Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Matthew 22:32 'I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 22:32 'I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB'? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living." [Ex 3:6] |
Subject: purgatory is it true? |
Bible Note: Greetings Emmaus! Hello my brother! I went to the web site you listed. Between the verses you mentioned and the ones listed on the web site, we have the following verses proposed as Biblical support for purgatory. 1) 1 Cor. 3:10-15 2) Mt. 5:25-26 3) Mt. 12:31-32 4) Mt. 18:21-35 Let's look at each of these quickly, beginning with the Matthean passages. 2) Mt. 5:25-26: The context here concerns a brother who has something against another brother. The subject is told to leave his gift in front of the alter, be reconciled to his brother, then come offer his gift. Then, he is told that if an adversary is taking him to court, to settle up before they get there. Where is there any reference to a state of being after death, prior to entering Heaven? Death is not part of the context. 3) Mt. 12:31-32: This passage speaks of a sin which will not be forgiven, either in this age or the age to come. How does this support the view that there is a place called purgatory were sins will be forgiven or cleaned up prior to entering Heaven? 4) Mt. 18:21-35: This passage is a parable illustrating that we should forgive even as we have been forgiven. It would be a major mistake to take the details of a parable and turn them into an allegory, which is the only way this could support purgatory. But, if we want to make this an allegory, then are you saying that purgatory is a place where we are torured until we pay up? 1) 1 Cor. 3:10-15: This passage speaks of our works being judged. It does not mention anything about some temporary state between this life and Heaven. In conclusion, I have no problem with the simple fact that the word 'purgatory' is not found in Scripture. However, I do have a problem with the fact that the concept is not found in Scripture. It is a huge stretch, based on these verses, to say that there is a place where people need to go to get purified before they can get into Heaven. This is especially true since Scripture speaks of our purification as being accomplished on the Cross. a) Titus 2:14 - "who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." b) Heb. 1:3 - "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." c) I John 1:7 - "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." So, didn't the cross complete the job? Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |