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QUESTION 128
What is the unpardonable sin and how can it be committed?

ANSWER:
There is much confusion over this question. The words "unpardonable sin" are not mentioned in the Bible. However, there is a "sin unto death." "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it." 1 John 5:16.

Then there is the "blasphemy of the Holy Spirit." "But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:" Mark 3:29. The "sin unto death" is a sin a believer commits and results in physical death. Some of the Corinthian Christian committed this sin. (1 Corinthians 11:30). This does not result in eternal damnation. The "blasphemy of the Holy Spirit" is a sin that the Pharisees committed and had to do with the miracles of the Lord Jesus Christ when He was on earth. They said He had an "unclean spirit." "Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit." Mark 3:30. This sin cannot be committed today. It can be in the kingdom to come because Christ will be here and doing miracles again. "And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." Matthew 12:32.

The sin that will damn many to hell is that of failing to trust Christ as Saviour. "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3:18. God has provided a remedy for sin. There is forgiveness with Him. It is failing to repent and accept this remedy that will send men to the prison house of heaven. God could not save a sinner apart from the sacrifice of Christ, neither can He save a sinner that will not trust in His Son.

What about you, dear reader? Have you trusted Him? No trusting, no pardon.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen