Have you ever wondered why so many Christians seem immature in their faith? This article explains the reason.

Hebrews 6:1-2 lists the six foundational doctrines of the Christian faith.  These doctrines are 1) repentance from dead works, 2) faith toward God, 3) instruction about washings (baptisms), 4) the laying on of hands, 5) the resurrection of the dead, and 6) eternal judgment. The writer of Hebrews says that Christians cannot rise higher in their walk with God unless they “leave these elementary doctrines of Christ and go on to maturity.” Most of today’s Christians walk in immaturity toward God because they misunderstand all six of these elementary doctrines. In particular, the present weakness, immaturity, and apostasy of the Christian church rests squarely on the fact that Christians do not walk in the truth of even the first elementary doctrine. They do not repent of their sins. Most Christians cannot define sin and many Christians do not even believe sin exists today because they accepted the lie that Christ nailed sin to the cross and that, therefore, sin no longer exists. How else can you explain that there has been no general public Christian outcry against the Supreme Court’s decision on June 26, 2015, to make homosexual marriage the law of the land? How else can you explain that Barack Obama was elected twice as President with the help of millions of Christians? How else can you explain the fact that Christians believe Barack Obama when he publicly claims that he himself is a Christian and yet all of his actions deny it?

When I came to the LORD almost forty years ago I immediately learned the contents of the second chapter of Acts and in particular Acts 2:38. Recall that Peter preached the Gospel to those Jews who had been complicit in Jesus’ murder. After they heard the truth the Scripture records, “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, `Brothers, what shall we do?‘” Peter immediately replied,  “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:37-38 ESV) This tells us that the very first thing that happens when a person comes to faith in Jesus is that he becomes convicted of his sins and in response to that conviction he repents of his sins. Where is conviction of sin in today’s Christian churches? Why do Christians believe they are free to watch sex and violence-filled television and movies? Why do they think they can celebrate the devil’s holiday Halloween with pagans? Why do they pretend Santa Claus exists and thus confuse their children about the true gift-giver, Jesus Christ?

Now recall the Biblical history of God taking the Gospel to the Gentiles, the nations outside of Israel and the Jews. God records this in Acts 10 and 11. Please read that now. After Peter received a profound vision from God concerning clean and unclean animals, he responded to the plea of a Gentile named Cornelius by traveling to his home and explaining the Gospel to Cornelius and all his house. He ended his sermon by saying this, “[Jesus] commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:42-43) Immediately, “While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.” (Acts 10:44) The Holy Spirit actually fell upon these Gentiles before they publicly proclaimed faith in Jesus and before they were baptized in water.

Now consider the “conversion” of Simon the magician in Acts 8. Acts 8:13 records that Simon both believed the Gospel and was baptized in water. But, the Holy Spirit did not fall upon Simon. Instead, Simon offered the apostles money so that they would give him the gift of being able to impart the Holy Spirit to others. Peter immediately rebuked him and said,

“May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! ²¹ You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. ²² Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. ²³ For I see that you are in the gall^[c] of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” (Acts 8:20-23)

So, what was the difference between Cornelius and Simon the Sorcerer?  Both believed in Jesus. Simon was even baptized in water and Cornelius wasn’t. And yet Peter tells Simon, “May your silver perish with you.” He is saying, “May you die, man! May God throw your soul into the Lake of Fire!” Yet, Simon believed! What is the difference between Simon and Cornelius?

We don’t really learn what the difference is until “the circumcision party” back in Jerusalem confronts Peter about eating and preaching to “uncircumcised men.” Peter then recounts his vision and God’s sovereign anointing of the Gentile believers with the Holy Spirit. After hearing Peter’s testimony his accusers “fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, `Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.‘”  (Acts 11:18)

The difference between Simon the Magician and Cornelius the Gentile is this, Cornelius repented of his sins and Simon did not. A person may say he believes in Jesus, like Simon did. That person may even get baptized, like Simon did, and then perform “good works” for the poor. But, that is not enough to satisfy God. It is repentance from one’s sins that leads to life. Do not be fooled. God will not be mocked. What a man sows, so shall he reap. If we sow sin, then we shall reap destruction. If we repent of our sins, then God will lead us to true life.