Statement on Gender and Marriage

Given the increasing confusion in recent years regarding gender and marriage in the country where we reside, and how many churches have aligned with secular societal trends, deviating from biblical teachings and causing serious confusion in the spiritual lives of believers, North Church, in order to uphold biblical truth and guide believers in holy living, hereby issues this statement on gender and marriage.

I. God created man in His own image, male and female, according to His glory and eternal purpose. Just as God has given each person a unique soul, God has also endowed each person, whether male or female, with a unique sex

II) In the beginning of creation, God established the divine institution of marriage between one man and one woman, a husband and wife, and the family relationship based on this union. In such a marital relationship, husband and wife become one, raise offspring, and are open to, respect, and are faithful to and serve each other, finding joy in this. Any sexual intimacy outside of the marital relationship is immoral. Promoting and practicing any other form of so-called marital union is contrary to God's design for marriage and will incur God's wrath, leading to disaster for the social structure and human civilization. (Genesis 2:20-25, Genesis 1:28, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

3) The Bible teaches that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Regardless of the sins committed, without seeking Christ's forgiveness and turning away from sin, it is inevitable to face God's righteous judgment. To hate and attack individuals who have committed any sin, or to praise, or even celebrate any act of sin forbidden by the Bible, are both contrary to biblical teachings and are what we firmly oppose. (Romans 3:23, John 8:11, 1 John 1:9)

(4) All church teachings, ceremonies, practices, and facilities related to gender and marriage shall be based on the principles above. We also sincerely hope and pray that governments at all levels, legislative bodies, and schools in the United States will uphold these principles, so that God may grant grace and bestow peace and prosperity upon all the land of America. (Joshua 23:14-16)