During this morning's service, the Addition to our Constitution
was brought to a vote and we had a unanimous "Aye" by the members
to accept this proposal. It is written below:
Proposed Addition to the Church Constitution
by the Membership of Grace Bible Church of Southgate
September 14, 2014
Concerning Marriage
Singleness and marriage are both gifts from God given for His glory, the advancement of the Kingdom, and the blessing of the church. The gift of singleness is a special blessing that not all receive. Marriage is also part of God's plan for creation, and was celebrated and affirmed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ while on earth. God designed marriage for the bearing and raising of children; the life-long companionship, growth, and mutual partnership of a man and a woman; complementing each other, and enjoying God's gifts of sexual fulfillment, family life, and mutual love. (1 Corinthians 7:6-9; Genesis 2:18; Ephesians 5:31; John 2:1-11; Matthew 19:6; Malachi 2:15; 1 Corinthians 7:3-5; Psalm 127:3; 1 Peter 3:7; Ecclesiastes 9:9; Ephesians 5:25; Titus 2:4)
In addition to these temporal blessings, marriage is a covenant relationship between man, woman, and God. In marriage, the man and the woman are united into a "one-flesh" union, representing the mystery of the union between Christ and His Church. Christians are therefore only to marry other Christians. (Malachi 2:14; Genesis 2:23-24; Matthew 19:5; Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 6:14)
God has established marriage as a faithful, heterosexual union between one genetic male and one genetic female. Sexual conduct outside of the bonds of marriage is sin. This includes lust, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, incest, and bestiality, all of which God specifically condemns. (Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 5:28; Exodus 20:14; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Romans 1:26-27; Leviticus 18)
God intends marriage to last until physical death. There is to be no divorce, except in the case of sexual immortality or the desertion of an unbelieving spouse. Although divorce is permitted in the case of sexual immortality, believers are commanded to seek reconciliation and to forgive the repentant sinning spouse. In the case of a spiritually mixed marriage, the believer is not to initiate divorce except in the case of sexual immortality. However, if an unbelieving spouse initiates divorce, the believer is free from the marriage bond. (Matthew 19:4-9; Matthew 5:32; Matthew 18:22-22; Malachi 2:16; 1 Corinthians 7:15)
Concerning Human Sexuality
God created human beings as male and female. These complementary gender identities reflect the created order intended and instituted by God. It is God who establishes the gender of each person for His own purposes, each with particular gifts and responsibilities. Therefore, claims of innate sexual confusion are false, and attempts to obscure, change, or subvert one's gender identity, such as transvestism, sex change operations, etc., are a form of rebellion against God, the Creator. (Genesis 1:27; Romans 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 11:3-15; Deuteronomy 22:5)
Temptation, including sexual temptation, is not sin. Sin is yielding to temptation. Jesus was tempted, yet without sin. God offers forgiveness, redemption, and restoration to all sinners who believe the Gospel, confess and forsake their sin, and seek mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ alone. (Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 4:15; James 1:14-15; John 3:16-18; Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 4:20-24; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Titus 2:11-13)
Declaring God's Word warning people of the temporal and eternal consequences of their sins, including sexual perversions, is an act of loving concern. God's Word remains true and His prohibitions, including those on sexual perversions and immoralities, cannot be changed or amended thought consensus or by any human authority. (1 Corinthians 1:21; Isaiah 40:8)
As sinners saved by grace, we humbly proclaim these truths, in light of God's teaching that all people are made in His image and are due compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful or harassing behavior, speech, or attitudes directed toward any individual are not in accord with the example of Christ, the teaching of the Scriptures, or the doctrines of this church. (Ephesians 2:8; Genesis 1:27; 1 John 4:7; Matthew 22:26-39; Philippians 2:3-4)
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