Abortion
Mankind was created in the image of God, formed by God and given life by God. Life after Adam and Eve begins in the womb and at conception. Each human being ever conceived was known by God before their formation in the womb. Children are a gift, a reward, and a blessing from the Lord and the life of an unborn child should not be taken through abortion. While situations that endanger the life of the mother are troubling, the rights of a mother do not supersede the rights of an unborn child. Social responsibility is for the rights of the unborn child.
Biblical support: Gen 1:27; Gen 2:7; Ex 20:13; Ex 21:22-24; Job 31:15; Ps 127:3-5; Ps 139:13-16; Jer 1:5; Luke 18:16; Acts 17:25; 1 Tim 5:4.
Gender Issues
Mankind was created in God’s image, but that image was corrupted through original sin. The believer’s identity is found in Christ through redemption and the salvation offered by Christ’s death on the cross. The believer is a new creation, no longer living for his or herself, but for Christ. Humans were created as sexual beings and marriage is the proper context for fulfilling sexual desire. Sex in marriage is a gift from God to be enjoyed between a husband and his wife. God’s design of marriage includes gender roles: the husband is the spiritual leader in the household and the wife is to submit to his godly leadership. Both are equal partners, who, together form the complete image of God. Homosexuality activity is unnatural according to God’s design and is defined by the sex of an individual at birth. Transgender or transsexual operations do not alter God’s intended creation.
Biblical support: Gen 1:27; Rom 1:26-27; Lev 18:22; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Heb 13:4; Eph 5:21-24; Eph 5:25-28; 2 Cor 5:17; Gal 2:20.
Human Dignity
Mankind was created in the image of God and every life has dignity and value before God. In the image of God, every person of every race is equal from God’s point of view, the Lord does not show favoritism. God desires everyone to come to repentance. Human dignity demands that God’s children care for the poor, the destitute, the widows, the orphans, those in prison, and anyone in need. The strong must take up the burdens of the weak so that the weak might be lifted up for God’s glory. The Lord will punish those who participate in human trafficking for he desires our sanctification and that everyone learns to control their bodies in ways that are holy and honorable.
Biblical support: Gen 1:27; Acts 10:34-35; 2 Pet 3:9; 1 Thess 4:3-7; James 1:27; Rom 15:1-2; Zech 7:10; Prov 22:16; Luke 12:7.
Marriage
Marriage is a covenant relationship between God and the one-flesh unity of one man and one woman, created in the image of God. It is an earthly example of the relationship that exists between Christ and His church. The purpose of marriage is two-fold: first, to complete the image of God in man, and second, for the purpose of procreation. Through the marriage covenant, a man and a woman are united in love as one flesh. The marriage bed must be kept pure. The husband is to his wife what Christ is to the church. He is to love her as his own body because through the marriage covenant, they are, in fact, one flesh.
Biblical support: Gen 1:27-28; Gen 2:24; Song of 8:6-7; Matt 19:4-6; Eph 4:2-3; Eph 5:25-33; Heb 13:4; 1 Tim 3:2.