1. This is important because if one can commit the unpardonable sin today, the next question is, "Have I committed that sin?"

1. There are many conflicting ideas on this subject.

1. This does not mean that we can not understand what the bible teaches on the subject.

1. In this study we will look at:

1. Some popular theories concerning this sin.
2. Examine the context.
3. Draw a conclusion as to our possibility of committing this sin today.

1. Murder is not blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

1. The Jews on the day of Pentecost were charged with the murder of the Son of God, but those who accepted God’s terms of pardon where forgiven (Acts 2:23, 36-41).
2. Saul of Tarsus was a murderer of Christians, yet he obtained mercy (Acts 7:52; 8:1; 9:1; 26:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:13-15).

1. Profanity is not blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

1. Peter cursed and swore, yet was forgiven and became a messenger of God (Matt. 26:69-75).

1. Adultery is not blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

1. Jesus pardoned the woman taken in the very act of adultery (John 8:11).
2. Paul mentioned this sin as being forgiven (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

1. Suicide is not the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

1. Jesus implied those who blasphemed the Spirit would continue to live after committing the sin.

1. Backsliding is not the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

1. Many confuse this with a person becoming hardened to the point that they will not repent (Heb. 6:1-6).
2. The Bible does teach that a child of God can sin as to be eternally lost, but it nowhere intimates that backsliding is an unforgivable sin.

1. Blasphemy is - "To speak impiously or irreverently of God or sacred things; to speak evil of, abuse; to utter impious words." (Thayer)

1. This is a sin of the mind which is made evident with the tongue (Matt. 12:32).

1. Jesus said this was not just blasphemy, but was blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

1. Jesus does not give an explanation as to why this blasphemy will not be forgiven while other blasphemy will be forgiven.
2. One can speak against Christ and be forgiven, but not the Holy Spirit (Mat. 12:32).
3. Blasphemy of the word of God can be forgiven (Acts 13:45-46; Titus 2:5).
4. The Bible nowhere says all these forms of blasphemy can not be forgiven.

1. What Jesus said in verses 31-32 came about because of what had happened before.

1. Verse 31 begins with "wherefore" (JKV) or "therefore" (NJKV); this means we must go back in the context and see what had taken place.
2. Jesus had healed a man possessed with a demon, causing him to be blind and unable to speak (v. 22).

1. Immediately the man could see and speak.

1. The Pharisees could not deny the miracle, and the multitude wanted to recognize Jesus for who he really was (v. 23).
2. The Pharisees were so prejudiced again Jesus that they could not stand the idea of giving the credit for what had happened to the idea of Jesus being the Son of God.
3. They charged that his power actually came from Satan (v. 24).

1. Jesus showed how foolish this idea was because it would made Satan fighting against himself (vs. 25-26).

1. Jesus explained he had does this miracle by the power of the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit (v. 28).

1. They actually committed the sin against the Holy Spirit.

1. The Holy Spirit was the one who cast out the evil spirit, not the spirit of Satan.
2. They called the one who performed this deed Beelzebub, prince of the devils.
3. They were calling the Holy Spirit Beelzebub, prince of the devils.
4. That is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

1. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is denying the work that he is doing.

1. This would hold true not only in the occurrence of the text, but would hold true in denying the work of the Holy Spirit in the future.
2. These men had denied the work of the Holy Spirit in the healing of the man.
3. What if these men had changed their minds in days to come, could they have been forgiven?

1. I believe they could have been forgiven.

1. We know from 1 John 1:9 that if we will recognize sin, repent of it and confess it to God, we will be forgiven.
2. We have no information to the effect that there is a sin we can not repent oftoday.
3. Therefore, a person may not believe in the Godhead, speak against all of them, including the Holy Spirit, come to a knowledge of the truth, repent of his words, obey the gospel and be saved.
4. Those who are afraid that they may have committed the unpardonable sin are the least likely to have done such a thing.
5. The person who rejects the teaching of the Holy Spirit and refuses to turn from their sins will be forever lost.

1. Jesus knew the work of the Holy Spirit and was defending everything he did..
2. We can be sure that we may be forgiven of any sin we may commit if we will turn to God through Christ.