[Linux4christians] OOT: My stand on Gay/Lesbian

[Billy F. Staggs]

  On 9/28/2010 9:33 AM, David Kuntadi wrote:
> On Tue, Sep 28, 2010 at 9:28 PM, Billy F. Staggs<bstaggs at staggs.net>  wrote:
>> On 9/28/2010 8:19 AM, David Kuntadi wrote:
>> God gave mankind the gift of sexual relations to be shared only between a
>> husband and a wife and within that context it is to be enjoyed.
> Then why Jesus is not married? Paul is not married, and even now Pope
> and catholic pastors are not married?
>
What about Peter?

Matthew 8:14 (KJV) And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw 
his *wife's mother* laid, and sick of a fever.


Paul certainly was not against married men from holding offices within 
the Church.

1 Timothy 3:1--4 (KJV) This is a true saying, If a man desire the office 
of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, 
the *husband of one wife*, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to 
hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of 
filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth 
well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

1 Timothy 3:12 (KJV) Let the deacons be the *husbands of one wife*, 
ruling their children and their own houses well.

Titus 1:5--9 (KJV) For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou 
shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in 
every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the *husband 
of one wife*, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, 
not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy 
lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, 
holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, 
that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the 
gainsayers.


1 Corinthians 9:3--5 (KJV) Mine answer to them that do examine me is 
this, Have we not power to eat and to drink? Have we not power to lead 
about a sister, *a wife*, as well as other apostles, and as *the 
brethren of the Lord, and Cephas*?



I am not Catholic and therefore I can not address their practices, other 
than to say, from the outside looking in it would "appear" that some of 
these requirements have caused undo suffering lately.



> And you have not commented on below scripture:
>

No I did no believe it was necessary considering the Scripture I have 
already offered, but apparently I wrongly assumed.

Let's deal with the quotation from Matthew, but we must first set the 
"context":

Matthew 19:3 (KJV) The Pharisees also came unto him, *tempting him*, and 
saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for *every 
cause*?


The Pharisees are "tempting him" in a misguided attempt to twist the 
Scriptures out of context to meet their own desires.  But as always, the 
Lord is able to turn the tables on them and teach us something while 
doing it.

Matthew 19:4--6 (KJV) And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not 
read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and 
female, And said, *For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, 
and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh*? 
Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath 
joined together, let not man put asunder.


Clearly the Lord is reaffirming the sanctity and scope of marriage.  The 
Pharisees ever looking for a loophole, remind the Lord that the law 
allowed for divorce.

Matthew 19:8--9 (KJV) He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness 
of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the 
beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away 
his wife, *except it be for fornication*, and shall marry another, 
committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth 
commit adultery.


Again the Lord reaffirms the magnitude of marriage and the consequences 
for trying to pervert what God intended.  So with the weight of His 
answer heavy on the minds they conclude that perhaps marriage is not 
worth the risk.

Matthew 19:10--12 (KJV) His disciples say unto him, If the case of the 
man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. But he said unto them, 
*All men cannot receive this saying*, save they to whom it is given. For 
there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and 
there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be 
eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs *for the kingdom of heaven's 
sake*. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

The disciples point blank ask Him "if ...  it is not good to marry" and 
He dose not confirm their inquiry and considering His previous 
statements it would be unnecessary as He has already given His Blessing 
to the union between man and woman.  He does however introduce a new 
state of being into the conversation.  Some eunuchs are created by man, 
meaning they did not choice to be celibate but rather were emasculated 
and the choice was made for them.  But still others were ordain by God 
to be total dedicated to His Calling and Work and therefore it would be 
more expedient for them to not be burdened by the responsibility of a 
spouse and family.  Paul also states this:

1 Corinthians 7:1--9 (KJV) Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote 
unto me: *It is good for a man not to touch a woman.** **Nevertheless, 
to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every 
woman have her own husband*. Let the husband render unto the wife due 
benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath 
not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the 
husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one 
the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give 
yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan 
tempt you not for your incontinency. *But I speak this by permission, 
and not of commandment*. For I would that all men were even as I myself. 
But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and 
another after that. I say therefore *to the unmarried and widows*, It is 
good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let 
them marry: *for it is better to marry than to burn*.


To be celibate would obviously be an advantage in some Callings, but not 
at the expense of lusting and it certiainly not required for all 
clurgy.  That is what I believe is being taught here.



>> Mat 19:12  For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their
>> mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of
>> men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the
>> kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him
>> receive it.
>> 1Co 7:1  Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is
>> good for a man not to touch a woman.
> DK
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