ALL

I do not know when the "Ecumenical Movement" actually began, but I suspect it has been around ever since the Eastern Orthodox Church split from Rome in A.D. 1054. And today, there are those who wish to unite all of the Protestant Denominations, all Independent Churches, and Roman Catholicism, because they have mistakenly misinterpreted the Lord's prayer for the Church. In John 17:11, 21-23, Jesus prays for His disciples to be united, to be one, so that the world would see our unity, and know that the Father sent Jesus, because He loves mankind as much as He loves His own Son. What they fail to comprehend is that Jesus is not praying that all professing Christians would be united, but that all those whom His Father had given Him would be one (Jn. 17:11). His parables on the Church clearly indicate that there will be "tares," "birds," "leaven," and "bad fish" mingled within (Matt. 13:24-50).

Even though there are very few individual churches where the membership is made up of nearly 100% born again believers, I believe God's children can be found in ALL the divisions of Christendom. I have often been amazed when I would meet someone from another affiliation, and immediately be aware of a spiritual bond between us. Our fellowship is possible because we have accepted the gift of salvation based upon the finished work of Christ, and not on our own works (Eph. 2:8-10). We believe what Titus 3:5-6 says: "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour."

We have fellowship with, and are united with ALL those who believe:

1) the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are ALL one God; " Hear, O Israel: The LORD (singular) our God (plural) is one LORD (singular)." (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19).

2) that Jesus, being God manifest in the flesh, born of a virgin, having lived a sinless life, died for man's sin, was buried, and He was raised from the dead to be Lord over ALL (Jn. 1:1, 14; Matt. 1:18-25; Heb. 4:15; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Phil. 2:10).

3) that God loves ALL of mankind, and sent His Son to die for ALL (Isa. 53:6; Jn. 3:16; 6:33, 51; Rom. 5:8, 18; 1 Tim. 2:6; Heb. 2:9; 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 Jn. 2:2).

4) that ALL men are sinners, and need salvation (Rom. 3:23).

5) that ALL who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; Rom. 10:13).

6) that ALL who accept Jesus as Lord, receive the new birth which is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 3:3-9; 14:17; Acts 2:4).

7) that ALL of God's children are gifted for service (1 Cor. 12, 6, 11-13, 18).

God is no respecter of persons; what He has done for me, He is willing to do for ALL of you!