AN
AFFIRMATION OF BIBLICAL SEXUALITY
Basis
Because the Scriptures, the Old and
New Testaments[1],
are the authoritative Word of God;[2]
and, Because Christian faith and conduct are defined by the Apostolic teaching of
the New Testament and the prophetic instruction of the Old Testament, and not
by clerical authority; and, Because every doctrine necessary for salvation is
expressed in the Apostles’ Creed, affirmed in the early ecumenical councils of
the Church,[3]
and adhered to by all faithful Christians; and, Because destructive movements
denying these truths have arisen within the institutional Church in North
America, we make the following affirmation:
Affirmation
1.
We
affirm that God created the universe[4]
and is Lord of Creation[5].
Because God made the human race in God’s own image[6]
every person has worth and dignity[7].
Any belief or conduct that diminishes the equal value of all human beings
(e.g., ageism, ethnocentrism, racism, sexism, slavery)
is a sin against God and an affront to his divine majesty and glory.
2.
We
affirm that the human race has fallen into sin[8],
and that sin corrupts every sector of God’s creation[9].
3.
We
affirm that salvation is a gift of God[10]
provided exclusively through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ[11].
Christ’s sacrificial death is sufficient for the forgiveness of all sins[12],
and the ministry of the Holy Spirit is sufficient to liberate all sinners from
the power of sin.[13]
4.
We
affirm that God has established three distinct agents to restrain sin and
defend against evil: a) the Church (visible and invisible, local and universal) [14],
to teach God’s Law and the sufficiency of the Gospel to meet its demands; b)
the state, to promote moral accountability
and social order[15];
and c) the family, to train, instruct and nurture children to be productive
citizens of both earth and heaven[16].
5.
We
affirm that God has graciously given his moral law to humanity, primarily
through the Scriptures and secondarily through the human conscience[17].
God’s holy commandments reveal right and wrong, protect us from sin’s
destructive consequences, and promote wholeness, peace, and joy.[18]
All human beings are accountable to God’s law[19].
6.
We
affirm that God the Creator[20]
has given us sexuality as a sacred gift[21],
and that God has provided authoritative guidelines for the edification of human
beings within sexual relationship[22].
7.
We
affirm that a publicly declared, legally binding marriage between one woman and
one man is the only appropriate place for sexual . Heterosexual
marriage, faithfulness within marriage, abstinence outside of marriage—these
constitute the Christian standard.[23]
Both the Church and the state are responsible to protect the institution of
heterosexual marriage.
Sexual activity outside of marriage
(fornication,[24]
adultery,[25]
prostitution,[26]
homo ,[27]
incest,[28]
,[29]
and [30])
and the sexual objectification of others (the use of pornography,[31]
spousal sexual abuse[32],
and rape[33])
are sinful and inconsistent with Christian faith.
8.
We
affirm that by and through God’s saving grace[34]
and the work of the Holy Spirit[35],
with prayer[36]
and the guidance of the scriptures[37],
a believer can and will overcome any habitual sin or addiction, although it may
come only after much struggle and wrestling[38].
The general direction of the Christian life is characterized by perseverance
and growth in Christian character[39].
9.
We
affirm that Christians are called to love all those who are outside of Christ.[40]
Love is expressed in words of Truth[41]
and acts of compassion[42]
that affirm the value of each person without ignoring or endorsing sin.[43]
The failure to love those who are outside of Christ is itself a sin.[44]
10.
We
affirm that the primary mission of the Church is to make disciples of all
nations and cultures, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that Jesus Christ has commanded[45].
Christian discipleship is life-transforming devotion to Jesus Christ, marked by
obedience to God’s will as it is revealed in his Word[46].
Accordingly, the Church must not
establish unrepentant sinners (including practicing homosexuals and other
sexually immoral persons) as members or leaders[47].
To do so is to deny the saving work of Christ, the ministry of the Holy Spirit,
and the mission of the Church.[48]
Response
Out of the faith declared here we
issue a call to ministers of the Gospel and other church leaders:
·
to
submit to Christ as the Head of the Church;
·
to
acknowledge that the Bible is the authoritative Word of God;
·
to
preach the whole Gospel message;
·
to
call parishioners to obedience to Christ in every area of life, including
sexuality;
·
to
prepare people for marriage, enrich marriages, and help restore failing
marriages;
·
to
affirm the gift of celibate singleness and welcome singles into the life of the
church;
·
to
care for persons who are involved in sexual sin; and,
·
to live with integrity, according to the Christian standard.
Likewise, we
issue a call for Christian laypersons:
·
to
embrace the priesthood of all believers;
·
to
influence the culture for Christ;
·
to
live according to the Christian standard of sexuality;
·
to
forsake silence about sexuality; and,
·
where there is serious moral and spiritual compromise among leaders, to call
them to repentance and, if necessary, to take action that is appropriate within
the guidelines established by your denomination or congregation.
Rev. Donald K. Nelson, Sr. Pastor,
Rev. Steven Wenner, Sr. Pastor,
Endnotes
[1] In this document the terms “Scripture(s)”, “Old and New
Testaments”, and “Bible” always refer to the canon of sixty-six (66) books
finally recognized by the Third Council of Carthage in A.D. 397. Read Text
[3] The first six (6) ecumenical councils include the
councils of Nicea, Constantinople
I, Constantinople
II, Constantinople
III, Ephesus
and Chalcedon.
[16] Gen 18:18-19; Deut 6:4-9; Jos. 24:14-15; Pro.
[23] Resolution on Human Sexuality, 1996 Annual
Meeting of the
[39] Romans 6;1-23; 1 Cor.
6:11; Phil 1:6; 2 Tim 1:8-11; Tit 2:11-14; Heb 3:6, 14, 6:4-6, 10:26-39; 2Peter
1:3-11; 1 John 3:3-10 Read
Text
[46] Ex 16:28; Lev 22:31; Mark 8:34; John 14:21, 15:10; 2
Tim 4:1-5; 1 John 2:3-5, 3:4-10, 4:4-6 Read
Text