1. ECUMENICAL UNITY
Now there is a great word, but what does it mean that the churches are coming together in unity? Contrary to popular belief not all "unity" is good and from God the Father. There are 3 different places of unity in which we can walk in.
The first is the most popular and is called "UNITY FOR UNITY'S SAKE." This is a movement called "the ecumenical movement. The word "ecumenical" comes from the Greek word "oikoumene" and means "this inhabited world."
It is people getting together with no standard of belief, no doctrine, and anything goes. Unity is the end in itself. This originates from Nimrod as he led out in building the Tower of Babel. The spirit of Nimrod is still among us today. We can see today a growing number of Pastors, Teachers, and Churches embracing Universalism.
The main theme of this false unity is the "doctrine of tolerance" for the sake of "unity." Our Lord Jesus Christ did not tolerate false teaching. In 1948 the first Ecumenical Assembly came together in Amsterdam with the motto "One World-One Church." At present there are two religious bodies pushing the ecumenical movement, which are The World Council of Churches (W.C.C.) and The National Council of Churches (N.C.C.). The main aim of the ecumenical movement is to bring churches of all denominations and cults, and ultimately, all other religious organizations together as One Ecumenical Church or World Church.
This universalism doctrine ends up with a social "fell good" religion, while embracing the teaching which says no one is going to hell and that Jesus Christ is not the only way to heaven but just one of many ways. These Churches and ministries are nothing more than social clubs teaching the doctrines of man and the doctrines of demons. This type of unity is a false doctrine and should be avoided. True believers should come out from anyone who would teach such heresy.
Now there is a great word, but what does it mean that the churches are coming together in unity? Contrary to popular belief not all "unity" is good and from God the Father. There are 3 different places of unity in which we can walk in.
The first is the most popular and is called "UNITY FOR UNITY'S SAKE." This is a movement called "the ecumenical movement. The word "ecumenical" comes from the Greek word "oikoumene" and means "this inhabited world."
It is people getting together with no standard of belief, no doctrine, and anything goes. Unity is the end in itself. This originates from Nimrod as he led out in building the Tower of Babel. The spirit of Nimrod is still among us today. We can see today a growing number of Pastors, Teachers, and Churches embracing Universalism.
The main theme of this false unity is the "doctrine of tolerance" for the sake of "unity." Our Lord Jesus Christ did not tolerate false teaching. In 1948 the first Ecumenical Assembly came together in Amsterdam with the motto "One World-One Church." At present there are two religious bodies pushing the ecumenical movement, which are The World Council of Churches (W.C.C.) and The National Council of Churches (N.C.C.). The main aim of the ecumenical movement is to bring churches of all denominations and cults, and ultimately, all other religious organizations together as One Ecumenical Church or World Church.
This universalism doctrine ends up with a social "fell good" religion, while embracing the teaching which says no one is going to hell and that Jesus Christ is not the only way to heaven but just one of many ways. These Churches and ministries are nothing more than social clubs teaching the doctrines of man and the doctrines of demons. This type of unity is a false doctrine and should be avoided. True believers should come out from anyone who would teach such heresy.
2. UNITY IN THE SPIRIT:
The second unity is "UNITY IN THE SPIRIT." This is the natural unity that should exist among every believer, those who have had a true "born again" experience. But it is not always easy getting along with every Christian. Paul says that we strive for the unity of the Spirit. Our selfishness gets in the way and when we desire our own way it results in a breakdown in fellowship. But we are called to seek this UNITY IN THE SPIRIT.
Ephesians 4:1-3 KJV I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
The second unity is "UNITY IN THE SPIRIT." This is the natural unity that should exist among every believer, those who have had a true "born again" experience. But it is not always easy getting along with every Christian. Paul says that we strive for the unity of the Spirit. Our selfishness gets in the way and when we desire our own way it results in a breakdown in fellowship. But we are called to seek this UNITY IN THE SPIRIT.
Ephesians 4:1-3 KJV I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
3. UNITY IN THE FAITH:
The third unity is "UNITY IN THE FAITH." This is the unity that they had in Acts 2 when they were of one mind and one accord. This is the unity that Paul spoke would come about in the last days in Eph.4:11-14. We walk with a people with one mind, one faith, and one belief system.
Ephesians 4:11-13 KJV And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
1 Corinthians 1:10 KJV Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
The third unity is "UNITY IN THE FAITH." This is the unity that they had in Acts 2 when they were of one mind and one accord. This is the unity that Paul spoke would come about in the last days in Eph.4:11-14. We walk with a people with one mind, one faith, and one belief system.
Ephesians 4:11-13 KJV And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
1 Corinthians 1:10 KJV Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.