TATABox said:
Thank you. If you have more time that would be wonderful. Is there support in the bible for subjects like purgatory and the existence of a pope? I have read some posts that interpret Matthew 12:32, in which Jesus said, “And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but he that shall speak against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in the world to come" to mean purgatory. What do you think?
Hello TATABox
Don't worry about medicine woman, she is a bitter athiest who has rejected the Messiah Jesus.
Now lets continue.
purgatory.
Yes purgatory is a catholic doctrine not a Christian doctrine. catholics believe that they can pray for the dead. Christians believe that praying for the dead is a waste of time for once one dies there is no way that others can obtain salvation for them by prayer. purgetory is supposedly a place where catholics who have not been good enough but have tried their best to be good go to. they are supposedly placed here to be made pure acceptable to go to heaven. praying for the dead is linked to purgatory because catholics believe that a dead persons time in purgetory can be shortened by the prayers of the living. Christians believe that there is no purgetory. that once someone is dead there is no opportunity so change their salvation status in either direction.
pope.
Jesus said to peter (his apostle) that:
Matthew 16
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"
14So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16Simon
Peter answered and said,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17Jesus answered and said to him,
"Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 20Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.
So Jesus knowing that Peter had been given the correct answer direct from God gave him the power to establish what was to be loosed and binded on earth. (that is to say establish the guidelines of the Church after Jesus had been killed, resurrected and assent into heaven) peter assumed leadership after the assention. Peter saw the establishment of the bible he even contributed guidelines within the two books within the bible that bear his name.
Catholics believe that the power to establish guidelines in the church passed on to other individuals after Peters death, they call these men popes.
Christians believe that the Authority Jesus gave to Peter was to him and him alone it was to him that the power was given to bind and loosen and it was given to no one else.
Matthew 12:32
Matthew 12
22 Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23And all the multitudes were amazed and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"
24Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, "This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons." 25But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. 31
"Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.
Jesus was talking to the apostles after the pharisees had confronted Him and accused the holy Spirit that was with Jesus of being Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons. they where in fact calling the Holy Spirit a demon, the ruler of demons in fact. By calling the Holy Spirit Beelzebub they blasphemed the Holy Spirit. Jesus makes it very clear that this sin is the only one that will never be forgiven a man.
I hope this has given you what you need TATABox if you need any clarification on any of my answers please don't hesitate to ask.
All Praise The Ancient of Days