LET THE BIBLE SPEAK.

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit "Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven" (Matt. 12:31). What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? Why is this an unpardonable sin? Context The context of this passage (Matt. 12:22-37) is essential to understanding Jesus' statement. Jesus had demonstrated his divinity by healing the demon-possessed (vv. 22-23). The multitudes marveled at his power, but the Pharisees (scribes who came from Jerusalem to Galilee, Mark 3:22), unable to deny that miracles had been performed, attributed them to the power of Beelzebub, "the ruler of the demons" (v. 24). Jesus responded that the accusation of the Pharisees that represented Satan as divided against himself was absurd (vv. 25-26). Why would the evil one rob himself of his greatest achievement, his triumph over the souls of men? By so arguing, the Pharisees had also entangled themselves in gross inconsiste...

The Christian Virtues  Mike Willis Danville, Indiana And beside this, giving diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. And N these things be in you, and. abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and bath forgotten that he was purged from his sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:5-11). Many who have been baptized into Christ fall away from serving Jesus. Some become so wrapped up in the cares of this world that they bear no fruit for Christ...

The Bible and Man's Spiritual Needs Mike Willis Danville, Indiana Every generation has some who think that a new revelation is needed for a new age. The old Bible is viewed as outdated and unable to meet the spiritual needs of the new enlightened generation. There is an element of chronological snobbery inherent in such ideas, for this "enlightened" age will be the next generation's outdated age. The Scriptures are not tied to one era of time. They are timeless in that they meet the needs of every generation. "For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations" (Psa. 119:89-90). "Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever" (Psa. 119:160). "The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting" (Psa. 119:144). Consequently, we should expect that the Bible is just as fitted to the spiritual needs of this generation as it was fitted to meet the needs of...