Questions and Answers: Speaking Against the Holy Ghost?

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Ques. —Why is it that one speaking against the Son of man shall be forgiven, but one speaking against the Holy Ghost cannot be forgiven? (Man. 12.) Can a true believer commit this sin?
Ans.—Sin or blasphemy against the Holy Ghost cannot be forgiven because of the character of the sin. God, by the Holy Spirit, was acting in power and this power was attributed in willful and intelligent malice to Satan. Attributing the manifested and acknowledged power of God to Satan constitutes the sin against the Holy Ghost. Christ was acting by the power of the Holy Ghost, and by this power had cast out devils, yet they said, "He hath an unclean spirit." Mark 3:3030Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit. (Mark 3:30).Unbelief and ignorance showed themselves in rejecting and speaking against the Son of man, and however far the ignorance and unbelief might go, it could be forgiven upon that ground, hence the Lord could pray for such in those touching words on the cross, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke 23:3434Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34). Peter also says to the Jews, when offering them forgiveness after they had crucified Christ, "I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers." Acts 3:1717And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. (Acts 3:17). Paul, as to his own case says, "Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief." 1 Tim. 1:1313Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. (1 Timothy 1:13) Of course, no true believer can commit this sin, and we must doubt if it ever can in this dispensation be in question even for an unconverted person. It appears to belong to circumstances peculiar to the ministry of Christ on earth amongst the Jews. It is especially Jewish, and sealed the doom of those who committed it, individually as well as nationally, and upon their doing it, the Lord immediately separates and distinguishes the remnant from the rest of the nation, severing all connection with them upon the ground of nature. Henceforth His "brethren" are those who "do the will of God." This gives such special interest and importance to the end of Matt. 12 and Mark 3. C. Wolston