Is Purgatory Biblical?


Robert Cooper asks: Hey guys, what are your thoughts on purgatory? I've been trying to find more information on it, but can't find anything in the Bible on that topic.
Thanks for the question Robert. The teaching behind purgatory, is that believers incur debts that need to be paid for, before the believer is allowed in heaven. A notion pushed by the catholic church. The reason you cannot find anything in the Bible on that topic, is simply because it is completely unbiblical.
In fact, in The New Catholic Encyclopedia, we find their admission, that “The doctrine of Purgatory is not explicitly stated in the Bible.” Therefore, Catholics are forced to appeal to human tradition rather than in scripture.
Secondly, the doctrine of purgatory undermines the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement on the cross. As we are taught in scripture that "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2). Unlike purgatory, the principle of Jesus being the full atonement of sin is found explicitly throughout scripture. For example, scripture declares that Christ, through “one sacrifice . . . has made perfect forever those who are being made holy” (Hebrews 10:14; Hebrews 1:3).
Or 2 Corinthians 5:21, where we are told “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (see also Isaiah 53:4–6; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18; 1 John 2:2). This is the reason why Jesus was able to cry out upon his death on the cross “It is finished!” (John 19:30). In other words “The debt has been paid in full.”
Hope these helps.
Comments:
Robert Cooper: Thanks for taking the time to explain this, I've been visiting my girlfriends church and trying to learn. This makes perfect sense. Im one to believe in the Bible over people's teachings. Thanks again!
BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: No worries, be blessed and glad we were able to help.
1 Peter 2:24
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."1 Peter 2:24 reads, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."
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