Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 8/27/2010

Question
Hi my question is in regards to acts 5.If a person goes to church and claims to be a christian just to fit in,will God strike him down as in acts 5 even if the unbeliver didnt belive he was doing anything wrong by pretending to be a christion to fit in.thank you.

Answer
Hi Simon,

Thank you for this great question.  This story is about God dealing with believers who give false impressions in order to gain favor within the church.  The best place for an unbeliever is in church.  Now if the unbeliever pretends to be a believer, it is important that those close to him clearly teach him that he needs to get saved, so that he doesn't fool himself into thinking that because he is in church he is ok.  Many people will be surprised at the judgment because they fooled themselves into thinking they were really believers.

Matthew 7:21-23
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them,  I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge# 1769.

The most important thing is that the unbeliever becomes a believer before it is too late.

John 3:18
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
The King James Version, #Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don