Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit - Talk Jesus

Chad · 11-21-08

What is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
Can A Christian Commit it?

Jesus mentions a sin that is unforgivable in Matt. 12:31-32 and calls it blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. But what exactly is this unforgivable sin? For that, we need to look at the context.

Matt. 12:31-32

A House Divided Cannot Stand

22 Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23 And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”

24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”
25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.

The Unpardonable Sin

31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

Let me review this section briefly. In verse 22, Jesus healed a blind and dumb man. The Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of "Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons" (v. 24). Jesus responds by saying that a kingdom divided will fall (vv. 25-28) and how the devil must first be bound before you can plunder his house (v. 29). In verses 31-32, He states that blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven in this age or the age to come.

By simply looking at the context it becomes apparent that blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is saying that Jesus did His miracles by the power of the devil. This is unforgivable. But why? We can find a clue by looking at when Jesus began His ministry.

Jesus stated that His baptism was to "fulfill all righteousness," (Matt. 3:15). The word "fulfill" should cause us to think of the Old Testament. Basically, Jesus was baptized because He had to fulfill the Old Testament requirements for entering into the priesthood. He was a priest after the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4; Heb. 5:8-10; 6:20). Priests offered sacrifice to God on behalf of the people. Jesus became a sacrifice for our sin (1 Pet. 2:21; 2 Cor. 5:21) in His role as priest. According to the Old Testament, in order for a priest to be consecrated as a priest, He had to be washed with water (Lev. 8:6; Exodus 29:4, Matt. 3:15) and anointed with oil (Lev. 8:12; Exodus 29:7; Matt. 3:16). Both of these were bestowed upon Jesus at His baptism. Additionally, He may have needed to be 30 years old - (Num. 4:3).

The oil is representative of the Holy Spirit who descended upon Jesus at His baptism (Matt. 3:16). It was after His baptism that He began His ministry and started performing miracles. He did His miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit who had come upon Him at His baptism. The Pharisees - who knew that Jesus' miracles validated His words and ministry (see John 11:45-48) - were attempting to discredit Jesus' Messiahship by saying that His works were by the devil and not by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, when the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Satan, they were blaspheming the Holy Spirit by whom Jesus performed His miracles. This is unforgivable because it struck at the very heart of the redemptive work of God in Christ. It struck at the very nature of Jesus’ ministry of redemption, testimony, and teaching. Jesus was ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit Himself, fulfilling the divine plan of God to provide a sacrifice for our sins (John 3:16; 1 John 4:10). The Pharisees were attributing this to demonic activity. This is a great blasphemy.

Can a Believer Commit the Unforgivable Sin?

No. A believer cannot commit the unforgivable sin. How can someone who has been born again (John 3:7), made a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), and received eternal life (John 10:27-28) actually commit the unforgivable sin? He cannot. Jesus Himself said that we have eternal life, not conditional life: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand." Besides, it says in 2 Cor. 5:17 that the Christian is a new creation in Christ. We are different, no longer slaves to the old nature (Rom. 6:14). We are regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

There is no biblical support for a believer committing this sin. It just hasn’t happened. Also, if you are worried that you may have committed the sin and can’t be forgiven, then don’t be concerned. If you are worrying about it, then you haven’t committed it. If you are worried about it, then that is a sign that you have not committed it. If you had, you wouldn’t be concerned.

Article by: Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, What is it?

Faithful Son · 11-20-08

Short and sweet to the point. Thanks brother Chad. God bless you ;)

jean · 06-26-08

Is that the same way of perhaps saying, that anyone who doesn't believe that Jesus is who he says he is, is committing the unforgivable sin? If we don't believe Jesus is who he says, we don't believe the bible, therefore we just don't believe! Yet it says any blasphemy against Jesus will be forgiven, but not the Holy Spirit.

LikeJesus · 07-24-07

Good questions Jean.This can be a deep subject if you meditate on it like that.I also have heard blasphemy means to deny the Holy spirit exist.Some people think if they get mad at God an curse him out,God forbid,they have committed blasphemy.But along your line of thinking,if they get mad at God an the world because of the weight of the cross ect...that just proves they beleive in Him.And havent really committed blasphemy?Only God can judge.:o)

Chad · 11-21-08

Here is another article I posted before

http://www.talkjesus.com/scriptural-...blasphemy.html

LikeJesus · 07-24-07

Thanks Chad,this is a great subject thread.I know lots of people are being set free from self condemnation through this word.God bless you.

Blayz · 08-07-07

Well I am still confused. In the linked article Chad wrote originally he claims that it is no longer possible to commit unforgiveable sin, because Christ has ascended.

However, in the original article at the top of this thread there are two entire paragraphs devoted to the question of "can a believer commit this sin" which ends with "If you had, you wouldn’t be concerned."

Now firstly, if this sin cannot be committed, why not call these last paragraphs "can anyone commit this sin", and secondly, if you cannot commit this sin, why does the article describe how you would feel if you had committed it?

Chad · 11-21-08

Blayz, wehn the article says ""If you had, you wouldn’t be concerned." the author is merely saying you were not / are not a believer in the first place.

Blayz · 08-07-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad

Blayz, wehn the article says ""If you had, you wouldn’t be concerned." the author is merely saying you were not / are not a believer in the first place.

Yes, I understand that, but you see, I am an unbeliever (atheist to be precise), so my question is, is it possible for *me* to commit "blasphemy against the holy spirit", either intentionally or otherwise?

Chad · 11-21-08

When the Holy Spirit reaches out to you and you purposely reject him continually after having knowledge of GOD (being convicted of GOD), that is committing blasphemy. It is continual state of unbeleif. When a person (knowingly) calls the Spirit of the devil, that is blasphemy.

This article should help you out
What is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?

Also, I highly recommend reading this on a side note now that you've mentioned your an atheist.

http://www.talkjesus.com/evidence-pr...hlight=atheism

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