12/11/2022 – Day 287 – Hebrews 6 – 10 / What is the unforgivable sin? – Chapter 6: 1 – 12 / 1 of ? / Let’s designate this as an evergreen post!
I am coming to new insight on “What is the unforgivable sin.” The sanctification doesn’t end. Last cycle I recall noting that we should take an extended study after completing the 365 days just so we could group explore and fellowship on this very question.
I am already changing this post from last night, where I only posted the link to Apologetics Press’ explanation for 6: 4-6 and the Unpardonable Sin. From here, given the evergreen post designation: Brothers, will add fresh input from the top by noting the post date. No previous posts will be updated or deleted so we can all follow our progression, however long that might be.
I agree with what I have heard multiple times over the years: “If fear comes over you over the prospect of committing the unpardonable sin going forward as a current Christian, that is evidence that you haven’t committed it yet. I have submitted in the past that it is where you have experienced the fullness of God’s love, and called it evil. thereby, a sin of the Holy Spirit as Yeshua (Jesus) noted.
Example: The Pharisees witnessed an undeniable Yeshua healing miracle, and pronounced it as being from the Devil. This would be an example an unforgivable sin that blasphemes the Holy Spirit , the verse in Matthew, Mark and Luke. It is covered very well I think in the Apologetics Press article directly below.
So, this Hebrews text covers a hardened heart that will not repent, with Judas as an example. Peter is the contrast, who denied Yeshua three times , was contrite and repented, thereby forgiven. Again, a short well written articulation I believe. But I give you both the Matthew Henry and the John Gill commentary, which in both cases, can be pulled off the web for free for a compare and contrast.
Ok, just one suggested prerequisite to the commentaries, a little Soteriology 101: Take a look at Dr. Craig’s Justification and Regeneration – definitional distinctions between the two, in answer to the questions posed at the top of the screen. I agree right now that the two occur simultaneously at the point of “being born again” / “saved”. But not all widely respected evangelical theologians hold that view. FYI: Soteriology defined: “The branch of theology dealing with the nature and means of salvation.” We can even post our own question to see if he answers, given that this post is dated yesterday, the 11th.
In case you don’t have a Concordance refernence handy, here are some bible verses that cover “born again”:
1 Timothy 2:4 / John 5:40 / Acts 17:30
They Holy Spirit Enters in Union with believer – Fellowship with Christ: Romans 8:10 / 1 Corinthians 6:17 / 2 Corinthians 5:17 / Colossians 3:3
Supernatural work of the Holy Spirit: John 3: 3-8 / Titus 3:5
Ooops, just one more: “A Puritan Theology – Doctrine for Life” by Joel R. Beeke and Mark Jones is a favorite of mine. Chapter 29 – “The Puritans on Regeneration” is a great resource for today’s reading, pages 463 through 483. For today, I will share just two very edifying excerpts where I have run into a lot of misconceptions:
“From a human standpoint, we must regard everyone as possible candidates for salvation and eternal life until they die. For that reason, we proclaim the gospel at all, indiscriminately. Yet, theologically, we know that only the elect are regenerated. Peter writes his epistle to persons, ‘elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.’ (1 Peter 1:2) and begins with praise to God the Father, ‘which according to his abundant mercy hath given us again unto a lively hope’ (v.3), and so draws a straight line from election to regeneration.” (Pg. #477 excerpt)
Signs of Regeneration
“… Puritans often spent time pointing out false signs of regeneration.. The last example Ezekiel Hopkins gives is that the believer does not commit sin (1 John 3: 9 – 10). What does that mean? It means ‘he doth not sin in that malignant manner in which the children of the Devil do: he doth not make a trade of sin, nor live in the constant and allowed practice of it. The regenerate man opposes all sin: ‘Is there no lust, that your eye spares, nor that your heart pities!’
Reference: Hopkins, ” The Nature and Necessity of Regeneration”, in “Works”, 2: 285-91.
I still say: Let’s stay with us. This cycle of the 365 day reading should commence end of Feb23 or beginning Mar23.
click the symbol in the lower right then copy and past the link to your browser.
John Gill’s Commentary:
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/hebrews-6-5.html
Matthew Henry’s summary commentary:
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/hebrews/6.html
Dr. William Lane Craig of “Renewed Faith”
https://www.reasonablefaith.org/writings/question-answer/justification-and-regeneration
Soli Deo Gloria!
Your brother in Christ,
Jimmy