What is Blasphemy?

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What is blasphemy? This is a deeply important question. We blaspheme when we disrespect God. Who is God? Let’s discuss.

(The Lord God told Moses),“You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying: Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. Whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord, he shall surely be put to death, and the entire congregation shall certainly stone him (Leviticus 24:15-16).

Why We Must Not Blaspheme

God’s Purity
God is pure and holy. He’s also eternal and uncreated; He’s the only uncreated being or non-being. Because He ranks far above us and exists at a higher level, people must offer proper respect and fear of God. When we don’t act and speak accordingly, we blaspheme.

God’s People
God identifies with His people. The children of Israel were His people before Jesus established His Church on the Day of Pentecost. After Pentecost, God’s people believe in Jesus to become members of His Church.

Unbelievers Blaspheme God

God’s people aren’t perfect as God is, so they sometimes sin. Yet even though believers aren’t perfect, He identifies with believers and their imperfections. When unbelievers learn what God is like by watching His people and believers sin, unbelievers blaspheme God.

As it is written, 
“The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you (God’s people)” (Romans 2:24).
“Now therefore, what do I have here, says the Lord … My name is continually blasphemed all day long” (Isaiah 52:5).

God’s Discipline
The Apostle Paul delivered a couple of false teachers into Satan’s hand to teach them not to blaspheme:
“(Some have not kept the) faith and good conscience … and suffered shipwreck … Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme” (1 Timothy 1:20).

Do Not Commit Blasphemy

Accusing Jesus (1)
The Jewish Leaders blasphemed God the Holy Spirit when they accused Jesus of doing miracles in Satan’s power:
“And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub, and by the ruler of the demons He casts out demons” (Mark 3:22).”

Jesus Said Do Not Blaspheme Against the Holy Spirit

Jesus’ Response
Jesus responded to their accusations, saying the scribes had committed an unforgivable sin:
“Truly I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they speak. But he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal condemnation.” For they said, “He has an unclean spirit” (Mark 3:28-30).

Accusing Jesus (2)
The Jewish Leaders even accused Jesus of blasphemy. At Jesus’ trial, the high priest asked Him, 
“Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” (Mark 14:61).

Jesus the Son of Man

Jesus answered the high priest by quoting the prophet Daniel, who prophesied 600 years before Jesus was born. Jesus called Himself ‘the Son of Man,’ and Daniel had predicted that ‘the Son of Man’ who came on the clouds of heaven was God Himself:

“Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel … they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you” (Exodus 3:13-14).

I Am

Accusing Jesus (3)
In the passage above, Jesus also referred to Himself by God’s Name, ‘I am.’ That’s the Name God gave when God appeared to Moses in the burning bush:
“Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven (Mark 14:62).”

The High Priest didn’t believe that the Man Jesus could also be God, as Jesus claimed. So, he accused Jesus of blasphemy. The penalty for blasphemy was death:
“The high priest tore his robes, saying, “What need do we have of any further witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned Him as guilty unto death” (Mark 14:63-64).

What is Blasphemy?

Blasphemy is not giving God His due respect. 

We invite you to watch the “Great News” video on this page and find out more about God’s love for you and how you can receive forgiveness and eternal life – today!

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The Prayer of Salvation

Jesus, I don't know You, and I don't know what Your plan is for me. But thank you for coming to die in my place. I'm sorry for anything I've ever done wrong in my life. I don't understand how You could ever forgive me, but if You really would, I would like to accept your free gift of grace and complete forgiveness. Please come into my life and take control, and help me trust You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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