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NASB | Mark 3:29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"-- |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Mark 3:29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit and His power [by attributing the miracles done by Me to Satan] never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin [a sin which is unforgivable in this present age as well as in the age to come]"-- [Matt 12:32; Luke 12:10] |
Bible Question:
I am new to this site and I am glad to have found it. My question is concerning one word in Mark 3:29. This word is 'never'. Does this mean that one can never accept the Lord if one blashpemies against the Holy Spirit? Is this person going to hell or does this person still have the possibility of eternal salvation? I don't believe that Matthew 10:33 or II Timothy 2:12 can apply. In Mark 3:29 this verse is applying to the Holy Spirit not Jesus or God. Of course we are talking about two different words as well. One is deny and the other is blasphemes. |
Bible Answer: I was hesitating on responding to this question as I would love to see someone else's response first but I'll take a chance with the following. First of all, let me say, this is another somewhat controversial subject and is open for debate but I like to think Paul's letter, 1 Timothy, Chapter 4 is most helpful: 1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. I'd like to emphasize verse 2 wherein the "conscience is seared with hot iron." I've always been taught that ANY sin can be forgiven IF the sinner is truly repentant and resolves to do his best not to participate in that sinful activity. But here we see a person has literally rendered his conscience useless because he/she has seared it with a hot iron. This seems to be saying that if a person completely gives his soul to devil for so long or so thoroughly, that he CANNOT repent and forgive himself even he could get forgiveness from God. The picture of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is completed by realizing that it's this conscience, as part of our soul that is ruined, which was installed in us as the very image of God. So when we blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and truly intend for it to be for all time, no slight bit of regret, that person has literally sold his soul to the devil and there's absolutely nothing that could be done for him. BUT if he is able to repent of this sin, I believe he can be forgiven. I would say that he did not actually burn away his whole conscience and thus did not really mean to blaspheme the Holy Spirit. Now mind you, this whole perspective is from within the person doing the blaspheming. It's an individual's choice to come to God and repent and we, you and I can't possibly know what's in that person's heart. So the only thing we can do is love all souls and hate the sin. We should, of course, take this teaching to be a warning and take heed. We must study God's Word and stay in constant prayer with Him at least on a daily basis. That's my two cents' worth. I'd be interested in seeing other interpretations on this rather tough and deep subject. God bless this Forum and all who participate. |