WHEREAS, the entirety of the biblical witness establishes that celibacy in singleness and sexual faithfulness in marriage is a central feature of the Christian sexual ethic; and,
WHEREAS, the Genesis account specifically denotes that the formation of a new household and subsequent sexual consummation of a monogamous relationship occurs only upon marriage, typified by the leaving of the parental household (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:5-6); and,
WHEREAS, the sin of fornication as a pattern of life is consistently treated in the Bible as evidence of a lack of conversion (Matt. 15:19; Rom. 6:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 1 Thess. 4:3; Heb 13:4); and,
WHEREAS, numerous sound Christian and secular polling outlets have demonstrated the precipitous rise of pre-marital cohabitation as a pattern in purportedly Christian relationships; and,
WHEREAS, Kentucky Baptists have in the past spoken clearly about matters of sexual ethics aimed at patterns both within our churches and looming large in the broader culture; and,
WHEREAS, the faithful shepherding of souls away from grave spiritual danger demands that Kentucky Baptist churches not neglect to speak clearly to those publicly engaged in unrepentant sin that leads to death (James 1:15; 1 Jn. 3:6); now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the messengers to the Kentucky Baptist Convention meeting in Paducah, KY on November 12, 2024 exhort the leadership of its cooperating churches to engage in a bold confrontation of this growing threat to our public witness and to the spiritual safety of those entrusted to our care (Matt. 5:13; 1 Pet. 5:2); and be it further
RESOLVED, that we implore our pastors to not merely address this issue deftly, gently, and forthrightly from the pulpit, but also to lead their churches in restorative conversations, pleading with the wayward to return to faithful, biblical Christianity (Jas. 5:20) by preaching the availability of forgiveness through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we call on the members of all Kentucky Baptist churches to support their church leadership as they seek to faithfully discharge their God-given responsibility to not neglect the full counsel of God’s word, extending even to the often-excruciating steps of restorative church discipline (Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5:9-13; Gal. 6:1; Titus 3:10); and be it finally
RESOLVED, that we reject any notion that setting forth this standard in any way dilutes the human flourishing or ultimate happiness of any human being, but rather that it brokers for humanity a manifold blessing through alignment to God’s creation order and his design for the benefit of all (John 10:10; 1 Jn. 5:3).