Tim and Val Announcing the Newest Webb! Podcast Introduction Today we’re going to read Mark 3-4, and I’m calling the episode “Terror On the High Seas.” Comments on Mark 3-4 Thoughts on Mark 3 28I assure you: People will be forgiven for all sins and whatever blasphemies they may blaspheme. 29But whoever blasphemes  against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin” 30because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”  Mark 3:28-30 HCSB This passage receives a lot of attention. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is the one unforgivable sin. So what is it?  To answer the question, let’s first put these three verses into context. The scribes had just said of Jesus. ““He has Beelzebul in Him! ” and, “He drives out demons by the ruler of the demons! ”  Jesus had been performing miracles healing people, casting demons out of people and forgiving people. And the scribes said He did that by the power of satan.  Jesus’ answer to their accusation was, of course, perfect:  “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26And if Satan rebels against himself and is divided, he cannot stand but is finished!” In saying this, Jesus was pointing out to them that satan would never work against himself.  Next he gave them an illustration, or parable: 27“On the other hand, no one can enter a strong man’s house and rob his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he will rob his house.” In this parable, satan is the strong man guarding what belongs to him. Jesus was saying, “I am not in league with satan. I am demonstrating that I am stronger than he is.” By casting demons out of people, Jesus was taking from satan what belonged to him one life…one soul…at a time. As one commentator said, “There is *nothing* in our life that *must* stay under satan’s domination.”  Jesus binds the strong man and plunders his house. Now, let’s get back to answering the question at hand: What is blaspheming the Holy Spirit? Let’s look at what the Holy Spirit’s ministry is. Jesus tells us in John 15:26. 26“When the Counselor comes, the One I will send to you from the Father — the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father — He will testify about Me.” The Counselor is the Holy Spirit. How do we know this? In John 14:26 Jesus