How is Scared Tradition interpreted regarding scriptural proof texts both pro and con for Purgatory? I anticipate a lengthy discussion in my parish about Purgatory if the Holy Father’s words in the Apostolic Constitution are resolved so that Anglicans’s in the TAC may be in unity with the Holy See.
I think
zach dunn has given several good Scripture texts which support Sacred Tradition’s teaching that Purgatory/prison is where imperfections are burned/purged from the soul.
All “
Con” interpretations for Purgatory are misinterpretations of the Scriptures. The Bible is the main Catholic Book. It is the Catholic Church’s Book. The Catholic Church was first. The NT came later. The Catholic Church is the support and foundation of the truth, not Scripture
1 Tim 3:15. The Catholic Church’s leadership (pope and magisterium) is always guided by the Holy Spirit when it officially interprets Scripture
Jn 16:13. This promise is from Jesus and it will continue until He returns
Mat 28:19-20,
Mat 16:18.
The NT epistles are based on the oral teachings of the Church. Scripture (epistles) were supplements to the oral teachings of the Church and they were sent to various individuals and to local churches in order to “help” instruct, rebuke, or encourage them in the faith
2 Tim 3:16-17. The faith was first taught to them by oral teaching/preaching
Galatians 1:11. The epistles/letters were never meant to take the place of the oral teachings which were passed down throughout the ages through apostolic succession
2 Tim 2:2,
2 Thes 2:15.
Other denominations/persons have taken our Bible to be their Book also. However,
when interpreted correctly, Scripture always supports the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Mortal sin (sin leading to death) merits hell if a person does not repent and he dies with mortal sin on his soul. Mortal sin
insults the Holy Spirit of Grace
Heb 10:26-30 and so He no longer will dwell in the soul of a person who has committed mortal sin
1 Cor 3:16-18. It is the Holy Spirit,
Sanctifying/Saving Grace, dwelling/abiding within a soul at the time of death, which guarantees the salvation of that soul.
**
When a person commits mortal sin, then he insults the Holy Spirit** and as a result of this mortal sin, the Holy Spirit of Sanctifying Grace
1 Corinthians 6:11 no longer will dwell in that soul and so that soul no longer has sanctifying/saving grace. (Wherever the Holy Spirit is, there is also the Father and the Son because They are One God
1 Jn 2:24,
2 Cor 1:22,
1 Jn 5:7.) A person who dies in mortal sin causes his soul to be destroyed/damned for eternity.
1 Jn 5:16-17
If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is
sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is
sin not leading to death.
**
Sin not leading to death is called venial sin.** It does not
insult the Spirit of Grace. It is still unrighteousness and so it must be atoned for either on earth or after death because no imperfect soul can enter into heaven. Some will receive light punishment and some will receive heavy punishment for their venial sins yet they will still be saved. Good deeds and imperfect deeds and evil deeds are all judged
2 Corinthians 9:6,
Galatians 6:1-10,
2 Corinthians 5:10.
Heb 12:23
to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to
the spirits of just men made perfect,
These spirits/souls had to be perfected (made perfect) first before they could enter into heaven.
Rev 3:2
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.
to be continued…
They are “depicted in the vision” as being “under the altar” because they “sacrificed” their lives for Christ. Only Christ can be on “top” of the altar since it is His sacrifice on the cross alone which first reconciled us to God.