Results 1 - 8 of 8
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | What does "perish" mean? | Acts 8:13 | cwade | 69453 | ||
What does Peter mean when he says to Simon (the Sorcerer): "May your silver perish with you"? In Acts 8:13, Simon had believed and been baptized: Acts 8:13 Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed. But later, after trying to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from Peter and John in Acts 8:20, Peter rebukes him: Acts 8:20 But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!" Simon's salvation was already eternally secure, right? So how could he perish? Does the word "perish" here mean eternal separation from God? If so, would that not mean Simon had "lost" his salvation? Also -- what was the gift of God? I always thought that meant salvation through Christ. I thought Simon had already done that which was necessary (believed and been baptized) and had therefore already received the gift of God. For those of us who believe that our salvation can not be lost, how do we inerpret this verse? |
||||||
2 | What does "perish" mean? | Acts 8:13 | srbaegon | 69464 | ||
Hello cwade This is a difficult one. Peter's harsh response causes one to think that this was a damnable thing Simon had done. The word for "perish" was a range of nuance from "ruin" to "utter destruction" (i.e. hell). More likely, Peter was saying that both the silver and Simon would end up in the same condition (no longer of this world) if Simon did not turn his course. Steve |
||||||
3 | What does "perish" mean? | Acts 8:13 | cwade | 69470 | ||
Steve, thank you brother. Could you expound a little further on what "no longer of this world" might mean. Do you infer that as meaning Simon would die? (Maybe like Ananias and Sapphira did after lying to the Holy Spirit)? I've often wondered about that event too. Did they go to Heaven when they died? Was Ananias, Sapphira, and Simon the Sorcerer's faith genuine? Was their faith true saving faith? If not, this opens the door to some pretty serious discussion about what the word BELIEVE means, doesn't it? Thank you for your response. In Christ's love, cwade | ||||||
4 | What does "perish" mean? | Acts 8:13 | srbaegon | 69471 | ||
Hello cwade Yes, I meant die, and even having an adverse affect on his family and name. I have no question that the three you mentioned were genuine believers who made bad mistakes that God dealt with each in His own way. Steve |
||||||
5 | What does "perish" mean? | Acts 8:13 | cwade | 69474 | ||
Steve, thank you and God Bless You! Forgive me if it seems that I might be belaboring this point, but I am struggling with a question in my mind. May I present a hypothetical situation for your Scripturally based opinion? -- Is it possible for a person to "believe" in Christ and be baptized without ever truly repenting of their sins. And if so, is that person saved? I wonder if this was possibly the situation with Ananias, Sapphira and Simon. Early church tradition holds that Simon (the magician) went on to start a cult, founded Gnostism and later persecuted Paul. I would find it difficult to believe that a person capable of those things was ever really saved to begin with. (I realize I must tread carefully here)! Your brother in Christ, cwade | ||||||
6 | What does "perish" mean? | Acts 8:13 | srbaegon | 69475 | ||
Hello cwade It's always good to work these things out. :-) If by "believe" you mean "saying the right things and going through the motions", then, yes, such a person could do so without repenting. In Simon's case, Scripture says he believed. I must accept it. For Ananias and Sapphira, we don't know either way. Steve |
||||||
7 | What does "perish" mean? | Acts 8:13 | cwade | 69476 | ||
Dear brother, thank you for bearing with me. Please know that I am in no way doubting Scripture! I am just trying to reach a more complete understanding. There is a "life application" reason for my need to fully understand this situation concerning Simon the Sorcerer. -- We know that even the demons "believe" in Christ. Even Satan "believes" and shudders (which as a pastor once said is more than some Christians do:-))-- Scripture says Simon believed and was baptized, but makes no mention of repentance accompanying the belief. Nor was there a change in his lifestyle. Is it disrespecful of me to ask if it was possible that Simon's belief was not genuine, (since there was no evidence of a changed life)? I promise, this is the last time I will bother you with this tonight! | ||||||
8 | What does "perish" mean? | Acts 8:13 | srbaegon | 69592 | ||
Hello cwade, Yes, it definitely was your last question of me for the evening. ;-) There are others in Acts for which we have no record of repentance and baptism, yet Scripture says they were "added to the church". Your inquiry is a genuine and acceptable understanding of what happened. I read Hank's postings, and he builds a good case for profession without reality. I wish I could help more. Steve |
||||||