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QUESTION 102:
What is the “blasphemy” against the Holy Ghost and can it be committed today?

ANSWER:
The phrase "blasphemy of the Holy Spirit" is mentioned in Matthew 12:31, Mark 3:29 and Luke 12:10. In examining these portions we will find that they are the same event. It is in the context of the Lord Jesus doing some miracle and the Pharisees ascribing it to the working of Beelzebub, the prince of devils (or demons); when in reality He was doing it by the power of the Holy Spirit 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... They were speaking evil of the Holy Ghost by which Jesus was doing these miracles. This is clearly the "blasphemy of the Holy Ghost."

Since the Lord Jesus is not on earth, in earthly ministry as then, this sin cannot be committed today. It had to do with His three year ministry of teaching, preaching and healing. When the Lord comes to set up His kingdom for 1000 years He will again do these same miracles. It will then be possible to commit this sin. Hence we read in Matthew 12:32. It will not be forgiven in this world (age) or the world (age) to come (kingdom). This sin is not the same as 1 John 5:16 "the sin unto death" or the so called "unpardonable sin." The only sin like this in our day is mentioned in Hebrews 6:3-6; Hebrews 10:29 and Acts 7:51. In these verses, it is resisting the working of the Holy Ghost and is the sin of apostasy which is a willful falling away. There is no forgiveness for this sin. Hebrews 6:6 says it is "impossible" to renew them again to repentance. Jude says of them that they are "reserved" to the blackness of darkness forever. Jude 1:13.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen