Q-A: Did Paul commit the unforgivable sin?
Before we can answer this question, lets review the scripture passage that
mentions the unforgivable sin. We find it in Matthew's gospel where Jesus is
speaking,
Matthew 12:30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who
does not gather with Me scatters abroad. 31 "Therefore I say to you,
every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against
the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against
the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him;
but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven
him, either in this age or in the age to come.
In order to get a better understanding on what Jesus meant in this
passage, I recommend to first read "What is the unforgivable sin?" and then return here to complete the rest of this article.
As mentioned in the above referenced article, the unforgivable sin was the rejection of the Holy Spirit and His work and purpose by most of the nation of Israel. During the period, when God's Holy Spirit was being poured out at Pentecost, it was the end of grace for each unbelieving Jew, and most of the Jewish nation. The prophecies of Jer.31:31-34 and Ezek.36:25-28 would be put on hold and the program of law and the purpose of Israel would be suspended till the end of the Tribulation (Isa.66:8) when the believing remnant, the little flock, will be resurrected to life and enter into the Millennial Kingdom, this fulfilling prophecy during this time. Not all of Israel committed the unforgiveable sin. There was a remnant of believing Israel who will carry the nation forward.
As mentioned in the above referenced article, the unforgivable sin was the rejection of the Holy Spirit and His work and purpose by most of the nation of Israel. During the period, when God's Holy Spirit was being poured out at Pentecost, it was the end of grace for each unbelieving Jew, and most of the Jewish nation. The prophecies of Jer.31:31-34 and Ezek.36:25-28 would be put on hold and the program of law and the purpose of Israel would be suspended till the end of the Tribulation (Isa.66:8) when the believing remnant, the little flock, will be resurrected to life and enter into the Millennial Kingdom, this fulfilling prophecy during this time. Not all of Israel committed the unforgiveable sin. There was a remnant of believing Israel who will carry the nation forward.
So, having expounded on the unforgivable sin, one can now understand the
position that Saul held in this regard. Saul put his rejection of the Holy
Spirit into action when he held the cloaks of the men who stoned Stephan.
Saul went on to be the most fervent of Jews in his attempts to stamp out
the Jews who believed in Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah.
Saul had committed the unforgivable sin of blasphemy to the Holy
Spirit.
But wait a moment! How can this be? Didn't Saul become Paul? And wasn't
Paul the one who became the Apostle to the church, the body of Christ? How
did Paul escape this verdict? Well, friends, that is all contained in the
amazing miracle we'll get into now in the rest of this article.
God is no man that He should lie. In order for God to save Saul, He could
not go against His Word. There was no way that Saul could be forgiven in
the current program in which he lived. The law program was in full swing
and Paul was as guilty as they come! But our God is great, our God is
sovereign and our God is just and full of wisdom. God would use Saul as
the instrument to start a whole NEW program, and you guessed it, God would
save Saul as the first person into this new dispensation of grace. Paul,
as the first member into this grace age could now receive mercy under the
program that was not bound by the laws of the former. God saved Paul
without going against His own Word. Wow! You must agree with me that this
is one incredible miracle and one incredible scenario of grace!
Have a look at this verse that confirms clearly what I've just written
about. Paul writes to Timothy and says,
1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all
acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,
of whom I am chief.
Can you see why Paul says he is chief of the sinners! Paul knew what
he was, what he had done, and what God had done for Him!
Paul continues writing to Timothy,
1 Timothy 1:16 However, for this reason
I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might
show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to
believe on Him for everlasting life.
This is also why Paul can write other incredible statements in his epistles,
two of which I'm itching to give you now for reference to what I mean. Read
the following,
1 Cor.3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto
me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he
buildeth thereupon.
How can Paul say, "I am the masterbuilder" and "I have laid the
foundation"? Consider who came before Paul. Didn't Jesus himself build
up the Kingdom and lay a covenantal foundation? Well, certainly, but
that was for the Jews under law. Paul is the first into the grace
program and the apostle to whom the glorified and risen Christ revealed
the secrets of the grace doctrine. It is Paul who laid the foundation
with these mysteries (Rom.16:25).
Consider one more of Paul's interesting statements,
1 Cor.4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructers in
Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus
I have begotten you through the gospel.
Did you get that? Paul has just said that he has begotten us (birthed us) through the gospel [of grace]. Because Paul is the first to
proclaim this grace gospel and by the power of God within the message
of this gospel, all who come to salvation through this gospel have
been begotten under his ministry. As the Jews are the physical seed of
Abraham. so we are the spiritual seed of Abraham through Paul.
Wow!
In summary, Saul did commit the unforgivable sin and in the law dispensation
he would always be found guilty, but in Gods wisdom and grace, He started a
new dispensation through Paul and saved and acquitted him in this new
program in which the law could not accuse him. God had a plan for Paul and
made him the first in a new pattern that would proclaim God's grace for all
who followed. Amen!
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