I can give you ample biblical backing for Purgatory, but the problem is, most of you anti-Catholics really don’t want to know, do you? You prefer ignorance and falsehood to knowledge and truth.
So, read carefully. Jesus said to the thief on the cross, “TODAY thou shalt be with me in Paradise,” and most of you Bible Alone adherents apparently interpret Paradise as being Heaven and TODAY as being the end of that 24–hour calendar day they were in, right? Well then, let me ask you a question about that, All of you Infallible Interpreters of Scripture – how do you reconcile that statement of Jesus on the cross with His statement to Mary Magdalene two days later when He tells her that He has not yet ascended to the Father? In other words, how could the thief on the cross be with Jesus in Paradise “TODAY,” when two days later Jesus still hadn’t made it to Paradise?
Regarding Purgatory, the word is nowhere in the Bible. But, the word “Trinity” is nowhere in the Bible, either, yet you believe in the Trinity don’t you? Sorry, but there is evidence of Purgatory in the Bible, even if it is not mentioned by name. Here’s a quick biblical question about Purgatory that you will not be able to answer: In 1 Cor 3:10–15, it talks about how every man’s work will be made manifest on “the day” – their judgment day – and that every man’s work will be tested by fire. And that there will be some who have works that will be burned up, and they will suffer loss, as through fire, yet still be saved. So, Mr.& Mrs.Infallible Interpreter of Scripture, where is it that, after a man dies, and his works are judged, that he can suffer loss as through fire, yet still be saved? Hell? Nope. One suffers loss as through fire in Hell, but we both know that no one gets out of Hell. Heaven? Nope. Someone who is in Heaven is indeed saved, but we both know no one suffers loss in Heaven. So, where is it that after one dies, one could suffer loss as through fire, yet still be saved?
Wow. I've read 'poisonous' statements before, but this one is dripping with it. You sure you should be addressing people this way, even if they are in the wrong?
Let me make something clear: not all Christians believe in a Trinity, so I wouldn't even try using that as an argument. Because it's only going to work for some people, and even then, it doesn't pose an obstacle.
Now for a definition of purgatory. You seem to neglect posting the correct definition as defined by the Catholic Church. From the Catholic Encyclopedia,
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12575a.htm
Purgatory (Lat., "purgare", to make clean, to purify) in accordance with Catholic teaching is a place or condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God's grace, are, not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions.
The faith of the Church concerning purgatory is clearly expressed in the Decree of Union drawn up by the Council of Florence (Mansi, t. XXXI, col. 1031), and in the decree of the Council of Trent which (Sess. XXV) defined:
Now tell me, doesn't it sound a bit sus that this doctrine is founded on ANCIENT TRADITION of fallible men? I'll say, I read the 'Scriptural' evidence. It consists of three Scripture verses which I will now proceed to address.
Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
I could get technical, but I really couldn't be bothered, because simplicity is just as good, if not better. Is there something wrong with the clear message Jesus was conveying? Those who blaspheme the Holy Ghost will NEVER find forgiveness. Jesus made it clear, that there will never be a stage in this life, or that of the beyond, where one will find forgiveness. It's too late once you've done it. Jesus speaks of a finality here, not a mythical place called purgatory where people who aren't so bad go to get cleansed.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
I believe Webers_home addressed this verse sufficiently. This is not talking about everyone. This is talking about Believers. And it's referring to what they build on Christ. At the end of the day, we can do so many things for Christ, but if it's not what God wanted us to do, it's all for nothing. Sort of like what Paul was speaking of in 1 Cor 13. We can speak with the tongues of angels and so many wonderful things, but without Charity, it availeth nothing.
And now for what is probably the 'strongest' verse in support of purgatory:
Luk 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Luk 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Now I don't profess to be a learned man, theologian, or what not. But I would venture to say, that paradise is a waiting place for those ALREADY saved, not for those who are getting purified! This thief on the cross realized who Jesus was, in an enormous leap of faith, requested Jesus to remember him when he entered his kingdom. Notice Jesus reply, you will be with me in paradise. Paradise comes from the greek, referring to a park, an Eden. Jesus' kingdom, is the Eden that we lost. It's what man is searching for even today, but still hasn't found. The only way to regain Eden is through Jesus Christ.
The conclusion couldn't be more obvious. Paradise is not purgatory, because I really doubt that Jesus' kingdom is called purgatory! Jesus' kingdom consists of those who HAVE been saved, not those who MAY get saved.
So where's all the rest of the proof for purgatory? Ummmm, oh, there we are! The 'ancient' church fathers! Like, I-don't-know-this-guy and I-don't-know-this-guy. Man, that feels so reliable. I think purgatory is sitting on some pretty shaky grounds, if its only real foundation are the words of men!
While we're on the topic of Purgatory, does that mean you believe in indulgences as well? Because indulgences play a part in purgatory . . . . :/
Well then, let me ask you a question about that, All of you Infallible Interpreters of Scripture – how do you reconcile that statement of Jesus on the cross with His statement to Mary Magdalene two days later when He tells her that He has not yet ascended to the Father? In other words, how could the thief on the cross be with Jesus in Paradise “TODAY,” when two days later Jesus still hadn’t made it to Paradise?
Forgive me, I didn't read your post thoroughly.
How could the thief be in paradise while Jesus was on earth you ask? I'll tell you how!
Jesus was God. God is omnipresent. Apparently that means that he is present everywhere. When Jesus came to earth, robed in a body of flesh, it didn't mean that he had surrendered his divine nature. He was still God, he still inhabited EVERY nook and crany of the universe, but he also had a human nature.
Jesus was omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient, or else he isn't God. If you believe he is God, then you have just got your answer.
Jesus wasn't confined to his physical body. He was everywhere, and poof, there goes your little 'challenge'.