“And after the exhibition, Tryphaena again received her [Thecla]. For her daughter Falconilla had died, and said to her in a dream: ‘Mother, you shall have this stranger Thecla in my place, in order that she may pray concerning me, and that I may be transferred to the place of the righteous’” (Acts of Paul and Thecla [A.D. 160]).
“We offer sacrifices for the dead on their birthday anniversaries [the date of death—birth into eternal life]” (The Crown 3:3 [A.D. 211]).
“A woman, after the death of her husband . . . prays for his soul and asks that he may, while waiting, find rest; and that he may share in the first resurrection. And each year, on the anniversary of his death, she offers the sacrifice” (Monogamy 10:1–2 [A.D. 216]).
This was the belief from the 1st century itself of all Christians.
The Ancient Church of the East - the Assyrian Church - that was separated in 240 AD with the arrival of the Sassanid Persian empire. What did THEY believe about this - since they were separated from Rome so early? The Assyrian Church acknowledges that the souls undergo a process of purification after death -- Solomon of Basra quotes several of these forefathers. Solomon of Basra states that “the Holy Spirit burns us in the furnace of the Resurrection…”46 In the Book of Bee Chapter 60, he raises a question as to whether mercy will shewn to sinners and the devils in Gehenna, after they have been tormented and suffered and been punished, or not. He makes references to Church fathers who allude to the cleaning and purification of the souls after death. He quotes Mar Isaac of Ninveh (7th century)47: “Those who are to be scourged in Gehenna will be tortured with stripes of love; they who feel that they have sinned against the love will suffer harder and more severe pangs from love than the pain that springs from fear.”48 Solomon makes the following attestation based on Theodore of Mopsuestia’s writings: Those who have here chosen fair things will receive in the world to come the pleasure of good things with praises; but the wicked who have turned aside to evil things all their life, become ordered in their minds by penalties and the fear that springs from them, and choose good things, and learn how much they have sinned, and by these things receive the knowledge of the highest doctrine of the fear of God, and become instructed to lay
Your comment: “Adsum - as usual, AmPu is talking what he thinks we believe instead of actually checking the facts “
Yes, it has been hard to discuss and quite frankly I don’t see facts or understanding the Bible a key component in his posts.
Thank you for your posts on the daily Mass as I try to read them before Mass.
In case you missed this post:
T A guy was getting ready to tee off on the first hole when a second golfer approached and asked if he could join him. The first said that he usually played alone, but agreed to the twosome.
They were even after the first two holes. The second guy said, “We’re about evenly matched, how about playing for five bucks a hole?”
The first guy said that he wasn’t much for betting, but agreed to the terms.
The second guy won the remaining sixteen holes with ease. As they were walking off number eighteen, the second guy was busy counting his $80.00. He then confessed that he was the pro at the neighboring course and liked to pick on suckers.
The first fellow revealed that he was the Parish Priest.
The pro was flustered and apologetic, offering to return the money.
The Priest said, “You won fair and square and I was foolish to bet with you. You keep your winnings.”
The pro said, “Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?”
The Priest said, “Well, you could come to Mass on Sunday and make a donation of $80. And, if you want to, bring your Mother and Father along, I’ll marry them.”
Understanding Scripture is for saved believers.
You’ve indicated you are not saved.
Therefore, there isn’t value in reading posts about scripture.
You can fix that issue by accepting salvation today. Now.