If believing is enough

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Believing or Faith in the bible does not mean what many people think. It does not mean a mere mental recognition that something is true. If that were the case the devils were believers.

What does it mean, Prax?
Do you believe in 'saving faith'? and what is saving faith as opposed to the run-of-the-mill faith? Did Simon have faith according to the Bible when the scripture said:

12 But when they believed [the Samaritans] Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

I've been told that the Samaritans didn't really have saving faith because if they had they would have received the Holy Spirit when they believed. (an evangelical's summation). So when Luke wrote the Samaritans believed, He did not mean they had 'saving faith' because no one is saved without having the Spirit of Christ. To say that IMO would cast doubt on every place in the NT where it is said someone believed. How can one tell if the faith they have is enough to save them or not?

These people in Acts 8 believed the gospel and didn't have the Spirit. This doesn't jive with what PCI or the Baptists or any of the easy believism folks say. How did Philip know these folks had not received the Spirit? Why wasn't it assumed that they recieved the Spirit WHEN they believed if that is when regeneration takes place?