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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: How do I make sense of the context? |
Bible Note: "Address this issue without bunny trails or changing the subject." I will gladly do so AGAIN... :) You wrote: "Let?s go no further, before you explain Mormons to me in light of Calvinism. They know there are lost, they know they need forgiveness, the look to Jesus for that forgiveness through His death and resurrection." No, this is not what Mormons believe. This is what I keep trying to point out to you. They deny original sin. They actually think the Fall was a GOOD thing, because it allowed all those spirit beings to come to earth in Adam's offspring and move on their way to celestial exaltation. They believe that the atonement of Jesus Christ (which, according to them, occurred for the most part in the Garden of Gethsemane) took care of Adam's "transgression." They believe that the only ones going to hell are those who are Mormon apostates and people like me who go around preaching against the LDS. Even the wicked have a heaven for themselves! Their goal is not forgiveness; it is self-improvement on a cosmic scale that ends in Godhood. This variety of fallen man falls very squarely into the "depraved" category, seeking to make himself a God by good works rather than escaping the judgment of a just and holy God. Mormons do NOT believe that they are bound for hell without Jesus Christ. In other words, you are wrong about the teachings of the LDS on human nature, the atonement, the highest end of man, and how "salvation" (really "exaltation") is attained, so your argument falls flat right there. Was that path direct enough? And again, the [offensive theological term describing my view] does not believe that humans do not have a sense of guilt. We believe that they compound their guilt, storing up wrath for themselves by suppressing the truth of the infinitely holy nature of God and their own helpless guilt before him, going anywhere but to the cross for salvation, enlightenment, self-improvement, or any other source that will help them keep lying to themselves about that guilt. --Joe! |