Posted on 04/27/2013 8:59:52 AM PDT by ReformationFan
The Reformed Presbyterian Church in the U.S., at it meeting on April 19, 2013, adopted a statement concerning Homosexuality and Same Sex marriage. They intentionally included positions from the Presbyterian Church in America and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church with the hope that they would once again join in making a prophetic statement to those in civil authority that the fear and judgment of God may at least move enough legislators and judges not to approve of or support legalizing same sex marriage. Their desire is that the whole Christian, and especially the Reformed church, should protest this matter.
Resolution Adopted By the April 19, 2013 Meeting of the Covenant Presbytery of
The Reformed Presbyterian Church in the U.S. Concerning Same Sex marriage
The Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States being of more recent origin than the Presbyterian Church in America does at this date adopt the position of the Presbyterian Church in America on Homosexuality adopted at the 5th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, 1977, 5-49, 4, p. 67 and 8, p. 68:
Whereas, God has plainly spoken of homosexuality in his Word, denouncing both the, act and the desire as sin, condemning this perversion as unnatural, a degrading, passion, an indecent act, an error, an abomination and hence worthy of death (Lev. 18:22, Rom. 1:26-32); and
Whereas, we recognize, that Gods righteous judgment is upon those who approve of such detestable acts, as well as those who practice them; and
Moreover, whereas God has clearly stated that the condoning of homosexuals along with murderers, immoral men, kidnappers, liars, perjurers and all other unrighteousness is contrary to sound teaching (1 Timothy 1:11, 2 Peter 3:14-18);
Therefore, be it resolved that the General Assembly encourage Christians to recognize their responsibility to petition the powers that be that such men and women who practice, approve, or condone any of these activities not be invested with the authority to teach in schools or be in a position where they can influence our nation, which professes In God we trust.
That the Fifth General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church affirms the Biblical position for our denomination which states that: 1. The act of homosexuality is a sin according to Gods Word; 2. Churches should actively seek to lead the homosexual person to confession and repentance that he might find justification and sanctification in Jesus Christ, according to I Corinthians 6:11; and 3. In light of the Biblical view of its sinfulness, a practicing homosexual continuing in this sin would not be a fit candidate for ordination or membership in the Presbyterian Church in America.
Furthermore, we stand with and republish the Orthodox Presbyterian Churchs 1993 60th General Assemblys humble petition to the President of the United States of America to stand against the sin of homosexual activity and now to stand against so-called same-sex marriage. In consideration thereof the 60th General Assembly of the OPC stated in part the following:
Based on the Word of God and his creation law, homosexuality (including bisexuality and lesbianism) violates Gods non-negotiable moral standard and therefore is sin. According to the Scripture of the Old and New Testaments, it is an abomination and contrary to nature as God intended for man and woman. Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable (Leviticus 18:22). 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 (Romans 1:26-27).
The practice of homosexuality is a reproach to any nation. It undermines the family, and poses a substantial threat to the general health, safety and welfare of our citizens. Your own Christian background ought to demonstrate to you the practical benefits of upholding the biblical stand against homosexuality, especially in light of the current epidemic of AIDS and other diseases spread through homosexual conduct.
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 (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Moreover, any such preaching subsequent to lifting the ban might be considered a hate crime.
Therefore, for the honor of Christ and his Church, and the welfare of our nation, we exhort you to remember the words of the wisest magistrate, Righteousness exalts a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). Our prayers go with you, your family and your administration, and we commend to you the salvation that comes only though Jesus Christ our Lord. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyonefor kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Furthermore, we, the Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States, in the name of the One and Only True and Living God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the ultimate King, Governor, Judge and Savior of all nations, as revealed in the 66 Books of the Holy Scriptures consisting of the Old and New Testaments, do call upon all State and Federal legislators, governors, congress, judges, courts, and the President of the United States to cease and desist from any legislation legalizing same sex marriage. This moral evil that will further corrupt our society may bring the temporal judgment of God Almighty both upon individuals and the nation now and will certainly bring Gods final judgment on individuals on Judgment Day.
Further, we do call upon all Christians as individuals, Churches, Conventions, Fellowships, Presbyteries, and Denominations to stand with us publicly in the adoption of this resolution.
We are OPC. :-)
That’s a good, solid denomination. I’m in your sister church, the PCA.
This Reformed Baptist gives that resolution a hearty Amen. And I know many faithful Bible-believing Presbyterians, many in my own family are PCA.
An excellent, succint statement on the issue.
Nice statement. However, it’s kinda late in the game as the ship is already sinking.
American Reformation BUMP!
AMEN!! We are PCA.
Hoss
God, science,history and ordinary reason all say homosexual activity is destructive .
Speaking the truth is now a hate crime !!??
I’ve attended a Prysbyterian Church most of my life, but have never joined, mostly because of this issue of homosexuals. The churches were Prestyterian U.S.A., which are the only ones in our neighborhood. Some even have lesbian ministers, -those I walk out of.
I think we are fighting a losing battle as this nation becomes more and more currupt and churches become more politically correct. God will have to intervene at his time.
No, but it would be great if churches spoke (or shouted) the truth BEFORE the battle instead of waiting until it's too late.
Yes, but the corrupt churches losing members and the faithful churches gaining members. So, we are not losing. We are losing denominations to the enemy — but those are becoming hollow shells and will not survive as strong denominations. The Episcopal Church is shrinking faster than a snow man on a hot day. The vast majority of its churches are so small they are no longer viable and will be closed.
Here are some links for locating a conservative Presbyterian church. Perhaps there might be one near you?
http://www.pcaac.org/church-search/
http://www.opc.org/locator.html
http://arpchurch.org/arp-church-directory/
Any church that ordains women(lesbian or not) to the office of elder(ruling or teaching) is one that I would not waste my time on since it contradicts 1 Timothy 2:11-12.
We are definitely in a post-Christian time period in our country. But I believe that God always leaves a remnant that has not kneeled to Baal(1 Kings 19:18).
Dittos what you said for our area. Our PCA church has been growing between 10-20% per year for a decade. Combination of contemporary praise style worship and conservative message.
Well, thanks for clarifying, I’ll admit I thought PCA was the old mainline denomination. I remember 35 years ago approximately when 10th Presbyterian in Philadelphia left the mainline over the ordination of women.
Good to know you. We are very fortunate to have a wonderful OPC near us. They are few and far between in Maine. But, we are also growing.
Legalistic liberals like to harp on the fact that Jesus didn’t mention homosexuality, but God the Father had long established his view of homosexual offence as “abomination”. Jesus tacitly affirmed this when he explained the origin of marriage in Mark 10 (male and female).
There, the pressing issue was divorce. I’d suggest it still is, as it would be impossible to float the absurd idea of gay “marriage” without the preceding destruction of real marriage. The very idea of marriage is undermined when divorce occurs. Children of divorce are sitting ducks for Satan and his arsenal of false comforts, including homosexuality.
Moses permitted divorce only due the hardness of the people’s hearts, it was never desired by God. That same hardness exists today, and it takes the sexual extreme of homosexuality to rouse such dulled people into a fit of moral indignation. By then, too little/too late.
‘Legalistic liberals like to harp on the fact that Jesus didnt mention homosexuality, but God the Father had long established his view of homosexual offence as abomination. Jesus tacitly affirmed this when he explained the origin of marriage in Mark 10 (male and female).’
Agreed. That’s such a false and stupid argument they put forth. It’s like saying “Jesus didn’t mention date rape, identity theft, internet porn, or the Nazi holocaust. Therefore, they’re all OK”.
‘Id suggest it still is, as it would be impossible to float the absurd idea of gay marriage without the preceding destruction of real marriage.’
Agreed. Just as the acceptance of birth control preceded the acceptance of legal abortions. Sin builds upon previous sin.
Applause.
The only question I’d have is why take so long?
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