From Israel To Italy

I’ll be taking a few posts¹ to share the experience of a charismatic businessman² from Ohio. I do not know the author personally but a relative of mine is acquainted with him. The story shares Mr. Scudder’s “cooperation” with an ever-popular group called Catholic Charismatics. I do agree with a number of the conclusions³ that Mr. Scudder has come to as a result of these encounters, and I wanted to share them with you. I believe if you know the Truth that you will find this interesting as well.

The Slippery Rise of Ecumenism⁴

It started when I was voted in as President of a local chapter of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International. We had a dinner meeting once a month and a breakfast meeting once a month. At the dinner meeting we would usually invite a Christian businessman to give his testimony. I also held a Bible study and prayer meeting in my home.

Catholics began to come to my home prayer and Bible study meeting, including a priest. The first thing this priest did was kneel in front of me, as if I could impart something to him. Later I knew that he wanted me to pray that he would receive tongues. Later that night I sat down with him and the scriptures and tried to explain to him the plan of salvation. My words and scriptures seemed to address deaf ears. His “religion” seemed to have a shield around him so the “Gospel” could not be heard.

I became a friend with this Priest and we began to attend other meetings together. More Catholics started coming to all of our meetings and I invited a Catholic professor from Ball State University to come and speak to our fellowship.

It wasn’t long until many of these Catholics were seeking and receiving tongues. At the time I just took it for granted that they were already saved and were receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Priests, nuns, and others were beginning to receive tongues. I was guilty of believing that tongues was an indication that we shared the same Holy Spirit experience, and the same Jesus. This was due to my ignorance of the ‘Gospel according to Rome,’ for which I have no excuse.

I was invited to teach a course one night a week for six weeks in a Roman Catholic Parish, St. Monica In East Peoria, Illinois. Priests, nuns, and others were present. I taught on the gift of Salvation. At the time I was not prepared for what I was confronting and because all present at the meetings deemed themselves already saved because of the Roman Catholic religion. I don’t believe I addressed the subject in the right way. There was a spirit of bondage given to them by Rome and they had a dependence on their infant baptism and other doctrines of Rome which nullify the Gospel.

I was invited to attend Catholic Charismatic prayer meetings at Bradley University as the only non-Catholic present.

One of the Catholic prayer groups were speaking in tongues and receiving unbiblical interpretations of a sinful nature, supposedly coming direct from Mary, ‘the mother
of Jesus’. Which was further proof that the unsaved were receiving ‘tongues’ from a spirit other than God. Charismatic Catholics often become more devoted to Mary after receiving a tongue that was not from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit only glorifies Christ.

One of the common declarations of Marian worshippers is that Mary is actively giving new revelations (extra-biblical), new signs, & new miracles. In my experience with thousands of devoted Marians - not one time has a person hungered after and followed Christ Jesus more after any “encounter” or hearing of an encounter of Maria. Whether you’re a cessationist or continuationist - all believers must pose the question on some kind of tongue or spiritual manifestation to see its veracity and authenticity — Is Christ glorified? 1 John 5:6

Part 2 in a few days…

1. The goal here is to raise an awareness to what is out there & how Rome works in the Western world. Please remember that Rome’s pattern has been to umbrella –> imitate –> absorb and that’s what I’m striving for through these posts. [back]
2. Bill Scudder, Dayton, Ohio, USA Azusa755@sbcglobal.net Permission is given by the author to copy this testimony to be used in any way provided it is reproduced in its entirety including my e-mail address without change and that the following disclaimer be included. This testimony may be pasted on any other site but does not mean I agree with all other documents or links listed there. [back]
3. I will list-out the conclusions that I agree with and add some commentary on them after each post. [back]
4. A movement promoting worldwide unity among religions through greater cooperation and improved understanding. [back]

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