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To: Havoc
"Simon Magus was saved and was turned away afterward."

Acts 8:9-24:
"But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me."

Please show me where Simon was turned away and lost his salvation. Seems to me Peter just reproved him, Simon was still young in the faith, and told him to repent of his sin before God. There is no indication of his losing his salvation. Young believers make mistakes and do things wrong because they are babes. Simon was a babe in Christ and he sinned. So Peter rebuked him and told him to repent of his sin. Seems pretty standard procedure to me.

JM
6,433 posted on 11/07/2001 4:57:06 AM PST by JohnnyM
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To: everyone
Here's my learning topic for today:

Church structure

Can you all tell me what the structure of your respective denominations are? For example, my understanding (which is probably wrong) of Roman Catholicism is that the Pope is boss, cardinals are next, bishops are next, etc.

How about everyone elses? What is the "power" structure? Who makes the decisions on doctrine for your church? How is official doctrine changed...or is it changed? How many of you believe all of the doctrine taught by your church?

Looking forward to it...

6,435 posted on 11/07/2001 5:19:13 AM PST by DouglasKC
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