|
(adapted from the resolution adopted by the EFCA General
Conference, 1978,
by the elders of Three Rivers Chruch April 26, 2005)
Due to the perceived confusion as to what the Bible says on the
subject of homosexuality (i.e., “sexual relations between
those of the same sex”, Webster), the elders have agreed
on this statement to clarify this church's official position.
To begin with, homosexuals will be treated with love and mercy,
just as we would treat anyone stuck in a life-dominating sin (e.g.,
alcoholism, drug addiction, sex addiction, persistent adultery,
pedophilia, et al). We will not, however, employ practicing homosexuals
in either a paid or volunteer capacity.
In His Holy Word, God plainly condemns the practice of homosexuality
as an abomination in His sight (Lev. 18:22), a degrading and unnatural
passion (Rom. 1:26-27) that brings grave consequences in this life.
Homosexuality is on the Biblical list of sins, any of which, if
practiced as an unrepentant pattern of life, will result in the
disinheriting of one's self from the kingdom of God (I Cor. 6:9-11).
It is not an unpardonable sin, but God desires that we call homosexuality
what He says it is, sin; and implore homosexuals to repent and
come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved (II Pet. 3:9; I
Tim. 2:4). The Apostle Paul himself testifies that some who were
formerly involved in homosexual practices were among those at the
first century church at Corinth who were washed, sanctified and
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (I Cor. 6:11).
We do not believe that individual Christians, nor ministers of
the Word of God, nor congregations of the Lord Jesus Christ may
take away from or lessen God's prohibition of and warning against
the practice of homosexuality. Neither may they individually or
collectively, as responsible citizens in a free society, urge or
concede that the state should give special protection or approval
to this practice or promote it as a matter of personal taste, free
choice or sexual orientation.
We believe that individual Christians, ministers and congregations,
having come to the understanding that all human beings are sinners,
and having received God's mercy while helpless, ungodly and hostile
to God (Rom. 3:23; 5:6-10), must warn our society against homosexual
practices as from the mouth of the Lord (Ez. 3:17). At the same
time, we must proclaim the offer of forgiveness, cleansing restitution,
and power for godly living, for all who will repent and believe
the message of Jesus Christ (John 1:12; 3:16; Rom. 1:16; I Cor.
6:11; Phil 2:13)
We believe that individual Christians, ministers and congregations
should compassionately and lovingly proclaim the Good News of forgiveness
as well as the admonition to sin no more (John 8:11) to those involved
in homosexual practices. Former homosexuals should be admitted
into this church fellowship after confession of faith and evidence
of repentance, just as we would those who have been living in other
life-dominating sinful patterns (I Cor. 6:11).
_________
Scriptures referred to in this paper:
Leviticus 18:22 "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a
woman; that is detestable.”
Romans 1:26-27 “Because of this, God gave them over to shameful
lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural
ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations
with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed
indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due
penalty for their perversion.”
I Corinthians 6:9-11 “Do you not know that the wicked will
not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the
sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes
nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards
nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And
that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified,
you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by
the Spirit of our God.”
II Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,
as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting
anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
I Timothy 2:4 “...who wants all men to be saved and to come
to a knowledge of the truth.”
Romans 3:23 “...for all have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God....”
Romans 5:6-10 “You see, at just the right time, when we
were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely
will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone
might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for
us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since
we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we
be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's
enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son,
how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through
his life!”
Ezekiel 3:17 "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for
the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning
from me.”
John 1:12; 3:16 “Yet to all who received him, to those who
believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God...For
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Romans 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it
is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes:
first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”
Philippians 2:13 “...for it is God who works in you to will
and to act according to his good purpose.”
John 8:11 “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go
now and leave your life of sin.”
TREFC 05/05
[Previous Page]
|
