Many of the most devout Christians in the world are Catholic. They are loyal to their beliefs and are committed to doing all they have been taught they must do in order to be saved. Despite this beautiful devotion, Catholicism contains some errors that separate the sincere from the Creator. Following is a list of some of the errors in Catholicism that keep believers at a distance from their Heavenly Father.
The doctrine of apostolic succession is based on a misunderstanding of Matthew 16:18. The words for “Peter” (#4074 – a detached stone that is easily moved) and “rock” (#4073 – a mass of rock) come from two different root words and mean two different things. In this conversation, Yahushua was stating that His kingdom would be built on the mass-of-solid-rock-truth that Peter had just stated: “Thou art the Annointed, the Son of the Living El.” He was not saying that His kingdom would be built on the fallible disciple who could so easily be moved by his impetuous emotions.
This misunderstanding has led Catholics to place tradition and papal decrees on the same level as or above the authority of the Bible. By doing this, certain assumptions and errors have sadly been accepted as truth that, if compared with Scripture alone, would be clearly seen for the error that it is. The following errors all come from placing other authorities on a level with, or above, Holy Scripture.
A most fundamental doctrine in Catholicism is the belief in a triune godhead. It is easy to see why such a belief would arise as Scripture does refer repeatedly to the Holy Spirit. The trinity doctrine itself, however, is not Biblical. It comes directly from ancient paganism. As a result, attention is diverted from the very real sacrifice the Father made in offering His own Son to be the propitiation for sin. The Bible makes plain that Yahushua, while born of a virgin, is a human being - not a diety.
The symbols of bread and wine Yahushua employed at the Last Supper to represent His blood shed for sinners are precious to believers. Perhaps more than any other denomination, Catholics reverence these treasured reminders. However, Catholic theology teaches transubstantiation. Regardless of how many years this traditional understanding has been embraced, time alone does not make error into truth and the doctrine of transubstantiation contradicts Scripture which clearly states: “Yahushua was once offered to bear the sins of many.” (See Hebrews 9:27-28.)
The Catholic Church teaches that "heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness." Scripture, however, teaches that immortality in the earth made new is the reward of the saints.
Probably the one error that more than any other separates Catholics from the Heavenly Father and the great love He feels for them, is the practice of praying to saints rather than directly to the Father Himself. Nowhere does Scripture teach that one should pray to other humans, regardless of how holy were their lives. Rather, all are urged to seek the Father in prayer for themselves: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) Yahuwah’s great heart of infinite love longs for a close relationship with His Catholic children and invites all to come directly to Him with their fears, their tears, their wants and their joys. He has pledged to receive all who come to Him.
Catholic tradition dictates worship on Sunday of Pope Gregory XIII’s calendar. Catholic scholars admit that there is no Biblical basis for Sunday observance. They point to Sunday as the chief sign of their authority. Unfortunately, this completely contradicts Scripture that clearly states that the seventh-day is the Sabbath – and will be for all eternity. Likewise, there is no Biblical basis for observance of Christmas, Easter or anything other than Yahuwah’s Holy Days.
Catholic tradition teaches the soul is immortal. However, Scripture clearly states: “[Yahuwah] is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality.” (1 Timothy 6:15, 16)
Yahuwah is inviting His children in the Catholic communion to step free of the errors of assumption and tradition and enter into a love-partnership that alone will fulfill their deepest yearnings.