Christian Values "Discrimination"

mnw,
Actually, all of the questions you raise it up to the local church. If that is what your church wills as lead by the Spirit, then do it that way. That has nothing to do with how any other church conducts its membership qualifications. In most churches, the pastor's authority in these matters is only part of the picture, the congregation has the final say.

 

O foolish Galatians! [said Paul] Read John 19:11: Jesus answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin."

Incidentally, I'm sure it's well-known why you never responded to my request to explain about the man in I Corinthians 5 with regard to your claims about accepting or withholding fellowship.

 

People don't gather at the church. The church is the people. Anyone should be welcome to come into the building where the church gathers to hear the gospel being preached.

 

3-page warning: This thread will be closed no sooner than 4:00 a.m. ET by one of the moderators.

Lady Eagle

 

Unless they are repenting of their homosexual lifestyle, they are not coming to him.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Why are you trying to have a Biblical discussion with Galatian? It is as futile as trying to convince Crossan, Spong, and Borg that the miracles of Jesus actually happened. Pray for God to show him mercy and grace and open his eyes to the truth and move on. It really is the best thing you could do for him.

Joseph Botwinick

 

If I may respond to Galatian: In the story about the Pharisees bringing an adulteress before Jesus, after He sent them on their way, He didn't let the adulteress "off the hook"; He told her, "Go, and sin no more."

The woman at the well? Jesus told her plainly, "You have several husbands," identifying her sin problem.

So Galatian, you're correct: All sins are sin.

So if homosexuality is a sin (which I believe it is), then why would you ask an unrepentent, practicing sinner to be a Sunday School teacher? Or a deacon?

Would you allow an unrepentent, practicing adulterer to head a Bible study group? Would you allow an unrepentent, practicing adulterer to participate in or even lead activities representing your church?

"Membership," for most here, denotes identifying one's self with a local, called-out assembly. I can visit any church I want to, but in accordance with my understanding and belief that a "church" is a local, called-out assembly, I have my membership with one particular called-out local group.

I'm assuming Galatian is using a different "dictionary" on some of the definitions here, and that's what's causing some of the "discussion."

 

And on that note, this thread is closed per the previous 3-page warning.

LE