Praying for the dead

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Pilgrimshope

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
#21
Sep 2, 2020
14,150
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#21
persistent said:
Should Christians pray for 'people' who have died?
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There’s evidence people were getting baptized ( I’m not saying it’s good doctrine ) for the dead do you think this relates in a general sense ?

“For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:16-19, 29‬ ‭KJV‬‬

again I’m not advocating getting baptized for a dead person in any way
I’m just saying Paul’s point there is that the people who pass away aren’t really dead

so nOw to explain how this is relevant to your post if we for instance we’re to “ pray for forgiveness of someone’s sins that had passed away , or for God to be merciful to them “

If we believe that Jesus can restore the dead and they are still alive to him it isn’t actually praying for a dead person but a live sleeping person praying for a still living soul

Im only saying this to you as a consideration to your post “ something to think About , an old fools thoughts , maybe when someone dies To us , they aren’t dead to him so it would
Maybe be okay to still remember and pray for them given the knowledge that all the dead will be raised up for judgement intercession is a valid thing in the bible
 
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persistent

Guest
#22
#22
Pilgrimshope said:
yeah no I was quoting it to show things changed from the dead being dead like they post quoted things changed when Jesus came the dead aren’t dead to him anymore because he died

“For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Just was adding this point the dead knowing nothing has changed

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
‭‭John‬ ‭11:25-26‬ ‭

so think that’s pretty relevant tonthe post I replied to hopefully it passes your inspection 😅
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Actually, it adds another complexity to the mix. Makes me think of my understanding of where people's 'spirit' and/or 'soul' goes after death and that is another matter. On this post I was hoping to figure out whether it is acceptable to pray for people deceased and does God hear such prayers and find them acceptable.

I grew up in Catholicism and maybe I am getting some thoughts regarding this matter from recall of that religious instruction even though I paid scant attention to it there is still thinking that may creep in regarding that affiliation I had with Catholics. Even possibly had a priest in the family. Not sure. I realize that many people on this chat come from protestant backgrounds, and they likely can't relate to this matter and that is ok.
 
K

kaylagrl

Guest
#23
#23
persistent said:
Just pass on by if you have no concerns with this topic.
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I do have concerns, praying for the dead is false doctrine. It does no good to pray for a person that is dead and gone.


persistent said:
I realize some people on this chat have many years more of study and learning of Bible principles and if it is inappropriate for people which are relatively new to Bible principles and study by asking questions which concern them then maybe there should be flagging done by management or moderators so as to allow for various levels of understanding to be accommodated.
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Yes, I have grown up in church and spent 20 yrs. in ministry. So when I answer a question, I do it with knowledge, not just to spit out an answer. Praying to the dead is no good, it does nothing to change their status. That is the truth of the Word. You asked, I answered.
 
Pilgrimshope

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
#24
Sep 2, 2020
14,150
5,723
113
#24
persistent said:
Actually, it adds another complexity to the mix. Makes me think of my understanding of where people's 'spirit' and/or 'soul' goes after death and that is another matter. On this post I was hoping to figure out whether it is acceptable to pray for people deceased and does God hear such prayers and find them acceptable.

I grew up in Catholicism and maybe I am getting some thoughts regarding this matter from recall of that religious instruction even though I paid scant attention to it there is still thinking that may creep in regarding that affiliation I had with Catholics. Even possibly had a priest in the family. Not sure. I realize that many people on this chat come from protestant backgrounds, and they likely can't relate to this matter and that is ok.
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“On this post I was hoping to figure out whether it is acceptable to pray for people deceased and does God hear such prayers and find them acceptable.”

you don’t find it relevant that the people who we think are dead aren’t dead to God ?

If we consider gods perspective that they are yet living why wouldn’t we pray for them ? Sometimes man’s perspective is wrong they aren’t dead they are still alive was my point
 
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persistent

Guest
#25
#25
Pilgrimshope said:
There’s evidence people were getting baptized ( I’m not saying it’s good doctrine ) for the dead do you think this relates in a general sense ?
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Never heard of such a thing that I recall. Doesn't seem at all like what praying for the dead would be about. Lately I have been having some recollections of family and friends. All of which died having not heard the Gospel as far as I know. Big assumption here. Just seems that on thinking about them that they were as ignorant of the Bible as I was.

Some of this I base on talking with my Catholic friends who are ignorant of the Bible. There are some exceptions, but most would be more hard pressed than me to find a Bible verse to corroborate their beliefs. Some of the people that have been coming to mind are not Catholics so it may be they were aware of the Bible.

It is becoming very apparent to me also that Christians while ready to give opinions on societal matters are often ignorant of how depraved a good portion of society has become and they seem to just ignore this if they do have any awareness. Not that this is a factor in the question here posted but the responses of this as a dead matter is evidence of their outlook. Whether it is something that they don't have time or interest to be concerned with is another matter.

I find many threads on this chat to actually confuse more than to illuminate as the threads often seem to diverge and at times a verse seems to be contentious depending on denomination teachings possibly. This is new to me as most of what I was listening to was Spurgeons sermons before getting on this chat by way of Charles Stanley. Also listened to quite a mix of tv preachers and they are all over the place in teaching. Or so it seems.
 
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persistent

Guest
#26
#26
kaylagrl said:
I do have concerns, praying for the dead is false doctrine. It does no good to pray for a person that is dead and gone.




Yes, I have grown up in church and spent 20 yrs. in ministry. So when I answer a question, I do it with knowledge, not just to spit out an answer. Praying to the dead is no good, it does nothing to change their status. That is the truth of the Word. You asked, I answered.
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Just you saying so doesn't make it true. What scriptures are relevant?
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#27
Jul 3, 2015
60,176
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#27
Cameron143 said:
There was an understanding of eternal life then. Keep reading the story. David says the child cannot come to him, but he can go to the child.
Also Psalm 23:6 David says he will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
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Even Job knew he would see the Lord in his flesh, post death :D

Job as you may well know is considered the oldest book of the Bible :)
 
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persistent

Guest
#28
#28
Pilgrimshope said:
“On this post I was hoping to figure out whether it is acceptable to pray for people deceased and does God hear such prayers and find them acceptable.”

you don’t find it relevant that the people who we think are dead aren’t dead to God ?

If we consider gods perspective that they are yet living why wouldn’t we pray for them ? Sometimes man’s perspective is wrong they aren’t dead they are still alive was my point
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That is something that did come to mind. But I am thinking about people who have passed on. You probably know of how Catholics have masses for people who have died. Sounds like just a way to make money.
 
Snacks

Snacks

Well-known member
#29
Feb 10, 2022
1,410
771
113
#29
Lazarus and the Rich Man
 
Cameron143

Cameron143

Well-known member
#31
Mar 1, 2022
19,221
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#31
Magenta said:
Even Job knew he would see the Lord in his flesh, post death :D

Job as you may well know is considered the oldest book of the Bible :)
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You have taken topping to a new level. Sir Topham Hatt has nothing on you.
 
K

kaylagrl

Guest
#32
#32
persistent said:
Just you saying so doesn't make it true. What scriptures are relevant?
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Are you saying you don't know the Scriptures on this subject and are asking for those? Why would you pray for someone who has died, let's start and reason it from there.
 
Eli1

Eli1

Well-known member
#35
Apr 5, 2022
4,762
2,055
113
46
#35
persistent said:
Just pass on by if you have no concerns with this topic. I realize some people on this chat have many years more of study and learning of Bible principles and if it is inappropriate for people which are relatively new to Bible principles and study by asking questions which concern them then maybe there should be flagging done by management or moderators so as to allow for various levels of understanding to be accommodated.
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Believe me, I pass by like 90% of the stuff here but you’ve asked the same question twice.
Your other topic was related to Santa.
 
Cameron143

Cameron143

Well-known member
#37
Mar 1, 2022
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#37
Snacks said:
Praying for the dead is useless. It’s like trying to cash in expired lottery tickets.
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I like replaying used lottery tickets. It's cost effective and I already have lowered expectations so I'm never disappointed.
 
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persistent

Guest
#38
#38
kaylagrl said:
Are you saying you don't know the Scriptures on this subject and are asking for those? Why would you pray for someone who has died, let's start and reason it from there.
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Recently I have been thinking of people that have passed and in some cases, it was quite tragic deaths and I get a sense of guilt about not having done more or possibly having contributed to their demise. Catholics apparently have masses said for these types of situations.

My own outlook for most of my life was to view such religious rituals with contempt. All nonsense to me. Now that I have become a Christian I still at this time don't know all of what the Bible teaches. There is also a lot of variation in Christian teaching and some I see as inconsequential but some I know to be effective, like prayer. But I don't have clear understanding regarding prayer for deceased.

You claim this is old hat and others claim likewise so that is ok. Since you are settled in this matter and claim to be in ministry that is fine. Maybe you can direct me to scriptures that would be helpful. I do intend to discuss this with my local AG affiliate. Just thought to get some views here on this chat but am finding that to be more confusing at times.

I thought this was a simple question and it is to some, but it confounds me somewhat.
 
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Papermonkey

Active member
#39
Dec 2, 2022
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#39
I would say grief works uniquely in everyone who grieves.

If someone feels comforted in praying for or to their departed love one, of that helps them heal their broken heart, comforts them in any way, all is well in that.

Because while we're told the dead know nothing,those they leave behind know how broken and empty life feels without them.

It is said prayer is when we talk to God. Meditation is what allows us his answers.

Praying for or to put dead at the very least shares with God our woe. And in that respect we heal when releasing the grief to God .
 
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