What is blasphemy of The Holy Spirit?

[MarkT]

What is it? Is it completely turning away from God and not asking for God's Forgiveness anymore? Is it being legalistic?

I am confused. Knowledge appreciated, fellow-Christians.

No. It's like this. When the Spirit of God leads us to speak the truth to our brethren, and we are called liars, then you are not only calling us liars, but you are calling the Spirit of God a liar. I've felt it myself. When you call us liars, when you exclude us, when you ban us, when you shout us down, when you accuse us of evil, when you say we are not of the body of Christ, whether out of ignorance or not, you have no excuse. You have injured the Spirit of God.

 

[AVBunyan]

Nothing at all. 8-)

Western Christianity at its best--sin without consequences.

I think it has been shown that this cannot be committed today so it cannot be a sin. You folks are reading in to this simple passage, violating the plain sense, and then creating a new doctrine and shoving it in the church age today - what a mess.

 

[AVBunyan]

1. No. It's like this. When the Spirit of God leads us to speak the truth to our brethren, and we are called liars, then you are not only calling us liars, but you are calling the Spirit of God a liar.

2. I've felt it myself.

3. When you call us liars, when you exclude us, when you ban us, when you shout us down, when you accuse us of evil, when you say we are not of the body of Christ, whether out of ignorance or not, you have no excuse.

4. You have injured the Spirit of God.

1. This makes "interesting preaching" but does not match up with "Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:" Also you changed "Ghost" to "Spirit".

2. What is your authority here - your feelings or the scriptures?

3. Chapter and verse please?

4. "Injure" the Holy Spirit? Chapter and verse please?

Finally - if committing this sin is possible today thus making it possible for the redeemed saint to "lose it" then don't you think Paul would spend some time on this possiblity? :crazyeyes:

 

[MarkT]

1. No. It's like this. When the Spirit of God leads us to speak the truth to our brethren, and we are called liars, then you are not only calling us liars, but you are calling the Spirit of God a liar.

2. I've felt it myself.

3. When you call us liars, when you exclude us, when you ban us, when you shout us down, when you accuse us of evil, when you say we are not of the body of Christ, whether out of ignorance or not, you have no excuse.

4. You have injured the Spirit of God.

1. This makes "interesting preaching" but does not match up with "Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:" Also you changed "Ghost" to "Spirit".

2. What is your authority here - your feelings or the scriptures?

3. Chapter and verse please?

4. "Injure" the Holy Spirit? Chapter and verse please?

Finally - if committing this sin is possible today thus making it possible for the redeemed saint to "lose it" then don't you think Paul would spend some time on this possiblity? :crazyeyes:

Read Mark 3:28 and 29.

It's for what they said - 'he has an unclean spirit' - that Jesus said, 'whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness.' The same is true when you say it about anyone who is born of the Spirit. When you say we have an unclean spirit, or our spirit is unclean (not of God), then you are commiting an offense against the Spirit of God.

 

[AVBunyan]

Read Mark 3:28 and 29.
It's for what they said - 'he has an unclean spirit' - that Jesus said, 'whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness.' The same is true when you say it about anyone who is born of the Spirit. When you say we have an unclean spirit, or our spirit is unclean (not of God), then you are commiting an offense against the Spirit of God.

I give up - when will I ever learn - carry on ... :crazyeyes:

 

[stovebolts]

Jeff, goto the studylight link I posted above and scroll down to verse 31 and 32. I think Clarke and Lightfoot did a great job of putting this passage into perspective... better than I could.

You mentioned context vs. doctrine. I know many people, including preachers, who let doctrine dictate context. One has to ask themselves, which came first? Hopefully one would say context. Therefore, in most cases, shouldn't context dictate doctrine? If it doesn't then we could make the Bible say and mean just about anything. I'm not excluding practical application but not all things in proper context make up Christian doctrine... nor should they.

We'd still be under the Law if that were so.


Hmmm......... 8-)

Thanks for the link Vic.
By your closing statement, perhaps proper context, was simply the context under the wrong lense. :D

As far as the links you posted, It almost seemed to be saying that only those who truly never knew Christ would held accountable, as a true believer in Christ was not truly capable of making such a charge.

 

[MarkT]

HI brakelite2,

AV and others are free to respond because IMO your questions and concerns are related to the topic.

I do have a comment; the act of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is a single action. It isn't referring to denial of sins which you are convicted of by the HS. That would suggest a variety of sins. The context, as I pointed out above, speaks of one particular act (or action)... spoken words... words that take the works of the HS through Jesus and attribute it to the Adversary. Nothing more, nothing less. I know people will disagree, but it was addressed to a certain people in a particular place and point in time. If one is truly saved (post Cross, people) can you really commit this sin?

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2 Cor 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

We are on this side of the Cross, where the atoning, blood sacrifice of Jesus dealt with our sins... and now they are no longer sins that sentence us to an eternity of spiritual death. That penalty was nailed to the Cross. We are reconciled! :D We are reconciled to Him! We know Him and His powers and abilities. How could a saved person ever attribute His works to the devil? :o

Anyway, if I may quote the Adam Clarke commentary that explains this sin:

Verse 31. All manner of sin and blasphemy
βλαÃÆημια, injurious or impious speaking. {Anglo-Saxon}, mocking and deriding speech, Anglo-Saxon. See Matthew 9:3.

But the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost

Even personal reproaches, revilings, persecutions against Christ, were remissible; but blasphemy, or impious speaking against the Holy Spirit was to have no forgiveness: i.e. when the person obstinately attributed those works to the devil, which he had the fullest evidence could be wrought only by the Spirit of God. That this, and nothing else, is the sin against the Holy Spirit, is evident from the connection in this place, and more particularly from Mark 3:28-30. "All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme; but he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation; BECAUSE they said, He hath an unclean spirit."

Here the matter is made clear beyond the smallest doubt-the unpardonable sin, as some term it, is neither less nor more than ascribing the miracles Christ wrought, by the power of God, to the spirit of the devil. Many sincere people have been grievously troubled with apprehensions that they had committed the unpardonable sin; but let it be observed that no man who believes the Divine mission of Jesus Christ, ever can commit this sin: therefore let no man's heart fail because of it, from henceforth and for ever, Amen. See below.

http://www.studylight.org/com/acc/view. ... hapter=012

No. You're missing the teaching for the event. There's a whole teaching that follows. To understand Mark 3:20-30 see Matthew 12:22-37. The teaching begins at Matthew 12:25 - 'Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste', and 'He who is not with me is against me, and, 'he who does not gather with me scatters', and, 'Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and it's fruit bad', and, 'for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.'

The work of the Spirit, whether healing the sick, feeding the poor, teaching the word of God, etc., is to save; to bring people into the church. I can not say of anyone who is gathering with me, that he is doing evil. I can not say that their spirit is not of God. I can not say of any spirit that confesses Jesus is the Son of God, that he is of the devil. I can't say it of any person or denomination. The Spirit is at work in the church bringing people to Christ in various ways I can't even understand. Benny Hinn comes to mind. I can't say anything about his ministry. The CC. I can't say anything evil about the CC. I can disagree with their theology/doctrines but I can't say the CC is not of God. I can't say any church that gathers is not of God. That would blaspheme the Holy Spirit. Your theology doesn't have to be perfect. We must be disagreeing. As Paul said, 'there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.' 1 Cor. 11:19 But we don't ban people or exclude people or call their name evil who are gathering with us. The only way we can know that they are not of God is if they are scattering; if they're teaching people false things, like, for instance, that there is no Holy Spirit, or that Jesus isn't the Christ, the Son of the living God, or that breaking the law is OK.

So we can not say of a person's spirit that they are evil if they are gathering, healing, speaking the truth or in any way leading people to God; for that is the work of the Spirit of God. I can not exclude anyone who confesses Jesus is Lord no matter how ridiculous their reasoning is. On the other hand, if you exclude the ones who are gathering, if you ban them or in any way interfere with the work of gathering; if you call their name evil, then you are blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

As Jesus said, "Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets." Luke 6:22

I know the feeling when I was cast out. They thought they were doing good, but in fact they suppressed the truth and blasphemed the Spirit in me. But I will tell you, in that day I leaped for joy!

 

[Vic C.]

Thanks for your concern Mark, but no, I didn't miss the teaching. I though just like most of you until I actually studied and researched what was going on in this and similar passages.

I will ask one thing; I don't recall if AV brought this up, but where is this "teaching" outside of the Gospels? If it's something that will be brought up against followers of Jesus, it should show up somewhere else outside the four Gospels. But it isn't; I don't ever recall reading it in any of John or Peter's letters. It's not in James either.

One one thing on this passage: Mat 12:34. 8-) There is who He was speaking to.

Now, you mentioned Hinn... please take no offense by this; take it as constructive criticism. If you can't speak out against some of the things done and said by people like Hinn and Bonke, you need to check your spiritual discernment. I think you may be so afraid you can actually commit the unforgivable sin, you may shy away from rebuking any false teaching that may come your way.

Mark, that line of thought and this belief that we can actually blaspheme the Spirit is very dangerous to the ekklesia's Godly discernment.

Let the falling away go unchecked and even unnoticed!?!? :shocked!: God forbid. :-?

 

[AVBunyan]

I will ask one thing; I don't recall if AV brought this up, but where is this "teaching" outside of the Gospels? If it's something that will be brought up against followers of Jesus, it should show up somewhere else outside the four Gospels. But it isn't; I don't ever recall reading it in any of John or Peter's letters. It's not in James either.

Good observation Vic - and Yes, I did allude to it earlier...

"Finally - if committing this sin is possible today thus making it possible for the redeemed saint to "lose it" then don't you think Paul would spend some time on this possibility?"

God bless ya Vic

 

[MarkT]

Thanks for your concern Mark, but no, I didn't miss the teaching. I though just like most of you until I actually studied and researched what was going on in this and similar passages.

I will ask one thing; I don't recall if AV brought this up, but where is this "teaching" outside of the Gospels? If it's something that will be brought up against followers of Jesus, it should show up somewhere else outside the four Gospels. But it isn't; I don't ever recall reading it in any of John or Peter's letters. It's not in James either.

Were the apostles supposed to warn us not to blaspheme the Holy Spirit? If the Spirit of God is upon you, then how can you blaspheme the Spirit of God? It's almost like saying Satan doesn't cast out Satan. The Spirit of God doesn't blaspheme the Spirit of God.

It's only those who don't understand who blaspheme the Spirit. So the teaching we received is meant to enlighten us. Jesus didn't give us empty words. We can see there are some people today who call themselves Christians who say Paul was a devil for what he said concerning slavery and women. They blaspheme the Spirit of God in Paul. Often they blaspheme the Spirit of truth in men who would speak the truth. And they suppress the truth because they hate the truth.

One one thing on this passage: Mat 12:34. 8-) There is who He was speaking to.

That's right. Jesus made it clear that the Pharisees who came out to test him were not of God. They were liars when they said he had an unclean spirit. So what does that mean to us? Do you suppose the devil and the sons of the evil one have gone away? No. They're all around us. They are the wicked, the godless, the polluters, the haters of God, the ones who speak out against God, who call God a monster. They are the ones who blaspheme the Spirit of truth. And there are some who call themselves Christians who are not Christians. Some deny there is a hell. They even call God a monster if he would send any person to hell, even calling us evil because we believe it. So by their words, they are condemning themselves; calling the Spirit of God a monster.

Now, you mentioned Hinn... please take no offense by this; take it as constructive criticism. If you can't speak out against some of the things done and said by people like Hinn and Bonke, you need to check your spiritual discernment. I think you may be so afraid you can actually commit the unforgivable sin, you may shy away from rebuking any false teaching that may come your way.

There's alot of false teaching Vic. I know that. But it's the will of God. But as I see it, if a man believes in his heart and confesses with his lips that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, then he will be saved. That's not to say I don't hate false teaching. I do.

 

[shad]

What I have learned is that if you experienced God(miracle), and still rufuse to believe in Jesus, you are committing unforgivable sin.

 

[Elijah674]

Hi, Elijah here.
I think for most Born Again ones, that the question can be found here below. Notice from verse 7's PERFECT Law to the same law with David's additional 'documentation' in verse 13 of ALSO + the Great Transgression. + of course the WORD OF PRESUMPTION! And surely we still recognize in the New Covenant 1 John 3:4 defining of what sin is? [ANY SIN, James 2:8-12]

Pss.19
[1] The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
[2] Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
[3] There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
[4] Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
[5] Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
[6] His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
[7] The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
[8] The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
[9] The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
[10] More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
[11] Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
[12] Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
[13] Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

 

[oneisgod]

What is it? Is it completely turning away from God and not asking for God's Forgiveness anymore? Is it being legalistic?

I am confused. Knowledge appreciated, fellow-Christians.

It is the unforgivable sin!

 

[Vic C.]

What is it? Is it completely turning away from God and not asking for God's Forgiveness anymore? Is it being legalistic?

I am confused. Knowledge appreciated, fellow-Christians.

It is the unforgivable sin!

Ok, that was circular. What is the unforgivable sin?

 

[duval]

Mark 3:29,30 tells us plainliy what it is.

God bless
duval

 

[shad]

If we continually sin after knowing Jesus, then we are blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

my two cents.

 

[duval]

Scripture doesn't say that

God bless
duval

 

[xspinningisfun]

The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit was a big issue for me. You know, I wasn't a Christian before and when I became a Christian, I found out that THIS sin CANNOT be forgiven. So I guessed it was pretty bad. I mean, God will forgive murder...but not this sin? But I didn't know exactly what it meant. But I thought I committed it and just started getting scared and stuff. I went to numerous people--and they said the same thing. Here's a scripture where it says it's a sin that cannot be forgiven and I'll try to break it down for you.

Matthew 12:22-32 (NASB)

Then there was brought to Him a demon-possessed man who was blind and dumb, and He healed him, so that the dumb man spoke and saw. 23And all the multitudes were amazed, and began to say, "This man cannot be the Son of David, can he?" 24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "This man casts out demons only by Beelzebub the ruler of the demons."

The Pharisees were basically saying, "Jesus is getting his power from Satan/demons. So when He's healing these people, he's using Satan's power." Which is obviously not true. "This man casts out demons only be BEELZEBUB the ruler of the demons." Beelzebub is the devil.

And knowing their thoughts He said to them, "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself shall not stand. 26"And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand? 27"And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Consequently they shall be your judges. 28"But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29"Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, 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. 31"Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. 32"And whoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in the age to come"

Satan cannot cast out Satan. I mean, that doesn't make any sense. Pharisees was saying that Jesus did the miracles through Satan's power. I mean, Jesus was taking out a demon from a person. How can Satan cannot cast out Satan. You know that Jesus gets His power from the Holy Spirit. No question about that. I bolded the ones that are most important. God can forgive any blasphemy. But the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is what I just described. Thinking that Jesus got His powers from the Devil. I mean, I think when someone believes that...but then finds Jesus, I think Jesus will bend the rules. God's an understanding God.

Hope this helped.
Sorry that it was long.

 

[Vic C.]

Matthew 12:22-32 (NASB)

Then there was brought to Him a demon-possessed man who was blind and dumb, and He healed him, so that the dumb man spoke and saw. 23And all the multitudes were amazed, and began to say, "This man cannot be the Son of David, can he?" 24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "This man casts out demons only by Beelzebub the ruler of the demons."

The Pharisees were basically saying, "Jesus is getting his power from Satan/demons. So when He's healing these people, he's using Satan's power." Which is obviously not true. "This man casts out demons only be BEELZEBUB the ruler of the demons." Beelzebub is the devil.

There is the key right there. They witnessed Him performing these miracles, firsthand, in the flesh and still they denied Him and the power given to Him via the Holy Spirit. This is why I believe what I believe.

 

[whirlwind]

The unforgiveable sin can only be committed by the elect and only in the end of days....


Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

12:9 But he that denieth Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

12:10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.

12:11 And when they bring you into the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say."



The elect, the man child, will be delivered for a testimony. That is when they/we are not to premeditate what we will say or speak. Christ was our example in that "He held His peace, and answered nothing..."[Mark 14:61]



Mark 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them.

13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.


That "hour" is Satan's hour of temptation. So, to premeditate or to not allow ourselves to be delivered during that time or to speak our own mind would be to committ the unforgiveable sin.