Since the meeting of all the Archbishops in the Anglican Communion recently, many comments have been made in the press and other publications. A lot have been emotional and critical, often hostile, indicating that some of the people making them were unaware of what the meeting was called for; others were just hostile to the Church, and the majority appeared to have come from people who are not regular Church members. In the latter case, this somewhat negates their credibility.

An impression has been created that the Church is carrying out some crusade against people in the LGBT community, which it is not. A person’s sexuality is a personal matter and the Church is accepting such. It is correct that the traditional teaching is and always has been that same sex relationships are against the teaching of Scripture, and the Church condemns any violence or persecution.

The most deplorable, incorrect, and outrageous statement came from the Bishop of Buckingham. He stated in a radio interview that, ‘if you went into a local Church in England you go into one which is probably be very much more like one in America than one in Uganda or Nigeria where you will find love, tolerance and acceptance and find you are received as an equal’. The clear implication is that the African Churches will not offer love tolerance and acceptance and equality. So it is all right to be racist, but not right to criticise apostasy.

He also stated the concerns of the LGBT people were ignored and not considered which was untrue. The statement issued after the meeting contained the following;’ The Primates condemned homophobic prejudice and violence and resolved to work together to offer pastoral care and loving service irrespective of sexual orientation. This conviction arises out of our discipleship of Jesus Christ. The Primates reaffirmed their rejection of criminal sanctions against same-sex attracted people.
Sexuality however was not the issue. Marriage is defined in the Bible, which is the authority by which the Church is (supposed) to follow, and it is clearly and always defined as being between a man and a woman; society has recognised this since creation.

A law was created to give those who wish to engage in same sex unions, (Civil Unions) which gave all the legal provisions enjoyed by married couples. This was a special provision motivated by a vociferous minority lobby, yet denied to heterosexual couples. So, when anyone alleges discrimination against homosexuals, here is a response.

In recent times only, marriage has been re-defined by the two leaders of the Western world, neither now commanding much credibility, in a personal crusade to be popular and attract votes.

The agenda for the Archbishops’ meeting was clearly set out—‘to discuss an important point of contention among Anglicans worldwide: the recent change to the doctrine of marriage by The Episcopal Church in the USA. The traditional doctrine of the church in view of the teaching of Scripture, upholds marriage as between a man and a woman in faithful, lifelong union. The majority of those gathered reaffirm this teaching.’
The Archbishops from the African and Eastern Churches were objecting to the Episcopal Church in the United States performing same sex (so called) marriage. Those (conservative) leaders are a global family of authentic Anglicans standing together to retain and restore the Bible to the heart of the Anglican Communion; to guard the unchanging, transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to proclaim Him to the world.
Moral compromise, doctrinal error and the collapse of biblical witness in parts of the Anglican communion had reached such a level that the leaders of the majority of the world’s Anglicans felt it was necessary to take a united stand for truth.

Whilst the Church in Western countries is more ready to adopt the ways of the world rather than the teaching of the Bible, we see the consequences where the Biblical Churches are blessed by God and are growing massively, the Western |Churches are falling apart.

The problem is that many in the Western Churches do not truly believe the Bible nor accept it as the Word of God. At Ordination we are called as Ministers of the Church to fully accept the teaching of the Scriptures. Now there is too great a desire to pick/n mix; to accept those passages which do not interfere too much on your private life, and cast out those which make you realise you are sinning.

A favourite line taken by many people is that the Bible was written by men; a rather vacuous remark, since the writers clearly identify themselves. But a true believer readily believes God inspired and guided the writer. The fact that the Bible is so interlinked despite being written by 40 writers over many years yet never contradicts itself in a way the most sophisticated computer could not do, is enough to satisfy most people. I realise it condemns the way a minority of the population wish to live, and others try to justify, but you cannot play around with the Bible.

It is ironical that many people who doubt the Bible’s authenticity, still talk and even write about God and Jesus, without acknowledging we would not know God or Jesus, if we didn’t have the Bible to tell us.

Many nations, especially in the West, built their legal systems and set their standards values and ways of life by the Bible, and a great Christian heritage was given. Let us give thanks that God still makes Himself known through His trusted servants.
The Bible is all about salvation, which has been offered to us by God through the atoning death of Jesus on the Cross for our forgiveness.

Every person has to decide personally whether they follow the Biblical standard or go their own way; God has given us all free will. Jesus told repeatedly there are two ways for us to spend eternity, either in heaven with Him, or alternatively in hell, by which is meant any place where Jesus is not present.

The choice is yours.

May God bless you. Be in Church on Sunday(s)