Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit - The unforgivable sin?

[St. SteVen]

I reject the standard doctrine that states that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (the unforgivable sin) is unbelief.
The scripture in question does not support that conclusion.

As I understand it, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to attribute the works of God to Beelzebub. (Satan)

Matthew 12:24-31 NIV
But when the Pharisees heard this, they said,
“It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,
that this fellow drives out demons.”
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them,
“Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined,
and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself.
How then can his kingdom stand?
27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul,
by whom do your people drive them out?
So then, they will be your judges.
27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul,
by whom do your people drive them out?
So then, they will be your judges.
28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons,
then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
29 “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house
and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man?
Then he can plunder his house.
30 “Whoever is not with me is against me,
and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven,
but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

]

 

[Behold]

As I understand it, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to attribute the works of God to Beelzebub. (Satan)

There is "Blasphemy against"

and

There is "Blasphemy of".


"Blasphemy against" was committed against Jesus, because "Jesus is THAT Spirit"... and at the time, Jesus was not back in Heaven, and had not given (sent down) the "Comforter".
So, when the Pharisees were slandering Jesus, by attributing to Jesus's power.. the Power of Satan, then that is "against the Holy Spirit".

No Christian can commit this sin... as you have to do that in person..

Whereas.

"Blasphemy OF the Holy Spirit" can be committed by anyone.

An example, would be to cause someone to be kept away from Believing in Jesus.

All Religions do this, and some Christian Cults do this..

And example would be "Universalism".. as it teaches that you dont have to Trust in Jesus.. to be a Christian.......You are one automatically.
So, that LIE, is preventing the person from Trusting in Christ, and that is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit., as a Cult Teaching. "Universalism"

 

[Verily]

It does show "to Blaspheme against" is eqauted with speaking against

Whether,
To speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme
to be evil spoken of, reviled, railed at

Even when comparing between the verses blow the same seems consistent in the wording between them (whether that is speaking of blaspheming against or speaking against). The two are used interchangeably, see below (Especially in Matthew 12:31-32)

See Matthew 12:31
See Matthew 12:32
See Luke 12:10
See Mark 3:28-30

And Jesus points out what it was they said,
BECAUSE they SAID
He HATH an UNCLEAN spirit (not the HOLY Spirit)

Blaspheme shows up as something spoken against (and against Whom) it was directed.


Now Paul said that he was before "a blasphemer", he even confesses so much to the same in 1 Ti1:13 and he said the same was forgiven him for doing so in unbelief and in ignorance

On that particular point, some might say Paul was a blasphemer against the Holy Ghost (which Jesus said would not be forgiven men) which is not the same as blaspheming (or a word spoken against) the Son of man who is actually set for a sign "TO BE spoken" against in Luke 2:34

When we read Saul yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord Jesus in Acts 9:1 and those against the sect itself (as it was called) the same is noted in Acts 28:22 he is shown as a persecutor of the Church (even Jesus Christ himself)

Saul can be shown to be both a persecutor against the church and injurious also (having delivered some of them up to death) and confessed to being before a blasphemer (in 1 Ti 1:13 and in Acts 26:11) he also sought to compelled them to blaspheme.

However, it does say that “all manner of sin and blasphemies” by which men blaspheme would be forgiven them even as a word against the Son of man shall be forgiven him in Mat 12:32 as Jesus had said, and so we see Saul/Paul stating that he has been forgiven, even of the same (as a blasphemer)

So I don't believe (as I have heard it said) that even Paul can be shown as blaspheming against the Holy Ghost (having been forgiven in the blaspheme with which he blasphemed). Jesus was more specific, given there are various ways shown men blaspheme (and Jesus allows such blaspheme to be forgiven as it pertains to himself).

Matthew 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you,
All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men:

but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not beforgiven unto men.

Mark here speaks of "all mannner of sins and blasphemes"

Mark 3:28-30 Verily I say unto you,
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:

Whereas Paul said of himself,

1Ti 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious:
but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

And of these also which blaspheme which should learn not to

1Titus 1:20 Of whom is Hymenaeusand Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan,
that they may learn not to blaspheme.

In contrast

But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness,

And because they *said*, He hath an unclean spirit.

And because it says here,

Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

It was by the Holy Ghost Jesus did so. He was anointed with the same and he went about healing all that were oppressed of the devil

Whereas they attributed the works done by the Holy Ghost (in and through) Jesus to him "having" a Beelzebub

Mark 3:22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said,
He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.

They were not speaking a word against the Son of man (after the flesh) but rather they were speaking such words against the Holy Ghost in Jesus by whom Jesus did His good works through, even casting out devils

So they said,

By the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.

By the Spirit (with power) they are speaking to

Then he asked them,

How can Satan cast out Satan?

Theres the equation.

Following it through to blaspheming against the Holy Ghost

Which again, shows,

Mark 3:30 Because **they said**, He (Son of ma) HATH an unclean spirit.

Every mention in the above is of the Spirit in Him (not of Him)

He (HATH) Beelzebub
and (BY) the prince of devils (ie Satan) he doeth these things
Saying basically He (HATH) an unclean spirit

So nothing of the Son of man was being touched in any of that (Mat 12:32) but against the Holy Ghost that was in Him which was being referred to in those three ways. All directed against the Spirit in Jesus by whom he did his works.

The definition of Blaspheme itself (as I am reading it) appears mouth/tongue related when it speaks of someones speech, slander, railing, and evil speaking in it.

 

[Behold]

On that particular point, some might say Paul was a blasphemer against the Holy Ghost

Yet He didnt, as Paul never saw Jesus when Jesus was on earth doing the Miracles.

However, had he seen these, and said...>>"You are using the power of Satan to do those Healings', as the Pharisees said to Jesus then, Paul would have been blaspheming "against" the Holy Spirit.

 

[St. SteVen]

The definition of Blaspheme itself (as I am reading it) appears mouth/tongue related when it speaks of someones speech, slander, railing, and evil speaking in it.

So, what do you conclude about all this? (not clear from your post)

[

 

[Verily]

Yet He didnt, as Paul never saw Jesus when Jesus was on earth doing the Miracles.

Thats why I wrote,

So I don't believe (as I have heard it said) that even Paul can be shown as blaspheming against the Holy Ghost (having been forgiven in the blaspheme with which he blasphemed). Jesus was more specific, given there are various ways shown men blaspheme (and Jesus allows such blaspheme to be forgiven as it pertains to himself).

Do some churches believe the Holy Ghost is no longer here? I don't know how all people understand blaspheme against the Holy Ghost, when the OP posted I could understand his doubt as to whether what is out there is how Jesus actually described it.

However, had he seen these, and said...>>"You are using the power of Satan to do those Healings', as the Pharisees said to Jesus then, Paul would have been blaspheming "against" the Holy Spirit.

They were rather specific. It does go to show that even as some understand the Godhead in whatever form of equality between them they espouse the punishment is not equal between the blaspheme of the Son and the Holy Ghost in this particular example.

 

[Verily]

So, what do you conclude about all this? (not clear from your post)

[

Not to Speak a word against the Holy Ghost

 

[Behold]

Do some churches believe the Holy Ghost is no longer here?

Well, there is that teaching about.,. "when that is perfect has come".. then the HS is taken out.. They say that the "BIBLE" is that which is perfect is come.

The fact is.. people were saved today and tomorrow, and if the HS is not here, then they are not being enlightened by the HS to believe the Gospel.

So, HE IS STILL Here.

They were rather specific. It does go to show that even as some understand the Godhead in whatever form of equality between them they espouse the punishment is not equal between the blaspheme of the Son and the Holy Ghost in this particular example.

Another wat to look at it is... the "unpardonable sin" is unbelievers "willfully rejecting Christ"... Hebrews 10.. and so, that is blaspheming.

And teaching Universalism, and a few other cult Theologies, is blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

What a person can't do, right now... is walk up to Jesus, after Jesus just raised someone from the dead, and stay to the Lord........"You are using Satan's power to do that"..

No one can do that now... but the other Blasphemy .. the "OF">. .. then yes.. its done all the time, and sometimes its a Christian doing it.

 

[Verily]

Well, there is that teaching about.,. "when that is perfect has come".. then the HS is taken out.. They say that the "BIBLE" is that which is perfect is come.

The fact is.. people were saved today and tomorrow, and if the HS is not here, then they are not being enlightened by the HS to believe the Gospel.

So, HE IS STILL Here.

And so wouldn't that makes it possible for Him to be spoken against?

Another wat to look at it is... the "unpardonable sin" is unbelievers "willfully rejecting Christ"... Hebrews 10.. and so, that is blaspheming.

And teaching Universalism, and a few other cult Theologies, is blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

What a person can't do, right now... is walk up to Jesus, after Jesus just raised someone from the dead, and stay to the Lord........"You are using Satan's power to do that"..

No one can do that now... but the other Blasphemy .. the "OF">. .. then yes.. its done all the time, and sometimes its a Christian doing it.

I explored the teaching of Universalism because I had some friends speak to me on what they have learned concerning it but I dont see how that is specifically blaspheming the Holy Ghost. Someone who is deceived and deceiving others (unknowingly) yes, a false teacher that needs to repent, but I don't know how that would land someone into that category of things. But I understand everyone has a view on it, some of those views just dont make sense to me.

 

[St. SteVen]

@Verily welcome to the forum!
Thanks for joining this topic.

[

 

[Lambano]

So, what do you conclude about all this? (not clear from your post)

[

Insulting the Holy Spirit is a really, really bad idea.

 

[Verily]

@Verily welcome to the forum!
Thanks for joining this topic.

[

Thanks St. SteVen, sure.
I don't have much more to add than what I have.
It's a decent topic.

 

[St. SteVen]

Thanks St. SteVen, sure.
I don't have much more to add than what I have.
It's a decent topic.

No worries.
I have tons of topics. Here are some related topics that you might find interesting.

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Can you name the four biblical cities/countries that define the Baptism with the Holy Spirit?​

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[

 

[St. SteVen]

Insulting the Holy Spirit is a really, really bad idea.

LOL
Sorry. That struck me as funny. (wasn't sure if you were serious)

This raises an interesting question: Can God be insulted?
Is He thin-skinned, or thick-skinned?

A person's view on this would probably be driven by their view of God's character.

New topic:

Can God be insulted?

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www.christianityboard.com

[

 

[KUWN]

I reject the standard doctrine that states that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (the unforgivable sin) in unbelief.
The scripture in question does not support that conclusion.

As I understand it, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to attribute the works of God to Beelzebub. (Satan)

Matthew 12:24-31 NIV
But when the Pharisees heard this, they said,
“It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,
that this fellow drives out demons.”
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them,
“Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined,
and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself.
How then can his kingdom stand?
27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul,
by whom do your people drive them out?
So then, they will be your judges.
27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul,
by whom do your people drive them out?
So then, they will be your judges.
28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons,
then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
29 “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house
and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man?
Then he can plunder his house.
30 “Whoever is not with me is against me,
and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven,
but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

]

The unpardonable sin is not an individual's sin, but a nation's sin, the Jewish nation. The sin is the rejection of Jesus as Messiah and attributing Jesus' miracles to Satan. The sin can no longer be committed now that Christ has ascended to heaven.

 

[PGS11]

If you reject the Holy Spirit you lose your connection to God you can't come to God without the Holy Spirit.If you hate the Holy Spirit you hate God.It really is that simple.How can you ever come to God - its the attitude towards God that you have created for what ever reason I guess blaming God for whats happened.Its resentment towards God hating the creator.

 

[PGS11]

I know someone like this he rejected and criticized religion most of his life - why because when a family member died they would not let him bury them next to another family member in a grave yard divide by faith.It was the Christian part of the grave yard and only Christians can be buried there of the same faith.He could never get over that and brought the hate his entire life after it happened rejecting God.It sounds silly but it was serious for him.It separated him from God.

 

[St. SteVen]

If you reject the Holy Spirit you lose your connection to God you can't come to God without the Holy Spirit.If you hate the Holy Spirit you hate God.It really is that simple.How can you ever come to God - its the attitude towards God that you have created for what ever reason I guess blaming God for whats happened.Its resentment towards God hating the creator.

I see this theme about "rejecting" God a lot. (in this case, the Holy Spirit too)
Categorically, "God-haters". Typically used as a cover-up, or white-washing of
eternal conscious torment. The forever burning hell. An attempt to blame the
victim and clear God of his part in the conceiving and creation of hell.

Anyone who claims to hate God is probably reacting to some terrible
disappointment with God. I think God is not in the business of torturing such
individuals for all eternity, but rather in healing their wounds and
restoring the relationship. IMHO

[

 

[Behold]

blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

At the time those religious Jews were doing it... Jesus told them that they could not be forgiven on earth, on in Eternity.. (the world to come).... for doing it.

So, in THAT case, it is unpardonable.

 

[St. SteVen]

I know someone like this he rejected and criticized religion most of his life - why because when a family member died they would not let him bury them next to another family member in a grave yard divide by faith.It was the Christian part of the grave yard and only Christians can be buried there of the same faith.He could never get over that and brought the hate his entire life after it happened rejecting God.It sounds silly but it was serious for him.It separated him from God.

Obviously, separating family members in a cemetery due to religious affiliation seems wrong to me.
This person was right to object. IMHO

What will God do? Torture this person for all eternity when they were probably right?

[