In reply to several queries on this subject, often alluded to in our writings, I am constrained by a recent request from King William, Virginia, to advert to the subject again.

      "All manner of sins and blasphemies committed on earth, save one, are pardonable." That one is defined by our Saviour to be a speaking against the Holy Spirit--a blaspheming his character. It is neither thought nor action alone; but maliciously speaking against that Divine Agent. It is a spin of the tongue, prompted by a wicked heart. The reason why this renunciation and blasphemy of the Spirit never can be forgiven, is, as it appears to me, because he that commits it can never repent of it. This is also evident from the fact that all the goodness of God is so sinned against that there is no attitude in which it can be placed before the mind that can lead it to repentance. The Spirit, of course offended, leaves off all farther strivings with its calumniator; and then the Spirit being the last divine agent, no one succeeding it, it is impossible to renew such a one to repentance. It is, however, questionable whether now such a sin is at all possible: the Spirit not now appearing in such miraculous demonstration as formerly, and therefore not calling forth such an opposition or blasphemy. If I could write a volume on the subject, I would do little [206] more than amplify and place in diverse attitudes what is imported and implied in this paragraph. But a new word may be added on

      This sin, as defined in my mind, is simple apostacy from, and an open renunciation of, Jesus Christ. It is treating him as in the case of the blasphemy above described the Spirit is treated by his calumniator. Jesus is denied, renounced, crucified in effect by one that openly abjures allegiance to him. This is the person for whom "remaineth only a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation." He is an adversary, open and avowed, of that same Jesus Christ whom he once acknowledged as the true Messiah. Paul to the Hebrews, in the 6th and 10th chapters, refers to that same sin to which John alludes in the 5th chapter of his General Epistle. But it must be distinguished from the sin of backsliding. Backsliders and apostates are very different characters, though the former may ultimately terminate in the latter. Backsliders are comparatively many, while apostates are few. Backsliders may, and do repent, and are forgiven; while apostates sin unto death, never repent, and are consequently never forgiven.

      Many tender consciences have been oppressed with a fear of having sinned so much against light and conviction, as to have committed this, with them, unpardonable sin. I do not think that any persons other than those described, have ever committed blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, or sinned the sin unto death. And certainly those who desire to be saved from sin, and would rejoice in the favor of God, labor under some morbid influence, physical or educational, when they imagine that they have been guilty of the one or the other of these unpardonable offenses. I say offenses: for although but one and the same in effect, and probably from the same remote cause, are nevertheless formally and apparently separate and distinct. To all who return to the Lord there is a promise of redemption; and whosoever sincerely desires to return, certainly is neither an apostate from Christ nor a blasphemer of the Holy Spirit.

A. C., 1842, p. 181.      

Source:

Alexander Campbell. "The Sin unto Death and the Sin against the Holy Spirit." The Millennial Harbinger 13 (April 1842): 181-182.

[MHA1 206-207]