How long does Purgatory last?

[The Liturgist]

We don't often use the creeds in our liturgy,

The Episcopalians fortunately continue to use the Nicene Creed and the Apostles’ Creed at nearly every liturgy. In this respect they are quite conservative compared to other mainline denominations.

 

[concretecamper]

Anglicans or Lutherans may pray for the dead because it is desired.

Why is it desired?

and

What is the purpose?

 

[LastDaysJames]

According to scripture when a non-christian dies, there is no pergatory - they will go to two separate places, and it is eternal! First when they die, they will go to hell, that is the waiting room; waiting for judgment. Then, in Revelation, it says that hell will be cast into the lake of fire.... That is the final destination for those without Jesus! No purgatory! Also no Christian churches pray for the dead. Heb 9:27, Is clear after you die you face judgment. Those is heaven are in glory, no need to pray for them; those in hell, it is to late, just wasting your prayers!

 

[FireDragon76]

Why is it desired?

and

What is the purpose?

Prayer doesn't require those questions be answered through doctrinal precision of any kind. It's enough that it is desired.

 

[concretecamper]

Prayer doesn't require those questions be answered through doctrinal precision of any kind. It's enough that it is desired.

As I figured.

 

[RileyG]

According to scripture when a non-christian dies, there is no pergatory - they will go to two separate places, and it is eternal! First when they die, they will go to hell, that is the waiting room; waiting for judgment. Then, in Revelation, it says that hell will be cast into the lake of fire.... That is the final destination for those without Jesus! No purgatory! Also no Christian churches pray for the dead. Heb 9:27, Is clear after you die you face judgment. Those is heaven are in glory, no need to pray for them; those in hell, it is to late, just wasting your prayers!

If so, why did the early Christians prayed for the dead?

 

[LastDaysJames]

They didn't. The 1st century Christians did not. Then when Catholic church came, it adopted some pagan rituals including praying for the dead. Then when some of the early Christians broke off from the Catholic church, like Martin Luther, they kept some of the rituals like praying to the dead. But that is pagan not Biblical.

 

[LastDaysJames]

I should also add, the only person Jesus told us to pray to was to the Father in Jesus Name.

 

[prodromos]

If so, why did the early Christians prayed for the dead?

Neither the Oriental Orthodox nor the Eastern Orthodox have a doctrine of Purgatory, yet we have always prayed for our dead.

 

[prodromos]

They didn't. The 1st century Christians did not. Then when Catholic church came, it adopted some pagan rituals including praying for the dead. Then when some of the early Christians broke off from the Catholic church, like Martin Luther, they kept some of the rituals like praying to the dead. But that is pagan not Biblical.

The Jews prayed for their dead. It had nothing to do with pagan rituals but was a continuation of the practice of the first Christians.