Marriage Policy for the First Baptist Church of Troy

FBCTroy, Pastor Mike Harding Pastor Mike Harding of First Baptist Church of Troy, Michigan, offers a recently approved statement on marriage which was adopted by his church. We offer it here in light of current controversies as a resource for other churches who may wish to consider adopting a similar position statement. Marriage is an…

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Biblical Sexual Ethics in Light of God’s Institution of Marriage

Mike Harding This article is featured from the current edition of FrontLine Magazine. See here for contents of the current issue and here for subscription information. Definition of Marriage 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…

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The Believer’s Responsibility in Sanctification

Mike Harding Paul’s framing of the paradox regarding divine sovereignty and human responsibility takes one of its most striking forms in Philippians 2:12-13. In order to soften the apparent contradiction between Paul’s imperative in Philippians 2:12 and the doctrine of justification, interpreters have sought to understand this passage in terms of the “sociology” of the…

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Additional Resources on Alcohol

For those looking for more information on the Christian view of alcohol, pastor Mike Harding passes on these references: R. V. Pierard, “Alcohol,” Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed. Walter Elwell (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984, pp. 28-32. F. S. Fitzsimmons, “Wine and Strong Drink,” New Bible Dictionary (2nded.), ed. J. D. Douglas (Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity) 1982,…

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A Survey of Biblical Teaching on Alcohol

compiled by Mike Harding Series: FirstPost – PreviousPost – NextPost Scriptural Warnings & Prohibitions for Wine and Strong Drink 1. The first drunkenness and the attendant improper behavior. – Gen. 9:20-26 2. Drinking results in Lot’s debauchery of his own daughters. – Gen. 19:30-38 3. Isaac was drinking when he mistakenly blessed Jacob. – Gen.…

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Not Given to Wine

by Mike Harding Series: FirstPost – PreviousPost – NextPost What does Paul mean by ‘not given to wine’? (1 Timothy 3:3) 1 Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be … 3 Not given to wine……

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Carest Thou Not That We Perish?

by Mike Harding This is the fifth in a continuing series of articles on the issue of alcohol. In this article we offer an appeal for abstaining from alcohol. Series: FirstPost – PreviousPost – NextPost Philippians 2:4 tells us, “Do not merely look out for your own interests but also for the interests of others.”…

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Why Believers Today Should Abstain from Alcohol (Part 3)

by Mike Harding This is the fourth in a continuing series of articles on the issue of alcohol. In this article we offer a Christian rationale for abstaining from alcohol. Series: FirstPost – PreviousPost – NextPost Bible-believing Christians have widely been known for abstaining from beverage alcohol. These attitudes are now under pressure from within…

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Why Believers Today Should Abstain from Alcohol (Part 2)

by Mike Harding This is the Third in a continuing series of articles on the issue of alcohol. Today we offer a Christian rationale for abstaining from alcohol. Series: FirstPost – PreviousPost – NextPost Bible-believing Christians have widely been known for abstaining from beverage alcohol. These attitudes are now under pressure from within the Christian…

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Why Believers Today Should Abstain from Alcohol (Part 1)

by Mike Harding This is the second in a continuing series of articles on the issue of alcohol. Today we begin to offer a Christian rationale for abstaining from alcohol. Series: FirstPost – NextPost Bible-believing Christians have widely been known for abstaining from beverage alcohol. These attitudes are now under pressure from within the Christian community.…

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