STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE

CHURCH,

1577 (118x) ekklesia, ek-klay-see'ah; from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concr.) a popular meeting place, espec. a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both): -assembly (3x), church {115x}.

1. The word stresses a group of people called out for a special purpose.

(1a) It designated the new society of which Jesus was the founder, being as it was a society knit together by the closest spiritual bonds and altogether independent of space.

(1b) Ekklesia, from ek, "out of," and klesis, "a calling (kaleo, "to call"), was used among the Greeks of a body of citizens "gathered" to discuss the affairs of state, Acts 19:39.
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NLT Study Bible

I propose to all a description of 2 different "Simon's" in the book of Acts, representing 2 different churches! The first one called:

"Simon the Sorcerer"

Acts 8:9....A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. 10. Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as "The Great One-The Power of God." 11. They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic.
12. But now the people believed Philip's message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. 13. Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.
14. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God's message, they sent Peter and John there. 15. As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. 16. The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17. Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19. "Let me have this power, too," he exclaimed, "so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!"
20. But Peter replied, "May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God's gift can be bought! 21. You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, 23. for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and held captive by sin."
24. "Pray to the Lord for me, "Simon exclaimed, "that these terrible things you've said won't happen to me!"
25. After testifying and preaching the word of the Lord in Samaria, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem. And they stopped in many Samaritan villages along the way to preach the Good News.


The second one called:

Simon Peter


Acts 8:14.......When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God's message, they sent Peter and John there.

This man "Peter" is called Simon Peter also in Acts 10:5. This is the Peter that is the Rock that Jesus said he would build his church on!


As you can see, these are TWO DIFFERENT Simons! Simon Peter was the Rock that Jesus said he would build his church on.

Simon the sorcerer believed and was baptized, but did NOT receive the Holy Spirit! In fact, Simon Peter told him in verse 20.....

Acts 8:20.......But Peter replied, "May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God's gift can be bought! 21. You can have NO part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, 23. for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.


Who is the most EVIL RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION on the face of the planet earth that is headed by WEALTH and performs sorcery? Do you think God ever forgave this man (Simon the sorcerer) that is probably one and the same that started this evil religious organization? It should be obvious that the twisting of the word of God is this organizations mode of operation and has the same spirit of anti-Christ that Simon the sorcerer displayed!
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Church, a group of people called out for a special purpose!

THIS is the true CHURCH OF GOD!


ybic
Michael

Read the book of Jude for a testament against men such as "Simon the sorcerer"!

Jude 1 - Rev 1:1


Jude

1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.


KJV