Sinning Against The Holy Ghost

[salzer mtn]

In Matthew twelve it gives the account of the Pharisees telling Christ that he cast out devils by Beelzebub, so Christ told the Pharisees that speaking against the Holy Ghost would not be forgiven in this world or the world to come. Now, according to whatever circle you are in preachers give different interpretations of what sinning against the Holy Ghost is. I have heard preachers say to continue to resist the convicting of the Holy Spirit would lead to sinning against the Holy Ghost. Yesterday a preacher said if a person left the gospel, meaning the gospel which he preached, he had committed the sin against the Holy Ghost. I have always felt the scripture was plain enough in describing the sin which the Pharisees committed. They were accusing Christ of having a unclean spirit. Am I missing something here ? What is your interpretation ?

 

[Yeshua1]

In Matthew twelve it gives the account of the Pharisees telling Christ that he cast out devils by Beelzebub, so Christ told the Pharisees that speaking against the Holy Ghost would not be forgiven in this world or the world to come. Now, according to whatever circle you are in preachers give different interpretations of what sinning against the Holy Ghost is. I have heard preachers say to continue to resist the convicting of the Holy Spirit would lead to sinning against the Holy Ghost. Yesterday a preacher said if a person left the gospel, meaning the gospel which he preached, he had committed the sin against the Holy Ghost. I have always felt the scripture was plain enough in describing the sin which the Pharisees committed. They were accusing Christ of having a unclean spirit. Am I missing something here ? What is your interpretation ?

That would be attributing what Jesus was able to do by having satan enabling him to do that!

 

[Reformed]

The unpardonable sin of Matthew 12 was a specific sin that cannot be replicated today. The Pharisees were attributing the miracles of Jesus (by the power of the Holy Spirit) to Satan. To equate the works of God with Satan was abominable. In retrospect this sin was really confirmation of a more invasive sin, that of unbelief. Because of their rank unbelief the Pharisees blasphemed the Holy Spirit in the sight of the Messiah. Serious indeed as indicated by Jesus in Matthew 12:31, 32. If nothing else it should serve as a stark warning as to our own behavior and drive us to self-examination (2 Cor. 13:5).

 

[salzer mtn]

In 1 John 5:16 the scripture mentions a sin unto death, if a person today cannot commit the sin against the Holy Ghost what is the sin unto death ?

 

[Reformed]

In 1 John 5:16 the scripture mentions a sin unto death, if a person today cannot commit the sin against the Holy Ghost what is the sin unto death ?

First, we must be careful about attaching this 'sin leading to death' with the unpardonable sin in Matthew 12. The text 1 John makes no direct, or even indirect, connection between the two. I believe there is more of a correlation to 1 Corinthians 5; 1 Corinthians 11; and James 5 than Matthew 12. In 1 Corinthians 5 Paul judged a man who was sexually involved with his father's wife with the destruction of his body. In 1 Corinthians 11 Paul stated that many are weak and sick, and some sleep (dead), because of their profaning of the Lord's Supper. In James 5 we are introduced to the principle that some are ill because of unrepentant sin. Continuing in this vein, it is probable that the 'sin leading to death' is some refusal to obey the Gospel (the Word of God).

There is one sin today that is unpardonable; it is the sin of unbelief. If a person dies in a state of unbelief there is no remedy.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

The unpardonable sin of Matthew 12 was a specific sin that cannot be replicated today. The Pharisees were attributing the miracles of Jesus (by the power of the Holy Spirit) to Satan. To equate the works of God with Satan was abominable. In retrospect this sin was really confirmation of a more invasive sin, that of unbelief. Because of their rank unbelief the Pharisees blasphemed the Holy Spirit in the sight of the Messiah. Serious indeed as indicated by Jesus in Matthew 12:31, 32. If nothing else it should serve as a stark warning as to our own behavior and drive us to self-examination (2 Cor. 13:5).

Then....if only the HS can provide regeneration (taking one from unbelief to belief), then how could they be charged with a sin of unbelief? And if they were given the gift, why would they spurn the HS?

 

[Yeshua1]

Then....if only the HS can provide regeneration (taking one from unbelief to belief), then how could they be charged with a sin of unbelief? And if they were given the gift, why would they spurn the HS?

They were those who loved to stay in the dark, as they were quite content to be be self rightious, and ignore what God really demanded of them!

They wanted to stay in their mind set of we are ok with God , just look at our good works, and yet God could those works filthy rags in his sight...

 

[Yeshua1]

In 1 John 5:16 the scripture mentions a sin unto death, if a person today cannot commit the sin against the Holy Ghost what is the sin unto death ?

Could be a believer caught commiting a capital crime, and getting his due punishmnet, or else someone refusing to repent, and God calling them home early as judgement...

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

They were those who loved to stay in the dark, as they were quite content to be be self rightious, and ignore what God really demanded of them!

They wanted to stay in their mind set of we are ok with God , just look at our good works, and yet God could those works filthy rags in his sight...

One would think that the change would be enough to redirect their thinking, NO?

 

[Yeshua1]

One would think that the change would be enough to redirect their thinking, NO?

What change?

 

[Reformed]

Then....if only the HS can provide regeneration (taking one from unbelief to belief), then how could they be charged with a sin of unbelief? And if they were given the gift, why would they spurn the HS?

I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you referring to the Pharisees in Matthew 12?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you referring to the Pharisees in Matthew 12?

For the sake of discussion....yes, the Pharisees in Matt. 12.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

What change?

Are you making a point ....or asking me a question?

 

[DHK]

The unpardonable sin of Matthew 12 was a specific sin that cannot be replicated today. The Pharisees were attributing the miracles of Jesus (by the power of the Holy Spirit) to Satan. To equate the works of God with Satan was abominable. In retrospect this sin was really confirmation of a more invasive sin, that of unbelief. Because of their rank unbelief the Pharisees blasphemed the Holy Spirit in the sight of the Messiah. Serious indeed as indicated by Jesus in Matthew 12:31, 32. If nothing else it should serve as a stark warning as to our own behavior and drive us to self-examination (2 Cor. 13:5).

I agree.
Jesus was performing miracles right before them, in the flesh. They attributed these works to the power of Beelzebub and not to the Spirit of God. That is when Jesus answered:
A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.
and (very sarcastically)
Matthew 12:27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out?

But Jesus is not in the flesh today performing those miracles on earth. Thus we cannot attribute them to Satan rather than the Spirit of God, as they did. It cannot be committed by anyone today.

 

[Reformed]

For the sake of discussion....yes, the Pharisees in Matt. 12.

What the Pharisees were guilty of was attributing the works of Christ (which He performed through the power of the Holy Spirit) to Satan. The Pharisees were not given the gift of the Holy Spirit. They were in a state of unbelief.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

What the Pharisees were guilty of was attributing the works of Christ (which He performed through the power of the Holy Spirit) to Satan. The Pharisees were not given the gift of the Holy Spirit. They were in a state of unbelief.

I understand that my Brother, but then how can anyone assign guilt to them....IE, they cannot understand what they are doing without the "born again experience" which is provided by the HS.

I would say that Jesus last pronouncement of "Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing" was addressed to all who are not cognoscente of their actions because they are not born from above.

 

[salzer mtn]

I understand that my Brother, but then how can anyone assign guilt to them....IE, they cannot understand what they are doing without the "born again experience" which is provided by the HS.

I would say that Jesus last pronouncement of "Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing" was addressed to all who are not cognoscente of their actions because they are not born from above.

I believe these Pharisees knew full well who Christ was. Read Matt 21:38

 

[Reformed]

I understand that my Brother, but then how can anyone assign guilt to them....IE, they cannot understand what they are doing without the "born again experience" which is provided by the HS.

I would say that Jesus last pronouncement of "Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing" was addressed to all who are not cognoscente of their actions because they are not born from above.

The moral law of God teaches that we do understand right from wrong (c.f. Gen. 4:6-7; Rom. 1:19, 20). Even in our system of jurisprudence ignorance of the law is no excuse. It is the same with the moral law of God. Even if we do not know if a specific thing is sinful we are guilty notwithstanding. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23).

As far as what Jesus said on the cross, He was not asking the Father to forgive those who were responsible for Hid death independent of the prescribed gospel prescribed remedy. I believe He was praying that the Father would be merciful and grant these individuals the repentance that leads to life (c.f. Acts 11:18; 2 Cor. 7:10).