Scriptural Reference:
"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy
against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man
will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in
this age or in the age to come."
Matthew 12:30-32

"Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they
utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but
is guilty of an eternal sin—for they had said, "He has an unclean spirit.""
Mark 3:28–30

"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."
1 John 5:16

"And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Acts 2:38

"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!
How can we who died to sin still live in it?"
Romans 6:1-2

"For as many of you as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ."
Galatians 3:27

Reflection:
As we take a reflective journey through the 39 articles of religion we arrive at the 16th article. This considers sin after someone is baptised has been a spiritual topic that has been a discussion point over the many years.

The 39 Articles still have a lot to say in our broken world, tackling false teachings and guiding us back to the truth of the Bible and God's incredible grace. So, what does Article 16 have to say to us in today's world? In this group of articles (Articles 12-16) we are actually very encouraged. They are realistic and help us see where we start from - the human condition. And as we understand our sin and see our need for rescue, so we appreciate even more deeply the grace and goodness of God in adopting us into his family and continuing to work in our lives.

So to begin with I feel it's necessary to explain why sin after baptism is obviously possible, as we are all human and prone to sin, but not devastating. If someone were to sin after they were baptised and that sin were to negate their salvation then it would make the perfect sacrifice of Jesus the Christ on the Cross not so perfect. In fact it would make it only a temporary redemption. But as we know that Jesus died, once and for all on the cross for the sins of all, then we know that we are saved and safe from losing our salvation. With just one sin that is not forgivable: that being the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. A sin that can occur before or after someone has been baptised. Such a sin is deemed beyond redemption.

So essentially, once we receive the Holy Spirit, it's possible for us to stray from grace and slip into sin. But thanks to God's grace, as shown to us through His Son Jesus the Christ, we can get back up and turn our lives around. While there are those who will claim they can't sin anymore while living here, or those who will refuse to acknowledge forgiveness for those who genuinely repent; they are both in the wrong.

This can really come in handy in the pastoral situations we've talked about before. Article 16 highlights that even after we come to faith, we're still going to mess up, but those mistakes won't push us out of reach of God's forgiveness. When we look back, it's clear how God has been changing us through the Holy Spirit. Sure, we won't be perfect while we're still here on Earth, but we shouldn't get discouraged when we find ourselves struggling with the same sins. We can take comfort in knowing that God is actively working in us. 'And we who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit' (2 Corinthians 3:18).

While exploring the concept of sin, it is intriguing to delve into its origins by examining the earliest reference to the word 'sin' within the Bible. In the Old Testament, the initial occurrence of the term "sin" as a noun can be found in Genesis 4:7. Within this verse, a profound analogy is made, likening sin to a menacing beast that lurks at one's doorstep, eager to consume. The powerful imagery evoked in the text suggests that sin is not passive but rather an active force that seeks to overpower individuals. Through the metaphorical description of sin as a beast, the passage highlights the necessity of mastering this temptation.

By asserting that one must exercise dominion over sin, the scripture imparts a vital lesson on the importance of self-control and moral discipline. This anthropomorphic portrayal of sin as a predatory creature serves to personify the inherent dangers of succumbing to temptation. Consequently, the verse serves as a poignant reminder of the constant internal struggle faced by individuals in resisting sinful impulses. The use of theriomorphism in delivering this message adds depth and vividness to the biblical narrative, inviting readers to reflect on the intricacies of human nature and the eternal battle between virtue and vice.

Theriomorphism: Noun; The identification of animal characteristics with a supernatural being.

While the Book of Isaiah talks about the fallout from sin: "Your wrong doings have put a wall between you and your God; your sins have made Him turn away, so He won't listen. Your hands are covered in blood, your fingers are guilty. You've spoken lies, and your tongue whispers evil things". Highlighting the gap between God and humanity, along with unreturned worship. Both of these are good examples of how sin affects our relationship with God our divine Creator.

As most Christians will attest to the original sin as coming from the disobedience of Adam and Eve when they ate the forbidden fruit. This sin was then genetically inherited down the generations; thus spreading throughout all of humanity. It's this act that has been separating us from God in ways that we can still see and feel even today. Though as this short scriptural reflection has hopefully explained; we can be saved and we can be reconnected to God. Even though we are still spiritually fragile and prone to a sinful nature, we can rest assured that our Saviour Jesus the Christ has paid the price for our sins. For He and He alone has made it possible for each of us to be reconciled.

Yes, the chance to repent shouldn't be denied for those who mess up after getting baptised. It is a profound truth that even after receiving the Holy Spirit, we, as imperfect beings, can sometimes lose our way and falter into the depths of sin. However, the beauty of God's endless grace shines brightly in the darkness of our mistakes, offering us the opportunity to rise above our transgressions and realign our lives with His divine purpose. It is crucial to embrace the fact that we are not infallible, to acknowledge the wrongs we have committed, and to humbly seek forgiveness with genuine remorse. In the journey of faith, we are not shielded from the temptations and trials of life, but we are granted the strength through prayer and repentance to navigate through these challenging moments and emerge stronger and more resilient in our devotion to God.

Remembering that our faith is a continuous process of growth and self-awareness, we come to realise the power of redemption and the enduring nature of God's unconditional love. So, whenever we stumble and drift away from the path of righteousness, let us take solace in the fact that God's mercy knows no bounds and His forgiveness is available to all who sincerely seek it.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
May I never take my salvation lightly.
For by the atoning blood of Jesus the Christ,
I am cleansed clean of my past sins,
Made acceptable to God my Creator,
An able to be reconciled. with Him.

My Lord and Saviour,
I pray in Your Holy Name,
To recognise when I do sin again,
To acknowledge my sin to you,
To seek your love and forgiveness,
As I continue to walk with the Holy Spirit.

Amen