Articles
Don't Fall for the Fakes!
Don’t Fall for the Fakes!
Written by: Larry Schneider
We have officially entered into that season of the year where gifts are being purchased, and everyone is looking for a bargain. With the explosion of online shopping, many are being tempted to purchase items that are not authentic or brand names. In place of the brand names, fakes, knock-offs, and non-generic items are pushed as just as good as the real thing. We realize that the main appeal of these items is that they are generally cheaper. While these fakes may be similar to the real items, they are not identical, and the careful person can distinguish between the real thing and the imitations.
When it comes to religion and what the Bible, the Word of God, says, we have a very similar situation. Many will offer generics, knock-offs, and fakes as the way to salvation. However, there is a “name brand” which is the “real thing.” It is not an imitation, and it is certainly not the same as the “real thing.”
In the book of Acts, we read that Peter and John were arrested for healing a lame man and preaching the Gospel. At the trial before the Jewish council, they were asked “By what name have you done this?” Peter had already answered this question at least twice before they were arrested. Peter told the lame man at the gate of the temple, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Later, when preaching on Solomon’s porch, Peter had proclaimed, “And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know.” Even though Peter had told them he was not ashamed to announce again, “Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.” Peter did not offer some generic, fake, or knock-off answer of something that was similar to the “real thing.” Peter did not point to some imitation that was pretty close to the real thing.
Peter concluded his remarks with this definitive statement, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” With this one statement, the Scriptures tell us that all religious groups, doctrines, and churches that do not follow the name, authority, and pattern of Christ are not the “real thing.”
Will we trust our salvation to some imitation, knock-off, or fake brand of religion or is Jesus Christ your only authority? Think about that as you seek the find the true way to salvation
- Dont_Fall_for_the_Fakes.pdf (145.80 kB)
