January 30 - Catholic, Protestant Churches Sign Historic Baptism Agreement

Article: Ecumenical Movement - Protestants Uniting With Roman Catholics

Comment from Understand the Times:

The pathway towards unification with Rome is becoming more and more apparent to those who can see the coming One World Religion with headquarters in Rome. Unfortunately, while this is taking place, there are fewer who are willing to point out this sign of the End Times and warn the sheep.

For example, those who follow leaders, many of them who follow the Purpose Driven model promoted by Rick Warren, claim that "it is better to be known for what you are for than what you are against." In doing so, they close their eyes to the signs that reveal Bible prophecy is underway and become part of the deception that is underway.

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.

"Together we affirm that, by the sacrament of Baptism, a person is truly incorporated into the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13 and 27; Ephesians 1:22-23), the church. Baptism establishes the bond of unity existing among all who are part of Christ's body and is therefore the sacramental basis for our efforts to move towards visible unity," reads the document.

"We rejoice at the common faith we share and affirm in this document. We understand that the journey toward full, visible unity depends on openness to the grace of God and humility before the initiatives of God's Spirit among us."

The Austin celebration and preceding dialogue were coordinated through The Christian Churches Together in the U.S.A., an organization formed in 2001 that focuses on interdenominational Christian unity, witness and fellowship.