The Faith That Isn't
Acts 8:9-24
1st False faith has an egotistical view of self
Luke 8:13 NLT
The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation.
James 2:14 NLT
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?
Acts 8:9 NIV
Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great
Proverbs 6:16-17 AMP
These six things the LORD hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself]
Acts 8:10-11 NIV
and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic.
James 4:6
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
2nd False faith has an external view of salvation
Acts 8:12 NIV
But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:13 NIV
Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
Luke 13:22-24 NLT
Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few be saved?" He replied, "Work hard to enter the narrow door to God's Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.
Luke 14:25-27 NLT
A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, "If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.
3rd False faith has an economic view of the Spirit
Acts 8:14 NIV
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.
Acts 8:15-16 NIV
When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 8:17-18 NIV
Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money
Acts 8:18-19 NIV
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
Acts 8:20 NIV
Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!
Acts 8:20 MSG
Peter said, "To hell with your money! And you along with it. Why, that's unthinkable — trying to buy God's gift!
4th False faith has an easygoing view of sin
Acts 8:21 NLT
You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God.
Acts 8:22 NLT
Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin."
Acts 8:24
"Pray to the Lord for me," Simon exclaimed, "that these terrible things you've said won't happen to me!"
Romans 8:16
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are His children.
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith, test yourselves.
