There is a movement underway, especially (but not exclusively) within the “Word of Faith” circles where there is a “yoking” together with the Pope and Roman Catholicism. Truth is being sacrificed for the sake of unity. Although, truth has already been sacrificed especially by those within the Word of Faith movement long before this.
We need to learn to see beneath the surface and “test everything” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Exercising discernment is not an option, it is an exhortation. The reason exercising discernment is so important is because deception is real. And the nature of deception is the fact that it is deceptive. Just because something looks good, sounds good and feels good, doesn’t mean it is true or right or of God.
Just because the name “Jesus” is used doesn’t mean it is the Jesus of the Bible. The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 11:3-6 something very applicable still to today: “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.”
Just because Scripture is used does not mean what is being presented is the pure truth of His Word. Word of Faith teachers are notorious for using Scripture out of context and twisting it to make it mean something it doesn’t, to promise the people what they want to hear and have: (health, wealth, power, happiness etc…).
The Catholic church does the same thing, along with many cults, such as Jehovah Witnesses, the Mormon Church, Christian Science (which has many connections and similarities with Word of Faith doctrine) etc. Even “non-Christian” cults will use Scripture. And while the Mormon Church, along with the Catholic Church, will use the same key terms and terminology regarding salvation, they mean something totally different by those same terms.
For example, the Mormon Church defines grace this way: “It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts.” (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bd/grace?lang=eng).
Notice how grace to the Mormon is the ability to save yourself through your works that you couldn’t do apart from grace! That is in contrast to what the Bible says about grace and salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 says for example: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” To be sure, verse 10 of Ephesians 2 goes on to talk about how we have been saved to do good works, and James talks about how faith without deeds is dead…but grace is not the “strength” needed to do good works, so that we may “lay hold on eternal life” after we have “expended their own best efforts.” Our efforts have nothing to do with salvation; what Christ did on the cross on our behalf was sufficient for salvation for He cried out: “It is finished.” (John 19:30). There is no sacrifice or work needed to be done in regard to sin. Christ made a once and for all, final and sufficient sacrifice for our sins. (Hebrews 1:3, 10:12, 1 Peter 3:18). The grace of God gives to sinners this gift freely upon repentance and faith in Jesus (Acts 20:21).
The Catholic Church does the same thing by using similar terms and terminology but meaning something very different. For example, take the phrase “born-again.” According to official Catholic Church doctrine, being “born-again” occurs through water-baptism. 1277 from the official Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “Baptism is birth into the new life in Christ. In accordance with the Lord’s will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism.” (Libreria Editrice Vaticana (2011-11-02). Catechism of the Catholic Church (Kindle Locations 8220-8221). United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Kindle Edition).
Notice baptism, along with the Catholic Church herself, is necessary for salvation. In fact according to Catholic doctrine, faith is received through the church! (1270 states: “Reborn as sons of God, [the baptized] must profess before men the faith they have received from God through the Church” and participate in the apostolic and missionary activity of the People of God.”).
This is all very different from what Scripture teaches. And while we could go on and on and compare and contrast; I would encourage you to go to our church website and listen to a series I did on Catholicism in more detail in 2012. It can be found on the right hand side of the message page: www.theallenwoodchurch.org/messages. I would also encourage you listen to other messages along these lines such as in 2012 on the left-hand side there is a message titled: “True Discernment/Mormonism” spoken on 1/29 and then that same year at the end of the year, on 12/9 is a message titled: “Spiritual Discernment & Deception.” In 2013, on 1/27 there is also a message titled: “Being Discerning verse Judgmental.”
Scripture calls us to exercise discernment, in fact Jesus actually said, “Stop judging by mere appearances and make a right judgment.” (John 7:24). Jesus warned us in Matthew 7:15 to: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Notice Jesus made clear wolves do not come looking like wolves, baring their fangs and making you afraid. They come in sheep’s clothing, seemingly harmless and innocent and “of God.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 warns: “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.” These are the most dangerous of all, because they operate in deception, which by definition is deceptive! This is why we must have discernment.
We must also beware of the creed of the hour, where unity is being promoted above truth and truth is being sacrificed for the sake of unity. It is one thing to be respectful to all regardless of what they believe or don’t believe or how they do or do not treat you. 1 Peter 3:15-16 calls us to this: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” Being respectful and reaching out to others in showing them Jesus and sharing Jesus with them (the hope we have in Him) however is different from embracing and endorsing different belief’s…or yoking ourselves together with those of a different faith or no faith. Respecting others is different from sacrificing truth for the sake of unity.
Many are quoting John 17, where Jesus prayed for unity. But what appears to be being left out is the fact that before Jesus prayed for unity, He prayed that His disciples would be protected from the evil one and prayed: “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” (John 17:17-19).
Being “sanctified” (set apart) by truth occurs before being “brought together” in unity. The kind of unity Jesus prayed for was also a unity brought about by “being in Him” (John 17:21). “Being In Him” is speaking of being “in the truth” for He is the “way, the truth & life.” (John 14:6). The unity Jesus prayed for a was unity among those who: “will believe in me through their message…” (John 17:20-21). Notice, not believe in Him through the church…but through their message. What was their message? Their message was the Good News of the Gospel. What is the Good News of the Gospel? The Good News of the Gospel is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, but rose again on the third day. And the reality of this was verified by hundreds of eye-witnesses. (See 1 Corinthians 15:1-7). The Good News is that through faith in Him, trusting in Him alone for salvation, we are “born-again” (John 3:16). The Good News is that through repentance, we receive the “forgiveness of sins.” (Luke 24:47, Acts 5:31, Acts 11:18). The Good News is that by “calling on His Name,” believing in our hearts He was raised from the dead and confessing with our mouths Jesus as Lord, we are saved (Romans 10:9-13).
Jesus prayed that for those that would be true of, that we would be one, as we are now of the family of God and the people of God. His prayer for unity was not that all religions would be unified together or into one religious system with different expressions as we see beginning to happen today. The current Pope has not only reached out but called for working together with Jews, Muslims, Hindu’s, something being eagerly hoped for (http://www.yesmagazine.org/happiness/why-jewish-muslim-hindu-leaders-have-high-hopes-pope-francis). Pope Francis has also sent “signals” to those who are homosexual saying “who am I to judge?” (Which is true we are not to be judgmental, but God’s word has already “judged” homosexuality as sin and we are to speak the truth in love!). He also hinted or at least made a comment aimed at embracing atheists and assuring them that “obedience to their conscience” is what is important and may be enough to merit the forgiveness or mercy of God (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/12/pope-francis-letter-atheists_n_3909425.html.).
This all is actually setting the stage for one world religion (or umbrella system) that is anti-Christ and that prophecies of the Bible warn of in the last days (see Revelation). This is a great compromise and apostasy that is occurring, not Biblical unity. Doctrine is being downplayed for the sake of unity. But it is only through the truth that we have true unity. Truth cannot be sacrificed for the sake of unity…and we must see past the surface of what is being said and not be deceived.
Recently, certain “Christian leaders” have been praising the Pope. A Catholic bishop named Tony Palmer is even declaring the “protest” (Protestant reformation) is over and it is time for Protestants to return and unite with the Catholic Church. Below you can click on the links provided to watch these endorsements. Do not be deceived! Here is also a good article about these present trends: Prosperity Preachers Join Ecumenical Movement With Praise Of The Pope.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igNCUw1adIw.
Notice how Rick Warren exalts “Authenticity” and “Humility” over “truth.” It is true being authentic and not hypocritical is important. It is true walking in humility rather than pride is crucial. But sincerity and humility is not what saves and doctrine does matter, especially concerning the way of salvation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j65tSPJZutQ.
Notice Joel Osteen praises the Pope for being “inclusive” rather than “narrow.” Yet how ironic because Jesus said this in Matthew 7:13-15: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Right after this Jesus warned: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Part of the appeal of false prophets is their “inclusiveness.” Joel Osteen is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. His newest book: “I declare” is in itself blasphemous and straight from the New Age play book…just wrapped in “Christian” language and verses. He champions the belief that we can determine and create our own “destiny” and life (health, wealth, happiness etc…) by the words we speak. We are mini-gods. The Sovereignty of God is denied as 2 Peter 2:1 warns of: “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord…”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA4EPOfic5A.
Here is the video of Pope Francis reaching out to the “Christian” community through a personal video message to Kenneth Copeland. In this video you find Bishop Tony Palmer, who claims both Kenneth Copeland and Pope Francis to be “spiritual fathers” to him, seeking to unite Catholics and Protestants. He is very clever in his framing of the issue’s and many are being duped. He tries to say through one statement that Catholics and Protestants believe the same thing now and so we need not worry about doctrine any longer, God will sort it out when we get to heaven. We just need to unite.
Yet Jesus said this and prayed this in John 17:14-19: “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”
Will you embrace the world and its value system (which is under the devil’s control) or will you embrace the Word of God regardless of the consequences and anger of the world? Be warned.
Ben Foley 