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QUESTION 52:
What is the unpardonable sin or the blasphemy of Holy Ghost as mentioned in Matthew 12:31?

ANSWER:
The unpardonable sin and the blasphemy of the Holy Ghost are not the same thing. The "blasphemy of the Holy Ghost" is mentioned in Matthew 12:31, Mark 3:29, and Luke 12:10. An examination of these portions and their contexts will show that they are connected with miracles the Lord Jesus Christ was performing. The Pharisees were ascribing these to the prince of devils "Beelzebub," (Luke 12:15) when in reality He was doing them by the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:38. "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost; who went about doing good ..." It is clear that this is the "blasphemy of the Holy Ghost." Since Jesus is not on earth today this sin cannot be committed. It was confined to His three years of public ministry as He presented Himself to the nation of Israel as their Messiah. When He comes again to set up His kingdom it will again be possible to commit this sin then. This is why He said that it would not be forgiven in the "world to come." - Matthew 12:32.

The term "unpardonable sin" is not mentioned in the Bible. The only sin that God cannot forgive is failing to believe on His Son as Saviour. John 3:18 " . . . he that BELIEVETH NOT is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." God has no way to forgive sinners apart from the shedding of blood. Hebrews 9:22 " . . . without the shedding of blood there is no remission (forgiveness)." He can only do this when we believe on His Son as Saviour. Acts 10:43, "To Him give all the prophets witness that through His name, whosoever believeth on Him shall receive remission of sins."

Have you done this yet? Are you really trusting Christ to save you? Failure to do this is the unpardonable sin. To commit this sin is to be lost forever.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen