2013 – The God-given Right of Marriage

The God-Given Right of Marriage

Whereas marriage has been designed and defined by God as the lifelong bond exclusively between one man and one woman, as husband and wife, respectively (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Corinthians 7:2; Ephesians 5:31), and

Whereas marriage has been instituted of God and sanctified by Him as a unique picture of the relationship existing between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:21-33), and

Whereas homosexual behavior, by either men or women, is condemned by God in both the Old (Leviticus 18:22) and New Testaments (Romans 1:26,27; Luke 17:29), even using the word “abomination” to describe it as a great offense against God and for which God has condemned and destroyed nations that accepted such behavior (Leviticus 18:24,27-29), and

Whereas under the pressures of those organized for the acceptance of perverse sexual conduct, elected persons in local, state and national governments have presumed to pass laws making sexual perversion, as defined by the Bible, acceptable conduct in American society and would redefine marriage as a civil right to which homosexuals are entitled, which laws are beyond the purview of human government and stand in open defiance to the will and Word of God,

Be it therefore resolved that we the members of the Independent Baptist Fellowship of North America now gathered in Shipshewana, Indiana, June 18-20, 2013, do hereby encourage our brethren, as well as ourselves, that we are absolutely opposed to any legislation, by any government, that supports homosexual conduct and seeks to redefine marriage to include any union other than one man married to one woman which God has ordained in His Word (Genesis 2:4; Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Corinthians 7:2,3; Ephesians 5:31).

Be it further resolved that we oppose the adoption of children into homosexual homes, which contradicts the Biblical pattern for homes and families, as well as the Biblical model for parents and children.

 

Be it finally resolved that because God has made us male and female, there are no genetic markers to demonstrate that homosexuality is inborn and must be a result of environment and learned behavior. Therefore, we support any opportunity for men and women to turn from homosexual practices and lifestyle, because behavioral change is possible, beginning with their trust in Jesus Christ as a personal Savior, by Whom “old things are passed away” and “..all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).