Martin Prins| Can a Christian be gay or homosexual? |
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The sin of homosexuality is possible in a Christian. However any sin in a Christian's life, including homosexuality, is regrettable and should be abandoned. Many "gay Christian" churches and websites try to prove from scripture that homosexuality is actually accepted by God. Statements like "Nowhere does the Bible condemn homosexuality" are dishonest or misinformed. The Apostle Paul writes in three places in the New Testament about the subject of homosexuality. Romans 1:23-27; 1 Corinthians 6: 9; 1 Timothy 1:10 . In Romans, homosexuality is called a sin because it violates God’s purpose in creation. In First Corinthians, the words "effeminate" and "abusers of themselves with mankind" were common sins of the believers in their former lives - "such were some of you." The first two terms of First Timothy chapter 1, verse 10 include every form of homosexuality and violate God’s moral law (v. 9). Such acts are sinful. As Christians, our relationships with others must always be courteous (1 Peter 3:8) and beneficial to others (Galatians 6:10). Too often, Christians are guilty of hating homosexuals. We tell jokes or even threaten gays with violence. Such behavior is learned, not from the Bible, but from some other source. Christians should be kind to all, especially sinners, as Christ did. After receiving a person Christ proceeded to call attention to and correct sinful sexual behavior such as the woman he met at the well - "you have had five husbands and the one you have now is not your husband" (John 4:1-42) and the woman caught in the act of adultery - "go and sin no more" (John 8:1-11). Supporting those who violate Biblical morals is neither beneficial to them nor pleasing to the Lord. There are two stances that most assemblies with the name Gospel Hall on the building would take in regards to public teaching about homosexuality. One stance in relation to messages addressed to the general public and the other as to homosexuality within the membership of the church. In public preaching... 1)In teaching the message of salvation all kinds of sin are condemned by God. That doesn't mean the church should try to carry out judgment on people, but instead teach people that God will judge sin in eternity. Homosexuality is a sin. The Bible consistently tells us that homosexual activity is a sin (Genesis 19:1-13; Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9). Romans 1:26-27 teaches specifically that homosexuality is a result of denying and disobeying God. However, the world is full of all kinds of sin in addition to homosexual activity. All immoral behavior is condemned as wrong whether it be adultery, prostitution, pornography, fraud, deceit, malice, alcohol and drug abuse, idol worship, violence, murder, covetousness, greed etc. etc. The problem of sin is addressed during sermons at the Gospel Hall. We do not to tell sinners to reform to be saved. That is, try to leave their vices behind or make promises to change their ways in order to be saved. The solution for our sin is found in accepting forgiveness through the punishment for our sins that Jesus Christ suffered on the cross. "For when we were still sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:6. The entire world needs this salvation, regardless of their sexual activity. A non-homosexual person should feel no superior than the homosexual "There is no difference, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23. In assembly membership... 2) Homosexual behavior is not allowed as a member of the church. 1 Corinthians 5 is the Biblical guide to how a church should handle a list of specific sins that are contrary to biblically defined godliness. Sexual immorality, greed, idolatry, slander, drunkenness or a swindler sadly appears among Christians even though such behavior is a contradiction of everything that God is. A person practicing such behavior obviously should be excluded from the local church membership until the person changes his behavior. That doesn't mean a homosexual person is excluded from attending a service. It means he cannot participate as a member of the church - in worship, in preaching, in offerings, in public prayers. Here is the chapter in its entirety. 1It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. 2And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? 3Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. 4When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. 6Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? 7Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth. 9I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." Shad David Sluiter
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Readers have left 8 comments. 8. Really? Nathan, Unregistered Some very judgemental comments. "homosexuality is a result of denying and disobeying God." So for anyone (i.e. all) who as disobeyed God, a possible result is homosexuality? Just all of a sudden? So this could happen to you? While in the assembly? You would just become homosexual? Posted 2012-11-22 02:23:43 7. Can a Christian be gay or homosexual? Shane Roach, Unregistered This becomes tricky only because our current political climate makes a distinction between temptation and commission of homosexual acts. Jesus Himself was tempted as any man, albeit without sin. Homosexual temptation may well be an entirely separate issue though. Romans tells us that people who turn their back on God can be given over to these sorts of lusts in a way that normal temptation might not completely explain. Christians can be saved from any sin. This much we are all clear on. Whether or not a person who has been baptized into the Holy Spirit can long retain their homosexual identity is a question best left to God to answer. People who commit homosexual acts while claiming Christ as their savior though need to face some sort of church discipline like any other person caught up in sexual sin. While their salvation is in God's hands, their position within the church has to be dealt with by the congregation, and no congregation should accept without reprimand the open, unrepentant sinner. This is true no matter what the sin, although clearly some of us have less obvious struggles than others. Posted 2012-10-26 21:33:59 6. Can a Christian be a Homosexual? A Believer, Unregistered According to the previous answers one would be lead to believe that, no sinners can be Christians? Or is it exclusively the sin of homosexuality? There have been many a predatory Pastor around that liked teenage girls, what about them. In Leviticus we are told to stone to death children that misbehave. hhhmmm....Jesus preached love.....many Christians are incapable......too bad Posted 2012-10-02 04:53:30 5. God is not a man that He should Lie Linda, Unregistered No..you cannot overlook that no where in the bible does God condone Homosexuality. In the old testament he destroyed whole cities and had angels blind people's eyes because of the wicked desires of men's flesh. New testament in revelations says no effiminate will inherit heaven. He loves the person, but hates the sin. You must repent and turn away. Posted 2012-07-16 10:40:56 4. to bear fruit A Vine, Unregistered No.. If I were to be living my life as a homosexual, I would be living in sin. While this sin will be forgiven through repentance, we must remember what repentance is. The Hebrew word for repent is "teshuvah." "The Jewish idea of teshuvah embraces both these meaning[s]: It is a movement of return to one's source, to the original paradigm of human – or national – life, and also, simultaneously, a response to a divine call." “Repentence” by Ehud Luz Contemporary Jewish Religious Thought To repent of a sin is a return from that sin to God's path and purpose for our lives - a life of obedience. If we sin, then ask our Father for forgiveness, and return to a sinful lifestyle, we haven't really repented and we are not saved. The parable of Jesus protecting the adulterous woman from being stoned is an important message, but does not pertain to the question asked. It is a story meant to teach us to forgive as we have been forgiven. That we should not condemn others when we are just as guilty of sinning against God. The short answer is no.. a person cannot live in sin and be saved. "Saved" is redeemed, sanctified, changed, washed, pure, as Jesus was. Posted 2012-06-02 22:43:15 3. Believer having problem with my walk Mia, Unregistered "NO". God cannot look upon sin. HE CAN'T. I have known people that have told me they felt since they were children they weren't "normal" and others that came to just prefer to be with the same sex - I PRAY FOR THEM - GOD CANNOT LOOK UPON SIN AND IS ABHORRED BY THE ACTION. Posted 2012-05-17 10:42:04 2. Candace Fuhringer Candace Fuhringer, Unregistered Yes. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. All can be forgiven. Posted 2012-05-03 18:27:21 1. Believer Believer, Unregistered No. Posted 2011-08-22 10:10:17 |
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