Results 1 - 4 of 4
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Why is it not relevant today? | Matt 12:31 | jlhetrick | 186857 | ||
Hello Psalm 52, I have heard arguments both on the side that the unforgivable sin of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is still a possible sin today and that it is not possible to commit this sin today. On the side of it still being possible the basic gist is that all who die unsaved are guilty of the sin. In fact, as the argument goes, it is the disavowing of Christ's work on the cross that amounts to the sin. On the other side of the argument I have never heard it taught that, as you put it, "The reason it is not relevant today is it was directly addressed to the pharisees as "they were the ones blaspheming the Holy Spirit giving credit for the miracles to Satan." I don't know the answer myself, though I can't understand how your statement about it might in any way suggest the sin was uniquely relevent only to those pharisees. We might perhaps rule out gentiles whom might have likewise given credit to the miracles of Christ to Satan; as they had not been entrusted with the law and the Scriptures. They really had no basis from which to attribute the Lord's work to the one true God. The Gentiles were not well versed in the Scritpures nor awaiting the promise of the Messiah. But what of other Jews who witnessed the miracles of Christ? The argument that it does not apply to today that makes most sense to me is as follows. Those who personally witnessed the man Jesus perform miracles and works (not heard about them but witnessed them) and had knowledge of what to expect in the Messiah; having seen and being unwilling to believe and furthermore basing their rejection on the attribution to Satan were guilty. The argument continues that because our Lord has ascended and it is impossible for any to witness Jesus the man perform a miracle, it is impossible to commit blasphemy of the Holy Spirit in our time. As I stated, I don't know the answer myself, but I don't agree that it was only possible for those pharisees based on the fact that Christ "directly addressed" them or they were the ones in that specific event who made the accusation. I am a bit confused too by your last statement "the one and only unforgivable sin is refusing to believe in Jesus". Does this amount to saying that refusing to believe in Jesus and blasphemy of the Holy Spirit are the exact same thing? If we were to agree that this is true, we would have to conclude that blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is as much possible today as at any time. Would you agree? In any case, your post has encouraged my deeper thinking on the issue so thank you. God bless, Jeff |
||||||
2 | Why is it not relevant today? | Matt 12:31 | Wild Olive Shoot | 186872 | ||
Hi Jeff, I’d like to add a bit to this discussion. Regarding, “The argument continues that because our Lord has ascended and it is impossible for any to witness Jesus the man perform a miracle, it is impossible to commit blasphemy of the Holy Spirit in our time.” I’d like to point out the fact that although we do not have a direct eyewitness ourselves, we have the witness of those who did. John 15:27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. 1John 1:1-3: 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 2Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 2Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Hebrews 10:15,16: 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; Personally, I don’t know the answer fully either but I do agree with what you stated: “but I don't agree that it was only possible for those pharisees based on the fact that Christ "directly addressed" them or they were the ones in that specific event who made the accusation.” Rejecting the God inspired testimony of the Christ (and what He did) seems really similar to blaspheming the Holy Spirit since it is the Spirit that bears witness in God’s Word. Just some thoughts. Stand in His grace, WOS |
||||||
3 | Why is it not relevant today? | Matt 12:31 | mark d seyler | 186878 | ||
Hi WOS, While it seems to me more likely that people who disbelieve would sooner ignore the Scriptures than blaspheme the Holy Spirit, I tend to agree with you that one could accept the historical veracity of the gospel accounts, and make the same attribution as the Pharisees did, and in so doing, commit the same sin. I do think the Scripture is clear about this sin being to blaspheme (vilify) the Holy Spirit, in effect, to claim that God's Spirit is an "evil spirit". (Even writing this gives me the willies!) It seems to me that the sin itself isn't dependent upon a specific circumstance, but rather on an action performed. Love in Christ, Mark |
||||||
4 | Why is it not relevant today? | Matt 12:31 | Wild Olive Shoot | 186893 | ||
Hi Mark, nice to hear from you. I consider blaspheming the Holy Ghost to be much broader than just the act of vilifying, but in context here, I wholeheartedly agree with you. It was meant as vilifying the acts performed by Christ as not being attributable to God, but of the devil. Matthew 12:32 really does drive that point home I guess. You can speak against the man, his human nature, and be forgiven. But to claim the miraculous power displayed in His divinity was anything less than divine will not be pardonable. For by claiming that, you deny who Christ was and is. But I do think that this is relevant today as there are many that make the ignorant claim that Christ was simply a magician or illusionist and deceived those who witnessed His acts. To simply lessen His divinity is blasphemous regardless of whether or not the claimed intentions were meant to apply Christ’s power to the devil or used to reject His divinity and claim otherwise. Stand in His grace, WOS |
||||||