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2. John 1:32 like a dove “And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.” The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

4.  People often ask  “Is there a sin God will not forgive?”  “Is there a chance I have committed it?”  “What is ‘the sin’ against the Holy Ghost?”  In the Scriptures there are several sins that are especially noted as offenses against the Holy Spirit. 9/2/2015 4

5.  Blasphemy – Tonight’s Focus  Tempting  Resisting  Grieving  Quenching  Insulting 9/2/2015 5

6. Matthew 12:31-32 (NKJV) 31 "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. What is meant by “ What is meant by “but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.” 9/2/2015 6

7. 7 What is meant by “ What is meant by “but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.”  Murder. Mormon -Doctrine & Covenants, section 132  For some interesting views on this, see the Mormon -Doctrine & Covenants, section 132)  Whatever this sin is, it has no forgiveness. Acts 2:22-23, 36-38; 26:10  Murder can be forgiven (cf. Acts 2:22-23, 36-38; 26:10). What This Sin Is Not!

8. 9/2/2015 8 What is meant by “ What is meant by “but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.”  Suicide.  True, such a one would die without forgiveness, assuming he/she was rational.  However, a drunk, a drug addict, etc., would die in the same condition (i.e., un- forgiven). 2 Thess. 1:7-9.  Suicide is in the same class as those mentioned in 2 Thess. 1:7-9. What This Sin Is Not!

9. 9/2/2015 9 What is meant by “ What is meant by “but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.”  Denying Christ.  This is the most often mentioned when discussing this sin.  Matthew 12:32  Matthew 12:32 distinguishes this sin from blasphemy against the H.S. Matthew 27:44 with Luke 23:42-43  Compare Matthew 27:44 with Luke 23:42-43.  Denying the Word of God (we will discuss this in more detail later). What This Sin Is Not!

10.  God is abundantly willing to forgive the vilest of sinners Isaiah 1:18  “Though your sins be as scarlet” - Isaiah 1:18 Ezekiel 18:21-23  If the wicked turns - Ezekiel 18:21-23 Matthew 9:13  Jesus came to call – Matthew 9:13 1 Timothy 1:15.  The chief of sinners - 1 Timothy 1:15. 2 Peter 3:9  God’s longsuffering - 2 Peter 3:9 1 John 1:2  For which sin is the blood of Christ insufficient? – 1 John 1:2 What is meant by “ What is meant by “but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.” 9/2/2015 10

11. 9/2/2015 11 What is meant by “ What is meant by “but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.” Matt. 12:31-32  Defined by Christ (Matt. 12:31-32). Vine  Literally "to speak against.“ "Contemptuous speech" (Vine).  The word is generally used in reference to deity, speaking against deity.  In this sense, you cannot "blaspheme" a person - the word describes belittling or mocking deity. Matthew 26:63-66; John 10:33  It also means to reduce deity to a human level (Matthew 26:63-66; John 10:33). What Is Blasphemy?

12. The Context Matthew 12:22  Jesus had cast a demon out of a blind and mute man (Matthew 12:22), vrs 23  People confessed him to be the Christ (vrs 23). vrs 24  The Pharisees charged that Jesus cast out demons "by Beelzebub the ruler of the demons“ (vrs 24). vrs 25-30  Jesus demonstrated the absurdity of this charge (vrs 25-30). What is meant by “ What is meant by “but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.” 9/2/2015 12

13. verse 28; cf. Luke 4:14  In reality, Jesus "cast out demons by the Spirit of God" (verse 28; cf. Luke 4:14).  By attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan, the Pharisees "blasphemed" the Spirit of God. Matthew 12:31; cf. Mark 3:30  Thus, Christ warned them of blaspheming the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31; cf. Mark 3:30) What is meant by “ What is meant by “but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.” The Context 9/2/2015 13

14. Matthew 9:32-34; 10:25; 11:18  A similar charge had already been made (cf. Matthew 9:32-34; 10:25; 11:18). Matthew 12:25-29  Jesus' reply -- Matthew 12:25-29.  This offered proof that demons did exist, and that they still served Satan. Matthew 8:29  Demons were there for a purpose (Matthew 8:29). What is meant by “ What is meant by “but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.” The Context 9/2/2015 14

15.  Pharisees could not deny that a miracle was performed.  They offered no refutation. John 14:11; 3:2  Jesus was basing His claim to deity on the performance of the miracles (John 14:11; 3:2). John 11:47-48  Pharisees refused to believe the signs (John 11:47-48). What is meant by “ What is meant by “but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.” The Context 9/2/2015 15

16.  Pharisees had to discredit the miracles in some way. John 9:16-24  Accused Jesus of being a vile sinner (John 9:16-24). John 8:46  Jesus answered this charge (John 8:46). Matthew 12:32  This sin could still be forgiven (Matthew 12:32).  Then, they attributed Jesus' power to Satan.  They could not deny the miracles. What is meant by “ What is meant by “but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.” The Context 9/2/2015 16

17. Matthew 12:24  Thus, they belittle deity - in this case specifically, the Holy Spirit (see Matthew 12:24). Mark 3:28-30 vrs. 30  See also Mark 3:28-30 -- the "because" in vrs. 30 is the reason for Jesus' statement.  This, then, is the sin of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit!  Being eyewitnesses of the miracles.  Attributing them to Satan. What is meant by “ What is meant by “but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.” The Context 9/2/2015 17

18. John 20:30-31; Mark 16:20; Acts 14:3; Heb 2:3,4  The purpose of the miracles - (John 20:30-31; Mark 16:20; Acts 14:3; Heb 2:3,4). John 12:37-40  The heart so hardened with prejudice that it rejects the testimony of the Spirit – and attributes that testimony to Satan will not be convinced – there is to be no more testimony! (John 12:37-40). What is meant by “ What is meant by “but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.” Why unpardonable? 9/2/2015 18

19.  Not a case of the unwillingness or inability of God to forgive.  BUT - a matter of the unwillingness and inability of those with hardened hearts to believe unto forgiveness.  Those who ridicule & reject the evidence God has given reject God’s provision of forgiveness – John 14:6  They have NO HOPE? (John 14:6) What is meant by “ What is meant by “but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.” Why unpardonable? 9/2/2015 19

20. 9/2/2015 20  NO! We are NOT eyewitnesses of the miracles. John 20:30-31  They are passed down to us through the written record (John 20:30-31).  We have their TESTIMONY.  "But what if I say that the Bible is false? Am I not speaking against the Holy Spirit?“ Titus 2:5  "Blasphemy" and "blasphemy against the H.S." are two different things (cf. Titus 2:5). Matthew 12:32; John 10:37-38  Rejecting Jesus, disbelief, etc., were sins that could be forgiven (Matthew 12:32; John 10:37-38). Can We Be Guilty Of This Sin Today?

21. 9/2/2015 21 Acts 26:9; 1 Tim. 1:13; Rom. 11:23  The Jews and Paul denied Christ - yet many Jews were converted, and of course, so was Paul (Acts 26:9; 1 Tim. 1:13; Rom. 11:23).  The difference is between those who were "eye-witnesses" of the miracles, and those who either believe or reject the "testimony" about those miracles. Acts 1:22  Same reason we cannot have living apostles today (Acts 1:22).  Only those who saw the miracles performed could be guilty of the sin of "blasphemy against the H.S.” Can We Be Guilty Of This Sin Today?

22.  Blasphemy – Tonight’s Focus -  Blasphemy – Tonight’s Focus - This situation does not now exist. One cannot do what they did.  However, it is possible to sin against the Spirit in other ways.  Tempting/Lying  Resisting  Grieving  Quenching  Insulting 9/2/2015 22

23. Call To Speak To Us LIVE NOW !! Call And --- –Ask For A Copy Of This Presentation. BY EMAIL, BY FLOPPY DISK or IN PRINT. –Ask To Be Added To The Beacon’s Mailing. –Ask For A Free Bible Correspondence Course. www.wordandsword.com –Check Out Our Website – www.wordandsword.com Call With A --- –Biblical Question Or Comment. Receive a Biblical Answer – “Book, Chapter and Verse”. Call (828)485-5555 23 9/2/2015