2007-09-20 06:05:44 · 14 answers · asked by t_a_m_i_l 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
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. 12:22-32 says, "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." 25And 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 mans 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," (All Scripture quotes are from the NASB).
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 hasnt happened. Also, if you are worried that you may have committed the sin and cant be forgiven, then dont be concerned. If you are worrying about it, then you havent committed it. If you are worried about it, then that is a sign that you have not committed it. If you had, you wouldnt be concerned.
2007-09-20 07:31:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Ultimately, it boils down to a rejection of God.
God chooses to work through his Holy Spirit. Some people reject that work altogether and die in Sin and Tresspass. Others attribute the works of God to Satan and that is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit as well.
Both acts are a rejection of God. The first has its effect at the time of death and the second can have its effect at any point during a person's life on earth.
2007-09-20 06:18:21 · answer #2 · answered by the sower 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When someone constantly rejects the pleadings of the Holy Spirit throughout his life, this is called grieving the Holy Spirit (or blasphemy against). Eventually, that person will no longer hear the pleadings of God, and will be lost forever. That is why this is called the "unforgiveable sin". God will forgive all manner of sin, but you have to ask to be forgiven of it. If you turn yourself off to communication with God, how can He forgive you?
2007-09-20 06:25:57 · answer #3 · answered by FUNdie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus replaced into relating Numbers 15:30, as a Jew Jesus does not have pronounced the call of God (translated LORD) so he substituted Holy Spirit. Num 15:30 'however the guy who does something defiantly, whether he's close by or an alien, that one is blaspheming the LORD; and that guy or woman would be decrease off from between his people.
2016-12-26 19:52:11 · answer #4 · answered by geise 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bible explains it as saying that the power of Jesus comes from the devil.
Matthew:
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.
2007-09-20 06:13:12 · answer #5 · answered by Justsyd 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
To deny that the power of Jesus truly came from YHWH/Jehovah. To claim that evil came out of Jesus. Just like those Jewish Leader's in the NT. BLASPHEMY!!!
Hmmm........is the atheist guilty of the unforgivable sin? Well I guess it's different to say Jesus never was than to say the "other" unforgivable. Answered my own question.
I stand with Bambi.
ChristianSoldier, If this my question, you get the "best answer". You did a good thing today. Many people that read your answer will have a lighter load to carry! A happier heart to know that they are still loved by Jehovah God, & Jesus............no matter their sin of the "flesh". Of course I must add if they repent with honesty from their heart............and God still loves them!
By the way what is NASB?
2007-09-20 06:27:26 · answer #6 · answered by Debs 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think this should cover it: "I, Diminati, do hereby declare that the Holy Spirit is a ridiculous fiction and worthless concept."
2007-09-20 06:18:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Pharisees could commit this sin, because and only because they were in the Presence of the Savior and Knowing that Jesus was God in human form, and called him Satan to his face.
We can not do this, because Jesus is not in the flesh with us at this time. Once We belong to him, we can not lose our salvation. the problem is that there are multitudes of Christians that think they are Children of Christ and are in their blindness worshiping Satan.
You have to know who Christ is to be able to be a child of his.
2007-09-20 06:33:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm inclined to say that it is akin to someone having had a relationship with Christ, then for some reason denying His sacrifice, truth in doctrine and etc. in some sort of public forum.
2007-09-20 06:11:15 · answer #9 · answered by bigvol662004 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It means denying it. Like this "there is no such thing as the holy spirit".
There ya go.
2007-09-20 06:11:19 · answer #10 · answered by glitterkittyy 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋