The Bible tells us of a common salvation, the importance of studying the Word (The Truth) of God, that we be able to contend for the faith that was taught by the apostles.
"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" Jude 1:3
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenæus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; ....... And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;" 2 Timothy 2:15-25
The Word of God also teach us about love, our motive must always be based in love. The Truth of God is always interwaved with His Love, they can't be separated.
"that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— Ephesians 4:14-16
"But Love without truth is apostasy. .... Apostasy is defined as a great falling away from truth: Literally, “a divorcement from truth" Pastor Joseph Herrin, Parablesblog
- While we all understand we should pray for, love and welcome everyone who wants to know God to our congregations, including people that don't share our same doctrine, we also understand that we cannot neglect the necessity of keeping the sound or healthy doctrine being taught from our pulpits (1Tim 1:10; 6:3; 2 Tim.1:13; 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1). The Word of God mentions the importance of staying in the same doctrine that we heard from the apostles : 2 Tim. 1:13; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 1 Tim 4:16; 1 Cor.15:1-2 ; 2 John 1:9-11, Galatians 1:6-10, Romans 16:17, 2 Tim.4:3-4, 2 John 1:9, 2 Thess.3:6, 2 Cor.6, Luke 12:5, Col.2:8, etc.
I mention this because there is an ecumenical movement in the church (that started with The Second Vatican Council, & still continues today), which is looking to unite all religions, and we need to be careful and ask ourselves if this is really the will of God, or if this may be the plan of the enemy for a one world religion. (Rev. 13:6-8,12 & 15).
"If Jesus had been ecumenical, He would have lovingly dialogued with the (Pharisees) Jewish leaders who loved God and were totally engrossed in doing good, just as are the leaders of the ecumenical movement today. He would have practiced reconciliation with all who named the name of Jehovah, and He could have escaped the Cross.
Just one problem: where would we be if He had?
If Paul had been ecumenical, he would never have rebuked Peter or pronounced God's anathema on those who preached "another gospel"! In fact, he would not have been arrested and sent to Nero if he had only practiced reconciliation with all who claimed to be Christians." What is wrong with 'Ecumenical'
- But some may ask: Then... what about what the bible says in 1 Cor. 1:12 ?
'Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?'
Well, this verse has been taken out of context & misused. That's what the sects and cults do, take verses out of context. That's what Satan did at the garden, he likes to mix lies with the Truth of God. (Also see: Matthew 4:5-7).
-Notice that Paul, Apollos & Peter where all teaching the same doctrine of Christ, the same Lord, the same faith (same salvation), the same baptism, same Father, one body, one Spirit. (Ephe 4:1-7; John 1:12). & besides, Peter didn't found Roman Catholicism!
If we abide (G3306- remain, not depart) in Christ & His words/commandments abide in us, we become one with Him, there is unity! All the branches (believers) become one in Him. But apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15). The key is to remain in Him & His words to remain in us "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you..." vs 7, then we become one with all the believers that do the same, but there is no unity apart from Him & His Holy Spirit.
"The ecumenism movement is a deceptive movement where the philosophy is to be more tolerable of other denominations, to put differences aside, and yoke up with them. This dangerous movement is also being orchestrated to bring in all false religions of the world into one world religion.
1) God is the author of Christian unity, not man! (Ephesians 4:1-6). Truth is not relative, it is according to the Word of God (John 17:17-19).
2) Christian unity is primarily through the local church, not through inter-denominational relationships (1 Corinthians 1:10, 12:25-27, Philippians 1:27, Romans 15:5-6, Ephesians 4:11-16, Hebrews 10:25).
3) The instructions for ALL churches are evangelism and discipleship, not social programs as the ecumenism crowd teaches. The Great commission instructs ALL churches to preach the gospel and disciple new converts (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-47, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 1:17-21, 2 Timothy 2:2).
4) The ecumenism crowd downplays the importance of doctrinal purity. The Word is clear that we are to separate from those who are in error (Romans 16:17-18, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18,11:1-4, Galatians 1:8-9, Ephesians 4:14-15, 5:15, Philippians 3:1-2, Colossians 2:8, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 1 Timothy 1:3, 1 Timothy 6:3-5, 20-21, 2 Timothy 2:16-21, 3:5, Titus 1:10-14, 3:9-11, 2 Peter 2:1-3, 3:17, 2 John 7-11, Jude 1:3-4, Revelation 2:2, 14-16) "
see original article..... Beware of the ecumenism movement
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" Biblical Christianity and Roman Catholicism are two different religions that practice and believe different things about how one is saved, the authority of the Bible, the priesthood of believers, the nature of man, the work of Christ on the cross, etc. .." Should a Christian be involved in the ecumenical movement?.
"I'm for and not against encouraging unity across fundamentals, evangelical, protestant churches who 'stick' to the Bible as our final authority, but ecumenicalism (of our day) doesn't do this. It associates with Rome, New Age and all sort of other 'experimental' christianity". Watchman for Jesus
'Biblical Expose's of the Manhattan Declaration'- Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, evangelicals, etc. Leaders who signed.
'Many Evangelical, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Catholic, Mormon and other ecumenically-minded leaders are members of the Council for National Policy. - Selected Member Biographies
The Gospel of UNITY
The Importance of Sound Doctrine
Ecumenism
Archbishop Nichols 'offered flowers at the altar of Hindu deities'
St. John The Divine Cathedral - Paganism & Interfaith
Deception & Bondage of the Bride of Christ -New, May 2014
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" 2 Tim. 4:3-4
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