QUESTION: WHAT IS BLASPHEMY?

1. The Greek word means – to speak lightly of or against persons or things that are held sacred.
   
2. The word occurs about 58 times in the NT.
   
3. From Strong’s Greek Lexicon is this information:
   1 – slander, detraction, speech injurious to another’s good name
   2 – impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty
   
4. There are three different forms of blasphemy used in the NT.
   
   A. AGAINST DIVINITY – To scorn or ridicule a divine power is to dishonor God and blaspheme Him. This would include the Bible, miracles, God’s commandments.
   
   Matthew 9:2-3; Matthew 12:31
   
   B. AGAINST RELIGIOUS LEADERS – To misrepresent, reject or scoff at the teachings of the apostles is to blaspheme.
   
   Romans 3:8 (slanderously reported)
   
   C. AGAINST ANYONE – To shame and reproach a person or character is to blaspheme them. To defame a good man is to blaspheme him.
   
   Matthew 15:19; Matthew 27:39 (railed on him)
   Romans 14:16 Good deeds were evil spoken of.
   1 Corinthians 4:13 (being defamed)
   1 Corinthians 10:30 (evil spoken of)
   1 Timothy 6:4 (railings – KJV; revilings – NKJV)
   
5. Some think that all blasphemy can not be forgiven – WRONG!
   Paul was a blasphemer – 1 Timothy 1:13-14
   
6. To blaspheme the Holy Spirit = Total rejection of all things sacred and divine. During Jesus earthly ministry, one could reject Jesus and accept the Holy Spirit later. The Holy Spirit is the last chance. Rejecting Him means there is no other opportunity to repent. (Matthew 12:22-32)
   
7. CAUTION: Not every offensive remark is blasphemy. Some speak out of ignorance, lack of faith, pain and suffering. Some are critical in an attempt to help, correct, guide and give good advice. Some remarks are made in anger.

Matthew 12:22-32

1. Background of the text.
2. Statement – Verse 24.
3. Answers Jesus gave:
   A. Satan cast out Satan? A house divided can not stand. (25-26)
   B. What about your children? (27)
   C. I must be stronger than Satan. (29)
   D. Warning: You are rejecting the last hope. (31)
   
4. Is this an "Unpardonable Sin"?
   A. No sin is "unpardonable" – This implies that God cannot forgive and we can not be forgiven, even if we repent and seek forgiveness.
   B. Here is what the Bible teaches:

1.  
   1. All sin confessed will be forgiven. 1 John 1:9
   2. There are sins that will not be forgiven. 1 John 5:16
   3. The sin not forgiven is the sin not confessed.
      
2. C. Sin can remain "unpardoned" but it is not "unpardonable" from God.

5. Illustration – Man in the rapids above a water fall. Several offers of help are rejected. Jesus is teaching that a rejection of the third person in the Godhead is a total rejection. This is the last chance.