Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT Official documents relating to sexuality

compiled by Rod Benson, 23 August 2004

Statement on Divorce and Remarriage as adopted at the 1983 Assembly

A. Marriage

(i) Marriage, according to the biblical pattern, is a lifelong and exclusive commitment between a man and a woman, instituted by God for the benefit and enrichment of mankind, and calling for mutual love, faithfulness and understanding.

(ii) It is a Christian responsibility, incumbent upon individuals, churches and this Union, to give high priority to all reasonable means of promoting and strengthening truly Christian marriage and healthy family life (such as biblical instruction, counselling and Marriage Enrichment programmes).

B. Broken marriage

(iii) It is also our responsibility to oppose all practices and attitudes which threaten this biblical view of marriage, especially but by no means only the ready resort to divorce which is now prevalent in our society.

(iv) That the sundering of a marriage relationship is sin, in that, it represents a departure from God’s ideal for marriage but, with true repentance concerning the conduct which has surrendered the marriage, neither the breakdown of the marriage nor a subsequent divorce is beyond the reach of God’s forgiveness.

(v) Christians should act in acc6rd with the mind of Christ, both by refraining from any conduct likely to endanger a marriage and by showing compassion and understanding to those involved in marriage breakdown and also by doing all that is meaningful towards forgiveness and restoration.

C. The ordained ministry, and other Christian leaders

(vi) Those who serve as leaders in our churches, especially but not only those ordained to the ministry of the Word and listed as accredited ministers of the Union, must be of exemplary Christian character. In particular, their marital standing should be consistent with such character.

(vii) It is the duty of the responsible office bearers of this Union and of member churches to uphold these standards, but also to act toward those leaders who depart from such standards with Christlike love.

(viii) The Committee for the Ministry to seek evidence of exemplary Christian character in all applicants, seeking to apply the principles found in Scripture faithfully and sensitively. This will include, but not be limited to, a consideration of the applicant’s past and present marital standing.

(ix) Neither divorce (with or without remarriage) nor marriage to a divorced person will be treated as an automatic bar to either ordination or accreditation, but as a serious matter demanding especially careful consideration, such care being exercised alike toward the welfare of the churches and the rights of the applicant. It is recognised that ultimately it is the local church which makes its own decision about calling people to the pastorate or other leadership roles and determines whether involvement in divorce prevents such a call.

(x) In the case of Accredited Ministers, the Executive Committee should act through a small group of appropriate appointees which will include women, to investigate any instance where an Accredited Minister is alleged to have been guilty of conduct plainly inconsistent with the biblical pattern of leadership. If, and only if, such investigation leads the Executive Committee (General Council) to hold a Minister to be guilty of seriously reprehensible conduct, whether this conduct involves divorce or be of any other kind, action will be taken under the provision of By-Laws 16(c)

and (v).

Some Scripture references

A. Concerning marriage

Genesis 1:26-28; 2:18-24; Leviticus 18:6-18; Deuteronomy 22:13-30; Proverbs 31:10-31; Malachi 2:14-15; Matthew 19:10-12; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 6:15-20; 7:1-9; 36-38; Ephesians 5:21-33; Colossians 3:18-21; Titus 2:4-5; 1 Peter 3:1-7.

B. Concerning divorce

Leviticus 20:10; 21:7, 14; 22:13; Deuteronomy 7:3; 22:19, 13-21; 22:29; 24:1-4; Ezra 10:3, 19, 44; Jeremiah 3:1; Ezekiel 44:22; Hosea 1-3; Malachi 2:16; Matthew 1:19; 5:31-32; 19:3-12; Mark 10:2-9; Luke 16:18; 1 Corinthians 7:10-16.

C. Other passages of possible relevance

2 Samuel 11:1-12:25; Matthew 5:27-28; John 8:1-11; 1 Timothy 3:2, 12. [1]

Family principles and patterns

That Assembly adopt the “Statement on the Family” of the New South Wales Churches appearing at Appendix F (Page 73 Annual Reports [White Book]).[2]

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APPENDIX F: NSW Council of Churches “Statement on the family”

We believe and affirm that:

The Bible speaks of the principles and patterns of relationships which underlie and guide family life, rather than defining the term ‘family.’

For Christians, the primary foundation of family life is marriage, as taught in the Bible, … a man and woman covenant to live together in a life-long relationship of love, fidelity, companionship, and devotion to each other. As the Christian view of marriage is still enshrined in Australian law, i.e. “… the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life,” we as Christians should support the retention of this definition.

While we accept the above as foundational, the Bible also provided other models of people living in family relationships. We note the following by way of example. Jesus refers to his disciples as his family (Mark 3:35); Paul’s relationship with Silas, Barnabas, and Timothy, whom he refers to as his son (1 Tim.1:2). The generational family of Lois (2 Tim. 1:4-5) and others (1 Tim 5:4); the single person family of Lydia (Acts 16:15).

As Christians we seek to proclaim in word and deed the many benefits of living according to God’s perfect pattern as that which has been revealed to us in Jesus Christ

We stand with all people and celebrate the many opportunities as communities and individuals to express recognition, encouragement, acceptance, love, care and support of families for whom life stage issues and external pressures are very real.

We as Churches have a healing, supporting role to play as God’s family, providing communities of forgiveness, love and acceptance.

We also celebrate and proclaim the greater family made possible through the gift of Jesus through whom, by repentance and faith, we are able to call God “Father” and thus, through whom we may all – from whatever background and circumstance – become one family.[3]

Anti-discrimination legislation

In consultation with the Social Issues Committee, the Executive Committee made a response to Discussion Paper No 30 issued by the NSW Law Reform Commission as part of the Review of the Anti-Discrimination Act, 1977. The submission states (inter alia) that:

 · Recognition at law of different social interrelationships escalates their acceptance in the community and their multiplication in society;

 · We are opposed to the equating of heterosexual marriage with homosexual unions;

 · We are committed to the continuation of the present situation which protects the autonomy of religious bodies in the appointing and training of personnel;

 · We strongly oppose the inclusion of discrimination on the ground of religion as a ground for discrimination.[4]

Homosexual Mardi Gras

The General Council of the Baptist Churches of New South Wales wishes to express its dismay and disgust that acts of lewdness and obscenity are openly practised in contravention of the summary offences act, as part of the Homosexual Mardi Gras procession.

These acts offend the moral sensitivity of vast numbers of people in our State and we ask that the existing laws be enforced for those taking part in the procession as it would be for any other citizens. Such laws are for the protection of our community and should be applied without fear or favour.[5]

Homosexual and Lesbian Mardi Gras

General Council resolved to “express its disgust at the indecent, blasphemous and obscene acts which are part of the Homosexual and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. These acts offend the moral sensitivity of vast numbers of people in our State and we ask that the existing law be enforced for those taking part in the procession as it would be for any other citizens. We therefore declare that due to the blatant contravention of the Summary Offences Act, permission to hold future Mardi Gras be withdrawn on the grounds that the organisers have forfeited their right to public assembly.”

These resolutions were communicated to the Premier who referred the matter to the Minister for Police.

Because of consistent flouting of the regulations, a request for a review of the march permit has been made. This request is in conjunction with the New South Wales Council of Churches of which the Baptist Union is a constituent member.[6]

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[1] Handbook 1986, 81-83.

[2] “A digest of the 127th Annual Assembly” [1995], Handbook 1996, 42.

[3] Annual Reports 1995, 73.

[4] “Executive Committee Report 1994-1995,” Annual Reports 1995, 21-22.

[5] Annual Reports 1989, 22.

[6] Annual Reports 1990, 16-18.