Hilltop Church of Christ

What does the word counterfeit mean? Made in exact imitation of something valuable or important with the intention to deceive or defraud. The counterfeit lacks the authority of the genuine counterfeit money is worthless by reason of the lack of authority. Counterfeit, in whatever medium, proves worthless when presented for authority of its worth. In simple language, it is not that accepted as having the authority of the true. Satan’s counterfeit, presented to Eve in Eden, is the first example of spiritual counterfeits. The genuine of God’s authority stated, Gen. 2:17 of the forbidden tree, in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. The statement of Satan is recorded as Gen. 3:4, Ye shall not surely die. Which, when examined by the results, was genuine and which was counterfeit?

In comparison, consider the inspired word concerning salvation’s plan as revealed through the word of God. Mk. 16:15-16, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved., as the intended result of preaching the gospel. The attempt to change the clarity of the statement, it doesn’t say that he is not baptized will be condemned/ lost in the verse following, but he that believeth not shall be damned.

There is no more authority for this addition to the express statement concerning salvation than there was for Satan’s interpretation of God’s statement in Eden. Both would define authority as in that no stated. When presented before the authority for redemption of value what will the result be? The end of the counterfeit is stated in the rhetorical question pose day the inspired Apostle Peter, 1 Peter 4:17 for the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? Gal 6:7 Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soeth , that shall he also reap.

Hilltop church of Christ