Years ago, a pastor was approached by a young man who nervously asked, "May I talk with you privately?" The pastor learned that this young man feared he had committed the unpardonable sin. He wondered whether forgiveness was possible. Could he have gone beyond God's mercy?
This young man is not an isolated case. Many people are perplexed regarding this vital subject. What is the unpardonable sin? Will an individual know if and when he commits it? Why is it unforgivable?
This study will provide answers to these and many more questions regarding the function of the Holy Spirit.
1. How does Jesus describe the unpardonable sin? Matthew 12:31.
MY BIBLE SAYS: "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be
forgiven men."
The Bible clearly states that all sin and blasphemy will be forgiven. Every kind of sin is forgivable. Whatever sin an individual commits, whether it is adultery, like David, or murder, like Moses, it is forgivable.
2. What conditions does God list for forgiveness? Acts 2:38; 1 John 1:9.
MY BIBLE SAYS: ". . . Repent, and . . . be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; . . ." "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
All sins that are repented of and confessed will be forgiven. Thus, the unpardonable sin is not a kind of sin, but a degree of sin in which an individual refuses to repent, thus closing his mind to the influence of the Holy Spirit. The unpardonable sin is a state of open rebellion
n which the promptings of the Holy Spirit are at first ignored, then resisted, and finally rejected totally until they are no longer perceived.
3. How does the Bible describe the personality of the Holy Spirit? John 16:7, 8.
MY BIBLE SAYS: "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness' and of judgment.
4. How does Jesus describe the Holy Spirit as the Third Person of the Godhead? Matthew 28: 19.
MY BIBLE SAYS: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, . . ."
5. What is the prime function of the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit? John 16:8.
MY BIBLE SAYS: "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: . . ."
6. If sin is cherished and the promptings of the Spirit rejected, what ultimately occurs? Ephesians 4:30.
MY BIBLE SAYS: "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
7. When had virtually a whole generation committed the unpardonable sin? Genesis 6:3.
MY BIBLE SAYS: "And the Lord said, 'My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.' "
During the time of the Flood, a whole generation rejected the pleading of the Holy Spirit. Consequently, there was nothing more God could do. After He appealed through Noah for 120 years and sent His Spirit in mighty power, men and women made their final, irrevocable decision, with a few loyal and the rest disloyal.
8. How was the Bible written? 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16.
MY BIBLE SAYS: "For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteous
ness."
9. What Person of the Godhead leads us into the truths of God's Word? John 16:13.
MY BIBLE SAYS: "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will tell you things to come.
It is the Holy Spirit who revealed the truth of the Scriptures to the Bible writers. It is He who leads men and women into these truths.
It is an extremely serious and dangerous thing to reject any truth of God's Word. To do so is to resist the Holy Spirit, who leads us into that truth.
10. What attitude does God desire us to have as He reveals "new" light and truth to us? John 12:35.
MY BIBLE SAYS: "Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going."
The Holy Spirit has revealed many truths that are new to you during this series. He has led you to an understanding that Jesus is coming soon, the truth about the Bible Sabbath, the state of man in death, an awareness that your body is the temple of God, and the necessity of baptism by immersion. It is no accident that you have studied this series. The Holy Spirit has drawn you. He has revealed truth to you. He has convicted you of these Scriptural truths. Since it is the Holy Spirit who has drawn you and because you do not desire to resist His drawing power, would you like to tell Jesus: "Yes, Jesus, I choose to follow all the truth You have revealed to me."
