Download Pentecostal Position on LGBTQ+ and Same-Sex Marriage and more Lecture notes Law in PDF only on Docsity! PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLIES OF THE WEST INDIES INTERNATIONAL POSITION PAPER ON HOMOSEXUALITY, SAME SEX MARRIAGE AND RELATED PRACTICES (LGBTQ) POSITION PAPER ON “HOMOSEXUALITY, SAME SEX MARRIAGE AND RELATED PRACTICES (LGBTQ)” When God created man in his image along with a woman with an element taken from the man, he formed the ideal couple to fulfil the divine will; they were to multiply, govern the earth and portray his image (Genesis 2:21-22). Accordingly, for PAWI, marriage between one man and one woman is a creational norm designed to reflect the image of God and establish proper human government. The Bible makes a clear distinction between the male and the female who are appropriately created to be physically complementary in sexual and marital relationships. A man is expected to cleave to his ‘wife’, a term which signified woman from the beginning. However in the spirit of Christian love, this Fellowship is prepared to work with others with opposing beliefs to bring about change and conformity to the principles which we espouse. The Biblical Position From the outset God’s word condemned homosexuality in dismissive language. Leviticus indicates that it is detestable for a person to lie with another of the same sex making it clear that both homosexuality and lesbianism incurred divine displeasure and were considered sin; and since these practices are obviously part and parcel of same sex marriage, they also stand condemned as sinful (Leviticus 18:22;20:13). It is to be noted also that judgement on such practices were not confined to the Jews since Gentile peoples also perished as a consequence. In addition, Paul writing to the Corinthians lists “abusers of themselves with mankind” among persons who shall not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:90). Most Bible commentaries regard this lifestyle as homosexual. Prohibition against homosexuality and lesbianism, as it is for murder, is for all people for all time, as Dr. Michael Brown, acclaimed specialist on this subject argues. In his considered view the Bible explicitly presents and presupposes heterosexuality as the divinely ordered norm (2004). In providing the first man Adam with an appropriate spouse and life companion, God decided on a woman thereby setting the universal pattern. Since God made humans male and female (Genesis 1:27-28), bisexual relations are a rebellion against his authority and the transgender intervention is a brazen interference with God’s creation. Homosexual behaviour and same sex marriage are contrary to the goal of procreation which is a prime purpose of marriage; and any effort to pervert the principle of man-and-woman sexual relationship, by whatever route violates the law of God and has negative implications for population development in human society. We stand by the Genesis teaching which underpins God’s plan for the healthy survival of the human race (Genesis 1: 27-28). Jesus himself regarded marriage as a bond between a man and a woman and this was obviously the common understanding of his contemporary audience (Mathew 19:5). This lends historical and biblical support to the stand that PAWI has taken.
