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Post by ashleyjw8 on Nov 12, 2018 8:28:25 GMT
Just a quick question for you guys,
In my neck of the woods, a baptist churches leadership sent a letter to a woman who they found out was homosexual, informing her that she is being removed as a member due to her lifestyle. Would you consider this normal practice for a church? We all as Christians want sinners to come to church- including homosexuals so they can be reached with the gospel, but can an unrepentant homosexual be a member of the church? Or was this wrong for them to do?
Thanks in advance for any information
From Ashley
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Post by BlueSky on Nov 12, 2018 8:37:17 GMT
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Post by ashleyjw8 on Nov 12, 2018 8:41:11 GMT
Thanks so much. ☺️ Yes that is the story!
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Post by BlueSky on Nov 12, 2018 13:42:51 GMT
I did read the letter, it seemed very well written and it makes sense from my perspective. After watching the video, she seems to me to have no clue what Christianity is all about. They still want her to come to service, but just not be an official member, after hearing her talk, I can see why. She should head over to the united church Foxjj will have some excellent insight into this.
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Post by foxjj on Nov 12, 2018 17:30:41 GMT
Welcome Ashley. Your first question is very relevant for today’s political atmosphere. I am sure that we will be seeing many more stories like this. I agree with BlueSky’s comments that the lady does not seem to understand what is expected of a Christian. You are so right with your comment that we do welcome all sinners to our Churches in the hope that they will experience God’s love and forgiveness. However, church membership is different from church attendance. To be a member of any organization is to agree and comply with its belief’s and, or rules. Consequently, when a person fails to comply, they by their actions say that they no longer agree with the church or organization therefore disqualify themselves from membership. This of course is not convenient for our political atmosphere today. The Church is and will continue to be under attack for staying true to the teachings of Scripture.
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Post by BlueSky on Nov 12, 2018 18:56:54 GMT
Welcome Ashley. Your first question is very relevant for today’s political atmosphere. I am sure that we will be seeing many more stories like this. I agree with BlueSky’s comments that the lady does not seem to understand what is expected of a Christian. You are so right with your comment that we do welcome all sinners to our Churches in the hope that they will experience God’s love and forgiveness. However, church membership is different from church attendance. To be a member of any organization is to agree and comply with its belief’s and, or rules. Consequently, when a person fails to comply, they by their actions say that they no longer agree with the church or organization therefore disqualify themselves from membership. This of course is not convenient for our political atmosphere today. The Church is and will continue to be under attack for staying true to the teachings of Scripture. I concur.
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Post by ashleyjw8 on Nov 13, 2018 1:55:53 GMT
Thank you both for your input !! I also agree 🤗
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Post by BlueSky on Nov 13, 2018 22:24:43 GMT
Foxjj, why does it seem that homosexuality is held by some as one of the worst sins possible, if I could say that.
Are all members of a church without sin? ( rhetorical question ) No, clearly we are not.
Would it be safe to say that, acknowledgment of ones sin, and giving room for sanctification, would be the delineating factor?
Could an actual homosexual, ( but not practicing and repentant ) would be welcomed as a “member”?
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Post by foxjj on Nov 14, 2018 7:43:36 GMT
You pose very good questions BlueSky. According to Scripture we are all sinners in need of a Savior, and according to Jesus the only unforgivable one is the sin against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31-32) Consequently, homosexuality is not the worst of sins as some claim. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Paul gave a list of those who will not inherit the Kingdom: “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” Sin is sin and according to this list homosexuality is no worse then adultery, which seems to be tolerated today. So why is this sin singled out? After all it has been with us down through history. It was prevalent in Greek and Roman culture and many historic people are known to have been homosexual. Does that make them any more of a sinner than the numerous adulterous? Not according to Paul. However, that the practice is sinful there is no doubt, and I do believe that preaches who single out this sin are missing the point of Paul’s message in Romans. In Romans chapter one Paul speaks about the wrath of God been revealed against godlessness and wickedness, mentioning idolatry and sexual sin. In verse’s 26 and 27 he refers to homosexual practices, consequently some believe that Paul is saying that this was the sin that God’s wrath was been poured out on. However, when we read verses 29-32 we get a better understanding of whom Paul is referring to: “They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.” As Paul is referring to all sinners as he confirmed in Romans 3:23: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” That been said no one has the right to condemn. As for church membership different churches have their own rules. Most will welcome a homosexual to attend services however, membership is normally reserved for baptized born again believers.
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Post by princess on Apr 24, 2019 20:31:14 GMT
I have a very good friend who is a loud and proud practicing bisexual. I would never take her to church because church is for followers of Jesus Christ who come together to worship and praise God. . It was my responsibility to reach out to her outside of church.
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Post by BlueSky on Apr 24, 2019 21:26:33 GMT
I have a very good friend who is a loud and proud practicing bisexual. I would never take her to church because church is for followers of Jesus Christ who come together to worship and praise God. . It was my responsibility to reach out to her outside of church. Amen.
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Post by Jude on Apr 24, 2019 23:06:00 GMT
Sodom and Gomorrah were probably still fresh in the people's minds, unlike other sins what they were doing was considered to be an abomination.. What happened to make an abomination something gay?
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Post by gal328 on Apr 25, 2019 1:45:45 GMT
What do the scriptures say? An example of a similar kind of situation to this in 1 Cor. 5 that "that someone has his father’s wife!" while still participating in the Corinthian Church as if everything was normal. What did Paul advise them to do? "Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the WHOLE lump of dough?" Paul say in verse 6. His conclusion: "Remove the wicked man from among yourselves." It is for the good of the Body that we do not tolerate unrepentant immorality or sin in our midst. WE are the Church of God. She was in the church and apparently a member of the Church. It is inconceivable that she did not know it was unacceptable to have homosexual relationships as a member of a Bible-believing Baptist Church. The leadership did the right thing. She is still welcome to come to the services, though will she, if she is dug in in her unrepentant state?
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