ECUMENICALISM AND THE APOSTLES DOCTRINE?---by steve finnell

Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to to apostle's teaching....(NIV)

Did the apostle's doctrine include ecumenical worship and joint charity endeavors with those who perverted basic Christian doctrine? No, it did not.

The Judaizers were Jewish Christians who wanted to impose Jewish practices on all converts to Christianity. They were perverting the gospel of Christ. Did apostle Paul join in worship and charitable works with the Judaizers in the name of unity and good works? No, he did not.

Galatians 2:4 This matter arose, because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. (NIV)

Paul called those who perverted the gospel, false brothers. Today many call those who pervert the gospel co-workers in Christ as they feed the poor and preach the man-made gospel of their choice.

Galatians 5:4-12 You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace..........12As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves! (NIV)

Does it sound like the apostle Paul would be asking the Judaizers to teach a Bible study or join him in feeding the poor?

2 Timothy 2:17-18 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.(NIV)

Did the apostles have shared teaching and preaching Christian conventions with men who did not teach the apostles doctrine? Of course they did not.

Acts 15:1 Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.(NIV)

The truth is today some men who deny that water baptism is essential in order to be saved are invited to teach and preach at churches and at assorted Christian gatherings. And it is not only tolerated but supported by Christians. Is this the apostles doctrine of Acts 2:42?

2 Corinthians 11:4-15 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........13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. (NIV)

The problem with most church congregations who call themselves Christian is that they believe in ecumenical unity regardless of the doctrines being preached. Would joint charitable works, shared Bible study in which false doctrine is taught be in keeping with the apostles doctrine?

The apostle Paul called those who perverted the gospel false brothers and false apostles. Today many refer to them as co-workers in Christ.

The apostles terms for salvation. Faith: John 3:16--Repentance: Acts 3:19---Confession: Romans 10:9---Water Baptism: Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16. 1 Peter 3:21.