Ecumenical Meeting

The 2005 National Workshop on Christian Unity recently completed their meetings at the Sheraton New Orleans. Over 325 delegates from all the major denominations participated in events opened with worship on Monday, April 4th. Keynote Speaker, Catholic Bishop Sklba called the delegates "to be partners in the proclamation of the gospel, not rivals."
 
Following the Keynote Address, attendees went to seminars, including a dozen topics such as Ecumenism 101 (The Rev. Lydia Veliko), Rapture, the Middle East and Left Behind Series (Dr. Barbara Rossing) and Restorative Justice, The Most Rev. Alfred Hughes (National Workshop on Christian Unity website, conference highlights).
 
The pace of ecumenism continues to speed up and it would be profitable to review some comments by Reaching Catholics for Christ speaker Mike Gendron from his article "The Vatican’s Call for Unity."
 
How are Christians to protect themselves in the midst of the religious deception so prevalent in the world today? The Bible exhorts us to search the Word of God for wisdom, understanding, and discernment (Prov. 2). We are to test every teaching. "Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good" (1 Thes:5:21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
See All...). We are warned not to believe every spirit because many false prophets have gone out into the world. It is only by God’s Word that we can discern the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of error (1 John:4:1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
See All...,6).
 
We are to be like the Bereans who examined the Scriptures daily to verify the truthfulness of the Apostle Paul’s teachings (Acts:17:11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
See All...). If the one who wrote over half the New Testament was tested, it stands to reason everyone’s teaching must be examined in the light of God’s Holy Word.
 
What are we to do with the false teachers within Christendom? We are to expose their false teachings and refrain from participating in their endeavors (Eph:5:6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
See All..., 11). With gentleness, we are to correct those who are in error in hopes that God may grant them repentance leading to the truth (2 Tim:2:25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
See All...). Those who "profess to know God but by their deeds they deny Him" must be exposed and silenced so others will not be deceived (Titus:1:9-16 [9] Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. [10] For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: [11] Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. [12] One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. [13] This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; [14] Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. [15] Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. [16] They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
See All...). We are commanded to separate from those who persist in false teaching (Rom:16:17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
See All...; Titus:3:10A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
See All...). For some, this may mean finding another church. For others, it may mean withholding support from ministries that continue to compromise the Gospel. The apostles warned us that if we do not separate from false teachers we could be disqualified for service (2 Tim:2:20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
See All...), become identified with them and their error (2 John 10-11), and risk being partakers of their fate (Jude 11-13).
 
http://www.reachingcatholics.org/vatican_call.html