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Blasphemy: in its technical English sense, signifies the speaking evil of God and in this sense it is found Ps 74:18; Isa 52:5; Ro 2:24 etc. But according to its derivation it may mean any species of calumny and abuse: see 1Ki 21:10; Ac 18:6; Jude 1:9 etc. Blasphemy was punished by stoning, which was inflicted on the son of Shelomith. Le 24:11 On this charge both our Lord and St. Stephen were condemned to death by the Jews. The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, Mt 12:32; Mr 3:28 consisted in attributing to the power of Satan those unquestionable miracles which Jesus performed by "the finger of God" and the power of the Holy Spirit. It is plainly such a state of wilful, determined opposition to God and the Holy Spirit that no efforts will avail to lead to repentance. Among the Jews it was a sin against God answering to treason in our times.
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