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NASB | 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. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 8:13 Even Simon believed [Philip's message of salvation]; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he watched the attesting signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed. |
Bible Question: I have a related question for anyone who happens to read this. The central issue in the "eternal security" debate seems to be whether or not the kind of belief mentioned in Hebrews 6 and 10, Acts 8:13, and other places is the kind that produces salvation or not. I think we can agree on the basic point that salvation is by grace through faith, not of works, and that this faith is not a mere mental assertion of the truth, but a genuine trust in Christ for salvation. So is this the kind of faith that is mentioned in these and other verses? I think the key to understanding this is found in one phrase that is used in Hebrews 10:26 and all over New Testament scripture: "the knowledge of the truth." This exact phrase is used several times, with little explaination to its meaning. Is it synonymous with "saving faith," or is it refering to a mere mental acceptance? It seems to me that it indicates that the person has repented and become a genuine believer (see 2 Tim. 2:25), but I could be wrong. What is the correct way to interpret this rather ambiguous phrase? |
Bible Answer: Greetings dgregg! I love these kind of questions. They force us to look at how a particular word or phrase is used in Scripture. This particular phrase, ?the knowledge of the truth?, is found in five New Testament verses. Four of it?s occurrences are found in Paul?s writings and one is found in Hebrews, which may have been written by Paul. Let?s look at each occurrence. 1) 2 Tim. 2:25 ? ?Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,? 2) 2 Tim. 3:7 ? ?always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.? 3) Titus 1:1 ? ?Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God?s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness?? 4) 1 Tim. 2:4 ? ?who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.? 5) Heb. 10:26 ? ?If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left,? In looking at these verses, I would conclude that this phrase refers to a genuine and saving faith. It is described as: a) Coming after repentance - 2 Tim. 2:25. b) Leading to godliness ? Titus 1:1. c) As the desire of God for all men ? 1 Tim. 2:4. d) As something which the depraved can never acknowledge ? 2 Tim. 3:7. e) As something received ? Heb. 10:26. 1 Tim. 2:4 in particular indicates that ?salvation? and ?knowledge of the truth? are synonymous terms. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |