Ask The Pastor
December 26, 2002
> Question:
> Is purgatory mentioned in the Bible? If so, where,
if not, why do
> Catholics believe in it's existence?
Ashley,
The Catholic doctrine of purgatory is derived primarily from one
book of the Apocrypha. The Catholic Bible includes these books in
their Bible. But neither evangelical believers nor Jews consider these
writings are being inspired of God. The Apocrypha was written after
the close of the Old Testament canon.
As for it being a Biblical teaching, no, it is not. But the problem
comes from Catholic theology itself. In their theology the cross is
not sufficient to deal with our sins. For this reason all people must
go through a period of purification (purging) in purgatory. Of course
this is totally against what the gospel actually teaches.
The Bible teaches that the blood of God's Son cleanses us from all
sin. It also teaches that the sacrifice of Christ was for all our sins for
all time. Finally, the apostle taught that when we leave our body,
we are instantly brought into the presence of the Lord. The teaching
of a purgatory is far removed from any semblance to true Biblical
doctrine.
Buddy
Bro. Buddy Martin - Ask
the Pastor
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Lawrence "Buddy" Martin
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org
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