FAITH CHURCH STATEMENT ON MARRIAGE [Evangelical Presbyterian Stays With Scripture]

Faith Presbyterian Church ^ | 5/15/13

[SoFloFreeper]

The Faith Church Statement on Marriage*
A Declaration of Christian Conscience and Conviction

Definition

As the creator and author of marriage, God alone has the authority to define it. This He did in the second chapter of Genesis where God, having created both groom and bride, brought them together personally (2:22) and a benediction was pronounced over the couple; Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife and they shall become one flesh (2:24, ESV; see also Mt. 19:4-5). For this reason, Christian believers do now hold and have always held that marriage is between one man and one woman; that it is sealed by the exchange of covenant vows; and that it is intended for the whole of natural life, until death.

On the Interpretation of Scripture

We Christian believers regard the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the inspired and infallible authority under which we live. We regard the clarity of Scripture to be sufficient for us to interpret the Bible accurately on matters of both faith and practice, using straightforward grammatical and historical principles. For this reason, we reject all attempts to obscure or reread Biblical passages which abundantly state the parameters of human sexuality. Sexual relations are to be enjoyed as a gift, and exclusively, between a married man and his own wife alone (Exodus 20:14; Hebrews 13:4). Any alternate readings of Scripture that intentionally or unintentionally obscure this foundational Biblical presupposition are to be rejected.

On Sin and Grace

While it is true that Christians are called to hate transgression and iniquity, we find the sin within our own hearts and not the sin of our neighbors to be the most egregious of all. We lament and repent of our own sin first; be it in thought, word, or deed. We welcome those of all races, genders, ethnicities, and sexual inclinations to repent and believe in Jesus Christ and to worship in our churches. We sympathize with all who struggle in temptation, and exhort them to pursue the obedience of faith and embrace the new life given to the Redeemed by the Holy Spirit. Accordingly, we continue to reject any and every sin that degrades Gods glorious creation of marriage, including: adultery, fornication, rape, incest, homosexuality, polygamy, lust, pornography, coercive abstinence while in the state of marriage, and all forms of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Christians are called to love and not hate our enemies and those who persecute us (Matt 5:44). Thus, we utterly disregard any attempt to mischaracterize our convictions on the above matters as hate speech, for to tell the truth on these matters is indeed a most loving and gracious act.

On Human Laws and Ordinances

Moreover, mankind can pass no law that redefines marriage any more than mortals can pass a law that declares the light of the sun to be dark, or the gravity of the earth to be ceased. Though various laws may be passed by the agency of human pen and ink; or judgments rendered from human courts (higher or lower); yet human beings have not the prerogative, now or ever, to alter, change, or redefine marriage.

On Civil Disobedience

Finally, then, we the undersigned stand firm in our convictions on these matters and refuse to take any such actions as would compel us to violate either Scripture or conscience–even if so compelled by civil law. Amen.

*The bulk of this document was produced by Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Brooksville, Fl. It was amended and adopted by the Session of Faith Presbyterian Church (EPC), Pembroke Pines, FL, on May 15, 2013

[kalee]

What separates the EPC, OPC, and PCA? Why haven’t they merged?

[Pining_4_TX]

As I understand it (and I’m not that up on EPC rules) the EPC allows women elders and pastors and the possibility of speaking in tongues. Neither the PCA nor the OPC go for that.

The OPC and PCA have discussed merging over the years, but the OPC is wary of being swallowed up by the larger denomination. Also, the OPC tends to be the more conservative of the two and likes to preserve its heritage. The founding of the OPC was due in large part to some courageous men who stood up for the truth back in 1936 and lost everything in doing so.

The PCA was founded around 1973, I believe, and many of the churches that left the liberal Presbyterian denomination are in the south. They were alarmed at the merging of two large Presbyterian groups that were becoming more and more liberal and political. There was a cultural, as well as a theological, basis to the orgins of the PCA.

Having been a member in OPC and PCA churches over the years, it seems to me that the OPC tends to be the most conservative, especially in worship style. Both denominations are Calvinistic in doctrine and uphold the doctrines of the sovereignty of God and the inerrancy of Scripture.

[kalee]

Thank you for your reply. Those of us who have left the Episcopal Church are in a similar situation.

[Pining_4_TX]

I thought I had heard of a group that had broken away from the main Episcopal Church and formed a conservative denomination. Is that the case?

[Always A Marine]

The non-PCUSA Presbyterian denominations differ on the ordination of women. The PCA (my denomination) only ordains men as pastors (teaching elders), ruling elders and deacons (as does the much smaller OPC), while the EPC allows the ordination of women as ruling elders and deacons if elected by local congregations.

[kalee]

Tbank you for the explanation.

[kalee]

Tbank you for the explanation.

[Always A Marine]

Good explanation, and accurate. My own PCA church and its presbytery are very conservative and we have maintained traditional worship services. As a whole, I would agree that OPC is slightly more conservative from stem to stern, but it’s less than one-sixth the PCA’s size and therefore not always an option. I know many discerning people who have happily belonged to both in the course of their career relocations. PCA is the endorsing agency for OPC and ARP military chaplains in addition to our own.

[scrabblehack]

There are some former Episcopal churches that are now Anglican churches.

[scrabblehack]

I mean the pastor and membership - the Episcopal hierarchy gets the old building and such - the pastor and membership has to find a new building.

[chajin]

Lutherans have no quarrel with Ignatius of Antioch and Commemorate him on his traditional Western feast day of October 17.

I had forgotten about him; he is one of the few martyrs to have died in the Colosseum by being thrown to the lions.

[lightman]

I had forgotten about him; he is one of the few martyrs to have died in the Colosseum by being thrown to the lions.

Aye, along that final journey the hieromartyr courageously wrote "let me be fodder for the wild beasts, that I may become a pure loaf for Christ".

[Pining_4_TX]

Amen, brother! (or sister, as the case may be) :-)