The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Unpardonable sin

Hi Everyone -

The definition I know (I think)..attributing to Satan that which is from God...but what does that mean?

And if 'once saved, always saved' is true, which I believe to be so, then the saved aren't even capable of committing this one, are they?

I'm confused..

Hannahsmom

A TRUE Christian cannot commit this sin. I have found the comments of Matthew Poole to be very balanced and helpful. Jesus said,

Poole identifies the sin mentioned here as "maliciously speaking to the highest reproach of the Holy Spirit, contrary to the rational conviction of their own consciences." Here are his comments: "... if any person hath been instructed in the things of God, and hath made a profession of religion and godliness, and afterwards falleth off from his profession, and becomes a bitter enemy to it; saying that those things are the effects of the devil in men, which his heart telleth him are the operations of the Holy Spirit, and be so hardy as to persecute and seek to destroy such persons for such profession: the interpretation be to those that hate us, and to the enemies of our God ..." He adds this qualification "... not words spoken ignorantly or hastily, or according to our real judgment and opinion; but words spoken maliciously, in order to destroy God or Christ, if it were possible ..."

The passage in 1 John says, "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it" (1 John 5:16). Poole says that this refers to "... such as have apostatized from a former specious profession into heresy and debauchery, and continue obstinate therein, against all methods of recovery; that are, as Jude 12, even twice dead ..."

Berkhof expands and comments further than Poole. See the attachment.

Thank you JEdwards,

I read your post and Berkhof's commentary, and just need alittle clarification...in the last paragraph of the last
chapter 'C', it reads:

"They are in covenant in the sense that they are subject to the ministrations of the covenant. They are consistently admonished and exhorted to live according to the requirements of the covenant,. The Church treats them as covenant children, offers them the seals of the covenant, and exhorts them to a proper use of these. They are the guests who are first called to the supper, the children of the kingdom, to whom the Word must be preached first of all, Mat 8:12; Luk 14:16-23; Act 13:46."

Who is he speaking about? My first assumption was those guilty of this sin, but then I get to 'the children of the kingdom...' and I'm confused again. Maybe I'm assuming kingdom OF GOD, when in fact it might not be.

Appreciate your time in this,

Hannahsmom

Hannahsmom,

You might like to read this link as well.

The Unpardonable Sin in the Gospels and Hebrews by Chaim


Wes

He is speaking about all those who have made a profession of faith and their children. These individuals belong to the visible church but not necessarily to the invisible Church. They are in "covenant" in an external way, i.e., they outwardly partake and receive those things which come through the Church, i.e., the means of grace; preaching, teaching, prayers, sacraments, etc., but they are not in possession of grace. Such were those of whom John spoke when he said "they went out from us but were not OF us."

In His grace,

Thank you all, your responses and suggested readings were
very much appreciated.

God bless,
Hannahsmom