The snare of ecumenism among charismatic churches is increasing at an alarming rate. For several years, Hillsong Phoenix had been hosting the Alpha Conference, an ecumenical conference designed to tear down doctrinal divides between opposing apostate Christian sub-sects as they join hands to promote a social cause. This year, of course, is no different.

In previous years, Hillsong has always hosted a Roman Catholic–even to the extent of holding a Catholic mass on their campus–while promoting the idea that Roman Catholicism is just another valid expression of Christianity and there should be no divide between them. Of course, we believe, as we’ve reported numerous times, that both Roman Catholicism and Hillsong are both expressions of Pagan idolatry with little-to-no actual Christian foundation let alone the true saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

And Francis Chan, popular traveling preacher-turned-apostate has also had his hand in the ecumenical jar for a number of years. At one ecumenical event with Roman Catholics, Chan removed his shoes on stage while several Catholic priests pray over him. At the same event, Chan declined to share the gospel with a Catholic, stating “I don’t believe the Holy Spirit wants me to.” Chan also has embraced the Roman Catholic heresy of transubstantiation.

But now, Bethel Church is joining the ecumenical movement as its lead pastor, Bill Johnson, is joining his church with Roman Catholics to “bring the message of the Gospel to every person.”

The promotion was posted on Johnson’s Instagram account where he stated that this was an “unprecedented opportunity for Protestants and Catholics to work together in evangelism.”

It’s already a well-established fact that Johnson is a false prophet who is involved in the New Apostolic Reformation—a false Christian movement that teaches that Apostles and Prophets still exist and that these strange fire charismatic leaders are them. Yet, these same hyper-charismatic false apostles, like Johnson, already have a false gospel, and for them to team up with Roman Catholics to “evangelize” the world can only add more confusion to the mix. Who is the author of confusion? That should tell you where this movement is coming from.

The official “gospel” of the Roman Catholic Church is a false gospel that denies the biblical doctrine of Justification by Grace Alone. In fact, the official doctrine of the Catholic Church forbids its followers from believing the biblical doctrine of salvation.  Canon 9 of the Roman Catholic council of Trent says “If anyone says that the sinner is justified by faith alone, meaning that nothing else is required to cooperate in order to obtain the grace of justification, and that it is not in any way necessary that he be prepared and disposed by the action of his own will, let him be anathema.”

The Doctrine of Justification rests on a proper understanding of who God is, who the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are, and what God has done for us through his Son, Jesus Christ. An improper understanding of the Trinity, for example, will lead to an improper understanding of justification. An improper understanding of the deity of Christ will cause a false understanding of salvation. A rejection of Scripture and a wrong understanding of God’s grace will ultimately lead to a compromised understanding of how Jesus served as our propitiation, and how his righteousness has been imputed to us who believe. This is why heresies regarding these essential doctrines are considered damnable.

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. —Galatians 1:8

This is why we cannot stand with Roman Catholics, Modalists, Prosperity Gospel preachers, many Charismatics (like Bethel), and adherents to doctrines that pervert the grace of God and reject the doctrine of the penal substitutionary atonement. Jude 1:4 says these people who deny our Master are condemned. Scripture is very clear that we should not associate with these people.

God is insistent that we not promote the false teachings in the church by associating with known false converts–people who pervert the grace of God. By doing so, we lend our credibility as true Christians to those who corrupt the Doctrine of Justification. Even if they say they don’t hold to the official teachings of their church, their denominational affiliation is still an expression of their faith, and we must treat them accordingly. God calls believers out of their idolatry; the Holy Spirit does not allow the saved to wander around aimlessly rejecting Him.

While friendship with the world is certainly forbidden, friendship with false teachers and idolatrous religious systems, like Roman Catholicism, is far worse in the eyes of God. We cannot, under any circumstances, stand with them to advance any spiritual enterprise.