Introduction
Realizing that the church of Jesus Christ has always been under the attack of Satan and the evil, vain philosophies of the world, and that such will be the case until Christ returns to judge sin, Calvary Bible Church takes a stand upon the following moral issues (we do not believe these to be merely social issues, but important moral issues which are addressed in the Word of God):
Civil Government
The Ten Commandments
Sexual Sin
Humanism
Feminism
Abortion
Euthanasia
Capital Punishment
Divorce
Separation from Worldliness
Secret Oath-Bound Societies
Civil Government
We believe that civil government is ordained of God for the punishment of evil doers and for the protection of the good (Rom. 13:1-7
). We therefore consider it our duty to pray for rulers and magistrates (I Tim. 2:1-3) and to be submissive to their authority, except in things opposed to the will of God (Tit. 3:1; I Pet. 2:13-14; Acts 4:19, 5:29; Matt. 23:10).
The Ten Commandments
We believe that the principles found in the Ten Commandments, though given specifically to the nation of Israel (Exod. 20:1-2), were intended to transcend all time and are therefore morally binding upon believers today. They are a reflection of God’s holy character and since God cannot change (Mal. 3:6), the principles contained therein are perpetual. The law of God is holy, just, and good (Rom. 7:7-14).
Sexual Sin
Calvary Bible Church stands against all sexual sin, such as adultery, fornication (including pre-marital sex, members of the opposite sex living together prior to marriage, and pornography of all kinds and in all forms), prostitution, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality (Lev. 18; Mark 7:20-23; Rom. 1:26-27), and polygamy (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6) believing that all are opposed to the true gospel as set forth in the Scriptures (I Cor. 6:9-10). We readily acknowledge that it is the responsibility of the church of Jesus Christ to witness to those who are entangled in such sins, knowing that only Jesus Christ can forgive all sins, and through the power of his Spirit, set such ones free (I Cor. 6:11).
Humanism
Calvary Bible Church stands against humanism, which in essence teaches that man is the center of the Universe (II Tim. 3:1-5; Rom. 12:1-2) and rejects the true God of the Scriptures as the Creator and only Redeemer of the world.
Feminism
While the female gender was created in the image of God to the same degree as the male gender (Gen. 1:26-27), and while the female gender is to be loved and treated with complete respect and dignity (I Tim 5:1-2; I Pet. 3:7); and while in God’s eyes the female gender is equal to the male gender, we recognize that God intended there to be a difference in function between the two sexes. Women were created in a position of subordination to man, this being evident by: the fact that she was created to be his helper (Gen. 2:18); the order of creation, the man being created first (I Tim 2:13); and the fact that Adam named her (Gen. 2:19-23). Further, because Eve was deceived directly by Satan in the Garden of Eden (I Tim. 2:14), God placed the female gender in a position of subordination in the home and the church. We therefore, as a church, stand opposed to all philosophies, organizations, and movements which resist the Biblical teaching concerning the proper role of women and that teach women to be independent of men.
Abortion
God’s Word is plain that human life begins at conception (Gen. 25:22; Job 10:18, 31:15; Ps. 51:5, 58:3, 139:13-16; Isa. 44:2, 44:24; Jer. 1:5; Eccl. 11:5; Luke 1:41, 44), and that abortion for any and every reason, including rape, incest, medical reasons, birth control, or simply the choice of the woman, is murder (Exod. 21:22-23). Those who do take such innocent lives will perish in hell unless they repent and turn to Christ for forgiveness and cleansing of sin (Rom. 1:29-32). We do not believe that it is at all possible for anyone to be a true believer who believes in, practices or supports abortion. Only God has the right to take life except in those circumstance where he has clearly granted human government the right to bear the sword (Rom. 13:1-7).
Euthanasia
We stand equally opposed to active euthanasia. God is the giver and taker of life and man has no right to decide when he himself or another is supposed to die (Exod. 20:13; Job 1:21). The only exceptions to the forbidden sin of murder are self-defense, war, and judicial execution, all of which are related to self-preservation.
Capital Punishment
God has given the right to human government to take a man’s life, especially as vengeance upon the act of murder (Gen. 9:1-6; Rom. 13:1-7). Every precaution must be exercised to insure that only the guilty are so punished.
Divorce
We recognize the sanctity of marriage realizing that God instituted it for the happiness and welfare of mankind (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:1-9; Heb. 13:4). Therefore, we stand opposed to divorce. Divorce is the dissolution of a divinely instituted bond and a breaking of the covenant established by marriage (Mal. 2:13-16). We look with disfavor upon the practice of divorce for any reason whatsoever and we believe that the only scriptural grounds for divorce are immorality and desertion. Even when either of these grounds are present, we believe that if at all possible, the marriage should remain intact and forgiveness be exercised. Due to the grace of God, those who have been divorced and those who have married divorced persons, if they give evidence of repentance and continuance in Christian grace on their part, and forgiveness on God’s part, may be received into church membership and do not forfeit the privilege to be used in Christian service within the church (I Cor. 6:9-11; II Cor. 2:5-11).