Keryx Prison Ministry
Statement of Faith
1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible, authoritative Word of God.
2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His
miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily
resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in
power and glory.
4. We believe in the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.
5. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
HOMOSEXUALITY POSITION STATEMENT
There are many issues that have created debate and controversy within the Christian community over the several past years, none so emotionally charged as the debate over homosexuality. Because Keryx brings together many parts of the body of Christ to share in united ministry there are times when individuals serving on a team may have differing views on some social issues. Some of those issues may be issues where those involved agree to disagree, such as smoking, social drinking, etc. These are not issues that are clearly defined in scripture, nor are they usually a part of teaching, and do not affect the overall ministry and witness of the team. Yet, there are other issues where the perspective and teaching of an individual may affect the ministry of the team and of Keryx.
Recognizing there may be differing perspectives, Keryx sets forth this policy as its position statement. It is not our intent to be divisive nor condemning – we feel we need to present what God’s word teaches on the subject and we desire to do so by “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). We desire to be mindful of the apostle Paul’s admonition when it comes to sharing God’s word with those whom we may differ.
“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth.”
In presenting this statement we seek to have unity in our purpose of sharing the gospel, and recognizing that the support and practice of homosexuality in the prison can be life threatening to an inmate. Consequently, we ask all who are involved with a Keryx weekend to sign the attached statement agreeing to support the Keryx position in all teaching, counseling and personal conversation while serving on a Keryx weekend or its other functions.
Statement:
Keryx accepts the Bible to be the word of God, and as such the final authority on issues it discusses.
The practice of homosexuality is a sexual sin by two people of the same sex. The Bible considers any sexual relationship outside of the bounds of marriage as sin (1 Corinthians 6:9, 7:8-9). When the Bible speaks of marriage, all references defining a married couple are in the context of male and female.
In the days of the patriarchs, homosexual conduct was a “grievous sin”. In Genesis chapters 18 and 19, the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah is described. Along with not regarding the poor and caring for their needs, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of homosexual sin….”And they called to Lot and said to him, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.’” (Gen. 19:5)
Although we are no longer under the law of Moses, with its harsh punishments (though under the New Covenant the punishment of unrepented sin is simply delayed until the Day of Judgment – Hebrews 10:26-31). The New Testament continues to speak to the sin of homosexuality.
“Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.” (Romans 1:26-27)
The Bible clearly considers the practice of homosexuality behavior a sin and whether it is stated three times or 3,000 is beside the point. The Bible knows it to be wrong.
It is not the desire of Keryx to speak the words of condemnation to those who struggle with homosexuality but to speak the Word in truth and love. None of us pretend to understand the complexity of what causes or leads one to have a homosexual orientation, yet that struggle does not change the word of God and His call for righteousness and holiness. In ministry it is our heart to be mindful of the words of Paul in his instructions to the Galatians:
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:1-2)
If there is one passage of Scripture which summarizes God’s view of homosexuality, then it is that found in Paul’s letter to a church which was in a city famous for its sexual immorality:
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”
“And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
In this passage we find both condemnation and hope. Homosexuality and sodomy are condemned as sin (as are fornication, idolatry, adultery, etc.), but hope is seen in that those who engaged in such can find forgiveness and the ability to change through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
As children of God, and disciples of Christ, we seek not to renege on our responsibility to speak to those issues that are sin while proclaiming the power of God’s life changing grace. It is our position to:
Teach the truth in love.
Expose homosexuality for the sin that it is.
Lovingly accept and assist those who come to Jesus in an effort to overcome the sin practice of homosexuality.
May God give us the grace to do so, in a spirit becoming of the gospel of Jesus Christ!
