BAPTIST DOCTRINE BASED ON HISTORICAL BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES … III. CONCERNING THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE, WEDDING CEREMONY, CLOSED MARRIAGE, AND STATE MARRIAGE LICENSES AND MANKIND: Shiloh Baptist Church – Statement of Faith – Gwinn, Michigan
III. CONCERNING THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE, WEDDING CEREMONY, CLOSED MARRIAGE, AND STATE MARRIAGE LICENSES AND MANKIND: BY Shiloh Baptist Church – Statement of Faith – Gwinn, Michigan
THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE: We believe the Scriptures teach that God created man in His own image and after His own likeness; that man is notably distinct from all other forms of life, being tripartite in nature and having an everlasting soul; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms of life; that the entire Genesis account of creation is to be accepted literally and not allegorically or figuratively; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly and specially, and God’s established law is that they should bring forth only “after their kind.” We believe that, in regard to the procreation process of mankind, that the mystery of the church was hid in and revealed by marriage between one man and one woman that enter into the covenant of marriage that would be recognized by the scriptures. The mystery of the church is exemplified by the husband and wife relationship, illustrating that Christ is the groom and the church is the bride (Eph 5:30-33). Therefore, marriage is to be between one man and one woman and is to exemplify Christ and His church. It is for this reason that any other view or practice of marriage, other than as between one man and one woman, is incompatible with the scriptures and therefore incompatible with the requirements in regard to the membership of this (Shiloh Baptist Church) church body. If marriage is not between a man and a woman, we believe it is not recognized as marriage at all and is to be considered in violation of human nature, Laws of God, and the scriptures, and is to be considered sinful, vile and without natural affection.
WEDDING CEREMONY: We believe that the ceremony of a wedding that joins one man to one woman is an allegory of the marriage of Christ to his bride which is the local, visible and scriptural church (church as described in this statement of faith) of Jesus Christ. The groom represents Jesus Christ and the bride represents the visible church which is the bride of Christ. This ceremony in relation to this church body, property and policies is to represent and be in line with this doctrine “in holiness, purity and practice” that is, to be between one man and one woman that are members of Shiloh Baptist Church and are in good standing who share, believe and practice this visible truth.
CLOSED MARRIAGE: We believe that these doctrines and practices are and were given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. In regard to marriage and preserving the institution and doctrine of marriage, we believe that the ceremony of the solemnization of marriage belongs to this church body and its ordained ministers. We believe that this doctrinal practice is to be between members of this church body who believe that the bride is the local visible church body and the groom is Christ. We believe that this practice is our responsibility to preserve and protect. As communion is known as the Lord’s table, which is between Christ and His bride, the local visible church, is closed to the public and only open to its members, likewise, we believe the practice, ceremony and solemnization of marriage is closed to all but its membership as well. This practice shall be considered, known and called “Closed Marriage”.
STATE MARRIAGE LICENSES: We believe that marriage was the first institution that was given by God our creator to the first man and woman. Marriage is a gift from God and is considered a great mystery concerning Christ and his church. Marriage was in existence before any city, state, nation or government. Therefore we do not believe that it is necessary to secure a marriage license from the state or any other political entity or power in order for a man and woman to live together in the holy bonds of matrimony. We believe it would be a violation of the principle of separation of church and state for the government to impose its will upon us as a church body in regard to the solemnization or authority of a marriage that is practiced within the confines’ of our faith and practice. For marriage is from God, it is holy, it is honorable and God joins it together. Therefore, we believe and conclude that the appointment of authority comes from Christ and was given to his churches. Whatsoever is bound on earth by the church(es) is also recognized bound in heaven by God.
Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 1:18-32; Ephesians 5:30-33. John 3:27-30; Revelation 21:9; 2 Corinthians 11:12; Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 16:19,18:18, 25:1-13
1. Of the Fall of Man.
We believe the Scriptures teach that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression through an act of deliberate disobedience, fell from that sinless and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice, being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the Law of God, positively inclined to evil; that upon reaching a capability of moral action, becomes a transgressor and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin without defense or excuse.
Genesis 1:1,11,25-27,31; 2:21-23; Exodus 20:11; Acts 4:24; Colossians 1:16,17; Hebrews 11:3; John 1:3; Revelation 10:6; Romans 1:20; Acts 17:23-26; Jeremiah 10:12; Nehemiah 9:6; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Genesis 3:1-6,24; Romans 1:18,20,28,32; 3:10-19; 5:12,19; Ezekiel 18:19,20; Galatians 3:10,22; Psalm 51:6; Isaiah 53:6; Ephesians 2:3; Matthew 20:15.
2. Of Civil Government.
We believe the Scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good of human society; that all those in authority are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the revealed will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the rulers of the earth; that civil rulers have no rights to have control over, or interference with, religious matters; that churches and religious organizations should receive no help from the State, except protection and full freedom in the pursuit of spiritual ends; and that the requiring of an implicit faith and absolute blind obedience destroys liberty of conscience and reason.
Romans 13:1-7; I Peter 2:13,14,17; Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Timothy 2:1-8; Acts 5:29; Matthew 10:28; Daniel 3:15-18; 6:7,10; Acts 4:18-20; Matthew 23:10; Romans 14:4; Revelation 19:14; Psalm 72:11; II Samuel 23:3; Exodus 18:21,22; Acts 23:5; Philippians 2:10,11.
Copyright © 2018 Shiloh Baptist Church – Gwinn, Michigan downloaded by permission November 7, 2019 by Pastor Mac Wood Shiloh Baptist Church STATEMENT OF FAITH
http://shilohweb.org/statement-of-faith.htmlTATEMENT OF FAITH
Recent Comments