HOMOSEXUALITY AND THE BIBLE
--A. Ralph Johnson
IN
THE BEGINNING—GOD’S DIVINE DESIGN FOR MARRIAGE
In the beginning, God created man and woman as the sexual match—Adam and Eve—not Adam and Steve.
Genesis
2:21-24 21 And the
LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one
of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man,
made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of
my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man
24 Therefore
shall a man leave his father
and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife:
and they shall be one flesh.
Matthew 19:4-5 4 And he [Jesus] answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? (also Mark 10:6-8)
Ephesians 5:31 31 For this cause shall a man
leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
1 Corinthians 7:2-4 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication,
let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render unto the wife
due benevolence: and likewise also the wife
unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his
own body, but the wife.
Perversion of that design was condemned.
Romans 1:18-28 18 For the wrath of God is
revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed
it unto them. 20 For
the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen,
being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew
God, they glorified him not as
God, neither were thankful; but became
vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened 22
Professing themselves to be wise, they
became fools, 23
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to
corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore god also gave them up to uncleanness
through the lusts of their own
hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: 25
Who changed the truth of god
into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the creator,
who is blessed for ever. amen.
26 For this cause god gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use
into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men,
leaving the natural use of the women, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving
in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. 28 And
even as they did not like to retain god in their knowledge, god gave them over
to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not right;
OBJECTION:
“Against nature” means one should not go against one’s “sexual
orientation”—as one is genetically predisposed.
ANSWER:
Paul knew nothing about
claims of “genetic predisposition.” He
is speaking against men “leaving the natural use of the women” and burned in lust towards each other—“men with men….” That was contrary to the design of God from
creation.
There can be no doubt that, for mankind, heterosexuality is
the norm. The very survival of the species depends on it. Anything else is “against nature.” Even from the evolutionary viewpoint it is
contrary to nature because they cannot produce genetically survivable offspring.
OBJECTION:
The words translated “against
nature” do not mean something intrinsically evil. The same words were used
in Romans 1:26 to describe the Gentiles who were grafted into Christ.
ANSWER:
Not all things “Against
nature” are evil but the apostle is quite specific that this particular thing is “vile”
(1:26) and those who do it will face the “wrath of God” (1:18).
OBJECTION:
What about
children born with defective sexual organs
(hermaphrodites)? Some lower animals are bi-sexual or may
change sex. Some animals have a high
degree of homosexual behavior.
ANSWER:
Rare physical deformities in humans, and
sexual deviations in lower animals, are not God’s design for our conduct. Jeremiah 2:23-24 speaks against Israel for
being like a wild camel or ass who “snuffs
up the wind at her pleasure.”
Female black widow spiders eating the males after mating is not our
model. Nor, because bull elk fight each
other to form and dominate harems of cows, should we do the same. In the beginning God revealed his design for
mankind. Jesus himself cited that as
authority and said of anything else, “from
the beginning it was not so.” (Mat 19:8)
The claims of genetic predisposition to homosexuality has never been confirmed--it is junk science propaganda aimed at furthering the “gay” agenda. See the following website: http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=IS00D2
Furthermore, even if it could be established,
the behavior would still be matter of choice.
Claiming “Predisposition” is not a justifiable basis for disregarding
the laws of God or man. Rapists,
pedophiles drunkards, addicts and serial murderers claim they cannot help
themselves. A man is not excused for
drunken driving just because he is predisposed to alcoholism.
Sin is addictive. Through the fall of Adam, we are born with a predisposition to
sin (Rom 5:12). It is deceitfully easy
to become involved but withdrawal is painfully difficult.
John 8:34 John
8:34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, every one who
commits sin is a slave to sin.
Romans 6:16-18 16
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield
yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of
sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness
Romans 7:15-20 15
For that which I do I allow not: for what
I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto
the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that
do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will
is present with me; but how to
perform that which is good I find not. 19
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I
do. 20 Now if I do that I
would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me….
23 But
I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and
bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who
shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God has the solution.
John 8:32 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free.
John 8:36 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye
shall be free indeed.
Romans 6:1-7 1 What shall we say then? Shall we
continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any
longer therein? 3 Know ye
not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into
his death? 4 Therefore we
are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up
from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in
newness of life. 5 For if we
have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in
the likeness of his resurrection: 6
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin
might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed
from sin.
God has provided a choice.
Romans 6:12-13 12
Let not sin therefore reign in your
mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness
unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead,
and your members as instruments
of righteousness unto God.
Romans 6:17-19 17
But God be thanked, that ye were the
servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which
was delivered you. 18 Being then
made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of
men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members
servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members
servants to righteousness unto holiness.
Romans 6:22-23 22 But now being made free from
sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end
everlasting life. 23 For the
wages of sin is death; but the
gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 8:10-13 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the
Spirit is life because of
righteousness. 11 But if the
Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised
up Christ from the dead shall also give life to your mortal bodies by his
Spirit that dwells in you. 12
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the
flesh. 13 For if ye live
after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the
deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Romans 8:26-28 26
Likewise the Spirit also helps our
infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the
Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered. 27 And he that
searches the hearts knows what is the
mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things
work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose.
Romans 8:31 31 What shall we then say to these things? If
God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:35-39 35 Who shall separate us from the
love of Christ? shall tribulation,
or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake
we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the
slaughter. 37 Nay, in all
these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that
neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things
present, nor things to come, 39
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us
from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Corinthians 6:9 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the
kingdom of god? be not deceived: neither fornicators [#4205
pornos], nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate [#3120 malako], nor abusers of
themselves with mankind, [#733 arsenokoites]
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
#4205 male prostitute; #3120 male who submits to unnatural lewdness; #733
homosexuals
Note that verse 11
shows that those who do such things can change.
1 Corinthians 6:11 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are
sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the
Spirit of our God.
Help is available through such ministries as Metanoia [www.metanoiaonline.org,
253-627-1580], Transformation Ministries [206-364-2306], and Exodus International
[www.exodus-international.org].
1 Timothy 1:10 10 For whoremongers [#4205
pornos], for them that defile
themselves with mankind [#733 arsenokoites], for
menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing
that is contrary to sound doctrine;...
#4205 male prostitute; #733 homosexuals
Jude 1:7 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities
about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication [#1608 ekporneuo], and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the
vengeance of eternal fire.
Genesis 19:4-9 4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom,
compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every
quarter: 5 And they called
unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are
the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that
we may know them. 6 And Lot went out at the door
unto them, and shut the door after him,
7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. 8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring
them out unto you, and do ye to them as is
good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came
they under the shadow of my roof. 9
And they said, Stand back. And they said again,
This one fellow came in to
sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than
with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
OBJECTION:
In Genesis 19:5, it said that the men of Sodom wanted to “Know”
the men. This word is rarely used in a
sexual sense in the Bible. Only here
and in Judges 19:22 is it interpreted as homosexual behavior. Neither of these actually say it was a
homosexual act. Many scholars consider
Sodom’s sin was violating the ancient Hebrew laws of hospitality.
ANSWER:
In Gen 19:5 and Judges 19:22, “know”
was a euphemism for sexual acts just as “lay with” is in Lev.
18:22-23; 20:13; Deut 22:22, and “humbled” is in Judges 19:24; Deut
21:14; 22:24, 29 etc..
The
word “know” is used several times for
sexual acts. (Gen 4:1; 19:8; 24:16; Num
31:17-18; 35; Judges 11:39; 19:22, 25; 21:12; Luke 1:34)
Note that the same word is also used in
speaking of Lot’s daughters not having “known” a man. We see the same in Judges.
Judges 19:22-24 22 Now
as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain
sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to
the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came
into thine house, that we may know
him. 23 And the man, the
master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren,
nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly;
seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly. 24 Behold, here is my daughter a
maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seems good unto you: but unto
this man do not so vile a thing.
25 But the men would not
hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them;
and they knew her, and abused
her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let
her go.
DID JESUS SPEAK AGAINST HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR?
OBJECTION:
Jesus said nothing against
homosexuality.
ANSWER: Jesus said,
Revelation 22:15, 16 Revelation 22:15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the
idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 I, Jesus…
Jesus excluded
homosexual behavior when he defined marriage as joining of a man and a woman
(Mat 19:4-5 -above). He also covered it
when he cited “fornication” as being such a serious breach of God’s plan that
remarriage was permitted. (Matthew 19:9; 5:32)
As we see from Jude 1:7, “fornication”
includes going after “strange flesh.”
Furthermore, the
inspired writers who condemned it, were appointed by Jesus who gave them the Holy
Spirit to guide them into all truth
and to remember the things he had commanded.
(John 14:26; 16:13-14; 2Peter 1:20-21)
Paul, to whom Jesus appeared and appointed him (Acts 9:3-6; 26:14-18), said:
Gal 1:11 11
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not
after man. 12 For I neither
received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Jesus also upheld
the Old Testament teachings as by divine authority. (John 10:35; Mat 5:17-18).
Leviticus 18:22 22
Thou
shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
Leviticus
20:13
13 If a man also lie
with mankind, as he lies with a woman, both of them have
committed an abomination: they shall
surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
OBJECTION:
“Abomination” only meant it was ceremonially unclean--as certain meats.
(Lev. 11:10-13, 20, 23, 41-42)
ANSWER:
Note that to “lie with mankind” was so abominable that
the person was to be put to death. Sodom was also said to have committed “abominations” (Ezek 16:49-51). Romans 1:26-27 calls it “vile.” Genesis 19:7 and
Judges 19:23 speak of it as “wickedness.”
OBJECTION:
How can you consistently
cite this Old Testament statement and not obey the rest—such as teaching that people
should be put to death?
ANSWER:
The Old
Testament laws have been done away (Col 2:14-17; 2Cor 3; Heb 8). We are under the New Testament (Heb
9:15-17). The New Testament includes
many laws that were in the Old. The law
against men having sex with men is in both Old and New Testaments. However, the New Testament does not include
the command to put them to death, though it does say that it, along with a long
list of other sins, “is worthy of
death” (Rom 1:32). We have no
individual right to take vengeance (Rom 12:19). We are just told to have no fellowship with them (Eph 5:11-12;
1Cor 5:11-13). God will be their
judge.
While we are not under the
Old Testament, nevertheless it is the basis for understanding the New. We are referred to it by the New for
examples of behavior that God condemns or approves. (1Cor 10:6-11; Rom 15:4; 2Peter 2:6; Jude 1:7)
1 Corinthians 10:6-11 6
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust
after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat
and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither
let us commit fornication, as some
of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as
some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as some of
them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written
for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Sodom and Gomorrah are examples of wickedness. (Jude 1:7; 2Peter 2:6-8)
2Peter 2:6-8 6
And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an
overthrow, making them an ensample
unto those that after should live ungodly;
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy
conversation of the wicked: 8
(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his
righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
OBJECTION:
It is just your
interpretation that homosexuality is a sin.
ANSWER:
Interpretation
is essential. The Bible could not be translated or understood without
interpretation. However, it must be
interpreted correctly—not just any way you please.
2 Timothy 2:15 15 Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth.
OBJECTION:
You have no
right to judge others. (Mathew 7:1)
ANSWER:
Matthew
7:1-5 prohibits unequal or unjust judgment. The
context does not rule out all judgment.
Verse 6 tells us not to give our riches unto the “dogs” or our pearls to “swine.”
Deciding who falls into those classes is a process of judgment. Verses 13 and 14 tell us to judge which way
is the way that leads to life and which leads to death. Verses 15-23 tell us to judge who are false
prophets and how to identify them.
John
7:24, Jesus said, 24
Judge not according to the
appearance, but judge righteous
judgment.
Paul got after the Corinthians for not judging an immoral man.
1 Corinthians 5:3-7 3
For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were
present, concerning him that
hath so done this deed, 4 In
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my
spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the
destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord
Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a
little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
7 Purge out
therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For
even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Paul got after the Corinthians for not
judging.
1 Corinthians
6:2-5 2 Do ye not know
that the saints shall judge the
world? and if the world shall be judged
by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that
pertain to this life? 4 If
then ye have judgments of things
pertaining to this life, set them to judge
who are least esteemed in the church. 5
I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no,
not one that shall be able to judge
between his brethren?
Neither by Jesus nor any place in either the Old or New Testaments was
any homosexual relationship sanctioned.
Some have falsely claimed that David
and Jonathan had a homosexual relationship because after Jonathan’s death
David, in his grief, said that Jonathan loved him surpassing the love of a woman (2Sam 1:26; 1Sam 18:1,
3; 20:41). However, he was speaking of
him as a “brother”—not as a lover. They were both quite heterosexual—which got
David into serious trouble when he failed to control it (2Samuel 12). Jonathan was married and had children (2Sam.
4:4; 9:6;).
Some have claimed that Jesus and
John had a homosexual relationship because John said he was the one who
Jesus “loved” (John 13:23; 19:26;
20:2; 21:7, 20). There is no basis
whatever to pervert this into a sexual thing and it illustrates just how far
some are willing to go to justify their conduct. The Greek word here is “agape”
which is the common word for love, not necessarily indicating anything
sexual. Jesus loved others besides
John—both men and women (John 11:3, 5, 36; Mark 10:21). Jesus said we are all to love each other (John 13:34). He
certainly was not telling us to all have sex with each other.
Those who pervert
the scriptures are of the devil.
John
8:44
44 Ye are of your father
the devil, and the lusts
of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and
abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie,
he speaks of his own: for he is a
liar, and the father of it.
Paul, who was
personally commissioned by Jesus, warned against perverting the truth (cf.
Acts 13:10; 2Peter 3:16).
We must not be like
the many who corrupt God’s word to justify wicked behavior (2Cor 2:17; cf.
2Cor 4:2) and please men.
Galatians 1:6-12 6 I marvel that ye
are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto
another gospel: 7 Which is
not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from
heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto
you, let him be accursed. 9
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received,
let him be accursed. 10 For
do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased
men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Isaiah 5:20 20 Woe unto them that call
evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
IS IT NOT UNLOVING TO CALL HOMOSEXUAL
BEHAVIOR AN “ABOMINATION” AND SAY IT
IS OF THE DEVIL?
God called homosexual behavior an “abomination” (Lev 18:22; 20:13).
God’s word is truth (John
17:17). As Christians we must speak the
truth, in love (Eph 4:14-15)—but the
truth must be spoken.
Of course, those who do not like their behavior condemned are not pleased.
Galatians 4:16 16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
Homosexuals complain
that they have been abused by Christians.
Some who professed Christianity have done so. Their behavior cannot be justified.
However, unkindness
is not exclusively a heterosexual problem. The men of Sodom were not very sweet
spirited when they tried to break down Lot’s door to rape his guests. Modern homosexuals have also become
physically abusive. They have shut off
free speech. They have attempted to
deny freedom of association—as in their lawsuits against the Boy Scouts. They have illegally attempted to deny
freedom of assembly. They are not just
seeking peaceful pursuit of their “lifestyle.”
They often hatefully
attack Christians as “bigots” and “homophobic.” These are
just as much abuse as when someone calls them “faggots” and “queers.”
Abuse of Christians
for their convictions is not new. Jesus
was crucified for denouncing the hypocrisy of the Jews. The devil is the “accuser of the brethren”
(Rev 12:1).
John 3:19-20 19 And this is the
condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather
than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should
be reproved.
God, who is
love and taught us to love one another (1John 4:8-11),
condemned immorality.
NIV Revelation
21:8 But the cowardly, the
unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually
immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-- their
place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second
death."
NIV Revelation 22:15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
When people are
lost, it is not loving to withhold the truth through which they can be saved.
James 1:21 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Jude 1:23 23 And others save with fear, pulling
them out of the fire;
hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
When religious
leaders do not love the souls of people enough to tell them the truth, they are
the ones who will be accountable on the day of judgment.
Ezekiel 3:18 18 When I say unto the wicked,
Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn
the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die
in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
For the sake of those in sin, we must sometimes sharply reprove their conduct (Titus 1:13; cf. 2Peter 2; Jude 1; and Matthew 23)
2 Timothy 4:1-4 1
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge
the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and
teaching. 3 For the time
will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers,
having itching ears; 4 And
they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto
fables.
For the sake of the
offender and the church (1Cor 5:4-7), we are told not to have fellowship with
professed brothers in Christ who do such things (1Cor 6:9).
Some churches have
fallen so far as to even accept homosexuals as leaders. However, the Bible restricts church
leadership to men who are “husbands of
one wife.” (1Tim 3:2, 12).
2
Corinthians 11:13-15 13
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves
into the apostles of Christ. 14
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is
no great thing if his
ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end
shall be according to their works.
Churches who do such things are warned that God may remove their
candlestick (Rev. 2:5-7).
Homosexual behavior
is not loving. To further selfish
desires they pervert God’s word which is designed to free men from the bondage
of sin (John 8:32-36). They corrupt
God’s beneficial design for raising children in a home with a father and a
mother. They foster a godless lifestyle
that corrupts and damages society.
They contend that
they are “consenting adults,” hurting no one and therefore it should be no one
else’s business.
It is God’s business
and according to His word, He will hold them accountable. He says they will not inherit the Kingdom of
God. (1Cor 6:9-10; Rev 21:8; 22:15)
Furthermore, their
lifestyle does hurt others.
Irresponsible behavior spreads disease, which burdens us with the high
cost of its consequences. Then they
accuse Christians of lack of love while demanding millions of dollars to save
them from their own folly. God has the
solution to AIDS and other such diseases but they reject it—right along with
irresponsible people in the heterosexual community. That is our business.
In our churches
these people have done great harm.
Their predatory behavior, casual sexual relationships, flaunting of the
will of God and irresponsible sexual conduct have been a plague destroying
marriages, preying upon the young and undermining spiritual values. Their failed record of maintaining permanent
monogamous relationships is abysmal yet they demand that they should be given
“equal rights” (special rights) and benefits.
These things are not
love.
Concerning love,
Jesus said:
John 14:15 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 14:21 21 He that hath my
commandments, and keeps them, he it
is that loves me:
John
14:23
23 Jesus answered and said
unto him, If a man love me, he will keep
my words:
John
14:24 24 He that loves me not keeps not my sayings:
OBJECTION:
Why do Christians make such an issue of homosexual behavior and ignore many other things the Bible says?
ANSWER:
“Christians” are people and, just like homosexuals, some twist things to justify what they want to do. However, two wrongs do not make a right. One violation of God’s will does not justify another.
Also, whether some things are wrong may not be as clear as other things. Thus there may be reasonable differences. However, the sin of Sodomy is very clear.
Throughout history, in all cultures and
religions, homosexuality has generally been viewed as an aberration—contrary to
nature. Today we see perverted judges
usurping the legislative process and distorting the Constitution and the laws
in ways never intended by the founders.
The will of the majority of the people is trampled on and
disregarded. Perverted public officials
have joined in rebellion to defy the laws of God and man. However, the time will come when the case
will be appealed to the supreme court of the universe and they will be found “without excuse.” (Rom 1:20)
The
word of God will judge us in the last day (John 12:48).
Romans 3:4
4 Yea, let God be true, but every man a liar…
2 Timothy 2:19 19
Nevertheless the foundation of God stands
sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his. And, Let every one
that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Matthew 13:37-43 37 He answered and said unto
them, He that sows the good seed is the Son of man; 38 The field is the world; the good seed are the
children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39 The enemy that sowed them is
the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the
angels. 40 As therefore the
tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this
world. 41 The Son of man
shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all
things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there
shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the
kingdom of their Father.
Who hath ears to
hear, let him hear.