Praying for the dead is not a biblical concept.

Our prayers have no bearing on someone once he or she has died.
The reality is that, at the point of death, one’s eternal destiny is confirmed. Either he is saved through faith in Christ and is in heaven where he is experiencing rest and joy in God’s presence, or he is in torment in hell. The story of the rich man and Lazarus the beggar provides us with a vivid illustration of this truth. Jesus plainly used this story to teach that after death the unrighteous are eternally separated from God, that they remember their rejection of the gospel, that they are in torment, and that their condition cannot be remedied (Luke 16:19-31).

Often, people who have lost a loved one are encouraged to pray for those who have passed away and for their families. Of course, we should pray for those grieving, but for the dead, no. No one should ever believe that someone may be able to pray for him, thereby effecting some kind of favorable outcome, after he has died. The Bible teaches that the eternal state of mankind is determined by our actions during our lives on earth. “The soul who sins is the one who will die. . . . The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him” (Ezekiel 18:20).

The writer to the Hebrews tells us, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Here we understand that no change in one’s spiritual condition can be made following his death—either by himself or through the efforts of others. If it is useless to pray for the living, who are committing “a sin that leads to death” (1 John 5:16), i.e., continual sin without seeking God’s forgiveness, how could prayer for those who are already dead benefit them, since there is no post-mortem plan of salvation?

The point is that each of us has but one life, and we are responsible for how we live that life. Others may influence our choices, but ultimately we must give an account for the choices we make. Once life is over, there are no more choices to be made; we have no choice but to face judgment. The prayers of others may express their desires, but they won’t change the outcome. The time to pray for a person is while he or she lives and there is still the possibility of his or her heart, attitudes, and behavior being changed (Romans 2:3-9).

It is natural to have a desire to pray in times of pain, suffering, and loss of loved ones and friends, but we know the boundaries of valid prayer as revealed in the Bible. The Bible is the only official prayer manual, and it teaches that prayers for the dead are futile. Yet we find the practice of praying for the dead observed in certain areas of “Christendom.” Roman Catholic theology, for example, allows for prayers both to the dead and on behalf of them. But even Catholic authorities admit that there is no explicit authorization for prayers on behalf of the dead in the sixty-six books of canonical Scripture. Instead, they appeal to the Apocrypha (2 Maccabees 12:46), church tradition, the decree of the Council of Trent, etc., to defend the practice.

The Bible teaches that those who have yielded to the Savior’s will (Hebrews 5:8-9) enter directly and immediately into the presence of the Lord after death (Luke 23:43; Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:6, . What need, then, do they have for the prayers of people on the earth? While we sympathize with those who have lost dear ones, we must bear in mind that “now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). While the context refers to the gospel age as a whole, the verse is fitting for any individual who is unprepared to face the inevitable—death and the judgment that follows (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:26; Hebrews 9:27). Death is final, and after that, no amount of praying will avail a person of the salvation he has rejected in life.

mods why is this topic not in front page yet ?

JusConcept:

Praying for the dead is not a biblical concept.
Our prayers have no bearing on someone once he or she has died. The reality is that, at the point of death, one’s eternal destiny is confirmed. Either he is saved through faith in Christ and is in heaven where he is experiencing rest and joy in God’s presence, or he is in torment in hell. The story of the rich man and Lazarus the beggar provides us with a vivid illustration of this truth. Jesus plainly used this story to teach that after death the unrighteous are eternally separated from God, that they remember their rejection of the gospel, that they are in torment, and that their condition cannot be remedied (Luke 16:19-31).

Often, people who have lost a loved one are encouraged to pray for those who have passed away and for their families. Of course, we should pray for those grieving, but for the dead, no. No one should ever believe that someone may be able to pray for him, thereby effecting some kind of favorable outcome, after he has died. The Bible teaches that the eternal state of mankind is determined by our actions during our lives on earth. “The soul who sins is the one who will die. . . . The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him” (Ezekiel 18:20).

The writer to the Hebrews tells us, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Here we understand that no change in one’s spiritual condition can be made following his death—either by himself or through the efforts of others. If it is useless to pray for the living, who are committing “a sin that leads to death” (1 John 5:16), i.e., continual sin without seeking God’s forgiveness, how could prayer for those who are already dead benefit them, since there is no post-mortem plan of salvation?

The point is that each of us has but one life, and we are responsible for how we live that life. Others may influence our choices, but ultimately we must give an account for the choices we make. Once life is over, there are no more choices to be made; we have no choice but to face judgment. The prayers of others may express their desires, but they won’t change the outcome. The time to pray for a person is while he or she lives and there is still the possibility of his or her heart, attitudes, and behavior being changed (Romans 2:3-9).

It is natural to have a desire to pray in times of pain, suffering, and loss of loved ones and friends, but we know the boundaries of valid prayer as revealed in the Bible. The Bible is the only official prayer manual, and it teaches that prayers for the dead are futile. Yet we find the practice of praying for the dead observed in certain areas of “Christendom.” Roman Catholic theology, for example, allows for prayers both to the dead and on behalf of them. But even Catholic authorities admit that there is no explicit authorization for prayers on behalf of the dead in the sixty-six books of canonical Scripture. Instead, they appeal to the Apocrypha (2 Maccabees 12:46), church tradition, the decree of the Council of Trent, etc., to defend the practice.

The Bible teaches that those who have yielded to the Savior’s will (Hebrews 5:8-9) enter directly and immediately into the presence of the Lord after death (Luke 23:43; Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:6, . What need, then, do they have for the prayers of people on the earth? While we sympathize with those who have lost dear ones, we must bear in mind that “now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). While the context refers to the gospel age as a whole, the verse is fitting for any individual who is unprepared to face the inevitable—death and the judgment that follows (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:26; Hebrews 9:27). Death is final, and after that, no amount of praying will avail a person of the salvation he has rejected in life.

I do agree on ur view on praying for the dead. But are u also saying that man goes to heaven or hell immediately he dies,based on his actions or inactions while alive?

Well you are a Christian, you know the answer

dolphinheart:


I do agree on ur view on praying for the dead. But are u also saying that man goes to heaven or hell immediately he dies,based on his actions or inactions while alive?

There are few doctrines so couched in man made tradition and superstition as the Roman Catholic belief that by praying for the dead, it will benefit these departed souls, or that they may also intercede for those in this world is some way. They use the secular or extra-biblical book of maccabees in an attempt to justify this teaching, but it clearly contradicts the Holy scriptures. But because of these ideas that proliferate some Churches, many Christians have asked, "What about prayer for the dead?" Is it something that faithful servant of God should partake in? The answer is, absolutely not! This belief is not only a totally unchristian idea, but it is in many ways downright Pagan. Is God's loving kindness declared to anyone after their souls are in the grave, that they might receive blessings or our prayers for them answered? Some have said yes, but God says no.

Psalms 88:10-12

"Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah.
Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?
Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?"
The land of forgetfulness is where the unsaved dead are. It is a place of oblivion, where there is no memory, and souls are not capable of anything, as they are in dark silence. Death for them is a state of unconsciousness, as they wait the judgment of God at The Last Day. They have no knowledge, no comfort, no praise of God, and most assuredly, no power of intercession.
Psalms 6:4-5

"Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.
For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?"
When the unsaved die, there is no consciousness or memory. That is why it is called the land of forgetfulness or oblivion. How then are these souls supposedly interceding for us, suffering penance, or purging their sins when they do not recall either God, or anyone else? They don't speak with God, they don't pray for us, and they can't give God thanks. The scripture rhetorically asks, "in the grave who shall give thee thanks," because those there have no remembrance!
Moreover, why would we need their intercession for us from the grave? Did not Christ atone for "all" of our sins? Is He not the ultimate intercessor, who, by His suffering, redeemed us from all unrighteousness? So if we were saved before we died, then according to God's word we do not come into any condemnation whatsoever. And if we were not saved when we died, then the judgment is already appointed unto us. This judgment is not something which can be plea bargained down to something less that we can handle, it is divine justice which must be meted out. It is the full wrath of God which His righteousness demands. It is not only unbiblical to attempt to negate this, but it is illogical for a Christian to conclude that man should pray for those who have died, yet in their sins. For if they have any stain of sin yet to be purged at death, then after death is no opportunity to change the judgment thereof.

Hebrews 9:26-27

"For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"
All of our sins, bar none, were put away "once" by the sacrifice of Christ. Anyone who needs purging from sin after death, has obviously never had his sin atoned for by Christ in life, and is thus still dead in trespass and sin. And after death is the judgment, not the opportunity for atonement.
Revelation 20:13

"And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works."
This is the righteous justice of God that takes place at The Last day! The dead will come out of the grave and be judged according to their works. If they have the stain of sin from their life, they will be justly condemned of God, according to their works. No amount of praying either for or to them in the grave will help them. They are reserved in silence, waiting for this white throne judgment to be given according to their labors on earth. Not according to our prayers for them afterward. Hebrews chapter 9 informs us, it is appointed unto men to once to die, and then we are judged. It doesn't get much clearer than that. There is nothing in God's word that states otherwise, and yet the Roman Catholic documents deny this most basic of Christian truths:

"Holy Mother Church is extremely concerned for the faithful departed. She has decided to intercede for them to the fullest extent in every Mass and abrogates every special privilege in this matter" (Vatican II, The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Apostolic Constitution on the Revision of Indulgences, V, Indulgences not Attached to Things and Places, Norms, 20, p. 87).

Circumventing Christ's personal intercession for the living, by man's interceding after they are dead is antithetical to God's word. The "faithful departed" need no concern by us, for they have no sin before God, and can not come into condemnation (Romans 8:1). As for the unfaithful, it is clear that neither Jesus Christ, the Apostles, nor the Church growing up from them, have ever shown concern for the physical dead. Their concern is always to tend to the living, whom God has given to be evangelized.

I simply have one question for you.

Have you ever asked yourself why is it that for the first 1500 yrs of christianity all christian everywhere prayed for their dead and that why it is that your position is considered a new wave of doctrine both for christians and jews?

It is not only unbiblical to attempt to negate this, but it is illogical for a Christian to conclude that man should pray for those who have died, yet in their sins. For if they have any stain of sin yet to be purged at death, then after death is no opportunity to change the judgment thereof.

Hebrews 9:26-27

"For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"
All of our sins, bar none, were put away "once" by the sacrifice of Christ. Anyone who needs purging from sin after death, has obviously never had his sin atoned for by Christ in life, and is thus still dead in trespass and sin. And after death is the judgment, not the opportunity for atonement.

Ubenedictus:
I simply have one question for you.

Have you ever asked yourself why is it that for the first 1500 yrs of christianity all christian everywhere prayed for their dead and that why it is that your position is considered a new wave of doctrine both for christians and jews?

JusConcept:

It is not only unbiblical to attempt to negate this, but it is illogical for a Christian to conclude that man should pray for those who have died, yet in their sins. For if they have any stain of sin yet to be purged at death, then after death is no opportunity to change the judgment thereof.

Hebrews 9:26-27

"For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"
All of our sins, bar none, were put away "once" by the sacrifice of Christ. Anyone who needs purging from sin after death, has obviously never had his sin atoned for by Christ in life, and is thus still dead in trespass and sin. And after death is the judgment, not the opportunity for atonement.

you didn't even attemp to answer my question. Are you scared?

Even the early christians did pray for their departed ones by way of being baptized for them 1cor 15:29

JusConcept:

It is not only unbiblical to attempt to negate this, but it is illogical for a Christian to conclude that man should pray for those who have died, yet in their sins. For if they have any stain of sin yet to be purged at death, then after death is no opportunity to change the judgment thereof.

Hebrews 9:26-27

"For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"
All of our sins, bar none, were put away "once" by the sacrifice of Christ. Anyone who needs purging from sin after death, has obviously never had his sin atoned for by Christ in life, and is thus still dead in trespass and sin. And after death is the judgment, not the opportunity for atonement.

Eagerly awaiting your considered response to @Ubenedictus' question as you didn't address it.Please enlighten us as to why Christians have always prayed for the dead as you're giving us some novel teaching.
BTW,Macabees isn't extra-biblical.
Also,what makes you so confident in your teaching?

Praying for the dead is perfectly biblical.

2 Maccabees 12:38-46

38 - So Judas having gathered together his army, came into the city Odollam: and when the seventh day came, they purified themselves according to the custom, and kept the sabbath in the place.

39 - And the day following Judas cam with his company, to take away the bodies of them that were slain, and to bury them with their kinsmen, in the sepulchres of their fathers.

40 - And they found under the coats of the slain some of the donaries of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbiddeth the Jews: so that all plainly saw, for this cause they were slain.

41 - Then they all blessed the just judgment of the Lord, who had discovered the things that were hidden.

42 - And so betaking themselves to prayers, they besought him, that the sin which had been committed might be forgotten. But the most valiant Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, forasmuch as they saw before their eyes what had happened, because of the sins of those that were slain.

43 - And making a gathering, he twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection,

44 - (For if he had not hoped that the that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,)

45 - And because he considered that the who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them.

46 - It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.

Apart from 2 maccabees where else? Did Jesus prayed for repose of the soul of His foster father Joseph

italo:
Praying for the dead is perfectly biblical.

2 Maccabees 12:38-46

38 - So Judas having gathered together his army, came into the city Odollam: and when the seventh day came, they purified themselves according to the custom, and kept the sabbath in the place.

39 - And the day following Judas cam with his company, to take away the bodies of them that were slain, and to bury them with their kinsmen, in the sepulchres of their fathers.

40 - And they found under the coats of the slain some of the donaries of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbiddeth the Jews: so that all plainly saw, for this cause they were slain.

41 - Then they all blessed the just judgment of the Lord, who had discovered the things that were hidden.

42 - And so betaking themselves to prayers, they besought him, that the sin which had been committed might be forgotten. But the most valiant Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, forasmuch as they saw before their eyes what had happened, because of the sins of those that were slain.

43 - And making a gathering, he twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection,

44 - (For if he had not hoped that the that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,)

45 - And because he considered that the who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them.

46 - It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.

2 Maccabees is enough.

It is biblical to pray for the dead.

Chiechezonam:
Apart from 2 maccabees where else? Did Jesus prayed for repose of the soul of His foster father Joseph

@JusConcept,
Can you explain the implication of Matthew 12:32, that sin against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven in this world or in the WORLD TO COME? Doesn't that imply that forgiveness is possible "in the world to come" if the sin was not against the Spirit?

Roman Catholic is satanic and evil.
Beware the saint's!

italo:


2 Maccabees is enough.

It is biblical to pray for the dead.

Chiechezonam:
Roman Catholic is satanic and evil.
Beware the saint's!

That's off-topic.

It is biblical to pray for the dead.

italo:
That's off-topic.

It is biblical to pray for the dead.

LOL. You're hard headed, like Charles Taylor. Do you have red hair like him too?

praying 4 d dead is nt biblical n my bible does nt av macca-wateva in it..after death comes judgement..as 4 d early christians praying 4 d dead, where's it xpressly stated in d bible?

i came across dis smwre..i think this wil help.. www.sdanet.org/atissue/books/27/27-25.htm

i came across dis smwre..i think this wil help.. www.sdanet.org/atissue/books/27/27-25.htm

The way some Christians tweak the bible baffles me.


The scripture made us to understand something.

Hebrews 9:27 King James Version (KJV)

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:


Have you heard of the sins of the Fathers


(Exodus 20:5)--"You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,"
(Deuteronomy 5:9)--"You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,"
(Exodus 34:6-7)--"Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 7who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations."



Now, the reason for the prayers is not for the creator to grant them grace nor heaven but, not to use the sins of the Fathers against the sons.

This is simply to understand, why wasting your precious time which is limited in praying for the dead to make heaven.

Pray that their sins should not be used against you.



Peace be with you all.

Stop this heresy the early christians did pray for the dead 1 cor 15:29

Read
Mark 7 :7-9.

They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. '

You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men. "

And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!

THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD . . .

italo:
That's off-topic.

It is biblical to pray for the dead.

tchigofigo:
praying 4 d dead is nt biblical n my bible does nt av macca-wateva in it..after death comes judgement..as 4 d early christians praying 4 d dead, where's it xpressly stated in d bible?

Your "Bible" is an adulteration of the Bible.

Here's where the Bible expressly supports praying for the dead:

2 Maccabees 12:38-46

38 - So Judas having gathered together his army, came into the city Odollam: and when the seventh day came, they purified themselves according to the custom, and kept the sabbath in the place.

39 - And the day following Judas cam with his company, to take away the bodies of them that were slain, and to bury them with their kinsmen, in the sepulchres of their fathers.

40 - And they found under the coats of the slain some of the donaries of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbiddeth the Jews: so that all plainly saw, for this cause they were slain.

41 - Then they all blessed the just judgment of the Lord, who had discovered the things that were hidden.

42 - And so betaking themselves to prayers, they besought him, that the sin which had been committed might be forgotten. But the most valiant Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, forasmuch as they saw before their eyes what had happened, because of the sins of those that were slain.

43 - And making a gathering, he twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection,

44 - (For if he had not hoped that the that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,)

45 - And because he considered that the who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them.

46 - It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.

Martin Luther removed it because it disagrees with his heresy in the 16th century.

Chiechezonam:
Read
Mark 7 :7-9.

They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. '

You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men. "

And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!

THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD . . .

That verse is referring to you who sets aside the commands of God through his Church...and obey the traditions of Martin Luther.

OP, without being told, you should pray for the dead for God to have mercy on them and receive them into his kingdom.. All religions of the world, including African traditional religion, pray for the dead. Whether the prayers save or reduce the punishment of the dead is not your business. Prayer for the dead is the last earthly respect and farewell spiritual wish for the dead.

"HE is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken."
(MARK 12:27)