Mired in Tumult
by Gilbert Alexander
Why are Episcopalians and Presbyterians "mired in tumult over gay issues" as reported in a 7/7/06 article in the News Courier? Is the Word of God so vague and complex that people cannot know what is moral and natural, and what is immoral and unnatural? God clearly condemned homosexual behavior in the Law of Moses (Leviticus 18:22). Its penalty was death (Leviticus 20:13), because its practice was an abomination (I Kings14:24). God spoke to us in the New Testament by Jesus Christ through His own personal teaching (Hebrews 1:1,2) and through the teaching of the apostles, who were guided by the Holy Spirit (John 14:25,26; 16:7-15); and the New Testament also clearly condemns homosexual behavior and declares that those who practice it are worthy of death (Romans 1:18-32; I Corinthians 6:9-11).
Why the tumult, then? Evidently, according to the article, it is primarily caused by unbelief on the part of many of the clergy. It appears that the "churchgoers" have more faith in what the Bible teaches than their leaders do. Surely unbelievers of the Bible cannot lead others to a firm faith in the Bible as God's Will, revealed to mankind. Those who reject the authority of the apostles of Christ to speak His Words and set forth His authoritative message are also rejecting the Words of Christ Himself when He authorized His apostles to go into all the world delivering His message everywhere (Acts 1:8; John 20:21-23). Jesus told His apostles concerning their being arrested and tried, "But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given you in that hour what you should speak: for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you" (Matt. 10:19,20). If we believe what Jesus said, then we must believe what Paul said in I Corinthians 14:37, "... the things which I write to you are the commandments of God." If we believe the Bible, there can be no compromise of its truth and no tumult among professed believers over whether to accept its teaching. There is no acceptable alternative. Where do you stand?
