Purgatory: Where does this teaching come from? It comes from the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.

“Purgatory is an in-between state after physical death where those who are destined for heaven must first “undergo purification” so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter into the joy of heaven” Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1030

“The faithful who are still pilgrims on earth are able to help the souls in purgatory by offering prayers for them. They help by taking communion for them, almsgiving, indulgences, and works or penance.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1030

Purgatory, as taught in the Roman Catholic Catechism, is a place where people who are not quite “good enough” for heaven can have their sins amended through further “purification”. It also teaches that faithful friends or family members can “help” their loved ones get from purgatory to heaven by good acts on their behalf. Ex: praying the rosary, giving money, holding special masses, etc.

Purgatory does not exist in the Bible The Roman Catholic Church has found support for this doctrine, not in the pages of the Bible, but in the Apocryphal book of Maccabees. Specifically Maccabees 12:42-45, where Judas Maccabeus gives silver as an offering for the sins of his dead soldiers who had been practicing idolatry. The book of Maccabees was not in the Old Testament that Jesus or the Jews used. It is not inspired scripture.

Jesus’ description of after-life does not include Purgatory The Eternal One, Jesus Christ is the authority on the after life. He gives graphic description on what happens when people die in the parable of the “Rich Man and Lazarus”:

“And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” (Luke 16:23, NKJV)

Hades is the place where souls go upon death. It is divided into two places:

One side is place of fiery torment for the unrighteous dead: “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’” (Luke 16:24) The other side is a place for the righteous dead and is called Abraham’s Bosom. In our language today, it means to be at Abraham’s side. It was commonly called Paradise. Jesus said to the repenting thief who was crucified next to him: “And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”” (Luke 23:43, NKJV)

Jesus does not describe a third location. Also, there is no possibility of passing from one place to another through any acts, efforts or opportunities. When the tormented Rich Man pleaded water from the Lazarus. Jesus said that he gave this reply:

“And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’” (Luke 16:26, NKJV)

Paul said, “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8, NKJV)

The fact that the souls of believers go immediately into God’s presence means that there is no such thing as purgatory. It is not found, or implied anywhere in the Bible.

The Serious Error of Purgatory Besides lulling hapless souls into carelessness about being prepared for death in advance through faith in Jesus Christ, the teaching of purgatory is very a serious error in as that it diminishes the work that Jesus did to atone for sin. It gives the opportunity for human merit by teaching that a person “not good enough” for heaven can suffer or endure purification in purgatory until their debts have been paid. Furthermore, it teaches that the “good works” of others can help earn a soul forward. This is at odds with the whole of the New Testament:

“The teaching of purgatory says that His redemptive work for us was not enough to pay the penalty for all our sins. The New Testament teaches over and over that we can add nothing to the redemptive work of Christ.”

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7, NKJV)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9, ESV)