Hey Weather, I’ve good news for you about your response, There is no Purgatory. I’ll explain it for you. You wrote:
[quote:1ieap428]
All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.[/quote:1ieap428]
If they’re not cleansed by this time, they won’t be going to Heaven, We only go around once and then Scripture tells us in Hebrews 9:27, – “[color=red:1ieap428]And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” [/color:1ieap428] You continue:
[quote:1ieap428]The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.604 The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. the tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire: [/quote:1ieap428]
I have a couple “small” problems with this [u:1ieap428][b:1ieap428]1 [/b:1ieap428][/u:1ieap428]The Church? I think you mean Your church not THE Church [u:1ieap428][b:1ieap428] 2[/b:1ieap428][/u:1ieap428] [i:1ieap428]by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:[/i:1ieap428] but Scrpiture no where talks about Purgatory, [b:1ieap428][color=red:1ieap428]NO WHERE[/color:1ieap428] 1 Corinthians 3 if you read this, its about one’s works that are examined not the person- Besides fire doesn’t remove sin, The Bible tells us that Jesus’ Blood does that – Hebrews 9:22 –[i:1ieap428] And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (KJV)[/i:1ieap428][/b:1ieap428]
You continued:
[quote:1ieap428]
As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come. [/quote:1ieap428]
But it doesn’t tell us that, you just imply that it tells us this. It could mean if your sins aren’t forgiven here, they won’t get forgiven because of Hebrews 9:27 (top paragraph)
You go on with:
[quote:1ieap428]
This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: “Therefore Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.”607 From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.608 The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead: [/quote:1ieap428]
Not so fast, Maccabeus is not part of Scriptuures. Your church added it somewhere around 1578??? or about the time of the reformation. furthermore the Church of Scriptures does not offer anything for them, Maybe [i:1ieap428]your denomination [/i:1ieap428]does try to buy or talk someone into Heaven, but “the” Church doesn’t.
[quote:1ieap428]
Let us help and commemorate them. If Job’s sons were purified by their father’s sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them[/quote:1ieap428]
Scriptures tells us not too because it won’t do anyone any good (see Hebrews 9:27 again ABOVE)
[quote:1ieap428]as a catholic i beleive this is a purgatory even when Virgin Mary appeared to people she told them there is a purgatory. Purgatory is when your not bad but you still have some sins to pay off cause you are not cleaned to go to heaven and yet your sins aren’t bad to enter hell so after you paid your debt in purgatory you go to heaven. if your a catholic you have to beleive there a purgatory if not then your not a true catholic.[/quote:1ieap428]
Revelation 21:27 says no sins get you into Heaven
As for this [u:1ieap428][i:1ieap428]your not bad but you still have some sins to pay off cause you are not cleaned to go to heaven and yet your sins aren’t bad to enter hell [/i:1ieap428][/u:1ieap428]
Scripture tells us that there is no one righteous, no not one (Romans 3:10-23) James 2:10 – [color=red:1ieap428][i:1ieap428]If you commit one sin you are guilty of all[/i:1ieap428][/color:1ieap428] so what is this “venial” stuff??? Please don’t go to 1 John 5:16-17 because that isn’t what your church claims it means anyway!
You can read more about No purgatory at my web page …..
Have a good day Weather