October 9, 1998 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - The Catholic Church has issued a new 100-page edition of the Manual of Indulgences. This is the false teaching that people can "remit the time spent in Purgatory" through good works, prayer, receiving the sacraments, and acts of penance. One way to gain an indulgence is to make a pilgrimage to Rome in the year 2000 and visit various historic Catholic sites. Other ways to gain indulgences is to "be pleasant to immigrants, pray at work, and give up alcohol and cigarettes" (Ecumenical News International, Sept. 22, 1999).

The Catholic doctrine of indulgences is founded upon two errors. First, there is the error that a place such as purgatory exists. According to the Bible, the soul goes either to Heaven or to Hell at death. There is not even a hint of the doctrine of purgatory in the Bible. Paul said that for the born-again child of God to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). Second, there is the error that good works and sacrifice can atone for sin. Man’s sin can be forgiven only through the blood of Jesus Christ. "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:14). The only indulgence I need is the one that was provided freely by Jesus Christ on the cross!

My friends, the Roman Catholic Church has not changed. It is the same blasphemously false institution it has been throughout its ugly history. It teaches doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1-6). Those who claim to be "evangelicals" and who are fellowshipping with Rome are the blind leading the blind.