Understand The Times, International

Comment from Understand the Times:

This is just one more example that ecumenism headed by Rome is nearly here. The One World Religion in the name of Christ will set up the antichrist, right, ay! Reformed first, then the Orthodox Church, then Anglicans, followed by Calvinism, Lutheranism and eventually atheism.

Oh, we forgot the group that was once called "Protestant Evangelical." They have all gone emerging and are on the road to Rome too. Then there are the Charismatic pentecostals who have lost touch with the Bible. Then there are those who once taught the Bible verse by verse but now have forgotten the Bible and are purpose driven using entertainment in order to reach the POST MODERN generation. WHO is left? The remnant!

November 17 - Bishops Give Landslide Approval To Common Agreement On Baptism

Article: Bridges To Rome

The U.S. bishops voted overwhelmingly in favor of a common agreement on Baptism Nov. 16. The move has been called a "milestone" in ecumenical relations with certain Protestant groups.

During their fall assembly in Baltimore, 95 percent, or 204 bishops, voted in favor of an accord that would bring the baptismal practices of four Reformed Christian churches in union with those of the Catholic Church in the U.S.

The document, titled "Common Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Baptism," holds that Baptism is to be performed only once in a person's lifetime. It adds that Baptism must be performed by an authorized minister, with flowing water and the employment of the Scriptural Trinitarian formula of "Father, Son and Holy Spirit." Although other bishops' conferences around the world have established similar mandates, this is the first of its kind in the U.S.

The vote of approval allows "Catholic ministers to presume that baptisms performed in these communities are 'true baptism' as understood by Catholic doctrine and law," Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta told the assembly of bishops on Nov. 16.

Fr. Walsh called the initiative a "milestone in the ecumenical journey" that will aid interaction with Reformed Christians at the parish level.

He explained that the agreement will foster awareness of Baptism as the basis for "the real but imperfect communion that exists among Christ's followers." It will also prohibit the use of "innovative" liturgical formulas. Mutually recognizing Baptism as "the gateway to eternal life" will advance Christian unity in obedience to Jesus' prayer that "all may be one," Fr. Walsh added.