Catholics, especially the ones who say they are born again, why do you hang on to the belief of purgatory?

Question

since we are made clean by the BLOOD OF CHRIST? THIS IS WHAT THE WORD TELLS US.

Answer 1

purgatory and the thought that unbaptized babies go there is ridiculous.

~catholic

Answer 2

Deep breath, there, Mike.

I believe in purgatory because the Bible tells me it's so. Purgatory is all about the Blood of Christ. If you think it's about something else, well, you just haven't been very well educated about Purgatory.

The Bible says that "all have sinned," remember? (Romans 3:23).

The Bible also says that "nothing unclean can enter heaven." (Revelations 21:27)

Obviously, this means that sometime between when we die in our sinful flesh (Romans 7:18ff) and when we enter heaven, we are fully cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb. The Bible says that we all are going to stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10) and that Christ will make us pure and holy -- that's what purgatory is.

You might not call it purgatory -- most Protestants don't even think about the process that we go through to be changed from sinful flesh to total purity, so they don't have a name for it -- but if you are the Bible-believer you say you are, then you surely must believe in the concept because it's completely Biblical.

And THAT is what the Word really tells us, friend.

Answer 3

Because Purgatory exists. Look in the book of Maccabees, Judas Maccabeus says that is a good and honorable thing to pray for the souls of the dead. the souls of those in Heaven are already in Heaven and thus do not need our prayers. Those in Hell are already damned and cannot be saved. So, there must be an intermediate place in which souls reside. This place is called Purgatory, where souls are purified. No one is perfect, and we are all sinful. yes, we were saved by Christ, but most of us are not able to go directly to Heaven due to the effects of sin. therefore, Purgatory exists to purify the soul and make reparation for sins committed.

edit: nice. Chris, I think you should remember that the Catholic Church put together the Bible before you use it to prove their damnation...lol

Answer 4

I am curious to know precisely what "Word" you are referring to.

In Rev 1:6: "To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen."

This verse refers specifically to souls who are already in heaven, in the presence of God. The verse does not negate the possibility of Purgatory, or that those in the presence of God might have passed through Purgatory to enter into the Eternal Kingdom.

Heb 9:13-14: "For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

Yes, our conscience is cleansed from dead works, but why? So that we might serve the living God. Again, no negation of Purgatory, and no negation of the necessity to cleanse our souls from the stain of sin.

Tell me where in Scripture is the idea of Purgatory negated?

Answer 5

There is no conflict between Purgatory and being made clean by the blood of Christ. Being made clean by the blood of Christ after we leave this life is what Purgatory is all about.

Answer 6

Especially the one who have had a conversion of heart come to better understand the teaching of purgatory which is Bible based and confirmed by the early church Fathers. Jesus has taught us to hold on to oral traditions
it is necessary to understand that sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the "eternal punishment" of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the "temporal punishment" of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. A conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain.
The trials, tribulations, and sufferings in this life, the Book of Wisdom points out, are a matter of God trying the souls of the just and finding them worthy of himself.

Those who trust God in this life understand these truths. Those who trust God understand that death is from the evil one, while life is from God, and that life ultimately outshines death. The foolish do not understand this, and they do not care. Thus, on the face of it, it seems quite clear: there are the souls of the just and the souls of the foolish. But we have to be concerned about what Jesus says in the Gospel of Luke: "So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say 'We are useless servants. We have done no more than our duty.'"(Luke 17:10). What the Book of Wisdom calls the souls of the just, Jesus calls "useless servants."

We have to come to terms with the fact that it is possible for a just man to die without having attained the level of spiritual maturity which is necessary to live in immediate communion with God. In other words, we need to recognize the human tendency toward mediocrity. Wouldn't it be nice if human freedom were capable of good and evil only in the highest degree, without reserve, without resistance? But that is not the case.

The mediocre person gives himself to God but reserves a certain part of his life for himself. He does not see all the consequences of a change in his life. He does not direct his whole will to respond to the call of God's grace, still giving in, in part, to evil tendencies. This is a decision for God, but with a request that God not take him seriously. It is a choice for Light, but with a lingering and morbid fascination for darkness.

These are the situations we understand because we experience them every day. Our faith calls these small acts of cowardice venial sins. They lack the fullness of charity. We give something, but keep something back. We mount the cross, but only with one hand and one foot. What can be done, Lord, with people like this? With useless servants like this? Are there many, perhaps all of us?

Answer 7

I'll give you a star because I really can't explain it so hopefully other answers to this question will help me learn a little more.

And here is Chris, sending us Catholics to hell again.

Answer 8

the word also tells us hat we must be clensed of all sins before we come into the sight of God.

the bible supports purgatory.

Answer 9

Mike, your interpretation of the Word of God could be wrong.

I know that sounds crazy, but considering all the theologians and ministers throughout history cannot agree on Christian Doctrine, why would your personal interpretation be the correct one of the millions out there?

God Himself doesn't feel the need to clear it all up for you guys, so why argue about it.

Gotta love doctrinal disagreements about beliefs that are purely subjective.

Answer 10

I am still trying to figure out the born again catholic doing the rosary hail mary thing!!??

Answer 11

Good point. Because purgatory doesn't exist, but is a false teaching of the catholic cult, to go along with their many false teachings.

Catholics are not saved and are not Christians. Catholics believe a false gospel of works that leads to eternal hell (Galatians 1).