Page 514 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

PURGE - PURLOIN

(Ro. 3:21-24; 5:9; 2 Co. 5:21; Ep. 1:3, 7; He. 9:12; 1 Pe. his nature and his faculties are capable, and that since
2:24; 3:18). the foundation of the world a single work of
3. The Roman Catholic Church has no scriptural supererogation has never been performed by any of the
authority for the teaching of Purgatory. A key sons of men; and that therefore the source whence this
imaginary fund of merit is supplied has no existence,
“authority” cited by the Catholic Church for purgatory is and is, like the fund itself, a delusion and a fable; and
a quote from one of the apocryphal books, II Maccabees. it teaches, in fine, that God pardons men only on the
The Apocrypha are included in the Catholic Bible but footing of the satisfaction of his Son, which is complete
rejected by Bible-believing Christians. [See Apocrypha.] and sufficient, and needs not to be supplemented by
According to the Catholic church, the Apocrypha and works of human merit; and that when he pardons, he
their own tradition are equally authoritative with the pardons all sin, and for ever.
Scriptures, but this is impossible in that the Apocrypha "But the grand criterion by which Rome tests all her
and Catholic tradition contains many teachings contrary doctrines is not their truth, nor their bearing on man's
to the Bible. It is the Bible alone which is the benefit and God's glory, but their value in money. How
authoritative Word of God, and when a religious much will they bring? is the first question which she
doctrine such as purgatory contradicts the plain puts. And it must be confessed, that in purgatory she
teaching of the Scriptures, we reject it. [See has found a rare device for replenishing her coffers, of
which she has not failed to make the very most. ...
Apocrypha.] Popery, says the author of Kirwan's Letters, meets men
4. The Roman Catholic Church has no authority for 'at the cradle, and dogs them to the grave, and beyond
offering Masses for the dead. The Mass, supposedly, is it, with its demands for money'" (J.A. Wylie, The
the Lord’s Supper. Where does the Bible indicate the Papacy, 1888, pp. 351,52). [See Atonement, Hell,
Lord’s Supper is for the dead? Where does the Bible Roman Catholic Church.]
teach the believer to pray to or for the dead? [See PURGE. (1) To purify; to cleanse (Ps. 51:7; 65:3;
Death.] 79:9; Pr. 16:6; Is. 1:25; 6:7; 22:14; 27:9). The New
5. Money cannot purchase forgiveness or spiritual Testament makes it clear that the purging of sin comes
blessing of any sort. According to Roman Catholic by Christ’s sacrifice (1 Co. 5:7; He. 1:3; 9:22; 10:2). In
practice, the wealthy can get out of purgatory more Psalm 51:7, the word “purge” is the Hebrew khawtaw,
quickly than the poor because the rich can afford more which “means to bear the blame (or ‘loss’) for anything;
masses. “Joseph Zacchello, former Roman Catholic and then to ‘atone for, to make atonement, to
priest, said that priests in the USA make over 22 million expiate’” (Barnes). It is translated “bear the loss” (Ge.
dollars as personal income by celebrating masses for 31:39). As Jacob took the blame for the loss of Laban’s
dead Roman Catholics“ (Challenger, Jan. 1984, p. 1). sheep and paid for them, so Christ took the sinner’s
Through this little bit of information we see behind the place at Calvary and bore his sin before God. He was
mystery of why Romanism perpetuates the concept of “made to be sin for us” (2 Co. 5:21). Another Hebrew
purgatory even while there is no hint of scriptural word for “purge” is kawfar (Ps. 79:9). The root meaning
backing. The RCC through the centuries has enriched is to cover, referring to hiding something out of sight. It
itself through its lies about purgatory and the mass. This is usually translated “atonement” (Le. 16:6, 10, 11, 16,
reminds us of Peter’s description of some false teachers: 17, 18, 20, 24, 27, 30, 32, 33, 34). The Old Testament
“And through covetousness shall they with feigned sacrifices could only cover sin, but Christ’s atonement
words make merchandise of you” (2 Pe. 2:3). The Bible takes it away (He. 10:11-12). (2) The term “purge” is
says, “They that trust in their wealth, and boast also used of pruning branches (Jn. 15:2). [See
themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of Atonement, Forgive, Gospel, Grace, Mercy.]
them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to PURITANS. A revival movement in the Church of
God a ransom for him” (Ps. 49:6-7). See also Ac. England in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Puritans, in
8:20-21 and 1 Pe. 1:18-19. various degrees, desired to purify the Anglican Church
"The Scripture authorizes no such distinction as Papists and to bring it more into conformity with N.T. practice.
make between venial and mortal sins. It teaches that They were opposed to the corruption, laxity, and
all sin is mortal, and, unless blotted out by the blood of unscriptural ritualism of the Church of England. Some
Christ, will issue in the sinner's eternal ruin. It teaches, of the Puritans attempted to remain in the Anglican
that after death there is neither change of character church, and others came out and formed separatist
nor of state; that God does not sell his grace, but groups. These were frequently persecuted by the state
bestows it freely; that we are not redeemed with church and many fled for refuge to European countries
corruptible things, as silver and gold; that no man can and to America.
redeem his brother, whether by prayers or by offerings;
that the law of God demands of every man, every PURLOIN. To steal; to set apart or clandestinely; to
moment of his being, the highest obedience of which sequestrate for oneself; to embezzle (Tit. 2:10). The

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