JUSTIN WELBY ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY: THE BIBLE AND HOMOSEXUALITY

In his speech Justin Welby, soon to be the new Archbishop of Canterbury, said that he hopes to be defined as: “someone who loves and follows Jesus Christ.” There came a challenge from Nigerian Bishop Oluwoli Odubogun who reiterated that the African church are orthodox and very much against same sex marriage saying that: “Marriage is between man and woman.” Bishop Odubogun also accused the western church of rewriting the scriptures - how true that is. The Bishop has previously stated:"Homosexual behaviour is deviant, unbiblical, un-Christian and unnatural." There are approximately 80 million Anglicans in the world, the African church having the highest percentage - it is good that they have people like Bishop Odubogun who are a force to be reckoned with.

Whilst Welby supports the Church of England’s opposition to same-sex marriage, in his speech he affirmed his support for civil partnerships and said that he would“prayerfully and carefully” reassess his own traditional line on the issue. Welby: "I also know I need to listen very attentively to the LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender] communities and examine my own thinking carefully and prayerfully," he said. "I am always averse to the language of exclusion, where what we are called to is to love in the same way that Jesus Christ loves us. Above all, in the church we need to create safe spaces for these issues to be discussed in honesty and in love." Apparently he might reconsider whether or not to offer formal blessing services for same-sex couples as a compromise. Since the scriptures are very clear, what is there to pray about and to reassess? If you support civil partnerships and have to find ways of compromising the scriptures, then you are not a follower of Jesus Christ at all – this is double talk. You can’t have it both ways, if you claim to love and follow the Lord Jesus Christ you must obey his commandments (John 14/15). Welby's definition of ‘love’ seems to be the issue here.

I should explain my own position. I am not against homosexual people, but I am against homosexuality which is defined as sin in the Bible – these are not my words they are God’s words. This is no time to be weak and cave in under the pressure and hostility of political correctness etc. It would be far easier for people like me to go with the flow and say nothing for a quiet life – but that would not be love. If I see someone racing towards disaster and do not warn them because I do not want to offend them, that is not love - it is weakness; it is to rob them of any chance they might have of being saved. The message of Jesus Christ is the costly message of true love, it is not a cheap counterfeit. As the apostle Paul said: Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? (Galatians 4/16)

The Bible clearly says that those who practice these things will perish; they will not be saved; they will be lost, they will go to hell - but this is not God’s will: not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3/9) God is impartial, He loves everyone to the same overwhelming degree. Jesus Christ shed his blood potentially for every single person, but the proviso is that they repent and believe the gospel. The LGBT community are precious, God loves them - but those ‘watchmen’ who have not warned about this sinful lifestyle will be held accountable for their blood: So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. (Ezekiel 33/7-9)

Matthew Henry put it very well when he said that a prophet’s business is to warn sinners of their impending misery and danger.” If souls perish through his neglect of duty, he brings guilt upon himself. See what those have to answer for, who make excuses for sin, flatter sinners, and encourage them to believe they shall have peace…...”

And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? (1 Corinthians 14/8.)

FALSE PROPHETS

The Bible warns about false prophets - they are wolves in sheep’s clothing who inwardly are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7/16). The test for those who fit this description was given by Jesus Christ who said we would know them by their ‘fruits’ meaning their deeds. One indication of this is those who teach incorrect doctrines which are unbiblical; it is also indicated by their way of life which is not in line with the Bible. They are universalists who have a pleasant plausible exterior in order to convince their hearers that the gate is not narrow or hard (Matthew 7/14). The Apostle Paul said: As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1/9; see also 2 Corinthians 11/4) What can be said about Welby in this respect is that his doctrine is not Biblical since he supports civil partnerships.

This is what the Bible says about homosexuality:

·You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. Leviticus 18/22

·If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death; their blood is upon them. (Leviticus 20/13)

·For this reason God gave them up to degrading passions. Their women exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural, and in the same way also the men, giving up natural intercourse with women, were consumed with passion for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the due penalty for their error. (Romans 1/26-27)

·Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, (1 Corinthians 6/9)

·This means understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, fornicators, sodomites, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching (1 Timothy 1/9-10)

·Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural lust (perversion), serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 1/7)

·…… they called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, so that we may know (be intimate with) them. "Lot went out of the door to the men, shut the door after him, and said, "I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly.(Genesis 19/5-7)

The judgement of God is about to fall, and those who are perishing are not receiving truth from those who should be desperately warning with tears and dire concern. It is only a matter of time before legislation comes to prevent this vital message getting out. Jesus Christ said: We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. (John 9/4).

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3/16)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/nov/09/justin-welby-synod-ordain-women

http://www.charismamag.com/blogs/fire-in-my-bones/7025-the-re-definition-of-marriage-a-view-from-africa

Dear Reader – Do you have questions about Jesus Christ and how to be truly saved? If so, then please read my post: GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/gods-plan-of-salvation-through-jesus.html