Audio Sermons

Building up the Church of Christ:

Are You a Genuine Believer?

Life B-P Church Worship Service, 16^th April 2023

Text: Acts 8:9-24

• The Gospel was preached only to the Jews until Philip went to Samaria and brought it there. (vv.6,12)
• Peter and John came to confirm that the Samaritans had truly believed in Christ. (v.14)
• Peter had been entrusted with the keys of the kingdom. (Matthew 16:19)
• Thus, the Samaritan believers did not receive the Holy Spirit until Peter had come. (cf. Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:13)
• Simon Magus believed and was baptized. (vv.9-13, cf. Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Acts 19:19)
• Peter rebuked him for trying to purchase apostolic power.
• Simon Magus eventually twisted the Gospel and led many Christians astray by his false teachings. (Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 1:23)

There are three questions that can help a person determine whether he is a genuine believer:

1.   What attracted you to believe in Christ?

• Simon Magus was attracted by miracles and signs rather than the message of the Gospel. (v.13, cf. vv.7,8; John 2:23-25; Luke 11:29)
• Compare this with what attracted Simon Peter to believe in Christ. (John 6:66-69)

2.   What selfish ambitions have you given up for Christ?

• Simon Magus had ambitions to have power over the people of Samaria. (vv.9-11; 18-19; cf. Matthew 16:24,25)
• Compare this with what Simon Peter did when Christ called him. (Matthew 4:18-20)

3.   What do you do when you have sinned?

• Simon Magus was told to repent of his sin and seek God’s forgiveness. (v.22)
• But he asked Peter to pray for him and sought only to be relieved of suffering the consequences of his sin. (v.24)
• Compare this with what Simon Peter did when he was confronted with his sin. (Luke 22:61,62; John 21:15-17)

Conclusion:

• Genuine believers are attracted to believe in Christ because of who He is.
• Genuine believers are willing to do the will of Christ.
• Genuine believers are filled with remorse for having grieved Christ whenever they sin.

Their heart is right in the sight of God because it is filled with Christ.

Application:

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.
Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5; cf. Matthew 26:22)

Questions for Reflection:

1.    Did you come to Christ because you think that He will fulfil all your desires?

2.    Have you been trying to make use of Christ to do your own will?

3.    Do your sins make you regret the painful consequences that you have brought on yourself?

4.    Are you a genuine believer like Simon Peter, or a false believer like Simon Magus?

5.    What should you do if you discover that you are not a genuine believer?