Church marriage statements

Concerning Marriage and Human Sexuality

We believe that marriage of one man and one woman for life as created by God (Gen. 2:21-24), sanctioned by Christ (Mt. 19:4-6; John 2:1-11), and reaffirmed by the Apostles (1Cor. 7:10-15; 1 Tim. 4:1-5), is God’s plan.

We believe that human sexuality is God’s creative gift both for procreation and personal enjoyment within the monogamous marriage relationship (Gen. 1:27-28; 1 Cor. 7:1-9; Heb. 13:4). We believe that any other expression of sexuality, such as homosexuality, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, pornography, premarital and extramarital sex, are expressly forbidden in Scripture and are not acceptable (Ex. 20:14; Deut. 5:18; Lev. 18:22; Lev. 20:13; Rom. 1:24-28; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 1 Tim. 1:10; Lev. 18:23; Ex. 22:19; Lev. 20:15-16; Deut. 27:21).

While acknowledging that divorce is a reality in our world, we believe that God’s original intention was one man and one woman for life and that Biblical marriage is to be honored, cherished, protected and proclaimed in our churches and homes (Deut. 24:1-4; Mt. 5:31-32; Mt. 19:3-12).

We also believe that some individuals are called and gifted by God to a single celibate life and that this also is Biblical and wholly good (Mt. 19:10-12 & 1 Cor. 7:6-9).

Proposed Marriage Policy for the First Baptist Church of Troy and Bethany Christian School

Marriage is an exclusive God ordained institution between one man (husband) and one woman (wife) in a mutually consented “one-flesh” relationship, consisting of mutually supportive companionship and physical union (Gen 1:27; 2:24; 1 Cor 7:1-6; Rom 1:26-27). As such marriage is a life-long, monogamous, heterosexual, covenant relationship between the man and the woman, publicly entered into before God as witness (Prov 2:17; Mal 2:16; Matt 19:6) and normally recognized by God’s institution of human government (Deut 22:13-17; Gen 29:25-26; Rom 13:1; Matt 22:21). The marriage covenant is authoritatively based on divine law and typically sanctioned by civil law. Thus, marriage is not a matter of mere social convention, but rather is a sacred bond between one man and one woman, defined by God alone, instituted by God and entered into before God.

Based on the biblical definition of marriage and its necessary implications, the following convictions represent the clear teaching of Scripture and, therefore, are the sincerely held religious beliefs of the First Baptist Church of Troy and all its ministries.

1. Marriage is the legal joining of one man (born anatomically male) and one woman (born anatomically female) in an exclusive union.

2. Any consensual sexual activity outside of the biblical definition of marriage is clearly prohibited by Scripture as is any non-consensual sexual activity perpetrated upon an innocent victim.

3. Since all human beings are God’s offspring (not children necessarily), any attempt to change or refusal to conform to one’s biological sex is clearly prohibited by Scripture.

4. All forms of sexual activity outside of monogamous, heterosexual marriage are forbidden in Scripture, including fornication (“any sexual activity outside of marriage” 1 Cor 7:2; 1 Thess 4:3), adultery (“with someone other than one’s own spouse” Ex 20:14; Matt 5:28), palingamy (“remarriage to a formerly divorced spouse after an intervening marriage” Deut 24:1-4), homosexuality (“any same-sex sexual activity” Gen 19:5-7; Lev 18:22; Rom 1:27; 1 Cor 6:9; 1 Tim 1:10; Jude 7), incest (“sexual activity with family members or relatives” Lev 20:11-21; 1 Cor 5:1), obscenity (Eph 5:3-4), pornography (Matt 5:28; Mark 7:21-22; Gal 5:26; 1 Thess 4:5; Rev 18:9), prostitution (Prov 5:1-23; 7:4-27; 1 Cor 6:18), transvestitism (Deut 22:5; 1 Cor 11), criminal sexual behavior (rape, molestation, pedophilia, bestiality, necrophilia, pederasty, etc. Rom 13:1-6; Lev 18-22), and impurity (“moral filth in one’s heart and thoughts” (James 1:21; Rev 22:11; Rom 1:24; 2 Pet 2:10).

Due to the image of God in all people, it is the clear will of God for all human beings to abstain from immorality. This is especially true for professing believers in Christ (1 Thess 4:1-8). His image-bearers must abstain from immorality and refrain from approving immoral behavior (Rom 1:31-32). Those who practice sexual sin and/or give approval of such will not inherit the Kingdom of God (Eph 5:3-5; Rom 1:31-32; cf. Gal 5 and 1 Cor 6). Thankfully, God in His grace offers His gospel to all sinners. All human beings are sinners; there is none righteous (Romans 3:23). God promises to wash, sanctify, and justify any sinner who comes to Him with repentant faith in the Person and Cross-work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Though sexual sin carries severe consequences in this life and eternal judgment in the life to come, all sin, including sexual sin, can be forgiven via the grace of God available on account of Christ’s infinite atonement for sin, applied to those who repent of their sin and place their unreserved trust in Jesus Christ alone for their eternal salvation (1 Cor 6:9-11; Acts 17:30; 1 John 1:9; Romans 6:1-7). Because of human depravity, it is possible for any person to commit any sin at any time. Therefore, we must humbly take every opportunity to help others by introducing them to Jesus Christ, the only Savior of man from sin. In addition, we must help any professing Christian who is battling with sexual sin. We do so by accurately calling sin what it is and second by encouraging genuine repentance in order to restore fellowship with Christ and the joy of one’s salvation (Ps 51). Christ did not die to save us from a so-called “orientation”; He died to save us from our sin. Jesus Christ is love incarnate (1 John 4:8) and therefore by “reason of his much love” sacrificed his life on the cross in order save us, regenerate us, justify us, and sanctify us. In this way we bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal 6:1-6).

Repentance involves agreeing with God about one’s sin, admitting to God personally that one has sinned, asking God sincerely to forgive us our sin on the basis of the death and resurrection of Christ, and subsequently act to turn from sin by faith throughout our lives and be conformed to the image of Christ.

All marriage ceremonies under the auspices of the First Baptist Church of Troy must conform to the marriage guidelines and sexual ethics policy as listed on the church’s website (fbctroy.org. cf. Resources/documents). This includes, but is not limited to:

1. Both bride and groom must have a clear testimony of salvation in Christ and give biblical evidence of regeneration in their lives.

2. Either the bride or the groom must be an active member of the First Baptist Church of Troy and in good standing with the church.

3. Neither the bride nor the groom shall have been previously married and/or divorced, with the possible exception of being an innocent party divorced on the basis of clear biblical grounds (unrepentant adultery or desertion).

4. Under no circumstances will a marriage be performed by any of the pastors of the First Baptist Church of Troy, nor will any of its facilities or grounds be used for a marriage ceremony involving a same-sex or transgendered marriage partner.

My church is currently in the process of updating our constitution, and here is the proposed statement we are working with. This statement is just a statement of position and does not include the parts on policy or application as a couple of the above statements do:

––

On Marriage, Singleness, and Sexual Purity

A. We believe that God created humanity, male and female, to bear His image in the earth (Gen.1:26). We believe that men and women are created as spiritual equals, yet designed in complementary order to assume God-given roles in the home, the church and society (Gen. 1:26-27; Gen. 2:18; Gal. 3:28).

B. We believe that God has designed the marriage relationship to portray the profound mystery of Christ and His Church (Eph. 5:31-32), to produce godly offspring (Gen. 1:28), to provide helpful companionship (Gen. 2:18), and to promote sexual purity and fulfillment (1 Cor. 7:2-5). We believe that marriage is designed by God to join one man and one woman in a lifetime covenant of love (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:3-9; I Cor. 7:10-11).

C. We believe that God gives some individuals the gift of celibacy in order that they may serve Him without the cares of a spouse or family (Matt. 19:11-12; 1 Cor. 7:8). We believe that remaining single is a godly choice and carries with it the opportunity and responsibility to maintain sexual purity as prescribed by the Scriptures (1 Cor. 7:6-9).

D. We believe that God forbids intimate sexual activity outside of marriage. We believe any form of adultery, fornication, incest, polygamy, homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, and pornography are sinful perversions of Gods gift of sex (Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1: 26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; I Cor. 6:9; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4). Aside from the case of an abnormal genital birth defect, we believe that attempts to alter ones sex by surgery or appearance reflect a heart that does not submit to Gods good and sovereign right to determine our sex, so such attempts are disapproved of and forbidden by God (Gen. 1.27; Jer. 1.5; 1 Cor. 6.9).

Greg,

In addition to this statement our church doctrinal position has adopted the same language that was added to the GARBC Articles of Faith under creation regarding marriage.

The policy was voted on and approved by the deacons as per our constitution. The statement of faith amendment was voted upon by the church as a whole.

Hope you are well!

Position on Singleness, Marriage, and Divorce

Since our culture increasingly praises differing views on the issues of singleness, marriage, and divorce, and churches hold a variety of positions on these matters, we urge all members to prayerfully and thoughtfully consider the Bible’s teaching.

We believe that both singleness and marriage are gifts from God to be utilized for Christian service (1 Corinthians 7:7). We encourage our members to lead the life the Lord has assigned them (1 Corinthians 7:17). Therefore, we affirm the value of singleness for more focused service of God (1 Corinthians 7:32-35) and that marriage is to be honored (Hebrews 13:4).

We believe the Bible teaches that marriage is the joining of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:18, 24, 25; Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 7:2; Ephesians 5:22-33) and that sexual intimacy is to be expressed only within the bonds of a Biblically defined marriage (1 Corinthians 7:1-5; Hebrews 13:4). Any other form of marriage or sexual intimacy is immoral and a perversion of God’s gracious will (Romans 1:24–29; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20). Therefore, God desires that divorce never happen (Matthew 19:6). Consequently, every divorce is a sin by at least one spouse. We affirm the Bible teaches that incompatibility and irreconcilable differences are not legitimate reasons for divorce (1 Corinthians 7:17-24). We acknowledge that Bible-believing Christians may reasonably hold a range of convictions on the appropriateness of divorce in particular situations.

Therefore, the officers of Great Commission Baptist Church implement this policy on marriages conducted by pastors of the church.

1. Pastors will report all requests for marriage to the deacons.

2. Pastors will consult with the deacons as to the appropriateness of their involvement in the wedding.

3. Neither the bride nor the groom shall have been previously married and/or divorced, with the possible exception of being an innocent party divorced on the basis of clear biblical grounds (unrepentant adultery or desertion).

Mike, I may have missed it, but this does not allow for the death of a spouse. Typo?

It was to guard against polygamy. Thanks, I will make an adjustment.

We actually did this a couple of years ago. Here’s the wording our church uses in the constitution and also the section on human government, which was in there long before the section on marriage.

MARRIAGE
We believe that the Bible teaches that God established marriage as only between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4,5), and that all sexual conduct outside the bonds of marriage is sin (1 Corinthians 6:9,10) with fornication, adultery, incest, homosexuality and bestiality all being described by God as abominations (Leviticus 18:6-30). We further believe that the physical condition in which a person is born, including their gender, is established by God (Exodus 4:11; John 9:3), therefore claims of innate sexual confusion are false and transvestism and its related perversions including sex change operations are abominations before God (Deuteronomy 22:5). We further believe that declaring God’s word and 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 satisfied or amended by any human government authority.

CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society, and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except in those things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming King of Kings (Romans 13:1-7; Acts 23:5; Matthew 22:21; Acts 5:29; 4:19-20; Daniel 3:17-18).