Blue Collar Apologetics Session 5

Handout Material
The glory of God is man fully alive (St. Irenaeus, Lyons).
Website info http://www.biblechristiansociety.com/home.php
http://www.saintteresahutchinson.com
Often when Catholics are confronted about their faith by
some Bible believing Christians one of two truths can
come into play
1. They many times are misquoting scripture verses
2. Or they are taking the verse and quoting it out of context
Always remember if you get confused or become uncertain
of yourself, admit that you dont have that answer right
now, but you will find out and get back to themand make
sure you get back with them
Introduction to its the principle of the thing and a
discussion of purgatory in the Catholic understanding
1. There are some very important articles of our faith that the
Bible does not expressly speak of by name
2. The word Trinity and the concept of one God in three persons
is never named explicitly in the Bible but the principle of the
Trinity has been revealed to the Church over time. Eventually
the Church was able to connect together several scriptures
revealing the truth of the Trinity and explain the great
mystery of our Triune God
3. Purgatory is another part of our faith that should be
understood in this way, the word cannot be found in the
Bible, but connecting scripture from the Bible reveals the
principle

It is so important to realize the Catholic Church has the

answers to all the Bible based questions we might be
confronted with. When we begin to doubt this reality, that
doubt can weaken our faith in the Churchs authority and
draw us away from our Catholic faith, by thinking the
Church doesnt have the answers.
The problem is we are the ones that dont know the
answers, but thankfully we are beginning to see that
change. Sadlytoo many Catholics have already suffered
that fate.
Purgatory and its the principle of the thing
1. First Catholic principle of purgatory is the Bible teaches
that there is the possibility of punishment for sin even after
you have been forgiven. There are consequences to our sin.
2 Samuel 12:1318 (RSV2CE) 13 David said to Nathan, I
have sinned against
the LORD. And Nathan said to David,
The LORD also has put away your sin;
you shall not die. 14
Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly
scorned
15
the LORD, the child that is born to you shall die. Then Nathan
went to his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriahs
wife bore to
David, and it became sick. 16 David therefore
besought God for the child;
and David fasted, and went in and
17
lay all night upon the ground. And the elders of his house stood
beside him, to raise him from the ground; but he would not, nor
did he eat food with them. 18 On the seventh day the child
died.
And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was
dead;
for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we
spoke to him, and he did not listen to us; how then can we say
to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm.
2. Second Catholic principle for purgatory, nothing with
the stain of sin will enter into heave.

Revelation 21:27 (RSV2CE) 27 But nothing unclean shall enter

it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only
those who are written in the Lambs book of life.
3. Third principle, there is a process by which the spirits of
the just will be made perfect.
Hebrews 12:2223 (RSV2CE) 22 But you have come to Mount
Zion and to
the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the
assembly of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to a
judge who is God of all, and to the spirits of just men made
perfect,
4. Fourth principle, there is a place of state of being other
than heaven or hell where we are purged by fire.
1 Corinthians 3:1315 (RSV2CE) 13 each mans work will
become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be
revealed with fire, and the fire
will test what sort of work
14
each one has done. If the work which any man has built on
the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If any
mans work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he
himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Common sense question to ask relating to purgatory, are
you perfect in every way right now, in this very moment. No? Of
course not, none of us are. So, God forbid, should you die right
now in this moment, what would have to happen for you go to get
into heaven? Keep in mind the four principles that I have just
been talking about.
Notes:
Assumption of Mary into heaven

Baptism