What does the Bible Say Regarding Same-sex Marriage?

What the Bible Teaches About Homosexuality Survey of Biblical Passages Old Testament References The Sodom Incident – Genesis 13:13; 18:20,21; 19:24 The Levitical Prohibition – Leviticus 18:22; 20:13 The Gibeah Incident – Judges 19:15-25 The Perverted Persons – 1 Kings 14:24

What the Bible Teaches About Homosexuality Survey of Biblical Passages New Testament References Women and Men Committing Acts Against Nature – Romans 1:26,27 Practicing Homosexuals & Sodomites Will Not Inherit the Kingdom – 1 Corinthians 6:9.10 Sodomites Contrary to Sound Doctrine- 1 Timothy 1:10 Reference to Sodom & Gomorrah – Jude 7

Summary of Different Views Arguments by Those Approving Homosexuality- “The incidents at Sodom & Gibeah were gang rapes, which are wrong whether homosexual or heterosexual.” Levitical Prohibitions – 1 Kings 14:24 “Acts against nature are not against nature if you are born homosexual.” Malakos & Arsenokoites (1 Corinthian 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10) – temple prostitution, pedophilia, or male rape

Summary of Different Views Arguments by Those Approving Homosexuality- Some Seek Approval For Gay Sex from relationships of: David & Jonathan – 1 Samuel 18:1,3; 20:17,24,26,27 Naomi & Ruth – Rut 1:16,17 “Gay sex by two loving, committed companions is never condemned in the Bible, Jesus never mentioned it.” “He condemned divorce & adultery, but not homosexuality.”

Summary of Different Views Observations by those Opposing Homosexuality- Every reference to homosexuality is condemned in the Bible Jesus’ failure to mention homosexuality is not an argument for it permissibility Prophets prophesied against things that needed fixing The proscription against homosexuality in first century Judea was strong & certain

Summary of Different Views Observations by those Opposing Homosexuality- Jesus’ silence shows He was in agreement with proscription in Jewish law – The Levitical prohibitions Not just against pagan ordinances, but also “the doings of the land” – Leviticus 18:3 Forbid adultery, incest, bestiality; same argument applied to them?

Summary of Different Views Observations by those Opposing Homosexuality- Argument seeking to defuse – Romans 1:26,27 No scientific study has yet proved one is “born gay” Bible does praise same-sex platonic relationships David & Jonathan - Phileo Ruth & Naomi – Storge Not one indication of gay sex (eros) being approved in the Bible

What the Bible Teaches About Marriage Jesus’ Teaching on Marriage Marriage instituted by God at the beginning- Matthew 19:3 Designed for those created Male and Female- Matthew 19:4 For man & wife who produce offspring- Matthew 19:5 A union the God joins, not the state – Matthew 19:6

What the Bible Teaches About Marriage Jesus’ Teaching on Marriage Only God put asunder – Matthew 19:7-9 May divorce & remarry and still commit adultery – Matthew 5:31,32 God allows divorce only for fornication, remarriage of innocent – Matthew 19:9 Kingdom of Heaven may require some to “make themselves eunuchs”- Matthew 19:11,12

What the Bible Teaches About Marriage Apostles’ Teaching on Marriage Sex in marriage honorable, sex outside marriage is not – Hebrews 13:4 To avoid fornication, each man have own wife – 1 Corinthians 7:1,2 All other discussions pertaining to marriage describe husband-wife relationships – 1 Corinthians 7:3-48; Romans 7:1-4; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18,19; 1 Timothy 3:2, 11,12; Titus 1:6; 2:4,5; 1 Peter 3:1-7

Summary of Biblical Teaching All sex outside of marriage is sinful, whether heterosexual or homosexual Marriage is a divine institution, not a civil one God determines what constitutes a proper marriage, not man Marriage throughout the Bible is always between a man & woman There is not one mention regarding same-sex marriage There is no teaching on how same-sex marriages work

It Should be our Prayer & Goal the Laws Governing Marriage & Divorce be Consistent with Divine Revelation For those caught up in the sins of fornication, adultery, and homosexuality - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 “… the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, …, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 …will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 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.

In a world morally adrift, plunging deeper and deeper in sin, let Jesus be the way to light and truth… John 8:12 “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."