2013 Position Statements

By Proclaim and Defend | June 14, 2013

At our 2013 Annual Meeting, the Executive Board of the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International unanimously authorized several position statements. These statements represent the viewpoint of the Board on issues of the day. The position statements authorized for 2013 are:

Concerning Marriage and Sexual Morality
Concerning Child Protection
Concerning the Kingdom

Fundamental Baptist Fellowship Position Statements

Adopted June 11, 2013

Concerning Marriage and Sexual Morality

Affirmation of the FBFI

The following statement regarding marriage and sexual morality reflects the clear and consistent Biblical teaching, the consistent historical position of Christianity in general and of Fundamental Baptists in particular and has always been and remains the unwavering theological conviction of the FBFI. Adherence to the clear teaching of Scripture on marriage and sexual morality is and has always been fundamental to obedient, Biblical Christianity.

Definition of Marriage:

1. Marriage is the exclusive God ordained institution between one man (husband) and one woman (wife) in a mutually consented “one-flesh” relationship, consisting of mutually supportive companionship and physical union (Gen. 1:27; 2:24; 1 Cor. 7:1-6; Rom. 1:26-27).

2. Marriage is a monogamous, heterosexual, covenant relationship between the man and the woman, which is intended to be lifelong and which is publicly entered into before God as witness and enforcer (Prov. 2:17; Mal. 2:16; Matt. 19:6) and recognized by God’s institution of human government (Deut. 22:13-17; Gen. 29:25-26; Rom. 13:1; Matt. 22:21).

Biblical Sexual Morality:

1. Sexual relations do not alone constitute a genuine marriage (John 4:17-18) due to the fact that sexual activity and relations outside the marriage bond as defined above are always considered to be sinful (Heb. 13:4; Matt. 19:9).

2. All other forms of sexual activity outside of monogamous, heterosexual marriage are forbidden in Scripture, including fornication (“any sexual activity outside of marriage” 1 Cor. 7:2; 1 Thess. 4:3), adultery (“with someone other than one’s own spouse” Exod. 20:14; Matt. 5:28), homosexuality (“any same-sex sexual activity” Gen. 19:5-7; Lev. 18:22; Rom. 1:27; 1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Tim. 1:10; Jude 7), incest (“sexual activity with family members or relatives” Lev. 20:11-21; 1 Cor. 5:1), obscenity (Eph. 5:3-4), pornography (Matt. 5:28; Mark 7:21-22; 1 Thess. 4:5; Rev. 18:9), prostitution (Prov. 5:1-23; 7:4-27; 1 Cor. 6:15-18), transvestitism (Deut. 22:5; 1 Cor. 11:4-15), criminal sexual behavior (rape, molestation, pedophilia, bestiality, necrophilia, pederasty, etc., Rom 13:1-6; Lev 18-22), and impurity (“moral filth in one’s heart and thoughts,” James 1:21; Rev 22:11; Rom 1:24; 2 Pet 2:10).

God’s Will for Sinners:

1. It is the clear will of God for all human beings made in the image of God to abstain from immorality. This is especially true for professing believers in Christ (1 Thess. 4:1-8). His image-bearers must abstain from immorality and refrain from approving immoral behavior (Rom. 1:31-32). The practice or approval of these sins is inconsistent with a sincere and genuine profession of faith (Eph. 5:3-5; cf. Gal. 5:19-21 and 1 Cor. 6:9-11).

2. Thankfully, God in His grace offers His gospel to all sinners. All human beings are sinners (Rom. 3:23). Though sexual sin carries severe consequences in this life and eternal judgment in the life to come, all sin, including sexual sin, can be forgiven via the grace of God available on account of Christ’s infinite atonement for sin applied to those who repent and trust in Jesus Christ alone for their eternal salvation (1 Cor. 6:9-11; Acts 17:30; 1 John 1:9; Rom. 6:1-7).

3. Because of human depravity, it is possible for anyone to commit any sin at any time. Therefore, we should humbly take every opportunity to help others by introducing them to Jesus Christ. In addition, we must help any professing Christian who is battling with sexual sin. We do so by accurately calling sin what it is and by encouraging genuine repentance in order to restore fellowship with Christ and the joy of one’s salvation (Ps. 51).

Concerning Child Protection

  1. The great evil of child sexual abuse has been much in the public consciousness in recent decades and particularly in the last few years. Much of value has been written and said from various sources, both secular and religious. Many individuals and groups have also provided advice and resources to facilitate a right response. Everyone should be horrified and appropriately angry over the revelations of the nature and extent of abuse, and should be committed to doing what we can to minister to past victims, rescue current victims and prevent future victims.
  2. Child sexual abuse is a great evil in God’s eyes for a number of clear reasons: First it victimizes those who are the most vulnerable among us (Matt. 19:14; see Jer. 23:1-3). Second, it violates the principle of trust that is essential to the adult/child relationship (Eph. 6:1-2; Prov. 23:26). Third, as a sexual sin it strikes at the victim in a very intimate and personally damaging way (See 2 Sam. 13:19). Fourth, it can greatly damage the victim’s view of God and receptivity to spiritual truth (See Matt. 18:6). And fifth, if it occurs in connection with a church or other ministry, it can greatly damage the testimony of Jesus Christ (2 Sam. 12:14). To be sure it is not the only sin, but it is a very egregious one.
  3. As a society we have been learning many things regarding child sexual abuse. These include the very common and widespread occurrence of child sexual abuse; the depth and extent of the damage that this sin does to victims and their loved ones; and the highly manipulative nature and “likeability” of many sexual predators; the natural reluctance of victims to tell what has happened to them, and the vulnerability of any institution that looks after children, including Bible-believing churches and families to the presence of sexual predators.
  4. Therefore we encourage all Bible-believing churches and other ministries to do the following:
      • Develop a Scriptural understanding of the issues involved, including God’s hatred of abuse, the importance of protecting children, the nature of genuine repentance, and the real help that is available in Christ Jesus;
      • Educate themselves, their staff, and their members to the great need and key truths concerning this subject and the resources that are available to help;
      • Develop and implement an appropriate child protection policy that includes provisions for the screening and selection of workers, the organization and supervision of children’s ministries, the establishing of reasonable boundary policies, procedures for reporting suspected abuse, appropriate safety procedures, and encouragement and counseling for victims and their families;
      • Educate leaders and members to take seriously and respond appropriately to accusations or suspicion of abuse and to encourage victims and potential victims to tell if they have been treated in a way that is sexually inappropriate.

Concerning the Kingdom

Affirmations

1. The FBFI affirms both a universal kingdom and a mediatorial kingdom.

2. The FBFI affirms a present, universal kingdom of God, which is God’s sovereignty over the world demonstrated providentially in His involvement in the affairs of mankind, politically in the raising up and putting down of kingdoms and spiritually in the lives of believers (Dan. 2:37-45; Psalm 45:6; 145:13; 1 Cor. 6:9-11).

3. The FBFI affirms a mediatorial kingdom demonstrated nationally in the rule of the kings over Israel and eschatologically in the reign of Christ in the millennium. Scripture teaches the reality of a future, literal, earthly reign of Christ. Based on the Davidic Covenant, Christ will sit on David’s throne, in the city of Jerusalem, and rule and reign with a rod of iron for a thousand years. The FBFI acknowledges that some within the Fellowship also include a present spiritual aspect of the mediatorial kingdom (2 Sam. 7:8-16; Isa. 9:7; Rev. 19:11-16).

4. The FBFI affirms the Biblical teaching of the pretribulation rapture of the Church, which will be followed by the 70th Week of Daniel, at the end of which Christ will return to earth to establish the Millennial Kingdom. The FBFI affirms that the millennium will follow this glorious, visible return to Earth (Matt. 24:29-31; Titus 2:13; Eph. 1:18; 2 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 20:4).

5. The FBFI affirms that during the millennial kingdom the promises given in the Old Testament to the nation of Israel will be literally fulfilled. National Israel will serve their God, possess the land and receive the blessings promised to them in the Abrahamic Covenant and reaffirmed through the New Covenant (Jer. 31:29-33; Zech. 14:6-9; Matt. 19:28; Rom. 11:11-21).

Denials

1. The FBFI rejects the postmillennial teaching that Christ’s kingdom will be inaugurated through the efforts of the church and that after the kingdom has been established, Christ will return.

2. The FBFI rejects the amillennial teaching that the promises of a kingdom made to Israel in the Old Testament are being fulfilled in the present-day church. Any assertion that the church is to be equated with Old Testament Israel or that it is a permanent replacement for Israel is contrary to the plain teaching of Scripture.

Posted in All, Blog and tagged ,