Where does Purgatory come from in the Catholic Religion?

Answer 1

The word Purgatory isn't in The Bible. If the doctrine of Purgatory is rejected solely because the word Purgatory isn't in the Bible than we must also reject the Trinity. This may surprise some of you but the word Trinity isn't in the Bible. Surprised? Yet the doctrine of the Trinity is accepted by most claiming to be Christian because it is implied that they are 3-in-1 (Refer to Genesis 11:6, 7 where 'The LORD" refers to himself as "us"). In Matthew's Gospel (Matthew 12:32) we read that the sin of "Blaspheming the Holy Spirit" is a sin which won't be forgiven in this world or the next.

Matthew 12:32

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.

This passage implies that there are some sins which are forgiven in the next world.

In Matt 5:26 Jesus talks about a place from which you wouldn't be released until you paid everything you owe.

Matthew 5:26

Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

Jesus, talking about the unforgiving debtor, said he would be tortured until his debt was paid. Jesus then said the Father would do the same to us.

Matthew 18:34-35

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Where is this place we will be in until we have paid our last farthing? A place we must stay until our debt is completely paid. We know it can't be hell because no matter how much we pay there is no escape or pardon. It can't be heaven because Scripture tells us nothing defiled can enter heaven.

Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Something we all should be aware of is that Scripture says we defile ourselves with "idle words." Now don't confuse an idle word with a useless word. The biblical definition of an idle word is a malicious assertion or calumny. I thought I should mention this because at times many of us sow our words in the fields of gossip and calumny. And we all know what it says in Galatians 6:7. You don't? Then look it up.

Matthew 12:36-37

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

The primary Scriptural passage Catholics point to for evidence of Purgatory is 1 Corinthians 3:15, which says, "If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames."

Further, the concept of Purgatory predates Christianity and was part of the revelation to the Jews, although not all accepted it. The idea of praying for the dead was done by the mainstream Jews, as evinced in Maccabees and other religious and historical documents of interest. Christianity merely took this belief along with other truths established before Christ, but validated by Him or His Church.

Answer 2

Purgatory is where you go before you enter Heaven if you still have sins or the consequences thereof on your soul. It is basically a place of purgation where you are purged of venial sin and the effects of sin so that you may be perfect to enter heaven. It comes from the mercy of God, as God is perfect, and nothing imperfect can enter heaven; so in His great love and mercy for us, He has provided this means whereby those who die, as yet imperfect, may still be perfected and enter heaven. It comes from the effects of Our Blessed Lord's passion and death on the cross. It is mentioned in the Old Testament when they prayed for the dead "that they may be loosed from their sins."