|
 |
QuestionsandAnswers
Got a question that you are having trouble getting answered? Submit your question and Pastor Randy will respond as best he can! It can be about anything: relationships, God, religions, etc. Email question >
| Q: |
Do homosexual Christians go to heaven? |
| A: |
Paul writes, in 1 Corinthians 6:19
"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?"
A question we need to ask ourselves is, “Do I belong to Christ or not?” Your body is his temple, here on earth.
We live in a world today where absolute values are hard to find; the message we hear is “everything is relative; there is no right or wrong.” Many people try to make the Bible line up with their choices, rather than aligning their choices with the Bible. When we do it often reaps confusion, guilt, and pain in our lives.
Science: (There is some much science information on this subject-- this is just a small glimpse)
Time and time again, scientists have claimed that particular genes or chromosomal regions are associated with behavioral traits, only to withdraw their findings when they were not replicated. "Unfortunately," says Yale's [Dr. Joel] Gelernter, "it's hard to come up with many" findings linking specific genes to complex human behaviors that have been replicated. "...All were announced with great fanfare; all were greeted unskeptically in the popular press; all are now in disrepute."(loss or discreditable)
Genetics researchers from Yale, Columbia and Louisiana State, and Pennsylvania State Universities noted that:
Results (of data found)(homosexual gene) are not consistent with any genetic model....and data found can only be compatible with a range of...hypotheses
Truth is that, almost all of the homosexuals and lesbians become so not because of genetics, but because of the influences of others or past negative experiences (abusive, no father etc…) : http://www.stonewallrevisited.com/
Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality (I may add any sexual immorality) is a sin against your own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18
I believe the Bible calls homosexuality a sin and any sin that becomes a “lifestyle” or becomes habitual, severs a personal relationship with God. We are choosing to go against God’s Word.
Yes, I think homosexuality is a sin but so is having sex outside of God’s design, so is cheating, lying, gossip and the list goes on.
Do I think God views homosexuality any greater of a sin than those listed above? No, but here are a few things I think God does say about it. (Taken from www.stonewallrevisited.com)
A Summary of Scripture's Comprehensive View of Homosexuality
We can summarize a comprehensive Scripture view of homosexuality in this way:
(1) Both Old and New Testaments clearly declare homosexual acts and "lusts" sinful, "unnatural" and among a number of sins that tend to provoke God's anger and bring His judgment on individuals and societies.
(2) No Scripture references even hint at the notion that homosexuality is "natural" or innate; homosexuality is regarded as an offense that can be forsaken and repented of. (Scripture may never call homosexuality "natural" simply because the idea that homosexuality or homosexual relationships might be "natural" never entered the authors' minds.)
(3) Scripture doesn't consider homosexuality the worst of sins, nor does the Bible hold homosexuality up for extraordinary censure; Scripture regards homosexuality, along with and often in connection with a host of other sins, as an abridgment of God's law.
(4) The Bible clearly indicates that homosexuality, though a sin, can be and has been forgiven by God, and homosexuals can be cleansed and transformed as persons through the power of an indwelling Christ.
(5) Comprehensively viewed, Scripture offers no evidence that should lead us to believe that any of many close, same-gender personal relationships it describes were sexual in nature.
I want to look at one more point tonight regarding this:
three New Testament passages speak directly to the subject of homosexual behavior (together with other kinds of sexual immorality and sin): Romans 1:18-32; 1 Timothy 1:8-11; and 1 Corinthians 6:9-20.
I am just going to point out one tonight for the sake of time.
“Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
I pick this scripture because it gives hope In this passage, Paul strikes a few positive notes… “some of you were once like that… In other words, among Paul's Corinthian readers (Corinth was known to be a "wide open" town sexually in his day) were some who had at one time been homosexuals -- but were not gay any more! What were they? In earlier verses of 1 Corinthians, Paul describes his readers as "saints" (people "set apart," vs. 1:2), "babes in Christ" (vs. 3:1), "newborn," new creations saved by God's power (vs. 1:18). So that means that homosexuality is something that can be changed—it’s a choice just like any other sin.
As believers in Christ we are to love people; the church should be a place where people can feel loved and get help. In reality we are all sinners and God is big enough to go around. We need to love the sinner and
hate the sin.
1 Peter 4:8 says
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
So if you are struggling with a sexual sin, you are not alone, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”( Romans23) but “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”(1 John 1:9) “And I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”(Phil 4:13)
Other Verses of interest:
22 “Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin.
Leviticus 18:22 (New Living Translation)
22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. Leviticus 18:22 (New King James Version)
|
| |
| Q: |
Is Catholic the same as Christian? |
| A: |
***I will address some of the differences but understand this it’s not the title of your religion it’s the relationship you have with Christ that makes you a Christian and gives you an invite into Heaven
•Since the beginning the Catholic church has been widely accepted
•The are 250 million more Roman Catholics than Protestants
•The Catholic church is a powerful force in the world today
-Catholics believe the basic Christian things like Jesus was God’s son and he was God and he came to save us from our sins
-Catholics believe in the same God, Son (Jesus), and the Holy spirit that other Christian churches do.
Here are some beliefs that differ from Protestant beliefs:
1: Peter was the first Pope
From the first sermon (acts 2) The church was born
18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid[ on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” - Matthew 16:19 Matthew 16:18-19
>>I disagree. Jesus was affirming him as a leader
2. The theocratic organization of the church determines what doctrine will be taught and practiced
>>the truth is that the church has no authority at all but gets all it’s directives from the Bible alone.
3. The Bible is one of many sources of religious authority
>>Bible is the only authority
4. Only Popes, Bishops, and Priests can correctly interpret the Bible
>> Anyone can interpret the Bible depending on the time they spend reading it.
5 Mary is said to be perfectly sinless all of her life and that she is said to have always been a Virgin and seen just a little lower than Christ but higher than anyone else (term Mary Worship)
>>Mary was a sinner but a servant and was part of God’s plan
>>God doesn’t love or see Mary in any higher light than you or me
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...
Matthew 13:55-56 (New Living Translation) Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph,[a] Simon, and Judas. 56 All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?”
6. It is believed by the power of the Holy Spirit, that Holy Communion, the bread and the wine sacrament are made more than signs but actually the risen body and blood.
(meaning that Christ’s body is sacrificed day after day for the sins of people living and dead)
>>27 Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. Hebrews 7:27 (Hebrews 9:12, 10:10, 11-14)
>>I agree that we are to observe communion in remembrance of Christ and what he has done – if sacrifice for sins has to be re- presented to God daily, then it is the same as Jesus being sacrificed multiple times and that isn’t biblical (Hebrews 7)
7. The Catholic belief does not agree that Jesus’ death on the cross was full and complete payment for sins; that God does not fully forgive a person unless that person in some way pays or suffers for his or her own sins.
>>(Acts 15:9 NIV) He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. (you can’t earn or work your way to Heaven)
>>(Acts 2:21 NIV) And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
>>(Acts 16:30-31 NIV) He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" {31} they replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-- you and your household."
>>(Romans 10:9-13) That if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. {11} As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-- the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, {13} for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
8 The Catholics believe in Purgatory or “Limbo” – where people can work off the unforgiving sins by suffering but can still have the chance to get to heaven; or the prayers of many can pray them into Heaven.
>>I do not believe this to be true
Hebrews 9:27 “Just as a man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment ( you only time to make that decision is while you are alive.)
>>Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
So what happens to people when they die? That’s a good question?
Luke 16:19-31
Religion is just a term. I don’t like to be classified as a religious person. Because it brings up the matter of rules and regulations to follow. It’s all about relationship, a relationship with Christ Jesus. Love the lord your God with all you heart mind and soul and Love your neighbor as yourself. Live your life to please God and you can’t go wrong. The more you know God the more your life will change to please him. Do I agree with all the Catholic traditions and beliefs? No. Do I believe that Catholics will be in Heaven? Some, but not because they call themselves Catholics, but because they have accepted Jesus as their savior and Lord. The same is true for Protestants.
It is good to know the basics of other religions, so I encourage you to investigate and to continue to “Question Everything”
|
| |
|
|
More Questions:
Do homosexual Christians go to heaven? >
Is Catholic the same as Christian? >
Why does God let (bad things) things like people getting raped happen? >
How do I talk to my friend about God...she is a buddhist and was brought up that way... >
Can you lose your salvation, or is it "once saved, always saved?" >
|
|
|
|