Subject: "Once Saved Always Saved" |
Bible Note: Lisa, Norrie was correct in her explanation of purgatory, mortal, and venial sins. I think the big difference between what you have been taught and what we were taught is not Vatican II, but in that we were taught the whole catechism basically word for word... whereas you seem to have been taught concepts instead. Perhaps you should study the catechism of the Catholic Church so you will know what it's doctrines and dogmas actually are. Then make a decision as to whether or not you agree with it's teachings. Since you are already reading the Bible, you will have something to compare one with the other too. Excerpt from the updated Catholic Catechism (1997)Where Bible references are given, please Lisa check them out too so you will see how they compare with the Catholic teaching they refer to: 1031. "The Church gives the name PURGATORY to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.[Cf. Council of Florence (1439): DS 1304; Council of Trent (1563): DS 1820; (1547): 1580; see also Benedict XII, Benedictus Deus (1336): DS 1000.] The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on PURGATORY especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:[Cf. 1 Cor 3:15 ; 1 Pet 1:7 .] As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.[St. Gregory the Great, Dial. 4, 39: PL 77, 396; cf. Mt 12:31 .] " [[My own Bible reference concerning the above doctrine. Please check out 1Peter 1:3-12, and 1Cor. 3:2-17, as the above reference verses do not teach a cleansing fire after our physical death. And Matt. 12:31 "Therefore I say to you, EVERY sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven men."]] 1472. "To understand this doctrine and practice of the Church, 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.[Cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1712-1713; (1563): 1820.]" [[My Bible reference. James 2:10 "For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." (Specifically as the Catholic Catechism states that "mortal" sins are the breaking of any one of the Ten Commandments.) And Matt. 12:31 again. There is only ONE unforgivable sin.]] 1475. "In the communion of saints, 'a perennial link of charity exists between the faithful who have already reached their heavenly home, those who are expiating their sins in PURGATORY and those who are still pilgrims on earth. between them there is, too, an abundant exchange of all good things.'[Indulgentiarum doctrina, 5.] In this wonderful exchange, the holiness of one profits others, well beyond the harm that the sin of one could cause others. Thus recourse to the communion of saints lets the contrite sinner be more promptly and efficaciously purified of the punishments for sin." [[My reference. Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement..." There is no cleansing period in-between physical death and the judgment.]] 1498. "Through indulgences the faithful can obtain the remission of temporal punishment resulting from sin for themselves and also for the souls in PURGATORY. " [[RCC's meaning of "indulgence" is "remission of temporal or purgatorial punishment still due for a sin after the guilt has been forgiven". Reference verse. Matthew 26:28 "For this is My blood of the covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (Remission means forgiveness.) And Hebrews 10:18 "Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin." Jesus does it all, as we both know.]] I will send a new post with the Catholic Cathechism teachings about Mortal and Venial Sins. Please read that one also, Lisa. God bless. |