Introduction
The doctrine of Purgatory, which the Catholic Church teaches, states that if one is not evil enough to go to hell but not good enough to go straight to heaven, they will spend a certain amount of time in Purgatory. Purgatory is akin to a temporary hell to purge someone of their sins. When a person has spent enough time in Purgatory to purge their sins, they are then released to heaven.
What Does the Bible Say?
The Scripture does not mention Purgatory at all or even anything like it. However, the Scripture does not mention the Trinity or missionary either; therefore, it is necessary to see what Scripture does mention about the doctrine of Purgatory.
Salvation Is Not of Works
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)[1]
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:4-7)
See also my page on How to Go to Heaven.
There Is No One Good
What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Romans 3:9-18)
The Thief on the Cross
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:39-43)
If Purgatory exists, both of the malefactors would spend a significant amount of time there, if they were going to heaven at all. The second malefactor stated that he was justly crucified; therefore, he certainly was not going straight to heaven if Purgatory exists. According to the above passage, the second malefactor was going straight to heaven.
The Judgment
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)
Judgment of Believers
Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:9-10)
The Judgment of Unbelievers (the Lost)
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 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. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)
Once Judged, Your Location Does Not Change
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. (Luke 16:19-26)
Conclusion
The doctrine of Purgatory is a false doctrine. The present actions from this are two: 1) Don't waste your time praying for dead friends or loved ones, as praying will have no effect on where they are nor how long they will remain there; 2) Don't waste your money paying the church to have prayers or masses said for your dead friends or loved ones, since no amount of money will affect where they are nor how long they will remain there.
Footnotes
[1] All scripture references are from the King James Version unless otherwise noted. Please see my about page for why I chose this translation.