Prayers are not needed by those in heaven and can't help those in hell.
Must be a third place, at least tempararily. "It is a holy and wholesome
thought to pray for the dead, that they might be loosed from their sins.
Fundamentalists may not accept 2 Maccabees, but it reflects the religious
views of jews shortly before new testament times. First century catholics
were extremely conservative people, if anyone suggested the least change
in belief they would be up in arms, sometimes quite literally. The people
understood that oral teachings of the apostles, what catholics call tradition,
and the bible not only did not contradict the doctrine but indorsed it.
Noninspired christian writings, such as the acts of Paul and Thecla ( second
century reference to the custom of praying for the dead ).They knew this even
if they didn't use the name for it. Paul and thecla, the ascription of the
doctrine to Gregory, account for the graffiti in the catacombs. where the first
christians during the persecutions of the first three centuries recorded.
No where does the bible teach Christ obviated the need for any expiation
on our part. Nothing unclean shall enter heaven. Prayers for the dead came
from the teaching of Jesus. God forgave david his sin and sent Nathan with
the message he had to under go expiation. Can we expect less for ourselves.
Having ones sins forgiven is not the same as having
the punishment for them wiped out. God does not cover sins. A soul can't
be declared clean but actually has to be clean. Sola Scriptura is contrary
to scripture. Jesus said I have still much to say to you, but it is beyond
your reach as yet. It will be for him, the truth giving spirit, when he comes
to guide you in all truth.
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