Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
Reading a comment here recently, I was reminded of the different reactions I have encountered from various believers and churches to "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit", and the "unforgivable sin".
I have also seen many lovely Christians in great fear and bondage because they are convinced they have committed the unforgivable sin.
I really just wanted to raise a discussion on the subject.
For myself, I am firm in my belief that I can never ever commit the unforgivable sin! However, I am sure some will think this is pride.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sandy McCoy- Foust on -
Jesus proclaimed that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit was the one unpardonable sin (Matt. 12:31-32). Yet Paul said he obtained mercy because he "did it ignorantly in unbelief" (1Tim. 1:13) This shows that even the unpardonable sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit depends upon whether or not you did it knowingly.
You can't renounce your salvation ignorantly! That's what Hebrews 6:4-6 is saying. You have to be a mature christian who was drawn by the Spirit, born again, baptized in the Holy Ghost, mature in the word, and operating in the gifts of the Spirit before you can reject the Lord. Only then are you held accountable.
This is a script from Andrew Wommack's new book, "Spirit, Soul & Body"....(which I totally recommend reading....So Good!!)....And this makes sense to me...
Just my two cents!
Blessings Brothers!
Sista Sandy :)
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Permalink Reply by Marshall Diakon on -
"blasphemy" is among the most religiousfied expressions that circulate, whereas religious systems (in their efforts at control of the masses) have saddled it with twisted & absurd, fearful fascinations.
Nothing Jesus has done surrendered His will (or the Father's will) into a systematic process. Consequently, divine forgiveness is never static-obligatory (with apology to the RCC and some Protestant factions). Quite Frankly, if a man lies or steals, and Jesus (accompanied by His disciples, John 20:23) determines that he should not be forgiven of this, who can challenge Him? If He denies someone (Esau, Judas Ischariot...) repentance, who among us can make Him give it? If He forgives the next man of lying and stealing, who may say that He is thereby unjust? [I'm beginning to sound like ol' Job?]
Now we have all been warned... speaking against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. That should be simple enough, and apart from all the baggage religious systems would dress us up under. Faithful men observe: those who speak against the Holy Spirit thereafter wander indefinite, lost and unable to find their way Home. Faithful is Christ to do as He has said.
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Permalink Reply by Jenny Smith on -
I have always felt that the unforgivable sin couldn't be counted against us until death. If we die in a blasphemous state (choosing not to believe in God maybe after having believed?) then that becomes unforgivable. I cannot imagine anything that we could do here in life that, if we repented of it, God wouldn't forgive.
They're my thoughts anyway.
Jenny.
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Permalink Reply by John Bennett on
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Sandy McCoy- Foust said:
Jesus proclaimed that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit was the one unpardonable sin (Matt. 12:31-32). Yet Paul said he obtained mercy because he "did it ignorantly in unbelief" (1Tim. 1:13) This shows that even the unpardonable sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit depends upon whether or not you did it knowingly.
You can't renounce your salvation ignorantly! That's what Hebrews 6:4-6 is saying. You have to be a mature christian who was drawn by the Spirit, born again, baptized in the Holy Ghost, mature in the word, and operating in the gifts of the Spirit before you can reject the Lord. Only then are you held accountable.
This is a script from Andrew Wommack's new book, "Spirit, Soul & Body"....(which I totally recommend reading....So Good!!)....And this makes sense to me...
Just my two cents!
Blessings Brothers!
Sista Sandy :)
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Permalink Reply by John Bennett on
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Sandy:
Unless the blasphemy that Paul did ignorantly wasn't "blaspheming the Holy Spirit." See Col 3:8, 1Ti1:20.
Also, I have a completely differenet take on Heb 6:4-6, that the person there in question is an unbeliever. Some other verses, like Jhn 1:12-13 help me understand that.
just a thought or two,
john
Sandy McCoy- Foust said:Jesus proclaimed that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit was the one unpardonable sin (Matt. 12:31-32). Yet Paul said he obtained mercy because he "did it ignorantly in unbelief" (1Tim. 1:13) This shows that even the unpardonable sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit depends upon whether or not you did it knowingly.
You can't renounce your salvation ignorantly! That's what Hebrews 6:4-6 is saying. You have to be a mature christian who was drawn by the Spirit, born again, baptized in the Holy Ghost, mature in the word, and operating in the gifts of the Spirit before you can reject the Lord. Only then are you held accountable.
This is a script from Andrew Wommack's new book, "Spirit, Soul & Body"....(which I totally recommend reading....So Good!!)....And this makes sense to me...
Just my two cents!
Blessings Brothers!
Sista Sandy :)
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Permalink Reply by John Bennett on
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Jenny:
I agree. After coming to know some about "the love of Christ which passeth knowledge," Eph 3:19, and the all-surpassing greatness and value of the death of our God and Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ, it is also very hard for me to think of anything that that has not been forgiven. The only thing that comes to mind is not believing that Jesus' death on the cross paid for all sin & sins. Hell won't have believers in it, only unbelievers. That's mostly why I believe that the "blasphemy of the Holy Spirit" has to be unbelief in the finished work of Christ. Any other meaning would have a profound impact on the very foundation of the Christian faith.
john
Jenny Smith said:
I have always felt that the unforgivable sin couldn't be counted against us until death. If we die in a blasphemous state (choosing not to believe in God maybe after having believed?) then that becomes unforgivable. I cannot imagine anything that we could do here in life that, if we repented of it, God wouldn't forgive.
They're my thoughts anyway.
Jenny.
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Permalink Reply by John Bennett on
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Marshall:
I agree, the religious systems of this world have used the word "blasphemy" to control people. That's partly why I am at peace with my current understanding of the phrase in question. It only brings people into submission to the gospel, the day of their conversion, and not into a continuous threat over their heads for "leaders" to use to "lord over their faith."
I would, if I understand your point about the will of Jesus or the Father, contend that the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, when He died on the cross for the complete, once and for all, payment for all the worlds sins, is indeed a completed act in time and space, and even God Almighty cannot undo His own work there, or dishonor His own word concerning such. He has said that He "will honor His word above His name" and Jesus said "It is finished." The transaction is done, the payment is made, the debt is paid, praise God! We can enter into that blessed Kingdom of forgiveness by faith that He has already done it all.
Thoughts?
Oh, and, I think the forum got started by trying to understand "what is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit" not whether or not we can do it. I guess it is assumed that we all don't want to do it, but many over time, have wondered what could it be, and do the answers we hear of what it could be -- do those answers agree with all other scripture, or do those answers just bring up more confusion or contradictions (this last part my interest-I want to have a non-self-contradictory faith).
john
Marshall Diakon said:"blasphemy" is among the most religiousfied expressions that circulate, whereas religious systems (in their efforts at control of the masses) have saddled it with twisted & absurd, fearful fascinations.
Nothing Jesus has done surrendered His will (or the Father's will) into a systematic process. Consequently, divine forgiveness is never static-obligatory (with apology to the RCC and some Protestant factions). Quite Frankly, if a man lies or steals, and Jesus (accompanied by His disciples, John 20:23) determines that he should not be forgiven of this, who can challenge Him? If He denies someone (Esau, Judas Ischariot...) repentance, who among us can make Him give it? If He forgives the next man of lying and stealing, who may say that He is thereby unjust? [I'm beginning to sound like ol' Job?]
Now we have all been warned... speaking against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. That should be simple enough, and apart from all the baggage religious systems would dress us up under. Faithful men observe: those who speak against the Holy Spirit thereafter wander indefinite, lost and unable to find their way Home. Faithful is Christ to do as He has said.
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Permalink Reply by Ryan Spear on -
Hebrews 6:4-6 gives me more questions than answers because it doesn't describe how one falls away or what it is that makes a person fallen. Could it be blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
This sermon to the Jews also makes me want to interpret this as the Jews prior to Christ's death burrial and ressurection to after, falling away because of disbelief in the fore-told messiah who has now came. They believed in this comming messiah, were partakers of the Holy Spirit, tasted the good word of God and the forgiveness to come but because of thier blindness, hardness of thier hearts, rejection of Jesus, fell away and is impossible to be renewed again to repentence which would be like re-crucifying Jesus again???
Really there isn't enough there to really interpret this by itself and I want to be careful as to what other scripture I would put it together with. I could say it could be blasphemy against the Holy Spirit but not sure if that fits as far as scripture answering scripture.
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Permalink Reply by Frank on
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Ryan
Thanks for your comments.
You insist that a man cannot generate his own faith.
Considering that Jesus constantly rebuked the disciples for lacking faith, such a notion is surely illogical. That is unless you have been swallowed up by the deception of Calvinism!
If I was one of the disciples and Jesus rebuked me for lack of faith, I could simply rebuke him back for not giving me enough faith in the first place! "Don't blame me Jesus, I'm a student of Calvin and he says its your fault that I don't just get it!"
I can be a little rude here because Jesus said that whatever I say against the Son of man will be forgiven! Apart from that, it was a hypothetical comment based on the blindness of Calvinism.
From the Garden of Eden to the Book of Revelation, ALL the scriptures make it clear that we are expected to make choices. It is on this assumption that I asked the question in the first place.
The whole reason that Jesus drew a distinction between speaking against Himself and speaking against the Holy Spirit was because THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS DIRECTLY TO OUR SPIRIT MAN.
With the Holy Spirit, there is no such clause in the argument which allows us to say we didn't understand. The spirit speaks right through our understanding. God's intrusion into our conscience bypasses our intellect and any biblical knowledge. This is all about the moment of conviction, or the moment of impregnation or conception from God, and this has to come prior to comprehension of the work of Jesus.
Romans1
v18. For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men WHO SUPPRESS THE TRUTH in unrighteousness.
v19. Because that which may be known of God IS MANIFEST IN THEM FOR GOD HAS CLEARLY SHOWN IT UNTO THEM.
v20. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world ARE CLEARLY SEEN, BEING UNDERSTOOD BY THE THINGS THAT ARE MADE, EVEN HIS ETERNAL POWER AND GODHEAD SO THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE.
This shows clearly that the Holy Spirit has always been at work convicting mankind. This is about EVERY MAN MAKING A CHOICE TO RESPOND TO THE CALL OF GOD, one way or another without excuse.
This conviction is not limited to the Jewish or the Christian sphere. This is about an inner new birth from above which comes from a heart which is surrendered to the Spirit of God. This happens on account of the enabling work which Jesus did on the cross. (The lamb slain from the beginning of the world.)
THIS IS NOT ABOUT BECOMING A CHRISTIAN!!!!!
Ryan Spear said:
I have a problem with unbelief as being a sin. For example:
I have a complete inability to honestly believe there is a Santa Clause that lives in the north pole who rides in a flying slay pulled by flying reindeer and passes out presents every year at Christmas eve. I cannot in any way force myself to believe in this Santa Clause. To me, Santa Clause is a fairy tale.
To many people, Jesus Christ is a Christian fairy tale. They are unable to beleive in Jesus Christ. They can't even force themselves to believe. They can believe in Jesus about as much as we Christians can believe in Allah or Mohamed.
Honest true belief in Jesus Christ is not a choice therefore disbelief cannot be a sin. Both grace and faith are the gift of God that provide salvation, Heb 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;..." A person cannot generate thier own faith. A person cannot truely believe in what they cannot see without evidence. Belief is the work of the Holy Spirit and once a person sees God and has thier spiritual eyes opened, they cannot disbelieve from that point on. Once we have seen something with our own eyes, we cannot unsee it nor disbelieve what we've seen.
Mark 3:28-30:
[28] Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
[29] But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
[30] Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.The Scribes believed in God and knew who the Holy Spirit was. The scribes literally called the Holy Spirit an 'unclean spirit' when they accused of Jesus of being possessed, hence the warning from Jesus about the "danger of eternal damnation".
Keep in mind that those who do not believe are not just in danger of being eternally condemned but "already condemned", John 3:18 "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." So only believers in God can commit the unpardonable sin by speaking evil of the Holy Spirit.
Unpardanable sin = evil speaking of or against the Holy Spirit.
Sorry I couldn't open and read the document above. I don't have any MS Word loaded.
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Permalink Reply by Frank on
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You will see by my previous comment that I do not believe that a born again person can blaspheme the Holy Spirit. This is because he has already passed from death into life. He has done this by assenting to the approaches of the Holy Spirit within his heart. The seed is planted, and will bring forth fruit.
If after receiving ETERNAL LIFE I can lose it through a mistake, THEN IT IS HARDLY ETERNAL! Neither can God claim that we are "kept by the power of God" if he discards us when we lose our composure about something.
Hebrews6 is a rhetorical question. He is saying that if someone falls away, they cannot be born again, AGAIN, otherwise it would require another sacrifice of Jesus. The first birth is sufficient, implying that what Jesus did on Calvary, had to be redone would bring the work of the cross to shame.
The writer is just making it clear that the one sacrifice does it all, for ever, even when someone messes up. There is no other sacrifice available. IT IS FINISHED!
Look at the prodigal son. Even when he was eating with the pigs, he was still a blood born son. He was simply out of fellowship and at a very long arms length from his father. Throughout the journey of the prodigal son, he was always a son. The same is true for us, we are always sons (inc daughters).
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Permalink Reply by Frank on
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Sandy McCoy- Foust said:
You have to be a mature christian who was drawn by the Spirit, born again, baptized in the Holy Ghost, mature in the word, and operating in the gifts of the Spirit before you can reject the Lord. Only then are you held accountable.
Sandy,
Thanks for commenting, but-
would not rejecting the Lord be the first sign that you are completely lacking in maturity?
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Permalink Reply by Brook Potter on -
The Pharisee were Accusing Jesus of doing Miracles by being the Prince of Devils.
So Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, in my opinion, is attributing to Satan the miracles and power of the Holy Spirit.
To my understanding only a Believer can Blaspheme the Holy Spirit - Because only a believer would believe in Satan and in the Holy Spirit to make a judgement on such a matter.
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