I did a Medical project in Iquitos Peru in the heart of the Amazon Jungle with a Cardiologist who is a compassionate and wonderful friend. He is a devout Roman Catholic. I have great respect for him and we are close friends. One of my best friends is a Morman Elder. I also admire his kindness, compassion and integrity. I may as well tell you that I don't hate anyone.
The Catholic church bases it's entire teaching of Pergatory on an inference in one small verse. Read it carefully. (Mat 12:32 KJV) "And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."
Catholic theologians say..."Neither in the world to come...must mean that some sins can be forgiven in the world to come". (So pergatory was invented). Well it doesn't say that ---and we can't find a single place in the Bible that does. So the massive doctrine of pergatory, paying the priest to interceed for our dead relative suffering there is simply a false and untrue concept.
Our Mormon friends also have a closely guarded and "costly practice" of praying for the dead in their temples. Devout Mormons must be recommended by their Bishop, tithe faithfully, and obey all mormon teaching to do this. Their prayers and good works can supposedly be transferred to a dead relative who died without knowing the Lord. Their redemption comes from a single "piece" of a verse in the Bible. Here is the verse.
(1 Cor 15:29 KJV) "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?"
Notice Paul didn't say he prayed for the dead. He had just given a long message proving the resurrection of Jesus. As an after thought he said to them: "If you don't believe in the resurrection of the dead then why are you being baptised for them."
It's easier to see this in the NIV translation. (1 Cor 15:29 NIV) "Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?"
No, there is nothing in the Bible about Christians being baptised for the dead. It was a heathern practice. Paul was just using their own foolish practice to make a point about the resurrection of Jesus.
Want another one? Many Pentecostal and Charismatic preachers use this one to raise money. Seed Faith, I think it's called. I'll let you put this one together. (3 John 1:2 KJV) "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." If your soul is going to prosper then you need to learn to give....so send me some money.
Again the NIV gives us some help. (3 John 1:2-3 NIV) "Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. {3} It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth."
You guessed it! It was simply a greeting for a dear friend. Hope you are doing well and in good health. The Bible can be a source of strength, wisdom and guidance. It can give us a joyful and healthy life if we understand it and use it right.
Sadly it can be a source of great sinful wickedness if it's used in a twisted, illogical way. It can ruin true faith and make us sick, neurotic, spiritual cripples.
Study it with me and that won't happen. Next we might need to talk about why cats were not mentioned in the Bible but dogs were. Also we might need to know whether Adam and Eve had a naval. (Especially if you are going to paint a picture of them). Witches, crusaders, the inquisitions, hanging hogs and horses might come next. You never know.
READ THE GOOD BOOK !!!! Have a question or comment? Send it to kencrocker@aol.com and I'll send you a reply.
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