When the First Vatican Council changed Roman Catholic dogma to declare the pope infallible, intellectual honesty and spiritual integrity led many Catholics to separate from the Catholic Church’s communion. In the ensuing 140+ years, commitment to truth and liberty of conscience have led more groups to separate from the Roman Catholic communion, seeking a return to purity of faith. Today, literally hundreds of denominations identify themselves as independent Catholic.
Despite the commitment of independent Catholics to return to the pure doctrine of the early church, they nevertheless hold some errors that are inconsistent with Scripture. Following is a partial list of errors held by independent Catholics.
- While interpretations vary denomination to denomination, independent Catholics affirm the Nicene Creed (usually with the filioque) with it’s Trinitarian view of the nature of Yahuwah. The doctrine of a triune godhead comes directly from ancient paganism. It is not Biblical for Scripture states: “Hear, O Israel: Yahuwah our Eloah is one!” (Deuteronomy 6:4) The Bible makes plain that Yahushua, while born of a virgin, is a human being - not a diety.
- Most independent Catholic denominations accept the Athanasian Creed and it’s anathemas against all who do not believe “truly and firmly” in the “catholic faith.” The concept that the Church is the gateway to salvation and all who reject it’s teachings are damned, is an exclusivist view shared by the ancient Israelites. Those who hold exclusivist views discount the command to flee Babylon as not applicable to them when they are the very ones to whom the warning is issued!
Scripture tells those who consider themselves exempt, the ignorant heathen often honor Yahuwah more than those with more truth! While most translations obscure the meaning with supplied words, the original statement should be a warning against anathematizing all whose beliefs may vary from yours: “For from the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, my Name is great among the Gentiles, and in every place incense shall be offered unto my Name, and a pure offering: for my Name is great among the heathen, saith [Yahuwah] of hosts. But ye have polluted it.” (Malachi 1:11-12, Geneva Bible)
- A belief that the soul is immortal carries with it accompanying errors: upon death the soul goes to heaven, hell or purgatory. Scripture, however, teaches that there is no consciousness after death, “For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?” (Psalm 6:5)
While Scripture does reveal eternal fire, this is not referring to eternal suffering of the lost as many assume. Death, not eternal life in suffering, is the punishment of the wicked: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of Yah is eternal life.” (Romans 6:23)
- Independent Catholics believe in the transubstantiation of the host during the Eucharist. While the bread and wine are beautiful symbols of the gift of Yahuwah’s Son, the belief that the host becomes the actual flesh and blood of Yahushua is blasphemous for it effectually re-crucifies the Saviour, implying that His death on Calvary was an insufficient atonement. It also contradicts Scripture which states Yahushua was to die once for the sins of many.
- Independent Catholics embrace the Sacraments as “efficacious signs of grace.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1131) This contradicts Scripture which states: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of Eloah: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Yahuwah cherishes the intellectual and spiritual honesty of the Independent Catholic believers. He invites them to set aside the errors in their beliefs and return to
Scripture alone as the standard for truth and righteousness.
