Many people around the world have placed their faith in Jesus. However for some, though they once saw Jesus as the Messiah, they only see Him as a prophet or worse - far from their Redeemer, Savior, and Lord. Varying circumstances would bring them to turn from Jesus and they gave a personal or public denouncement of Jesus.

Of these individuals, some have considered their decision would like to return to Jesus and Christianity. However, they feel that because of their denouncing, they will never have the opportunity to return to Jesus Christ...yet, they can return to Jesus!

Let me explain:

Matthew 26:31-35 (KJV) - Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

Matthew 26:69-75 (KJV) - Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Now, Jesus told His disciples that all of them would fall away because of Him that night. However, Peter spoke up and said he wouldn't along with the other disciples, but Jesus' words came to pass. Of the disciples, Peter is the one to publicly deny Jesus...and was filled with grief (as we see in the scripture above).

After Jesus' death and resurrection, He returns to His disciples (read John 21). In this discourse, the disciples were fishing and Jesus was on the shore. Initially, they did not recognize it was Jesus, and when Peter was told it was Him, he jumped over the side of the boat. When they came ashore, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him:

John 21:17-19 (KJV) - He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

Many people believe this was Jesus' acceptance and restoration of Peter, as Jesus has asked Him to feed His sheep and to follow Him. Though Peter denied Jesus, his purpose in Christ remained unchanged. As we see here, denying Jesus is not an unpardonable sin.

Mark 3:28-30 (KJV) - Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation. Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

Matthew 12:30-32 (KJV) - He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Wherefore 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. And 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.

As you read from the scriptures (also read Mark 3 and Matthew 12), people can be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy except for the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. What is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is placing claim that the Holy Spirit is Satan...a demonic or evil spirit.

Denying Jesus is not a blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and is therefore considered pardonable. If you have denied Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you can repent today...right now!

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