Why do Catholics believe that there is a place called purgatory?

Question

This is what God says in the Bible:
Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned

There is nothing in the Bible that says we will need to spend time in purgatory in order to atone for our sins. Everything is already done for us through Christ's blood on the cross.
Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

Romans 5:15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!

So why, when everything we need to get to heaven is already done for us, are there people that cling to the belief of purgatory?

Answer 1

and Jesus said the rich man lifted up his eyes and saw Lazarus in the bosom of Abraham. this was a waiting place for those souls that did not deserve to go to eternal torment, before Jesus made a way for us to go to heaven through his blood.
and the bible says that when Jesus ascended from hell he led the captives from captivity free, these were the ones that were in purgatory that are now in heaven.

Answer 2

+ Purgatory +

The concept of purgation is hinted at in the Bible. Here are a couple of places:

"But if someone's work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire." 1 Cor 3:15

"So that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Pet 1:7

Are you perfect now? Most people would say no.

Will you be perfect in heaven? Most people believe yes.

Purgatory (or purgation) is the process of God's love changing our imperfect selves on earth into perfect beings in heaven. Depending on the amount of change needed by different people, this can be an easy or slightly harder process.

Everyone in purgatory is on his or her way to heaven. I do not think Mother Teresa of Calcutta had a very hard time of it.

+ Sources of Doctrine +

The Catholic Church does not only use Holy Scripture for the basis of doctrine. The early Church existed before and during the time that the New Testament was written (by Catholics).

Catholics also believe that the Holy Spirit was guiding the early Church (and is guiding the Church today) to make the correct choices about things like
+ The Holy Trinity (which is also only hinted at in the Bible)
+ Going to church on Sunday instead of Saturday (which is actually directly against one of the ten commandments)
+ Which books to include in the New Testament?
+ How do our imperfect selves on earth get to be perfect in heaven?

This second source of doctrine is called Holy Apostolic Tradition.

With love in Christ.

Answer 3

That's nice that you listed those Bible verses. Catholics have those verses too, and they also have a couple more books in their bible than the King James Bible that does speak of a purgatory. Why do they have more books you may ask? Because around 1200-1500 bc, the priests and leaders of the church got together and decided what books to keep in the Bible and what to leave out, this is called the COuncil of Trent. I doubt many Chrisitans know this. This does not make their Bible any less meaningful, and it does not make the Protestant one obsolute. But it does make you wonder. The Catholics aren't pulling information out of thin air.

Answer 4

God keen i will pass to Purgatory as quickly as I die. Why do i'm hoping for Purgatory? basic, i understand that i'm no longer without sin in my movements or thoughts. Purgatory will get rid of those sins from me and make me organic to stand in business enterprise with God. Purgatory isn't a waiting room jointly as God comes to a decision who is going to Heaven or Hell. it quite is a cleansing of the soul. As for what the Bible has to declare approximately it: Lk 12:fifty 8-fifty 9; a million Cor 3:15; Mt 5:25-26 ... momentary pain. Heb 12:6-11 ... God’s painful self-discipline. Mt 12:32 ... no forgiveness ... nor interior the age to return. a million puppy 4:6 ... preached to the lifeless. Rev 21:27 ... no longer something unclean shall enter heaven. Heb 12:23 ... souls in heaven are appropriate. Col a million:24; 2 Sam 12:13-14 ... “extra” suffering. 2 Mac 12:40 3-40 six ... sacrifice for the lifeless. 2 Tim a million:15-18 ... prayer for Onesiphorus for “that Day.” a million Jn 5:14-17 ... mortal/venial sins bear in mind, "Trinity" isn't interior the Bible, yet all of us (Christians) have self belief that. additionally, no the place interior the Bible does it say which books belong there, nor does it say that in the time of basic terms what's interior the Bible is to be believed or practiced. would the Peace and Love of our Risen Lord be with you, constantly. Pax et Bonum

Answer 5

Jesus went to preach to those spirits in prison. So those who have died will have another opportunity to accept the Gospel and repent of their sins before the final judgement. It is still through Grace that these people are also saved.

Some parts of this this simple doctrine have been lost or changed over the centuries.

Answer 6

Dogmatic definition of purgatory was given in 1254, following the normal pattern of doctrinal clarification, with concepts having roots in Scripture and Tradition being given explicit names and further unambiguous theological description by dogmatic decrees as needed.

Against those who denied purgatory the Catholic Church asserted: "[W]e, since they say a place of purgation of this kind has not been indicated to them with a certain and proper name by their teachers, we indeed, calling it purgatory according to the traditions and authority of the Holy Fathers, wish that in the future it be called by that name...".

Answer 7

I believe it stems from the doctrine that nothing with sin can enter heaven and we must be pure to do so. Hence, the belief in purgatory

Answer 8

Because, as Catholics, we believe that we are held responsible for our sins even after death.

We believe that if you die with sin on your soul, if you were to go to heaven to meet GOD it would be painful because we are not worthy to be in his presence.

Because of this, we must spend time in a place we call purgatory where our souls go through a final purification. Through this purification, our souls become more perfect and allows us to be able to "confront GOD, and be in his presence."

Just a Note: souls that are in purgatory cannot pray for themselves, that is why we (Catholics) pray for the souls in purgatory at MASS.

Answer 9

I was always taught that Jesus died on the cross so our sins "may" be forgiven. In other words, if you ask for forgiveness, and repent, your sins will be forgiven. Purgatory is for those who do not repent.

Answer 10

It's a hope that Catholics don't need to be as pure as the Bible says they should be.
A great alibi to say I goofed big time but, I have a trump card. Hope my kids give and pray me out of here.

Don't believe in it.