The Unpardonable Sin
by James Riscinti

Matthew 12:22  "Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. 25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. 30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. 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. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. 33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. 34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."

An additional aspect of this unforgivable sin is further described in: Mark 3:29 "But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:"

Q. What did Jesus do in Matthew 12:22?
A. Cast a devil out of someone who was brought to Him.

Q. What was the result (effect) of such an action?
A. This individual was no longer blind nor dumb, could now see, hear & speak. This action & the result of this action are scripturally similar to being released from bondage, as in Salvation.

Q. Did the Pharisees believe that a devil was cast out (releasing someone from bondage (i.e.: salvation)?
A. Yes, they believed. (Mat 12:24)

Q. What then was in the offence of these religious leaders? What then did they disagree about?
A. The method or means by which Jesus had released this person from bondage (i.e.: salvation). Therefore one could say that the disagreement was not concerning what was being done, for the Pharisees admitted that Jesus cast out a devil. Rather, the disagreement was concerning how this great work was being done (the offence was not concerning "what’ but rather "how").

Q. Is Christ still doing this great type of work today?
A. Yes, when He saves someone so that they are no longer spiritually blind nor dumb.

Q. Is there still a controversy or disagreement among religious leaders concerning HOW Christ saves someone?
A. Yes

Q. What is that controversy?
A. Work vs. Grace

Q. Does the Bible teach that if someone dies believing that salvation is by the means of their own work that: "it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come" (Mat. 12:32b).
A. Yes, all others sins are forgivable. However, if someone dies believing that salvation is by the law (works) and therefore remains blinded to the grace of God then, this particular sin is a clear indication that God has not saved that individual.

Q. Is there a verse indicating that one must die with this sin for it to be unforgivable?
A. Yes, another significant aspect of this unforgivable sin is described in: Mark 3:29 "But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:" The phrase "in danger of eternal damnation" indicates one must die with this sin for it to be unforgivable. If someone is only in danger of eternal damnation, then there’s still hope that God may save that individual. For if God saves that individual, then they are no longer blinded to the truth that God saves you by His Grace which you neither sought after nor deserve (Rom.3:10-12), & therefore do not die in their sin.

Q. The pages concerning the unpardonable sin are concerning Satan casting out Satan and does not directly mention law nor grace. Is there a scriptural relationship between Satan and the law.
A. When one investigates the uses of the transliteration of the word Satan one discovers a direct relationship between the Satan & the law. (please see the adversary word study which was entitled "A Look at Angel & Demons").