What is referred to as the “unpardonable sin” (Mk 3:28-29, Mt 12:31-31, Lk 12:10 (actually referred to as “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” in Scripture)) finds its ultimate fulfillment at the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7:
- See Acts 1:8, 2:38, 4:8, 5:3, 9, 6:3, 5, 8-10, 7:51, 55
- The Lord stopped the prophetic clock due to Israel’s unbelief and the Lord took away Israel’s status and standing when Israel was given the declaration in Acts 7:51.
- What the 12 apostles received instead of exaltation was persecution and scattering (Acts 8:1).
I would love to understand this more. Is it possible to commit this sin today? If all sins are forgiven and we are under the age where the Holy Spirit is on the earth today, how does “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” relate during this dispensation?
“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:”
Romans 5:20
The Big Question:
If God’s grace is so abundant…
Can anything be unforgivable?
What about the “unpardonable sin” mentioned by Jesus?
Let’s rightly divide prophecy from mystery, and see what applies to Israel and what applies to the body of Christ today.
What Is the “Unforgivable Sin”?
Jesus said in Matthew 12:31–32:
“…blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men… neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”
This is serious. But what does it mean?
Context: Jesus Was Speaking to Israel
In Matthew 12, Jesus speaks to the Pharisees, who had just attributed His miracles to Satan (Mt 12:24). They were:
• Rejecting the Father (through the prophets)
• Rejecting the Son (standing before them)
• And now, resisting the Holy Spirit’s witness through Christ’s miracles
This blasphemy of the Holy Ghost was a national sin of Israel, not an individual sin for all people of all time.
It was fulfilled in Acts 7, when Israel stoned Stephen, a man “filled with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 7:55). After that, God began turning to the Gentiles through Paul’s ministry (Acts 9).
Right Division Reveals: That Sin Is Not for Today
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”
1 Tim 1:15
Paul, who once blasphemed, persecuted, and was injurious (1 Tim 1:13), says he obtained mercy, even after doing exactly what Jesus said was “unforgivable.” How?
Because God revealed a new dispensation—one of grace (Eph 3:2). Under grace, the rules changed. God is no longer dealing with Israel under covenant, but with the world under grace (Rom 11:32).
Today: Grace Abounds!
“Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”
Romans 5:20
That means:
No sin is too great.
No past too dark.
Anyone who believes the gospel can be saved immediately and forever (Romans 3:24–26).
Even blasphemy, murder, and rebellion are covered by the blood of Christ in this dispensation of grace.
The One Thing That Matters Today
Today, the only thing keeping someone from salvation is unbelief in the gospel of Christ.
“If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost…”
2 Corinthians 4:3–4
Rejecting the grace of God is not an “unpardonable sin” in itself, but if you die without trusting Christ, there’s no more opportunity for salvation.
Be Careful With Misapplied Verses
Using Matthew 12:31 to teach people today they’ve committed a sin God won’t forgive…
…is a fear-based error, not grace-based truth.
That verse is for Israel, under the Law, in a specific prophetic moment.
“Rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15 KJV) means knowing that Jesus’ earthly ministry and Paul’s heavenly message are different.
ISRAEL’S PROGRAM vs. THE BODY OF CHRIST
— Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth —
Question: Can a sin be unforgivable?
Israel (Matthew 12:31–32): Yes — Blasphemy of the Holy Ghost
Body of Christ (Romans 5:20): No — Grace covers all sin
Audience:
Israel — under the Law
Today — All nations under Grace
Who’s Preaching?
Jesus — to Israel
Paul — to the Gentiles
How is salvation offered?
Israel: Repentance + Water Baptism + Works (Acts 2:38)
Body of Christ: Faith in the Gospel alone (1 Corinthians 15:3–4)
Conclusion:
Yes — grace abounds today.
No — there is no unforgivable sin in this dispensation of grace.
Anyone, no matter how sinful, can be saved by trusting Christ’s finished work alone:
Believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again – and that by trusting in Him alone, we receive forgiveness, righteousness, and eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Romans 4:5).