DOCTRINE OF BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT
  1. Scriptures: Mt.12:31,32, Mk.3:28.29, Lk.12:10.
  2. Synonyms.
    1. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
    2. To speak against the Holy Spirit.
    3. An eternal sin.
    4. Sometimes termed theologically "the unforgivable sin" or "sin against the Holy Spirit".
  3. The Biblical context for the discussion, Mt.12:22-37.
    1. Jesus Christ healed a demon possessed, blind and dumb man, v.22.
    2. This healing stimulated the question as to who and what Christ was in healing such a person, v.23.
    3. The Pharisees countered the suggestion of the people by charging Christ with demon possession and being in collusion with Satan, v.24.
    4. They were guilty of blasphemy against the Son in charging Christ with an untruth, vss.31,32.
    5. Christ used two illustrations to refute their allegations.
      1. Vss.25-28, the divided kingdom analogy. Mark also adds the divided house analogy in Mk.3:24,25.
      2. Vss.29,30, the strong man's house analogy.
  4. Christ's statement about blasphemy.
    1. All sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, v.31.
    2. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven, v.31.
    3. It is unforgivable in this life and the next, v.32.
    4. Therefore, it is called an eternal sin, Mk.3:29.
  5. False views of the sin.
    1. It is a verbal sin, as per profanity.
    2. It is a series of decisions to not believe in Christ, resulting in God refusing to save the individual later on.
    3. It is a unique sin, only capable of being committed by eyewitnesses of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Systematic Theology, Chafer, Vol. VII, pgs. 47,48.
    4. Ascribing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan. The HolySpirit, Hyrie, pp. 52-54.
  6. Refutation of the false views.
    1. There is no exception as to how someone is eternally condemned, Jn.3:36.
    2. The false views confuse blasphemy against the Son with blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
  7. The true view of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
    1. It is unbelief at the point of gospel hearing, perpetuated to the point of physical death.
    2. It is rejection of God the Holy Spirit's basic Phase 1 ministry of revealing the gospel, Jn.16:8-11.
    3. It is called blasphemy because unbelief calls God a liar concerning Christ.
    4. Furthermore, only the unbeliever can commit it.
    5. It must be understood in the light of unlimited atonement, God consciousness, and volition.

© Copyright 1998, Maranatha Church, Inc.