bible study

when we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and professed Him as the resurrected Son of God (i'm giving the brief rundown of professing Christ), put our faith, hearts and lives in Him, we one of the gifts we then receive is the forgiveness of our sins.

meaning, as a Christ-follower, when we repent of wrong that we've done, the Bible says that the Lord is just and faithful to forgive us.

however, in Matthew 12:31-32, Jesus spoke about the one sin that will never be forgiven: blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

1Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

³²And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. (Matthew 12:31-32)

i've always been confused by that Scripture passage. as we understand it, God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are One. meaning, they are God in 3 persons. EACH are God, just in 3 different persons with different "roles," if you will.

but Jesus says in this passage that if a person blasphemes against Him (Jesus) that they can be forgiven (if they repent - it doesn't say that but i'm throwing that in there - forgiveness only comes through recognizing your sin and asking for forgiveness - just thought i'd throw that out there).

however, if one blasphemes against the Holy Spirit (Ghost), that is the one sin that will NOT be forgiven, "neither in this world, neither in the world to come."

but if Jesus IS God, and the Holy Spirit IS God (remember the "God-head" 3 persons in One), then how can blasphemy against Jesus be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not forgiven?

and in what way can someone blaspheme the Holy Spirit? is it with words, thoughts, deeds, or what? can someone blaspheme the Holy Spirit and not know it?

i mean, if that is the one sin that is never forgiven, that's pretty deep and serious - i'd hope someone would at least know they did that (or know how to avoid doing it ever). just think about it, you can slaughter an entire village of people, and then later be sincerely repentant, remorseful and beg for forgiveness and the Lord will forgive and cleanse you. but blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and you're done...wow.

also, if you are guilty of blaspheming the Holy Spirit, and according to this Word, will not be forgiven of that, does that mean you are eternally condemned? does that mean salvation is not even an option?

based on your biblical prowess and being led by God, what say you my loves?