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the truth, nor in a simple denial of it, but in a contradiction of it that goes contrary to the
conviction of the mind, to the illumination of the conscience, and even to the verdict of the
heart. In committing that sin man willfully, maliciously, and intentionally attributes what is
clearly recognized as the work of God to the influence and operation of Satan. It is nothing less
than a decided slandering of the Holy Spirit, an audacious declaration that the Holy Spirit is the
spirit of the abyss, that the truth is the lie, and that Christ is Satan. It is not so much a sin
against the person of the Holy Spirit as a sin against His official work in revealing, both
objectively and subjectively, the grace and glory of God in Christ. The root of this sin is the
conscious and deliberate hatred of God and of all that is recognized as divine. It is
unpardonable, not because its guilt transcends the merits of Christ, or because the sinner is
beyond the renewing power of the Holy Spirit, but because there are also in the world of sin
certain laws and ordinances, established by God and maintained by Him. And the law in the
case of this particular sin is, that it excludes all repentance, sears the conscience, hardens the
sinner, and thus renders the sin unpardonable. In those who have committed this sin we may
therefore expect to find a pronounced hatred to God, a defiant attitude to Him and all that is
divine, delight in ridiculing and slandering that which is holy, and absolute unconcern
respecting the welfare of their soul and the future life. In view of the fact that this sin is not
followed by repentance, we may be reasonably sure that they who fear that they have
committed it and worry about this, and who desire the prayers of others for them, have not
committed it.
c. Remarks on the passages in the Epistles that speak of it.
Except in the Gospels, this sin is not
mentioned by name in the Bible. Thus the question arises, whether the passages in Heb. 6:4-6;
10:26,27,29, and I John 5:16 also refer to it. Now it is quite evident that they all speak of an
unpardonable sin; and because Jesus says in Matt. 12:31, “Therefore I say unto you, Every sin
and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be
forgiven,” thereby indicating that there is but one unpardonable sin, it is but reasonable to
think that these passages refer to the same sin. It should be noted, however, that Heb. 6 speaks
of a specific form of this sin, such as could only occur in the apostolic age, when the Spirit
revealed itself in extraordinary gifts and powers. The fact that this was not borne in mind, often
led to the erroneous opinion that this passage, with its unusually strong expressions, referred
to such as were actually regenerated by the Spirit of God. But Heb. 6:4-6, while speaking of
experiences that transcend those of the ordinary temporal faith, yet do not necessarily testify
to the presence of regenerating grace in the heart.
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY.
What objections are raised to the idea of the federal
headship of Adam? What Scriptural ground is there for the imputation of Adam’s sin to his
descendants? Was Placeus’ theory of mediate imputation in any way connected with