STATEMENT ON MARRIAGE, HUMAN SEXUALITY, AND GENDER
We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning and that is marriage sanctioned by God that joins one biological man and one biological woman in a single, lifelong, exclusive “one flesh” covenantal union as delineated in Scripture (Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:4-9).
We believe God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:26-27).
We believe marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime and is God's unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:21-33) and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards (1 Corinthians 7:2-5), and the means for procreation of the human race. Marriage also serves as the foundational unit of the family (1 Timothy 3:2) and provides the best chance that children will grow up in the same home with both their mother and their father.
We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4). We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a covenant marriage union.
We believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, or any attempt to change one’s sex, or disagreement with one’s biological gender, is sinful and offensive to God (Matthew 15:18-20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
We believe that to preserve the function and integrity of the church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a Biblical role model to the church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons representing this fellowship in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, should abide by and agree to this Statement on Marriage and Sexuality and conduct themselves accordingly (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22).
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of this organization (Ephesians 4:29-32; Colossians 4:5-6).
The Board of Elders
Truth in Love Fellowship and Auxiliary Ministries
June, 2015
We believe God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:26-27).
We believe marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime and is God's unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:21-33) and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards (1 Corinthians 7:2-5), and the means for procreation of the human race. Marriage also serves as the foundational unit of the family (1 Timothy 3:2) and provides the best chance that children will grow up in the same home with both their mother and their father.
We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4). We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a covenant marriage union.
We believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, or any attempt to change one’s sex, or disagreement with one’s biological gender, is sinful and offensive to God (Matthew 15:18-20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
We believe that to preserve the function and integrity of the church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a Biblical role model to the church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons representing this fellowship in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, should abide by and agree to this Statement on Marriage and Sexuality and conduct themselves accordingly (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22).
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of this organization (Ephesians 4:29-32; Colossians 4:5-6).
The Board of Elders
Truth in Love Fellowship and Auxiliary Ministries
June, 2015
