Leaders representing the Roman Catholic Church and some American Protestant denominations have signed an agreement in Texas to recognize each other's baptisms.
After about six years of dialogue, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Reformed Church in America, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Christian Reformed Church in North America, and the United Church of Christ signed a document recognizing each other's liturgical rites of baptism.
The five denominations signed the "Common Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Baptism," affirming the baptism agreement on Tuesday evening at a prayer service held at St. Mary's Cathedral in Austin....
SteveR wrote: When children are born, they dont understand the biological process that gave them life. Why should it be required in their Spiritual birth? Do you believe the thief on the cross understood Reformed Theology? Rather than be thankful that the Lord has blessed us with the Biblical understanding of the Ordo Salutis, too many Protestants behave childishly and just use it as reason to falsely accuse their brethren.
Steve, you may care to look at this from the other direction. For example, the RCC regards my "conversion" (and new birth) as insufficient to get me to heaven. It also regards me as being anathema for believing in justification by faith alone in Christ alone. That is the pope's position on my spiritual state.
And you want to stand with him on that?
You align yourself with the enemy of the gospel?
Therefore you choose to be my enemy also?
What I'm talking about are genuine Catholics, who adhere to the pope's teaching. If you are referring to the odd one or two who have been born again within the Catholic church, and have had their eyes opened to the truth, and are no longer regarding their own works as contributing in any way to salvation, that is different.
John UK wrote: Steve, the church (ecclesia) is perfect in God's sight, being justified by faith alone in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. But you say that the RCC is less than perfect, thereby showing that it is not justified but deceived. God only accepts perfection, therefore it is impossible because of our fallen nature to accomplish this ourselves. The RCC does not agree with this, nor does it agree that the finished work of Christ is sufficient for our justification. You say you have brethren within the RCC? What makes you think they are brethren?
When children are born, they dont understand the biological process that gave them life. Why should it be required in their Spiritual birth? Do you believe the thief on the cross understood Reformed Theology? Rather than be thankful that the Lord has blessed us with the Biblical understanding of the Ordo Salutis, too many Protestants behave childishly and just use it as reason to falsely accuse their brethren.
Romans 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Romans 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
SteveR wrote: If I judged my brethren by what they have said or done, not one would be a perfected Saint. Praise God for his abundant Grace that Justified and Sanctified my brethren in that less than perfect Church led by the Bishop of Rome.
Steve, the church (ecclesia) is perfect in God's sight, being justified by faith alone in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. But you say that the RCC is less than perfect, thereby showing that it is not justified but deceived. God only accepts perfection, therefore it is impossible because of our fallen nature to accomplish this ourselves. The RCC does not agree with this, nor does it agree that the finished work of Christ is sufficient for our justification.
And we have Al Mohler, Wayne Grudem et al, signing the Manhatten Declaration. What is the difference?
Brandon, SteveR is clueless if he thinks the RCC is simply less than perfect.
[6] I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: [7] Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. [8] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. [9] As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Gal 1:6-9 KJV)
11] And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them]. (Eph 5:11 KJV)
[3] Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. [4] For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jud 1:3-4 KJV)
brandon wrote: To anyone who believes that Catholics are our bretheren in Christ, please read the 6th council of Trent. This is not unity in spirit and truth, this is an example of the great apostacy.
If I judged my brethren by what they have said or done, not one would be a perfected Saint. Praise God for his abundant Grace that Justified and Sanctified my brethren in that less than perfect Church led by the Bishop of Rome.
To anyone who believes that Catholics are our bretheren in Christ, please read the 6th council of Trent. This is not unity in spirit and truth, this is an example of the great apostacy.
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