do not of their own prove genuine repentance. What does Genuine repentance rooted in genuine faith look like? (What are the four elements of faith that we see in Luke 23:38-43?
Acts 8:24 ESV And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
Matthew 27:3-5 ESV Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, [4] saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” [5] And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.
Luke 23:39-43 ESV One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” [40] But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? [41] And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” [42] And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” [43] And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The Gospel growth continues unhindered
Jesus Christ builds and protects His Church, no attack against His Church will succeed, but some in the Church will be lead astray and fall away. We need to be vigilant and examine our own hearts and motives and plead for the Lord Jesus to grant us His pure saving faith.
Acts 8:25 ESV Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!