Resolution on Sexuality and Marriage
Whereas, stated in these bylaws is our commitment to fidelity and submission to the Scriptures as “the divine revelation of the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried.”
Whereas we believe, that the cultural term 'marriage' has only one meaning that is consistent with the sanction of God as delineated in Scripture: the joining of one man and one woman in an exclusive union.
Whereas we believe, that God created human sexual intimacy within marriage for purposes of his glory and to provide his direction for sexual expression of humankind. Human flourishing, natural reproduction, and the physical joining of two persons into a single covenant union are also stated as purposes.
Whereas we believe, scripture teaches that any form of sexual intimacy outside of the purposes for which God created is sexual immorality. Examples of sexual immorality include but are not limited to adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, polygamy, bestiality, incest, pedophilia, pornography, any attempt to change one's sex, and refusal to live and behave in accordance with one’s biological sex. Sexual immoralities are sinful and offensive to God.
Whereas we believe, that God through the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit offers redemption and restoration to all sinners who will believe on Christ. It is by God’s mercy and grace that all who believe will receive forgiveness and restoration through the finished work of Jesus Christ in atonement for sin.
Be it therefore resolved, that in order to preserve the Christian distinctiveness, biblical faithfulness and integrity of Grace Baptist Church of South Hill, Virginia as a local body of Christ we feel that we must speak to this important issue. In order to be a biblical role model to our church members as well as the community it is imperative that all persons specifically employed by this church in any capacity, as well as those who serve as leadership volunteers, shall affirm this Resolution on Sexuality and Marriage and conduct themselves accordingly.
Be it also resolved, that pursuant to the Scriptures and these bylaws, membership within our church will not be extended to those living in unrepentant sexual immorality and that any church member who involves himself in unrepentant sexual immorality should understand he has subjected himself to appropriate and loving church discipline. Church discipline is intentionally focused on restoration and follows the teachings of our Lord Jesus recorded in Matthew chapter 18 and the Apostle Paul's letters known as 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians.
Be it further resolved, that our pastoral staff shall not officiate any union, nor shall our facilities or property be used for any union ceremony or any other celebration involving unions other than those of a biological man and a biological woman. Further, our church shall not recognize any other “marital unions” as biblically valid.
Let it finally be resolved that we shall seek to treat individuals involved in sins of sexual immorality as sinners who, like us, all are in need of restoration with God. We will lovingly point them toward the repentance called for by God. We will seek to interact with all persons in a godly way. We will treat kindly and fairly those involved in any sin, including sexual immorality, calling them to repentance and restoration with God and the church. We will seek to lovingly embrace repentant persons with a spirit of restoration and humbly endeavor to exemplify the fruits of the spirit in all relations with one another as Scripture calls believers to do.
Genesis 1:2-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Proverbs 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 9:9; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:5-9; John 3:1-21; Romans 1:18-32; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9,10; 1 Cor. 6:9-20; 7:1-16; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 2:8-10, 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7; 1 John 1:9
Whereas, stated in these bylaws is our commitment to fidelity and submission to the Scriptures as “the divine revelation of the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried.”
Whereas we believe, that the cultural term 'marriage' has only one meaning that is consistent with the sanction of God as delineated in Scripture: the joining of one man and one woman in an exclusive union.
Whereas we believe, that God created human sexual intimacy within marriage for purposes of his glory and to provide his direction for sexual expression of humankind. Human flourishing, natural reproduction, and the physical joining of two persons into a single covenant union are also stated as purposes.
Whereas we believe, scripture teaches that any form of sexual intimacy outside of the purposes for which God created is sexual immorality. Examples of sexual immorality include but are not limited to adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, polygamy, bestiality, incest, pedophilia, pornography, any attempt to change one's sex, and refusal to live and behave in accordance with one’s biological sex. Sexual immoralities are sinful and offensive to God.
Whereas we believe, that God through the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit offers redemption and restoration to all sinners who will believe on Christ. It is by God’s mercy and grace that all who believe will receive forgiveness and restoration through the finished work of Jesus Christ in atonement for sin.
Be it therefore resolved, that in order to preserve the Christian distinctiveness, biblical faithfulness and integrity of Grace Baptist Church of South Hill, Virginia as a local body of Christ we feel that we must speak to this important issue. In order to be a biblical role model to our church members as well as the community it is imperative that all persons specifically employed by this church in any capacity, as well as those who serve as leadership volunteers, shall affirm this Resolution on Sexuality and Marriage and conduct themselves accordingly.
Be it also resolved, that pursuant to the Scriptures and these bylaws, membership within our church will not be extended to those living in unrepentant sexual immorality and that any church member who involves himself in unrepentant sexual immorality should understand he has subjected himself to appropriate and loving church discipline. Church discipline is intentionally focused on restoration and follows the teachings of our Lord Jesus recorded in Matthew chapter 18 and the Apostle Paul's letters known as 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians.
Be it further resolved, that our pastoral staff shall not officiate any union, nor shall our facilities or property be used for any union ceremony or any other celebration involving unions other than those of a biological man and a biological woman. Further, our church shall not recognize any other “marital unions” as biblically valid.
Let it finally be resolved that we shall seek to treat individuals involved in sins of sexual immorality as sinners who, like us, all are in need of restoration with God. We will lovingly point them toward the repentance called for by God. We will seek to interact with all persons in a godly way. We will treat kindly and fairly those involved in any sin, including sexual immorality, calling them to repentance and restoration with God and the church. We will seek to lovingly embrace repentant persons with a spirit of restoration and humbly endeavor to exemplify the fruits of the spirit in all relations with one another as Scripture calls believers to do.
Genesis 1:2-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Proverbs 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 9:9; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:5-9; John 3:1-21; Romans 1:18-32; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9,10; 1 Cor. 6:9-20; 7:1-16; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 2:8-10, 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7; 1 John 1:9