Purgatory — Why does the Bible say that Jesus purified us?

[CutlerB]

I follow a Catholic page on Facebook and they regularly post apologetics articles, such as on Purgatory. In the comments, there were of course those who went ranting about the “unbiblical” doctrine, but also those who defended it. While I still agree that the evidence for Purgatory, there was one post that seems to make some good points. I’ll quote it here:

IS PURGATORY BIBLICAL?

The Roman Catholic church teaches that those who are perfect at
death are admitted to heaven. Those who are not perfectly cleansed
and are still tainted with the guilt of venial sins, however, do not
go to heaven but rather go to purgatory where they allegedly go
through a process of cleansing (or “purging”). Such souls are
oppressed with a sense of deprivation and suffer certain pain. How
long they stay in purgatory – and how much suffering they undergo
while there – depends upon their particular state of sin.

Roman Catholics also teach that a person’s time in purgatory may be
shortened, and his pains alleviated, by the faithful prayers and
good works of those still alive. The sacrifice of the Mass is viewed
as especially important in this regard. Catholics find support for
this doctrine in the apocryphal book 2 Maccabees 12:42 - 45.

That purgatory is a false doctrine is easy to prove from the
Scriptures. When Jesus died on the cross, He said “It is finished”
(John 19:30). Jesus completed the work of redemption at the cross.
In His high priestly prayer to the Father, Jesus said, “I have
brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do”
(John 17:4). Hebrews 10:14 emphatically declares, “By one sacrifice
he has made perfect for ever those who are being made holy.” Hence,
those who believe in Christ are “made perfect” forever; no further
“purging” is necessary. First John 1:7 says, “The blood of Jesus,
his Son, purifies us from all sin.” Romans 8:1 says, “Therefore,
there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus took care of “purging” our sins by His work of salvation at
the cross. Hebrews 1:3 affirms, “After he had provided purification
for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
Jesus provided full purification for our sins.

What’s this having provided “purification for sins” about and how does it fit in with the doctrine of purgatory, along with the other verses?

 

[Dubay]

My understanding is that purgatory is not explicit in any manner in the bible but is founded within Tradition. That is not to say purgatory does not exist only its not biblical in explicit terms like heaven & hell,

 

[RPRPsych]

My understanding is that purgatory is not explicit in any manner in the bible but is founded within Tradition. That is not to say purgatory does not exist only its not biblical in explicit terms like heaven & hell,

While it isn’t “explicitly” mentioned in the Bible, it is foreshadowed in 2 Maccabees 12: 38-46, in which prayers for the dead who were otherwise righteous, but committed a sin (looting during war) were offered, that they might be delivered.

Also, 1 Corinthians 3:15 refers to how some Christians will be saved “as through fire”, though some of their works will be destroyed. This has been interpreted as a reference to the “purifying fire” of Purgatory, as opposed to the “eternal fire” of hell that awaits those who are damned.

 

[CutlerB]

While it isn’t “explicitly” mentioned in the Bible, it is foreshadowed in 2 Maccabees 12: 38-46, in which prayers for the dead who were otherwise righteous, but committed a sin (looting during war) were offered, that they might be delivered.

Also, 1 Corinthians 3:15 refers to how some Christians will be saved “as through fire”, though some of their works will be destroyed. This has been interpreted as a reference to the “purifying fire” of Purgatory, as opposed to the “eternal fire” of hell that awaits those who are damned.

I agree about the New Testament indications as well as 2 Maccabees. However, I am more concerned about the quote I gave in the OP, including references like Hebrews 1:3.

 

[ephesians2]

I agree about the New Testament indications as well as 2 Maccabees. However, I am more concerned about the quote I gave in the OP, including references like Hebrews 1:3.

I was too at a certain point in my life. If you are looking for scriptures read Hebrews and it will help answer your questions. 1 Peter 1 is helpful especially verses 18-19 and 22-25. There is more but you can start there.

 

[Dubay]

While it isn’t “explicitly” mentioned in the Bible, it is foreshadowed in 2 Maccabees 12: 38-46, in which prayers for the dead who were otherwise righteous, but committed a sin (looting during war) were offered, that they might be delivered.

Also, 1 Corinthians 3:15 refers to how some Christians will be saved “as through fire”, though some of their works will be destroyed. This has been interpreted as a reference to the “purifying fire” of Purgatory, as opposed to the “eternal fire” of hell that awaits those who are damned.

The other interpretation is a follows; but again its not explicit so we rely on trust of Tradition.

Corinthians 3:13-14, makes this statement: “Each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as

through fire.” 6 Paul’s statements are clear. It is the man’s works that are being judged, not his person or soul. The issue at stake is not his salvation or eternal state (heaven or hell), but his rewards. The fire of Christ’s judgment will test the nature of his earthly works; this judgment does nothing to the sanctification of his soul. In fact, Paul makes it very clear that though his rewards may be lost, yet “he himself will be saved.”When Paul mentions “the Day,” he refers to “the Day of the Lord”: the day of the return of Christ and the final judgment of the living and the dead.

 

[RPRPsych]

I agree about the New Testament indications as well as 2 Maccabees. However, I am more concerned about the quote I gave in the OP, including references like Hebrews 1:3.

Good question, again!

Well, Hebrews 1:3 does say that Christ obtained forgiveness (purification) for our sins. However, this must be interpreted in context. Hebrews was an epistle written to Jewish Christians, who would have been familar with the concept of ritual purification, as well as the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) where the high priest makes atonement for all the sins of the people, including his own. The rest of the Epistle makes it clear that Christ is the new and supreme High Priest, whose sacrifice was definitive and took away the need for the purifications and sacrifices of the Old Law.

However, both Jewish tradition and natural justice dictate that a person must make amends, or reparation, for their sins. That’s why the concept of “sin offerings” exists in the Old Testament laws, and why we have prison sentences and other legal penalties in almost every culture and society. Sins entail a temporal punishment. And while God forgives sins, He is also just, and will not allow us to enjoy Heaven until we have “served our sentence”.

Therefore, while Christ’s suffering ensures the salvation of all those who die in His sanctifying grace (i.e. who have not committed an unrepented mortal sin or sins), some of these (who have committed venial sins) still have to “do their time”, so as to speak. They are assured of salvation, but they have to satisfy justice by completing their temporal punishment - in Purgatory. This “sentence” can be mitigated by the intercession of the saints, as well as by offering Masses for the faithful departed.

So, the fact that Christ’s sacrifice gained forgiveness for our sins in no way contradicts the doctrine of purgatory. The word “purged” in Hebrews is used in a specific context (with reference to OT laws), while the Catholic concept of Purgatory refers to a temporal and temporary punishment that must - in all justice - precede salvation in some cases.

Hope this helps.

 

[Godfollower]

I follow a Catholic page on Facebook and they regularly post apologetics articles, such as on Purgatory. In the comments, there were of course those who went ranting about the “unbiblical” doctrine, but also those who defended it. While I still agree that the evidence for Purgatory, there was one post that seems to make some good points. I’ll quote it here:

IS PURGATORY BIBLICAL?

Yes, it’s true: Jesus’ Sacrifice on the Cross was a once-and-for-all redemption of all mankind for our sins. And it’s true that His Sacrifice is what purifies us.

But it clearly did not purify all of us on Good Friday A.D. 33, right? I know I’ve sinned since then, and I would hazard a guess that your Protestant correspondent would admit to having sinned since then, too.

If his argument is that Jesus’ Sacrifice was completed when He died and rose again but that we’re purified later through that power, then I would agree with him. That’s what Purgatory is: we’re purified by the grace of God, and more specifically through the Sacrifice of Jesus the Christ.

If his argument is that the purification takes place at the moment we accept Jesus as our Lord, and after that there can be no purification because it has already been completely accomplished, then I would like to know whether he has ever been angry at a fellow Christian since becoming a believer (see Matthew 5:21-25 – we cannot be angry at our brothers or call them fools – and Ephesians 4:31 – “Let all bitterness, and anger, and indignation, and clamour, and blasphemy, be put away from you, with all malice”).

Either he’s arguing Once Saved, Always Saved (you’re completely purified when you accept Jesus and can never sin or fall away from God afterward); or he’s arguing that only perfect Christians get into Heaven, and the almost-perfect and less-worthy believers in Jesus go to Hell; or he’s arguing that people who are partially impure can get into Heaven if they basically believe in Jesus overall. All of those arguments are contrary to Scripture. Catholic theology regarding Purgatory, however, absolutely fits with Scripture.

 

[Todd_Easton]

If you suppose that the power behind the purifying fires of Purgatory is the blood of Jesus Christ, as the blood of Jesus is the power behind the purifying waters of Baptism, then the doctrine of Purgatory and the Bible are reconciled. In life, the unjust are made just and purified completely from their pre-baptismal sins by the blood of Jesus by means of the waters of Baptism; in the afterlife, the souls of the just are purified completely from their post-baptismal sins by the blood of Jesus by means of the fires of Purgatory.

 

[pablope]

I follow a Catholic page on Facebook and they regularly post apologetics articles, such as on Purgatory. In the comments, there were of course those who went ranting about the “unbiblical” doctrine, but also those who defended it. While I still agree that the evidence for Purgatory, there was one post that seems to make some good points. I’ll quote it here:

What’s this having provided “purification for sins” about and how does it fit in with the doctrine of purgatory, along with the other verses?

I think you will find the answer here…catholiceducation.org/articles/apologetics/ap0091.html

From which I will cite/quote the following:

The essence of Christianity is Christ reproducing His life, His suffering, His death and then His resurrection in glory in us. That is the essence of Christianity. Christ is our substitute for Adam who did us in, but He is not a substitute in the sense that He was righteous so that we could be unrighteous. He suffered so that we don’t have to suffer. He took our stripes so that we only have healing and good times and easy street from here on. Sure, God does heal us sometimes, on earth, in time. But don’t ever, ever swallow the line that you’re not healed because you don’t have faith and you’re in a really bad state because you’re still suffering from this disease or this illness and so on. Don’t fall for that because sometimes God doesn’t heal somebody on earth in time because He’s got a much greater healing in mind. He’s not satisfied with just giving us back a few more years of earthly life. Sometimes He loves us so much that He wants to give us the greatest gift of all and that is eternal glory and a resurrection body, which is the final and complete and ultimate healing that we really should be craving and praying for.

So He calls us to go through deserts. He calls us to encounter all kinds of trials. Why? Because He didn’t want us to have too much fun? No. Because He doesn’t want us to just settle down and pig out on earthly goods.

Earthly goods are good, but they are only hors d’oeuvres. They are only meant to whet our appetite for the heavenly banquet. If we pig out on the hors d’oeuvres, what’s going to happen? We’re going to lose any desire for heaven and the banquet of the lamb. So the Holy Spirit in love sends fire and ordeals which come upon us to prove us. To prove you as though something strange will happen to you, but rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings “…that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.”

Now what does this mean, that Christ has not paid for our sin? Of course not. It doesn’t mean that. Christ has paid once and for all for our sin. His death is the ultimate satisfaction and price for our redemption, but His life and His death must be lived out in us. That’s why we need to pick up our cross, and we need to imitate Christ. Did you catch that? We don’t suffer because Christ’s sufferings weren’t enough. We suffer because Christ’s life must be reproduced in us. It is finished. It is accomplished, but now it must be applied. The work of the third person of the Holy Spirit is New Testament history, is personal history.