Posted on 11/10/2010 11:16:24 AM PST by Salvation
Q: A Christian friend of mine says that the Bible contains no references to purgatory. What is the basis for the Catholic Church’s teaching about this? Why do Catholics pray for the dead?
A: In 2 Maccabees 12:38-46, Judas Maccabee orders that sacrifices be offered in the Temple in Jerusalem for slain Jewish soldiers who had worn pagan amulets (good-luck charms).
Some people have seen this story as biblical justification for the teaching on purgatory. That certainly overstates the author’s intention. If, however, those Jewish soldiers did something wrong by wearing pagan amulets, why offer sacrifices on their behalf?
The two Books of Maccabees are probably not in your friend’s Bible because they were originally written in Greek. During Jesus’ lifetime, some Jewish people regarded these books as inspired by God.
About 60 years after Jesus’ death, however, rabbis at Jamnia in Palestine drew up the list (canon) of the Scriptures used by Jewish people to this day. That shorter list includes only works composed in Hebrew, excluding the two Books of Maccabees, five other books and parts of the Books of Daniel and Esther.
For centuries, Eastern and Western Christians accepted as inspired the longer list. When Martin Luther translated the Bible, he used the shorter list. Sometimes, these seven books are printed in Protestant Bibles as “Deutero-canonical” or “Apocrypha.”
The New Testament and early Christian writings offer some evidence for purgatory. In 2 Timothy 1:18, St. Paul prays for Onesiphorus, who has died. The earliest mention of prayers for the dead in public Christian worship is by the writer Tertullian in 211 A.D.
The question of purgatory and praying for the dead was a major issue between Catholics and Protestants in the 16th century. The Council of Trent’s 1563 decree about purgatory reaffirmed its existence and the usefulness of prayers for the deceased, yet it cautioned against “a certain kind of curiosity or superstition...” about it.
The Roman Catholic teaching on purgatory reflects its understanding of the communion of saints. We are connected to the saints in heaven, the saints-in-waiting in purgatory and other believers here on earth. Prayers for the deceased are not a means of buying their way out of purgatory.
The Catholic Church’s teaching about purgatory (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1030-32) says that all sin, unfortunately, has a life of its own and may have bad effects even after the sinner repents. Sincere repentance includes a desire to repair the damage done by one’s sins. That may or may not be complete before the person dies.
When the world ends at the Final Judgment, there will be only two possibilities: heaven and hell. We who celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection over sin and death look forward to sharing in that victory, and we pray that our beloved dead may do the same.
**but I’d still go to be with the Lord, according to Jesus’ words.**
Not unless the reparation (spiritual) is done for those harmed by your supposed deeds.
Christ is a person of mercy, but at the moment of your death that mercy changes to justice.
Well, you may suffer for your sins on earth, and you may suffer all the more you realize what harm you have done to yourself and others. But when we die, we learn the whole truth when we stand before God. Think of the purging fire as the shame the penitent person should feel as he realizes what he as done.
Only non-believers stand before God. We (Christians) are judged by Jesus Christ who assesses our rewards in heaven, not punishment.
Also, we are told (have to look it up) that once we confess our sins, God no longer remembers them.
And Jesus is NOT God?
He also said that not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord...
He’s God the Son.
Could that be a saying to mean in the hands of Christ. We die in the natural and it takes whatever time to be in the spiritual Home. Right a away or whatever I am still trusting in Christ period. He will do all the rest no matter in my eyes. I do not worry too much on the how. Look if we do not understand and still believe in the true Christ he will meet us where we are at in life. I pray for him to watch over me and help till and beyond the hour of death. A humble and contrite heart he will not ignore. May God Bless you and Guide you! Praise Jesus!
Thank you. You are very motivating. God bless you and guide you, always.
Wonderful, informative post, johngrace!
**We (Christians) are judged by Jesus Christ who assesses our rewards in heaven, not punishment.**
Yes, Christ is merciful as long as we live. At the moment of our death, however, justice will be served to you by Christ.
Once saved, always saved doesn’t cut it, because when we sin during our life, we hurt ourselves and we hurt others. I know you will say that Christ died for your sins — but where is YOUR responsibility in the whole picture.
Remember, you have a free-will.
Face it, Paul said to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Changing your mind is what being Born Again is about. Jesus already atoned for all your sin, your sin nature, so once you're Born Again you walk not after the flesh which cannot live sinless, but after the spirit and He is faithful and JUST to forgive us our behaviors when we confess our falling short.
If Jesus had not atoned for all your sin, could you crucify Him again if you lost your Salvation upon sinning after being Born Again? Of course you cannot.
So, He must have atoned for you completely and He wants to keep a close relationship with you so He is faithful and just to forgive you when you err and make an obstacle for the close fellowship.
And one last point: if it were up to you to keep your Born Again status of Salvation, how successful do you think you would be against the brilliance of satan's wiles? That's why your Salvation is based upon His promises, not your works, before or after you are Born Again. The Gospel of Grace means just that. It is not the Gospel of Grace and your heroic efforts.
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