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An
Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at
Creekwood |
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Dan Williams reports:
The top legislative body of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) recently adopted a
resolution to recognize same-sex marriage. The
Presbyterian General Assembly members voted 429 to 157
to add language to their church constitution saying
that marriage can be the union of “two people,” not
just The General Assembly had previously voted in 2011 to allow their clergy to have same-sex partners. Since that vote, 428 of the denomination’s more than 10,000 churches have left the PC USA. Some conservatives remained in the denomination in an effort to exert a moderating influence; this latest action may well accelerate their exodus. When I read the article describing the action of the Presbyterian legislative body, I was reminded of the story of a little boy who brought his new pet hamster to “show and tell” time at his school. As the children crowded around admiring the tiny creature, one student asked, “Is it a boy or a girl?” The hamster’s owner replied, “I don’t know. How can we tell?” There was a moment of puzzled silence, until one of the children suggested brightly, “I know – we can vote on it.” We chuckle at that child’s innocent suggestion, because we realize some matters cannot be determined by a show of hands, but the story illustrates an important spiritual principle. Votes taken in a denominational assembly can no more change the truths of the Bible than the children’s vote could determine the gender of the hamster. “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth,” Jesus prayed in John 17:17. News reports repeatedly
emphasized that the same-sex marriage measure passed
the Presbyterian assembly by an overwhelming margin,
perhaps to signify that the matter is politically
settled. Christianity is not based on politics,
however, but on revelation. There is an underlying principle that goes far beyond this specific issue or denomination – the need to recognize and respect the Bible as our only standard. * “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for... Doctrine – “What’s
Right” ...that the man of God may be
complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The TRUTH is... Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2) and condemns us (Matthew 7:13-14). And, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The TRUTH is... God loves us so much that He gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins so that we might receive forgiveness and the gift of eternal life (John 3:16; Ephesians 1:7). The TRUTH is...
God will forgive and give eternal life to those who
place their
The Bible contains: Facts, Commands, Promises and Warnings - and there are two ways in which we can respond to each:
Won’t YOU accept the Truth and submit your life to God, the Source of Truth? David A. Sargent, Minister
Church of Christ at Creekwood
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