Questions on the Holy Spirit

This last Sunday (12/5) I wrapped up our mini-series on the Holy Spirit.  A couple weeks ago I asked for questions; wanting to make sure I addressed the Holy Spirit in a way that was specifically helpful for many of you.  I tried to answer most of the questions throughout the series, but there were a couple I couldn’t fit in.  Here they are:

What is “Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?”

We can read about the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit in three places – Mathew 12:22-32, Mark 3:22-30, and Luke 2:10.  It’s the one and only sin that Jesus ever calls unforgiveable.  So understandably, many Christians have worried themselves sick over whether or not they have condemned themselves by committing this sin.

They haven’t.

While ‘blasphemy’ is used in different ways, here it means a persistent rebellion that rejects the gracious work of God through the Holy Spirit.  In fact, if you look at the text, the Pharisees who are guilty of this sin are not only rejecting the work of the Holy Spirit, they are attributing the miracles that Jesus is performing to Satan.  Christians (believers) do not commit this sin.  We are believers for the very reason that we have embraced the gracious work of God through the Holy Spirit, not rejected it.

The Pharisees were hardened unbelievers who had willfully and flagrantly rejected the general call of the Holy Spirit to repent from sin and turn to Jesus.  The Holy Spirit is all about Jesus and points us to his atoning work on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.  If we reject his message and call him a demon (blasphemy) we have rejected God, gone our own way, and are outside God’s forgiveness.

Why is so much emphasis (in many church cultures) placed on new Christians saying “the prayer?”  Is it necessary in order to receive the Holy Spirit?   Is it wrong to say this prayer?

Often, at the end of a public presentation of the gospel, listeners who may not be Christians are encouraged to say “The Prayer” in order to become Christians.  It typically goes something like this:

“Heavenly Father, I know that I have sinned against you and that my sins separate me from you. I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my sinful past and turn to you for forgiveness. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your Son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins, that He was raised from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become my Savior and the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You and to convict me when I sin. I pledge to grow in grace and knowledge of you. My greatest purpose in life is to follow your example and do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”

A couple thoughts - First, in order to be saved, one must hear the gospel, repent of their sin, and trust Jesus.  When someone says this prayer, they are “declaring” that they repent of their sin and trust Jesus, but we are not saved by a decision or a declaration.  We are saved by actual repentance and faith.  In other words, someone can say this ‘prayer’ and be told they are saved when, in fact, they may not be.

So, I think these prayers usually miss the mark in terms of evangelism and conversion.  It’s an effort to ‘nail people down’ while you have them; to get them to make a commitment; to seal the deal.  Again, we’re not saved by making a decision or signing on a dotted line.  We’re saved by actual faith and repentance that leads to lifelong obedience. 

Second, Jesus, nor His Spirit, never require an invitation.  If we have repented and believed, then we are proving that Christ, through His Spirit, has already wrought faith in us and is present with us (1 Corinthians 12:3).  So our ‘inviting’ is proof that he’s already there because, apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, we never seek or invite or desire Him in any way (Romans 3:10-12).

What does it mean when the Bible says “The Holy Spirit intercedes for us?”

Romans 8:26-28

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

I don’t always know what is best in a situation; therefore, I’m not always certain how to pray.  As well, there are times when I am overwhelmed in circumstances and struggle to find the words I want to say when talking with God.  This text is comforting because it ensures me that 1) the Holy Spirit knows what my real needs are, even when I don’t.  He knows what is best for me, even when I don’t.  He knows what is “too deep for words” when “we do not know what to pray.”  And 2) God the Father and the Holy Spirit are working together, for our good.  They perpetually agree on what is best for us and are constantly working “all things together for good.”  The Spirit intercedes for us “according to the will of God.”  And the Father “knows what is the mind of the Spirit.”

I hope these answers are helpful.  If not, don’t hesitate to let me know.