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1 John 5:16-17Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
Proverbs 28:23Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
23
He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour
than he that flattereth with the tongue.Proverbs 9:8Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
8
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee:
rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.Proverbs 9:7Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
7
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame:
and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.Proverbs 27:5Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
5
Open rebuke is better than secret love.1 Timothy 5:1Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
5 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
1 Timothy 5:20Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
My insight is you rebuke and pray for your sibling in Christ that sins but beware those who are not believers even when confess with their mouth that they are. Treat your elders with respect they are due even when they require correction.
Can any other student add to what there is to learn about rebuking?
miia,
It is blaspheming the Holy Spirit for sure. It is also treating the blood of Jesus as an unworthy thing. I also suspect it is lying to the Holy Spirit. Other than that I have no idea.
Hi Kerwin. (What do you mean by lying to the Holy Spirit? Just curious).
According to Tertullian (around 180ad) the sin unto death, or the graver and destruction sins which are incapable of pardon are: murder, idolatry, fraud, apostasy, blasphemy, adultery and fornication, (all of which are called violation of the temple of God, in which Christ can no longer be the successful pleader).
But, would these unforgivable sins only apply to those who were ‘once enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, and shared in the Holy Spirit.’ (Hebrews 6:1). In other words, if an immature christian has NOT reached the point of spirituality where they experience the truth of the Holy Spirit and ‘taste of the heavenly gift’, their sins MAY STILL be forgiven. Whereas, those who have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift and shared in the Holy Spirit, (and you know when you have), cannot be forgiven if they commit these bigger sins?
Tertullian continues to explain that we are all liable of the smaller daily sins, such as unjust anger or retaining anger beyond sunset, violence, carelessly speaking evil, rashly swearing, forfeiting plighted word, lying from bashfulness or necessity, and that these smaller sins are pardonable, or else salvation would be unobtainable to any.
that there are some sins of daily committal, to which we all are liable: for who will be free from the accident of either being angry unjustly, and retaining his anger beyond sunset; or else even using manual violence or else carelessly speaking evil; or else rashly swearing; or else forfeiting his plighted word or else lying, from bashfulness or “necessity? “In businesses, in official duties, in trade, in food, in sight, in hearing, by how great temptations are we plied! So that, if there were no pardon for such sins as these, salvation would be unattainable to any. Of these, then, there will be pardon, through the successful Suppliant of the Father, Christ. But there are, too, the contraries of these; as the graver and destructive ones, such as are incapable of pardon—-murder, idolatry, fraud, apostasy, blasphemy; (and), of come, too, adultery and fornication; and if there be any other “violation of the temple of God.” For these Christ will no more be the successful pleader: these will not at all be incurred by one who has been born of God, who will cease to be the son of God if he do incur them.
Thus John’s rule of diversity will be established; arranging as he does a distinction of sins, while he now admits and now denies that the sons of God sin. For (in making these assertions) he was looking forward to the final clause of his letter, and for that (final clause) he was laying his preliminary bases; intending to say, in the end, more manifestly: “If any knoweth his brother to be sinning a sin not unto death, he shall make request, and the Lord shall give life to him who sinneth not unto death. For there is a sin unto death: not concerning that do I say that one should make request.” He, too, (as I have been), was mindful that Jeremiah had been prohibited by God to deprecate (Him) on behalf of a people which was committing mortal sins. “Every unrighteousness is sin; and there is a sin unto death. But we know that every one who hath been born of God sinneth not” —-to wit, the sin which is unto death.
http://www.tertullian.org/anf/anf04/anf04-19.htm
miia,
Ananias, with Sapphira committed the sin of lying to the Holy Spirit. I think it is the unforgettable sin because they dropped dead when confronted by Peter.
miia,
I am suspicious of anything Tertullian says as his doctrine is not what I hear from Scripture.
In this case he might be correct though perhaps to limited as Hebrews 10:25-30 sounds like those that deliberately keep on sinning after they have received the Spirit have exhausted the forgiveness of God. If those words are taken literally then Tertullian’s list is incomplete.
miia,
I am not sure there is such things as lesser and greater sins. I am also not sure what is a intentional sin though a lengthy premeditation such as that done by Ananias, with Sapphira may well be a sign of such. Getting caught in a weak moment on the other hand might not be. I am speculating.
Hi Kerwin,
You mentioned Hebrews 10.25, ‘For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.’
What kind of sin could be deliberate and continued on after receiving knowledge of the truth.
(1st Corinthians 6). Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy (covetous), nor drunkards, nor revilers (verbal abusers), nor swindlers (extortioners) will inherit the kingdom of God.
Tertullian is suspect, but I’m interested in what the earlier church believed – I’m still looking (when I get the time).
I understand what you mean by Ananias and Sapphira now, thanks.
miia,
I bethink there is a premeditated aspect to deliberate sins but as I said before I am speculating for the most part.
miia,
From what is written about the many who has sexual amoral relation with his mother and the follow up letter to the Corinthians it does not appear his sin was blaspheme to the Holy Spirit.
Kerwin, if deliberate sins are premeditated, that doesn’t necessarily cover for an example, adultery and fornication.
Regarding blaspheming the Holy Spirit, I believe that could include calling God’s work in an individual or even group as being of Satan.
Hi Kerwin.
I think I would agree with my understanding of scripture and experiences that some sins are worth praying over and rebuking, while other, more serious sins are worth patient love and tolerance and prayer that hopefully the person’s eyes are opened, but I don’t know, maybe I’m wrong.
Miaa,
A mature Christian listens to a rebuke but the wicked strike back. Few of those that claim to be Christians are Christs for many are they that seek to enter through the wide gate. It is a judgement call on how to handle another’s sin.
Hi Kerwin, yes, some may either strike back or change the subject/ ignore the obvious, or try to find a way around it. In such a case, then prayer and love and acceptance may work better? I have found this with at least one person I know, though I don’t know the results yet. I know if I push it, or rebuke, then I might lose the person so I have decided to tolerate their choices, and pray. Don’t know if it’s the right thing to do.
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