Wolves In Sheep’s Clothing

Acts 8:9-24(ESV)

9Now 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, 10and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is the divine power known as the Great Power.” 11They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. 12But 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. 13Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
24Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

According to Dr. Vernon McGee three things need to happen when someone is lead to Christ.
1.The Holy Spirit must lead.
2.Somewhere there must be the word of God
3.And the word of God uses the man of God.

During this time the Apostles were healing and performing miracles in Christ’s name. Millions were becoming believers. Simon the sorcerer saw all the changes that were being made and saw the power the Apostles possessed. At this time when a person became a Christian the Apostles need to pray for them in order to receive the Holy Spirit (vs15). It was not automatic like it is today. Many people around Simon received the Holy Spirit, but he did not.

Here was a man that wanted what the Apostles had, he saw the power they had (vs18). Simon the Sorcerer went through the rituals, he had what we call the “head knowledge,” he was following the crowd. He told Philip he believed and he was baptized, etc.. Then Simon the Sorcerer turned around and offered money to Peter and John saying “give me the power so that I can do what you do.” (vs 18). Here we have head-knowledge versus heart-knowledge. And Peter, being true to form set him straight. Did Simon become a Christian?

I don’t believe so, his heart was not right, but actually we don’t really know. But I don’t think so because of the lack of fruit and because he did not receive the Holy Spirit like the rest of the people around him. Why was he not a Christian? He did all the rituals and said all the right words.

Because it is heart knowledge that transforms a person.

We have Simon’s in our church, all head knowledge but no heart knowledge. I tread lightly when I say this, it was the people INSIDE the church who killed Jesus. This reminds me of the image of the wooden horse brought into the City of Troy.

The horse was left as a thank you gift to Athena and the Greeks burned their camps and sailed as if they had given up. Trojans found the horse and pulled the horse into the city. At midnight, Greek soldiers jumped down from horse and opened the gates by killing the guards. The Greeks entered into the city and killed all Trojans.

We have people in sheep’s clothing in our churches. Please hear my heart on this, we need church, we are called to support our church, but I think the day of discernment is greatly upon us. This is especially important in our computer age. Everything we read or take in MUST be measured according to God’s word. We are going to see things crop up in our Christian communities, our magazines, our gatherings, etc… Satan is SLY!!

Satan knows he can not attack the church from the outside, we are too strong of a force. Just like the Greeks knew then, the best way to defeat a strong opponent, is from the inside.

Comments may crop up like, “well there is more than one interpretation to that scripture.” It will be harmless comments, harmless articles, etc.. but the erosion will begin. Until it collapses.

I believe we have a great ministry here on the computer, but weight EVERYTHING YOU READ TO THE SCRIPTURES. Even if it is from “trusted” individuals. ESPECIALLY ME =) Don’t believe me, test and read if what I say is true.

Heavenly Father, you know this is a topic that has been heavy on my heart but I have been fearful to talk about it. I pray it is accepted in the spirit it is intended. I pray we are not led astray by people who are not what they pretend to be. I ask for your Holy Spirit’s guidance when I am speaking about you and your word. I ask for your discernment in what ever I read, even from ones I consider trusted sources. For as much as we learn and grow from others, you still are our ultimate source. May we measure everything according to your word. Amen

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