Biblical Christians believe that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord as Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:8.  Therefor when we die in Christ, having been born again, confessed and repented of our sins, the next face we will see is that of Jesus, our Lord and our Savior.

The most basic tenet of the Christian faith is that Jesus paid the price for our sins by the shedding of His perfect, sinless blood on the cross as the Son of God, hereby being the sacrificial lamb that takes away the sins of the world.  This is what John the Baptist by the Holy Spirit confirmed when he saw Jesus coming to him.

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.  John 1:29

Paul confirms that only the shedding of blood can remit sins.  Therefore the only efficacy for the remission of sin is blood and nothing else.  

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.  Hebrews 9:22

Paul confirms herewith the fulfillment in Jesus of the Old Testament requirement for atonement of the soul.

For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.  Leviticus 17:11

Just as the natural function of our blood is twofold:

1. 1. Nourishing of the body by transporting essential nutrients and oxygen to all our cells, and,
   2. Cleansing of the body by removing toxins and waste and expelling them, as well as, protecting us from invading foreign contaminants such as viruses and harmful bacteria,

…so is the supernatural function of Jesus’ blood to our soul in that it nourishes us with His life and cleanses us from all sin and unrighteousness.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:7-9

Jesus also sanctifies us with His own blood.

Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.  Hebrews 13:12

There is a hymn called “Nothing But The Blood” which says: “What can wash away my sin?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus;” (see the video below).  This is the bottom-line in the gospel that only the blood of Jesus can cleanse us from all of our sins and make us whole.  Nothing else can do this.  Not priests, not penance, not sacraments, not holy living, not communion, not worship, not church participation, not being a good man or woman, not confession, not last rites, nothing but the blood of Jesus can save us.

So how do we apply the blood of Jesus to ourselves?  By becoming born again (or literally, born from above).  Unless we are born again, we cannot see or enter into the kingdom of God.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  John 3:3

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  John 3:5

To be truly born again, we must do the first thing Jesus told us to do in His earthly ministry … repent.  By confessing our sins, not to a man but to God directly, and repenting of them, He forgives us and purges them from our lives.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9

Beside God, the only man or woman we should ever confess any sin to, is the one whom we have sinned against.

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.  Matthew 5:23-24

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  James 5:16

Jesus is our advocate or helper with the Father anytime we do sin but we immediately confess and repent of our sins, then He steps in for us against the accusations of the enemy and we are forgiven.

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:  1 John 2:1

Nowhere in scripture does it tell us that fire can cleanse us of our sins.  Fire has no efficacy for the remission of sins whatsoever.  Only blood, and specifically the blood of Jesus, can cleanse from sin.

Yet this is what Roman Catholic doctrine would have you believe that the fire of purgatory, which in their description of this fabricated wretched place, is nothing but hell itself, albeit a supposed temporary one, are necessary to cleanse you from venial sins before you can enter heaven.  They state that “every sin, even venial,” requires purification through penance on earth before death or in purgatory after death.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Vatican website:

ARTICLE 4
THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION

The punishments of sin

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.84 

ARTICLE 4, THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION, The punishments of sin 
84 Cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1712-1713; (1563): 1820.  
Source: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c2a4.htm

This doctrine of men seeks to absolutely nullify the efficacy of the blood of Jesus, which is all sufficient for the forgiveness of all sin before death and with no more need to pay for our sins ourselves after death.  Why would they teach this?  To make man dependent on the RC institution for purported salvation which they can never deliver.

What is purgatory?  According to RC doctrine, it is “The Final Purification”.  According to Merriam-Webster:

Purgatory : a state after death according to Roman Catholic belief in which the souls of people who die are made pure through suffering before going to heaven

: a place or state of suffering

According to the RC Catechism, here is the definition straight from the Vatican:

ARTICLE 12
“I BELIEVE IN LIFE EVERLASTING”

III. THE FINAL PURIFICATION, OR PURGATORY

1030 All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.606 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:607

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.608

1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: “Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.”609 From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.610 The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:

Let us help and commemorate them. If Job’s sons were purified by their father’s sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.611

606 Cf. Council of Florence (1439):DS 1304; Council of Trent (1563):DS 1820; (1547):1580; see also Benedict XII, Benedictus Deus (1336):DS 1000.
607 Cf. 1 Cor 3:15; 1 Pet 1:7.
608 St. Gregory the Great, Dial. 4,39:PL 77,396; cf. Mt 12:31.
609 2 Macc 12:46.
610 Cf. Council of Lyons II (1274):DS 856.
611 St. John Chrysostom, Hom. in 1 Cor. 41,5:PG 61,361; cf. Job 1:5.
Source as of 10/28/2016: <http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a12.htm>

The Vatican admits here that “The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent.” hereby openly confessing that purgatory is a man-made doctrine and not scriptural in it’s origin at all.  This alone should cast serious doubt on its authenticity and validity.

The reference to “Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.” is found in 2 Maccabees 12:46, a non-canonical, or deuterocanonical (second canon) book that was not worthy to be included in the bible according to the early church fathers.  This book of Maccabees was also not included in the original Hebrew scriptures and is not in the Hebrew bible today.  It was added to the RC bible in the 16th century.  It was also not included in the Dead Sea Scrolls.

By the way, Job’s sons were still alive in Job 1:5 when Job offered sacrifices for their possible sins and not dead as they purport in 1032 above.  Oops!

Purgatory was originally invented to raise money for the building of the New Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome by the sale of indulgences.  In the middle ages the sale of indulgences spawned the proverb:

“As soon as money in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory’s fire springs.”

The doctrine of indulgences was conveniently sanctioned by the Council of Trent (December 4, 1563) just in time to raise the money for the building of the new basilica.  Even after the building was completed, the practice has never been retracted.  This was one of Martin Luther’s main objections to the abuses of the RC church and number 82 on his list of Ninety-Five Theses (number 11 about purgatory is quite funny!).  Indulgences are still sold today in the form of Mass Cards offering perpetual prayers for the dead in exchange for money and can be found in number on racks stands at Catholic funerals.   Here is the definition straight from the Vatican:

ARTICLE 4
THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION

X. INDULGENCES

1471  The doctrine and practice of indulgences in the Church are closely linked to the effects of the sacrament of Penance.

What is an indulgence?

“An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints.”81

“An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin.”82 The faithful can gain indulgences for themselves or apply them to the dead.83

ARTICLE 4, THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION, The punishments of sin
81 Paul VI, apostolic constitution, Indulgentiarum doctrina, Norm 1.
82 Indulgentiarum doctrina, Norm 2; Cf. Norm 3.
83 CIC, can. 994.
Source: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c2a4.htm

Sins are never forgiven under RC doctrine, only the guilt thereof.  Through confession and penance, payment must always still be made in this life and in the next life in purgatory.   The RC Catechism states that past sins must constantly be prayed for and penance done or else everything we do is useless.

“157. … For constant prayer and penance done for past sins obtain for us divine help, without which every work of ours is useless and unavailing.”

MEDIATOR DEI 
ENCYCLICAL OF POPE PIUS XII
ON THE SACRED LITURGY
TO THE VENERABLE BRETHREN, THE PATRIARCHS, PRIMATES,
ARCHBISHOPS, BISHIOPS, AND OTHER ORDINARIES
IN PEACE AND COMMUNION WITH THE APOSTOLIC SEE
Source: http://w2.vatican.va/content/pius-xii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_20111947_mediator-dei.html

Yet, scripture tells us that through faith in the blood of Jesus, our past sins are already remitted and that we are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;  Romans 3:24-25

So if you are a devout Roman Catholic, let me ask you a question; if you were the best Catholic on earth, when you die, where will you go?  Any answer other than purgatory would not line up with Roman Catholic doctrine.  You could be the most devout and the most staunch Catholic in the world but according to RC doctrine your end will still be the flames of purgatory for final purification.

Do you want to go to purgatory?  I didn’t think so.  Anyway, let me ask you another question…how can you go to a place that does not even exist?  It is a fable and an invention to keep you from the truth of your freedom from sin in Jesus Christ.  Jesus Himself said:

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.  John 8:36

The good news is that we are not appointed to wrath but to obtain salvation through Jesus.  If purgatory were true, it would be a certain definite form of wrath, wouldn’t it?  By Jesus we are saved from any and all forms of wrath.

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,  1 Thessalonians 5:9

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  Romans 5:9

How does one become born again to be assured to be able to see and enter the kingdom of God?  The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas this very question.  Here is their response:

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.  Acts 16:30-31

Paul also teaches in Romans how to be saved:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  Romans 10:9-11

If you sincerely desire to be saved, continue to WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

You may also want to checkout the following articles:

• • QUESTIONS FOR CATHOLICS

  • WHO CHANGED THE TEN COMMANDMENTS?

  • THE FALL OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD

Words & Music: Ro­bert Low­ry, in Gos­pel Mu­sic, by Will­iam Doane and Ro­bert Low­ry (New York: Big­low & Main, 1876)

1. What can wash away my sin?
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
   What can make me whole again?
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
   • Refrain:
     Oh! precious is the flow
     That makes me white as snow;
     No other fount I know,
     Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
2. For my pardon, this I see,
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
   For my cleansing this my plea,
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
3. Nothing can for sin atone,
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
   Naught of good that I have done,
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
4. This is all my hope and peace,
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
   This is all my righteousness,
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
5. Now by this I’ll overcome—
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
   Now by this I’ll reach my home—
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
6. Glory! Glory! This I sing—
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
   All my praise for this I bring—
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Franciscus M. Dartee

Grow in Faith | Walk in Power

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