Many years ago, it seemed that almost any Gospel paper one picked up had an article, “The Sin Against The Holy Spirit.” No matter how much writing or speaking was done, there always seemed to be more questions. There are at least three reasons for this. First, most writers seem to be very imprecise in their use of words. For example, most would write of “The Sin–” as if the Bible spoke of only one sin against the Holy Spirit. The truth is that “sin” refers to general transgressions, “blasphemy” to a particular one. All blasphemy may be sin, but not all sin is blasphemy. Under the Law of Moses, one could sin against God and be forgiven, but one who blasphemed him was stoned to death (Leviticus 24:16). Second, most preachers who knew enough logic to use syllogisms fell into an error in their use that I do not ever remember hearing discussed in this context. We shall deal with it in a few moments. Third, the fact that the simple correct answer left many unanswered other questions caused many to overlook or reject the simple correct one. In this article, I shall attempt to address those three problems, and give what I think to be the simplest, most scriptural and logical answer to the question, “What is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?” Then I shall attempt to answer some related questions produced by that answer. The proper way to approach this, or any other question, is to …

Joseph had been humbled by his brothers and exalted by God (Genesis 37-50). Jealousy had prompted murderous notions among his kin, but cooler heads succeeded in lowering their presumptuous sentence to slavery. When serving faithfully and thereby exalted to a chief position in his master’s house, Joseph was falsely accused and subsequently imprisoned. Serving well there, he rose to prominence even among the inmates. Upon interpreting dreams and patiently waiting, he was finally released from prison to become, of all things, second power in the land — under only the supervision of Pharaoh himself. Indeed, “whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper” (Genesis 39:23b NKJV). In full power of the food supply for Egypt and the surrounding world during the time of predicted famine, Joseph encounters those brothers who had started his outlandish journey into foreign lands and infamous circumstances. They came begging this Egyptian leader for food, but they did not yet know it was Joseph. He toyed with them a while, then could no longer contain his emotion. He “wept aloud,” and with poignant bluntness tempered by curious humility made himself known: “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” (Genesis 45:2-3). From this point, the brothers’ reaction was quite predictable, but one could argue Joseph’s was quite not. The brothers had already been hounded by their guilt (Genesis 42:21-22). Now, the one they sold and called murdered not only stood in their presence but also was in utter, life-and-death, control of their fate. It is no …

I get the distinct feeling that many people want the blessings and privileges that come with faith, but they desire few of the responsibilities of discipleship. These folks want the Father close at hand, but never take time to talk to him in prayer. They want to be spiritually alive, but spend little time with the “bread of life” (the Bible). They want a faith that will sustain them in times of trouble, but have little thought of God when things go well. They want worship to be exciting, emotionally fulfilling and spine tingling, but are spectators — not participants in the assembly. They talk about the importance of Christ in their lives, and then crowd him out of their lives. Paul described these folk as “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” (2 Timothy 3:5). Faith in Jesus Christ is life changing, or at least it was meant to be. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). To follow Jesus requires that we rid our lives of all that is contrary to his will and nature, and that we imitate his life, his love, his devotion and his compassion. He gave us a perfect example to follow (1 Peter 2:21). As Christians, our purpose is to do the will of him who died to save us. We are not people pleasers, but God pleasers (Galatians 1:10). What …

You may have already heard the story about the time when a general needed to have five volunteers to engage in a dangerous mission. He lined up his men and asked that those who would be willing to volunteer to take one step forward. While they were doing so, the general turned his back. When he turned around the line of men was still intact, no one was standing forward of the others. Immediately, the general began to express his deep disappointment that not one single man in the entire company was brave enough to volunteer for the task. However, before he could finish the corporal interrupted him saying that all of the men had stepped forward. None were cowards; all were ready to bravely volunteer. Just think what it would mean to the church of the Lord if this were indeed the attitude of all of the brethren. We all know that, in spite of all of the good that is being accomplished by congregations all over the brotherhood, most of that which is accomplished is accomplished by a small percentage of the total membership. Someone has suggested that perhaps this is why Jesus said, “Many are called but few are chosen.” Far too many brethren are content, and indeed anxious, to be counted amongst those who are members of the church, but when it comes to the work of the congregation, they want to be “counted out!” Because of this attitude, and it is a prevalent one, someone …

At year’s end for centuries, even before the birth of Christ, people in Europe enjoyed a holiday season. An occasion of rejoicing was the fact that at year’s end the northern hemisphere was at its farthest point away from the sun about to turn back closer to its light and warmth. Days would begin to lengthen. Gradually the long nights would be shorter. As a symbol of returning life, the ancient Teutonic tribes decorated their houses with evergreen and the fireplace burned brightly with the yuletide log. Good luck gifts were freely exchanged. It was a time of joy and good cheer. Over three hundred years after Jesus was born, the year’s end holiday season was appropriated to make a religious celebration. It was recognized that Jesus was not born in the wintertime, for shepherds do not have their flocks out in the open around Bethlehem in December. The continual weather forecast for December is “Hail. Snow on higher hills, and occasionally on lower levels.” Nevertheless, the date of December 25 was selected by Liberius, bishop of Rome, in A.D. 354, to coincide with the established year’s-end holidays. Since that time, the bishop’s order has been followed by the Roman Catholic Church, and when the Protestant churches were established, they began following Rome’s lead in making December 25 a sacred day. God did not make any day of the week or of the year as a holy day for Christians. If anyone does so, it is his own private doing …

The apostle Paul wrote, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Yet, the attitude some have toward Bible study would indicate that Paul’s words in this passage were meaningless. While some would say that understanding the Bible is a noble objective, they would also argue that it is essentially impossible. Yet, Paul tells us that the Bible was penned specifically for us to understand and apply! A few have even argued that, because man is so low, it is impossible for him to understand the things of God. However, this does not exhibit humility; it denies the power of God. Do we really believe that God created a being that he wished to communicate with but was not able to do so? Also, God himself reveals the fact that some things will remain unknown to us because he does not reveal them (Deuteronomy 29:29), but does this not imply that what he reveals we can know and understand? “God is not the author of confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Another segment of people would alter this objection only slightly, claiming that while it is possible to understand the Bible, it is not possible for us to understand the Bible alike. This view really teaches that it is possible for us to misunderstand the Bible, but not to understand it. God, …

[Fulton County Gospel News, Vol. 36, No. 8, page 3-4] The Wise Man said, “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord” (Proverbs 18:22). This is also true the other way: “Whoever finds a husband finds a good thing.” He could have added that whoever finds a good wife or a good husband is blessed. The New Testament says, “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled” (Hebrews 13:4). Most people will marry, a few will not. There are several important things to consider in selecting a wife or husband: Whether love is present is a very important consideration, whether he will make a living and whether she will live within their means, whether he will be a good father and she a good mother, whether or not he/she is too selfish to make a marriage work, whether he/she has learned self discipline, whether they are mature enough, etc. The most important consideration of all is to marry someone who is a Christian (assuming you yourself are a faithful Christian). You should be primarily concerned with marrying someone who will help you get to heaven. This is all-important. Your soul is your most important possession. Saving it should be your most important consideration. Jesus poses the question: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole word, and lose his soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26). To make a decision to pair up with someone who will …

How do you begin a discussion of money and preachers without creating fuel for the fire of some hard-nosed critics who delight in charging preachers with being “in it merely for the money?” I am glad that the inspired apostle Paul addressed and consequently settled the matter in his Spirit-guided writings of the New Testament (1 Corinthians 2:11-13). I am likewise glad that Paul said as much as he did on the subject (even though one word would suffice us) because it is a matter which seems to be seldom addressed by writers among us, even though it is as positive and clear a New Testament teaching as is baptism, the Lord’s Day and the Lord’s Supper. In the repertoire of materials which are written for and about preachers it is hard to find where much has been said about such practical matters as the financial support of Gospel preachers, and yet what axiom is more evident than that he who gives himself wholly to the Lord and his people should be wholly sustained by them? That such has the sanction of New Testament authority surely all will admit. The Chief Justice of the Christian system has solemnly decreed that they who preach the Gospel shall live by the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:14). This lesson will not treat such subjective issues as how much financial support a Gospel preacher should receive. Such questions are better left to the discretion of those elderships which hire a preacher to work with them. …

Swiftly we’re turning life’s daily pages.Quickly the hours are changing to years.How are we using God’s golden moments?Shall we reap glory? Shall we reap tears? We stand on the dividing line of this year and next year. Regrets stand behind and opportunity stands ahead. It is easy to see those opportunities lost and wasted in the past. How easy it will it be to squander them this next year? If there is a next year. Consider our assemblies. Which people have you helped to be stronger in the Lord through your efforts in the Lord? How many people are staying away from God because of childishness, animosity and peevishness? I wonder if soul searching and application of God’s Word will allow another day, week, month or year to pass before repentance is sought? Lost, Lost Oh, what a cry from soulsalong the shore.Forever to go in sorrow and woeand be lost, lost ever more. “The Summer is past, harvest is ended and still we are not saved” is the saddest cry because it came from a heart hardened by sinful attitudes (Jeremiah 8:20). Brightly beams our Father’s mercy.From His lighthouse evermore.But to us he gives the keeping of the lights along the shore.Let the lower lights be burningSend a gleam across the wavesSome poor fainting, struggling seamanYou may rescue you may save. Busy lives will quickly burn out your desire to seek and save the lost. You don’t have the luxury of time. In fact, we have less time now than ever …