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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. |
Subject: some reject, others obey the gospel WHY? |
Bible Note: Dear Tim, Pardon me Tim, sometimes I am guilty of jumping ahead of myself. You wrote: "... Do these five verse indicate that the phrase 'the knowledge of the truth' only means intellectual knowledge or is this phrase synoymous with faith?" 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,? This verse supports the fact that it requires a supernatural act of God (the granting of repentance) before it is possible to lead a person to the knowledge of the truth. This gift of repentance goes hand in glove with the the gift of faith. It is faith which enables one to believe. It is faith that transforms mere intellectual knowledge into knowledge of the truth. I belive that this verse supports your view. 2) 2 Tim. 3:7 ? ?always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.? Whats missing here? Why always learning but never acknowledging? Intellectual knowledge is present (learning) but faith (the gift of God) is absent. The implication learning is not sufficent. I do not see that that verse as a strong foundation for your view, but will not argue the point. 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?? Paul is saying that his ministry is for the saints and also the preaching of the knowledge of the truth. It does not say that posession of that knowledge is identical with possesion of faith. The phrase' "that leads to godliness", does agree with your point. 4) 1 Tim. 2:4 ? ?who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.? This verse, when taken literaly, places regeneration prior to believing to the knowledge of the truth. This is the Reformed view of the order of salvation. Before fallen man can recieve and believe the knowledge of the truth, he must first be raised from spiritual death. Then his eyes are opened to the gospel and his new heart recieves it with joy and thanksgiving. Knowledge and Faith are supported here as well. I don't mean to be harsh, but, next verse is where your view falls flat. 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,? The topic is eternal security and your pupose for seeking agreement to your view (knowledge of the truth is synonymous with faith) is to be able to say that Heb 10:26 supports the doctrine of free will: that it is we that chose Christ, which led to our salvation, and even after our conversion, we may freely reject Him (If I have mis-stated your belief, please correct me). I DISAGREE on the basis of the same text Heb 10:26. How can I do that? Because it says that those who deliberately continue to sin are lost; there is no more sacrifice remaining. But wait! John is loud and clear and has left us an unambiguous statement of fact: 1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. Paul, as well, said that it was no longer he that sinned but that it was sin dwelling in him. This verse also throughs a monkey wrench into the arguement that says Heb 6 says we may reject Christ. The willful practicing of sin is an indication that one is a mere professor of Christ and not a true believer. So we see that the knowledge of truth may be recieved but not believed, as is evidenced by the unbelievers in Heb 10:26. John |