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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | The Unpardonable Sin | Matt 12:31 | Hank | 8427 | ||
This note is an attempt to re-define what the unpardonable sin actually is according to the words of Christ himself. I say "re-define" because much discussion and defining have heretofore been posted on this forum. The key passages that address this topic and put it in proper context are Matthew 12:15-31; Mark 3:22-27; and Luke 11:14-23..... C. I. Scofield summarized the teaching on the unpardonable sin as follows: "The blasphemy against the Spirit" consisted in ascribing to Satan the work of the Holy Spirit (cp. Matthew 12:24). Such a sin was unpardonable because of the unusual cicumstances of their rejection of Christ. This most serious sin of the Pharisees was the climax of their continual denial of the obvious truth that the miracles of Jesus represented the power of God (e.g. Matthew 9:33-34), so that Jesus' message was heaven-authenticated. Their folly in deliberately apostatizing by ascribing to the devil the mighty works of Christ by the Holy Spirit is summarized by our Lord in Matthew 23:13-36 and Luke 11:52. Anyone who is concerned about his rejection of Christ has obviously not committed this 'unpardonable sin' and can still come to Christ." ..... Therefore, the unpardonable sin encompasses a great deal more than the unbelief of John 3:18. If not, Paul would never have been forgiven for his persecution of members of the Way. There are agnostics and atheists, past and present, who, having been cleansed and fully forgiven, attest to the saving power of the gospel. Mere unbelief does not constitute an unpardonable sin in and of itself. All of us "stand condemned already" who have "not believed in the name of God's only begotten Son" (John 3:18) but "whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Unbelief in Jesus is one thing, but ascribing to Satan the work of the Holy Spirit is quite another. --Hank | ||||||
2 | The Unpardonable Sin | Matt 12:31 | kalos | 8432 | ||
Hank: Thank you for your very, very accurate and timely posting. I agree with you. The Bible agrees with you and you agree with it. As I have said here 200 or 300 times (possibly an exaggeration): Suicide is not, is not, is not the unforgivable sin. Nor is unbelief, doubt, fear, divorce or half a dozen other sins labeled unforgivable by various posters to the Forum. Jesus Himself tells us there is one and only one unforgivable sin: "'The blasphemy against the Spirit' [which] consisted in ascribing to Satan the work of the Holy Spirit (cp. Matthew 12:24)." I could say more about the plain words and teachings of the Bible vs. wild speculation based upon nothing other than wild speculation, but I won't. The folly of putting one's own unsubstantiated speculation above the Word of God has been duly addressed and typically ignored by those whom one would expect to ignore it. P.S. "Unsubstantiated speculation" is probably redundant in light of the definition of speculation. Speaking of definitions, the words "unforgivable" and "unforgiven" are two DIFFERENT words with DIFFERENT meanings. Neither is a synonym of the other. Both words do NOT MEAN THE SAME THING. |
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