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NASB | Luke 8:13 "Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 8:13 "Those on the rocky soil are the people who, when they hear, receive and welcome the word with joy; but these have no firmly grounded root. They believe for a while, and in time of trial and temptation they fall away [from Me and abandon their faith]. |
Bible Question:
Hbr 6:4 For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, Hbr 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, Hbr 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame. I have never been able to fully understand these verses. I believe that it's possible for a believer to "fall away". I know the Old Testament speaks often of "backsliding" and that God will deal with the backslider to the point that scripture even says "Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you:..." Jer. 3:14. I suppose the part of these scriptures that I would like explained is "if they shall fall away". What is the determining factor that indicates that the believer has fallen away to the point that it is impossible to renew them unto repentence? Isn't the only unforgiveable sin blasphemy of the Holy Ghost? Is that what this means? I have read these verses many times and have heard many opinions of their meaning, but have never been truly satisfied with any interpretation I've found. |
Bible Answer: hello budderfligh Let me provide you with what I believe may be some helpful definitions of "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" "These words (Mark 3:28-30) were never intended to torment anxious souls honestly desiring to know Christ, but they stand out as a blazing beacon warning of the danger of persisting in the rejection of the Spirit's testimony of Christ, until the seared conscience no longer responds to the gospel message." (Ironside) Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost (Matthew 12:31,32; Mark 3:28,29; Luke 12:10) is regarded by some as a continued and obstinate rejection of the gospel, and hence is an unpardonable sin, simply because as long as a sinner remains in unbelief he voluntarily excludes himself from pardon. (Easton's Bible Dictionary) The sin of blasphemy is a sin that can be forgiven. However, there is a sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit that cannot be forgiven (Matthew 12:32; Mark 3:29; Luke 12:10). This is a state of hardness in which one consciously and willfully resists God's saving power and grace. It is a desperate condition that is beyond the situation of forgiveness because one is not able to recognize and repent of sin. Thus one wanting to repent of blasphemy against the Spirit cannot have committed the sin. (Holman Bible Dictionary) |