Catholicism teaches that after death some people go to hell, others go to heaven and those who need further purification go to a place called Purgatory. The church views the work of Christ on the cross to be insufficient to remove all sin. The Catholic catechism admits this doctrine was formulated at the councils of Florence and Trent. The Bible is clear that salvation is a free gift of God and the work of Christ on the cross is complete to redeem the sins of all men, past, present and future. Purgatory is not mentioned in God’s Word and if there was such a place God would have said so. What’s very clear in the Bible is that the eternal spirit of those who die in Christ go immediately to heaven to be in the presence of Jesus.
If a person dies in their sin they go straight to hell within the earth upon their death. It’s one place or the other, there is no third choice. There is no holding area where you can eventually earn your way into heaven. This is another man-made tradition with no basis in Scripture. This Catholic doctrine was instituted to keep members in spiritual bondage to the church by having them give multiplied millions of dollars to the church to have prayers and Masses said on behalf of departed loved ones. This scam gives people false hopes. Our “time of decision” is over at death and our fate is sealed. We either accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior or we don’t. We’re going to heaven if we do and we’re going to hell if we don’t. It’s that simple and there is no do-over.
Ephesians 2:8 – For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
Romans 5:9 – Much more then, having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Romans 8:1 – There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Not only does the Roman Catholic church mistakenly require its members to pray to Mary, they compound their blasphemy by requiring members to pray for dead church members in Purgatory as well praying to those declared to be “saints” by the church. According to Scripture, anyone born again by faith in Christ is a saint and praying to or for the dead is not only meaningless it’s condemned in the Bible. God’s Word is clear that praying to and for dead human beings is not scriptural and it’s an affront to God. Prayer is a precious gift from God so that His children can communicate directly with Father God. Prayers going to others or through others fall on deaf ears. It’s like spitting into the wind. God will only hear and respond to prayers directed to Him in faith.
Hebrews 4:16 – Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 9:27 – And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 – There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, an because of these abominations the lord your God drives them out before you.