Bible Question: The opposition of the Holy Spirit and what it displays for blasphemy? |
Bible Answer: Matthew Henry states, "Many of those who reviled Christ on the cross (which was a 'blaspheming' of the Son of man, aggravated to the highest degree), found mercy, and Christ himself prayed, Father, forgive them; but this was 'blaspheming the Holy Ghost, for it was by the Holy Spirit that he cast out devils, and they said, It was by the unclean spirit. By this method they would outface the conviction of all the gifts of the Holy Ghost after Christ's ascension, and defeat them all,after which there remained no more proof, and therefore they should never have forgiveness, but were liable to eternal damnation. They were in imminent danger of that everlasting punishment, from which there was no redemption, and in which there was no intermission, no remission. I would like to further comment on the question: First I believe Mark 3:22-27 is leading up to Mark 3:28 30.Verse (22) states "the scribes came down from Jerusalem," to me this means they came with purpose. To proselyte, to discredit Christs' doctrine, or just to prove they were more knowledgeable; could have been some of the possibilties. But when Jesus asked in verse (23, 'How can Satan cast out Satan?" I believe this prevented them from being successful with their agenda. After a series of more 'Parable thoughts' in verses 24-27 this is when Jesus' explanation of what the unpardonable sin included. To create more in the discussion thread; Verse (28 ) states, "Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherwith soever they shall blaspheme;" Is this not saying that 'blaspheming, can be forgiven? I pray my following comment will expand this discussion. I believe (only a Believer who has ceased to believe, in other words, ceases to evidence Faith in Christ, and a professor of religion, such as these Pharisees, etc., can blaspheme the Holy Spirit; an unsaved person, who has made no profession of faith, cannot blaspheme the Spirit; and when one does blaspheme the Holy Spirit, there will not be any desire to serve Christ, as there was no desire by the Pharisees, tc., to serve Christ) and this is an example of displaying 'Blasphemy'. |