What is Blasphemy?

Pastor May:Blasphemy is profane speech against God insulting His honor. This happens when the name of God or His representatives is cursed or reviled instead of being honored. Acts 6:9-11: "Members of the Synagoge of the Freedmen...secretly persuaded some men to say, 'We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.'" In his earlier days Paul tried to force Christians to denounce Jesus (Acts 9). "Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples" (v.1) when Jesus confronted Saul. "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting" (v.5). Later Paul wrote, "Even though I was once a blasphemer... I was shown mercy... The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly" (1 Tim 1:13-14).

Blasphemy is also any affront to God's majesty and authority. The Jews accused Jesus of blasphemy "because you, a mere man, claim to be God" (John 10:33). See also Mark 2:5-7 and 14:61-64. Luther said, "God's name is blasphemed when preachers under the cloak of God's Word and Name mislead the people.