Matthew 12:31
“Blasphemy” is one of those Biblical words that is difficult to define because it is a transliterated word: it has been spelled in English letters to match the original Greek spelling. (e.g., The word “telephone” has been transliterated into all the major languages of the world). The best definition for its usage in the gospels comes from the enemies of Jesus in John 10:33 where they accuse Him of . . . “You being a man, make yourself God.” This perspective of substitution is important when we approach the pronouncement of Jesus that blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is unforgivable. The clear understanding that comes from this analysis is that someone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit is moving Him aside and taking His place. That person is establishing false comfort and counsel and conviction that leads to a false salvation and not to the only begotten son of God, Jesus Christ.
There are a number of Christian leaders (Charles Stanley, pastor of 1st Baptist Atlanta is one) that consider the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit as being impossible to commit outside of the 1st century. While this position may seem to have merit in relation to the removal of the Jews in 70 AD, anyone who reads the New Testament account of what Jesus is saying must admit that His position on this issue is unqualified in terms of time and condition. If the Holy Spirit was ultimately responsible for the content of the Bible, then why would he put in what is superfluous beyond the days when Jesus walked the earth? As well, the unconditioned nature of this statement mitigates against the knee-jerk Perseverance claim of those who believe in a salvation that bypasses Jesus and the cross.
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