People often think the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to deny God's existence. That may be part of it, but it's not that simple. William Lane Craig says that it's really a matter of relative indifference to God whether people believe in Him or not. Simply believing or disbelieving Him changes nothing about one's position with Him. Even the demons believe in God, but they do not have saving grace (James 2:19). Israel at Sinai certainly believed in God and saw His power, but still rejected Him (Exodus 32:4). What God is interested in is an actual relationship with people. It is in relationship with Him through His Son that we are given the Holy Spirit as a gift of salvation (among others). It's important to note that blasphemy is something you do verbally and intentionally. There's two possible things Jesus is talking about when He mentioned the blasphemy. In this context, the Pharisees were comparing Jesus's work with the work of the devil (v.22). They see his miraculous powers, but say it's the powers of demons. Looking at it in this context, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit may be doing this very thing: comparing the work of the Holy Spirit with the work of demons. The other possibility, and this is what most theologians and pastors seem to think, is that the blasphemy is a persistent, stubborn, and intentional resistance of the Holy Spirit's work in their lives. They consistently "suppress the truth" (Rom. 1:18) in their hearts by their wickedness. Eventually, God gives them up in their sin because they've exchanged the truth of God for a lie (Romans 1:24-25).
This is also recorded in Luke's Gospel (Luke 12:10)
“Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. ” (Bible, New Testament, Matthew 12:32)
ReplyDeleteThere was the First Aion Age when Jesus was walking the Earth and arguing with the Pharisees, which corresponds to when Jesus said “This age” (Bible, New Testament, Matthew 12:31-32)
There was the Second Aion Age when Jesus was dead in the tomb, which corresponds to when Jesus said “the age to come” (Bible, New Testament, Matthew 12:31-32)
There is a the Third Aion Age when Jesus was resurrected alive again and also is the Age when Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit is forgiven and is also the age that we are in now. This age goes on for eternity.
Thus ALL GO TO HEAVEN and nothing changed about grace.
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the term word for unbelief.
ALL GO TO HEAVEN BECAUSE unbelief is forgiven.
A Time in the Life of Jesus is an Age because Jesus is God and is that important.
“Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. ” (Bible, New Testament, Matthew 12:32)
Matthew 12:32 is when Jesus canceled the Old Code of the law found in Matthew 12:31.
“And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” (Bible, New Testament, Matthew 12:31)
“Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. ” (Bible, New Testament, Matthew 12:32)
In the Third age blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is forgiven along with all sins.
Jesus died for You You will go to heaven.