Episcopalians and Presbyterians Vote to Allow the Ordination of Homosexuals

EPISCOPALIANS AND PRESBYTERIANS VOTE TO ALLOW THE ORDINATION OF HOMOSEXUALS

News Source:
Friday Church News Notes, June 30, 2006, www.wayoflife.org

- "The Episcopal Church in America and the Presbyterian Church USA voted at assemblies this summer to allow for the ordination of homosexuals. The Episcopalians, meeting in Columbus, Ohio, voted by a large majority to reject a proposal that would have banned the ordination of homosexual bishops. The Presbyterians, meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, approved a policy that allows regional denominational bodies to ordain homosexuals on a "case-by-case basis." The new policy "creates a loophole that would allow gays and lesbians to serve as ministers" ("Episcopal, Presbyterian Leaders Rule on Gay Clergy," Los Angeles Times, June 21). The apostate Episcopalians also "overwhelmingly refused" to consider a resolution that affirmed that Jesus Christ is the "only name by which any person may be saved."

They further rejected an amendment that called upon the denomination to make evangelism its first priority. Instead, first priority will be given to such things as "the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women." "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of" (2 Peter 2:1-2)."

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Is not the Word of God very clear on this issue? Yes it is. Below are some verses on this but before we look at the Bible verses, please take this to heart. Christians are not to hate homosexuals. We are to pray for them that they would come to know the love and grace and freedom from the power of sin that Jesus Christ offers. We have some very nice friends who are homosexuals and we do not mock them for choosing their lifestyle. However, God's Word is still very clear that this lifestyle is a sexual perversion adn we pray that our friends and many others will come to know the real Jesus who can forgive, set free, and heal people.

Here are the references of the Bible about homosexuality.

'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.' (Leviticus 18:22)

'If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood willbe on their own heads.' (Leviticus 20:13)

“Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.” (Romans 1:26-27)

“Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom-both young and old-surrounded the house. They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them." (Genesis 19:4-5)

“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

“…knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, …” (1 Timothy 1:9-10)

Jesus came to save sinners, and this includes homosexuals who can come to Christ, be forgiven of their sins, BE MADE NEW IN AND THROUGH CHRIST, and who can then live normal heterosexual lives.

See also our previous post:

Brian McLaren Confused About Homosexuality?