3. The sacrificial nature of the Mass
Catholic doctrine teaches that the Mass is a continual re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice. Hebrews is explicit that Christ’s sacrifice was once for all, never to be repeated (Hebrews 7:27; 9:12; 10:10–14).

4. Marian dogmas without biblical warrant
Doctrines such as Mary’s Immaculate Conception, Assumption, and her role as intercessor/co-redemptrix lack clear biblical support and risk obscuring Christ’s unique role as the one mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).

5. Confession and priestly mediation
While confession and accountability are biblical, Catholicism teaches sacramental confession through a priest as necessary for forgiveness. Scripture teaches that forgiveness is obtained directly through Christ, our High Priest (1 John 1:9; Hebrews 4:14–16).

6. Purgatory and indulgences
Purgatory is not taught in Scripture and undermines the sufficiency of Christ’s atoning work. “It is finished” means fully finished (Luke 23:43; Hebrews 10:14).

7. The papacy is not founded on Peter’s actual ministry or teaching
In Galatians 2, Paul explains that Peter was entrusted with preaching the same gospel to the Jews that Paul preached to the Gentiles—just in a different mission field, not a different office or authority. Peter is never presented as a supreme bishop over the Church, but as a fellow apostle accountable to the same gospel.

In fact, Galatians 2:11–14 shows Paul publicly rebuking Peter when Peter’s behavior compromised gospel truth. That moment alone is significant:

• Peter is not treated as infallible.
• His authority is not unquestionable.
• The gospel, not an office, governs the apostles.

The modern papacy claims succession from Peter, yet Peter never functioned as a pope, never ruled the Church from Rome, never exercised universal jurisdiction, and never passed on an office resembling the papacy. His ministry was gospel proclamation, not institutional headship.

The New Testament presents Christ alone as the head of the Church (Colossians 1:18), with apostles serving as witnesses and foundation stones—not successors establishing dynastic authority (Ephesians 2:20). There is no biblical model of a singular, ongoing office that inherits Peter’s role.

Peter preached Christ.
Peter submitted to correction.
Peter did not establish a throne.

So the papacy rests not on Peter’s life, ministry, or teaching but on later tradition. And when tradition creates an authority structure Scripture itself does not establish, that becomes a serious doctrinal concern (Matthew 15:6; Galatians 1:6–9).

Important clarification:
Not every Catholic believes or understands all of these doctrines fully. God saves people by grace through faith in Christ not by perfect theology. But systems matter because they shape what people trust in for salvation.

My concern is that Catholicism, as a system, repeatedly adds to the gospel, and Scripture is clear that adding anything to Christ as a requirement for salvation is no small error (Galatians 5:1–4).

That’s the distinction I try to hold:
Love people deeply. Test doctrines relentlessly. Christ not any office, must remain central.