Christianity for the living, not the dead (Luther's 95)

8. The penitential canons apply only to men who are still alive, and, according to the canons themselves, none applies to the dead.


There was thought in the Roman church that indulgences and penitence could be applied to those in purgatory; hence the selling of indulgences to people that lost loved ones.  Luther's point here was that those canons (penitential) applied only to those that were still alive.  There are those out there today (even some in the Roman church) that still believe that what happens here on earth can still affect those that have passed.  This is not applied to just the Roman church, as Mormons (LDS) believe strongly in works for the dead.  Baptism for the dead and acceptance of Christ (post-mortem) is all commonplace within those ranks.

This was not just a mistake made in recent times, but even as we see Jesus challenged by the Pharisees with the question of the woman that had 7 husbands.  The question was posed "Whose wife is she in heaven?"  This idea that what things are on earth will be done likewise in heaven, like somehow someone else can do for you what you didn't.  This is nonsense.  Things here are different than what they will be in heaven (thanks be to God for that!)


Everyone here on earth will be answerable for their actions (or lack of).  No one can come in after you to "do your works for you".  No one here can pay for your sins (except the perfect sacrifice of Christ), no one can get baptized for you, no one can 'accept' Christ on your behalf.


Christianity and the message of Christ is for the living, not the dead. (Matt. 22:32)


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Join us this Sunday as we continue chapter 2 in the book of John.  We meet at Spray Lakes Sawmills Family Rec. Centre.  Coffee is served at 10, service at 10:30am.  We are a family-integrated church, so bring your family and worship together for His glory.