Crosstalk: June 24, 2016

Romans 16:17 says, 'Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them.' Galatians 1:6-9 warns us about those who teach another gospel. The passage says nothing about linking arms with such individuals. Instead it communicates that those who present a contrary doctrine are to be accursed.

Despite such clear warnings from Scripture, there's an ecumenical event that's taking place on July 16th bringing evangelicals and Catholics together on the national mall. It's reported that more than 1,000 churches nationwide have pledged to attend this event called, Together 2016.

Joining Jim to discuss this issue was Mike Gendron. Mike was a devout Roman Catholic for over 30 years and was taught to rely upon the authority of the church. He followed the priests, the sacraments and was depending upon his own good works for salvation. However, in 1981, after attending an apologetics seminar called, 'Evidence for the Christian Faith', the Bible became his sole authority in all matters of faith. As he searched the Scriptures he was amazed to see how often the Bible contradicts the teaching and tradition of the church he had been a part of for so long. Eventually, Mike placed his trust in Jesus Christ as Savior. He founded a ministry, Proclaiming the Gospel, that points people to Jesus Christ as the all-sufficient Savior.

Mike began by noting how we need to be sanctified by the truth. This means we cannot have unity in error. The error of the Pope is that his 'gospel' is one of works righteousness therefore he and all the bishops that preach it are accursed by Galatians 1:6-9. Since the Pope will be highlighted at this event, for evangelicals to be a part of it amounts to a joining of hands with the enemies of the gospel.

Mike commended the zeal of the promoter to gather Christians in prayer but we must recognize that those who will gather in Washington, DC, for the event, if they are unbelievers or part of a false religion, they cannot unite with us in prayer because they have a different spiritual father.

When we pray, we pray to the one and only Father. For Catholics to be in attendance, they have a different holy father that Mike believes is a 'wolf in sheep's clothing'. He said that not to be harsh, but to warn Christians that we must remain sanctified by the truth. If we don't, the the glory and honor of Jesus is at stake.

Mike explained that the Bible speaks of two types of unity. There is a biblical unity when the spirit of God baptizes born-again Christians into one body—the church. These are those individuals who have repented and believe the one and only gospel of Jesus.

On the other hand, there's a man-made unity. It goes back to Genesis 11:1-9. That religious unity was the work of Satan who used the prideful ambition of man and biblical ignorance to unite the world through the building of a tower to heaven. So now we see this being repeated to try and bring people together under a one-world religion. This has been the Jesuit agenda since the Reformation.

In the end, Mike believes that if the evangelical leaders who are set to speak at this event knew the agenda of the Roman Catholic Church, they wouldn't be part of anything that embraces the Pope as a brother in Christ or Catholicism as a valid expression of Christianity.

People and groups committed to be part of Together 2016 include: Francis Chan, Nick Hall, Hillsong United, Matthew West, Crowder, Jennie Allen, Christine Caine, Matt Maher, Josh McDowell, Ronny Floyd, Michael W. Smith, Kirk Franklin, Ravi Zacharias, Casting Crowns, Lou Engle, Bob Lenz and more.