| Author | Message | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 8135 Registered: 9-2006  |
I found an interesting conversation on Facebook this morning. Catholics believe that after death time is different. Purgatory is outside of our time and so it may seem like a twinkling of an eye or like millions of years to those inside. So we simply don't know. But what we DO know is that purgatory is the first "stage" of heaven. You are technically "in" when you go through purgatory. We are just preparing to see God face to face. Catholics don't have any type of detailed understanding. It's doctrines is that all those who died in God's grace but clung to sin they did not repent of must go through a purgation of sin so that we can stand before a holy God without instantly disintegrating. Protestants all believe that we are made perfect after death. Protestants pretty much expect the operation to remove sin to be while we are under anesthetic (dead) and don't know about it. Catholics believe the surgery is local anesthetic and we are awake and aware of the operation. It may hurt depending on how much you cling to your sins. Catholics talk about it and make all kinds of assumptions but actual Catholic doctrine is pretty simple and straightforward. We have to be PERFECT to see God face to face. Purgatory is our personal "shower" and spiffing up for the wedding supper. (end Quote) What do you believe about any form of purgatory, and what does the Bible tell us about our sins as Christians, and how we are to prepare to meet him face to face? How does the persons explanation of what protestants believe strike you? Do you think it is a false view? River | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 2145 Registered: 6-2006  |
Hi River! Who the heck wrote this? The way it's worded, I'm not quite understanding what they're trying to say. It doesn't make sense. The more I look at it, the more ridiculous it sounds. There's no "operation" and we aren't waiting to get to Heaven in order for God to accept us or call us perfect or whatever they're trying to relay. That's not a doctrine protestants follow. (Speaking as a protestant) I was raised with the belief that I am saved through Jesus (from his death and resurrection) and my spirit will go to be with him when I die (Phil 1:23). Basically, death is a door. I expect to be conscious of Jesus and that place (Rev 6:9-11), (but don't have Biblical evidence that I will be aware of what's going on here on earth). I don't believe that I will be standing before God to find out if I measure up or get to go to Heaven or not, only that I will be judged for the good and bad (2 Cor 5:10). I can go boldly before God because I am covered by the blood of Jesus (Heb 10:19). Looks like the author was full of crap I resent them making assumptions about how protestants believe without actually presenting any real evidence to the contrary. Clearly opinion based, which makes their whole point moot. Your Lutheran friend,  Leigh Anne | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 8136 Registered: 9-2006 |
I was a little dismayed when I read this, as the speaker doesn't seem to have even a rudimentary knowledge of the protestant faith, yet claiming to have studied it carefully. It seems to boil down to the same old thing. Its Jesus plus something else. It seems in these cults that Jesus death, and resurrection is never enough, and I have to wonder why? | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 2148 Registered: 6-2006 |
Reminds me of this question, "Why do people who know the least, know it the loudest?" me | ||
| Trans4mer Registered user Username: Trans4mer Post Number: 357 Registered: 9-2011  |
Leigh Anne, Hilarious as usual! Your rebuttal was spot on and LOL funny. I wish we had you in our FAF Bible study Fri evenings bc a little spice is always welcome - ask anyone who attends. Charles | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 8138 Registered: 9-2006 |
The ones that know the least, are the ones that think they know the most, and so they think we should automatically be in line with their thinking. I wanted to come back with a rebuttal to that person, but I'm learning that if I am to have any sense of peace, then I have to ignore the noise around me. That's all that amounts too, is noise. River | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 2149 Registered: 6-2006 |
Thanks Charles! I wish I lived close enough to go to the FAF study. I'm sure it would be so much fun! River ~ wise choice. me | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 14568 Registered: 12-2003  |
Yes, Leigh Anne...it would be such fun to have you here! And River--Yup! I agree! Colleen | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 8139 Registered: 9-2006 |
The DNA of the Christian fundamentalist is tie that binds Christians together. Pentecostals to Lutherans, Methodists to Baptists, Independent to denominations. We have our isem's and scism's, but when it is all stripped away, this is what we have left. I have come to the conclusion that we put far too much importance on our differences instead of what makes us one body. Its great that we learn in our own church denomination such as Leigh Anne did, and I did. I feel fortunate and blessed because of it. We are never beens that has always been since we were saved, but it doesn't give us a leg up over those less fortunate as our DNA is all the same. We all look on the death burial and resurrection of Jesus with wonder, his taking us to himself with amazement. | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 3199 Registered: 7-2007 |
The important thing is to accept Jesus' finished work. All the denominations that teach that more is required in order to be saved - such as the Seventh-day Adventist, J.Witnesses, etc. are NOT Christian. "Then he brought them out and said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' And they said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.'" Acts 16:30-31 "But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many." Romans 5:15 "...if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9 | ||
| Mjcmcook Registered user Username: Mjcmcook Post Number: 1213 Registered: 2-2011  |
I especially like the 'Amplified' translation of Romans 10:9~ " Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:10 continues this promise~ " For with the heart a person believes(adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation." Many people declare, "I believe in God"~ this is an easy thing to say. The greater question is, Do you 'Believe' GOD? When HE states you are 'Saved' by your Trusting' in JESUS 'Alone' (nothing added on) for your eternal life? ~mj~ |
