Expert: Marvin Howard - 7/31/2011

Question
Is it possible for someone to blaspheme in this day and time.  I have heard some people say that it is not.  What exactly is blasphemy?

Answer
Hi!

Sue, to answer your question, we must define two concepts. First, we must understand blasphemy. Second, we must understand what the Holy Spirit does for us today.

Matthew 12:31, “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.” (KJV)

In Greek, we have the following word for blasphemy:

βλασφημία
blasphēmia
blas-fay-me'-ah
From G989; vilification (especially against God): - blasphemy, evil speaking, railing.

We can vilify all men. We can vilify God. We can vilify Jesus. We can vilify the Holy Spirit. Does it all remain unforgivable? We come to the second concept we need to understand.

Originally, patriarchs spoke to God directly (Hebrews 1:1). People could speak evil against the patriarchs (and God); another chance was yet forthcoming to receive forgiveness (2nd Chronicles 24:19).

After the fathers, God spoke to the prophets (Hebrews 1:1). People could speak evil against the prophets; another chance was yet forthcoming to receive forgiveness (Genesis 22:18). Both fathers and prophets qualify as men in the specified verse.

After the fathers and prophets, God spoke through the Son (Hebrews 1:2). People could speak evil of Jesus; another chance was yet forthcoming to receive forgiveness (John 14:26).

The Holy Spirit ceased miraculous work and revelation (Micah 7:15, 1st Corinthians 13:9-13, and Ephesians 4:13). No chance remains for us if we reject Him. If we vilify the Holy Spirit, no one else can bring the salvation of Christ to us. This is the meaning of Matthew 12:31. This is how we are unforgiven if we speak evil of the Holy Spirit; our hearts will be hardened so we cannot hear or accept salvation as prescribed in His message through the human authors of the Bible.

n Matthew 12:31, Jesus was falsely accused. However, nothing limits blasphemy to only calling Jesus Satan. Likewise, nothing limits blasphemy towards the Holy Spirit to the rejection of miracles. However, that is a moot point.

Mark 16:15-20, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” (KJV)

In Greek, if a verb is present tense, it denotes continuing action. The miracles did not continue, but did they cease to follow in contradiction to this promise? Absolutely not.

John 20:30-31, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (KJV)

The miracles are not dead. Their cessation does not mean they never existed. Neither does it lessen their importance. We can make the same accusation today against the first century miracles as those people living in the first century made. This action carries the same penalty it did in the first century.

If we, today, reject the written record of the first century miracles (including the inspiration of Scriptures), as outlined in the Bible, we have no other method by which we can be saved.

Sue, I hope this clarifies the issue. We can blaspheme the Holy Spirit today by adding doctrines to, or taking doctrines away from, the Bible. We can blaspheme the Holy Spirit today by rejecting the same miracles that were done in the first century. We do not need miracles today to reject earlier miracles. The first century miracles belong to us as much as the miracles belonged to the people of the first century. Please tell me if I can do more for you.

In His Service,
Marvin Howard