Should Apostolics Attend a Gay Wedding? | Episode 5
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- Опубликовано: 19 авг 2024
- How should Apostolic believers respond when a close family member announces that they identify as a homosexual? Should Christians attend a gay marriage ceremony? Where do believers draw a line between showing love and standing for Biblical values?
Dr. David K. Bernard addresses these increasingly common questions and explains how Apostolic Pentecostals can demonstrate God's love to others while standing for biblical truth.
You can download the audio version of this episode on your favorite podcasting platform, including Apple, Pandora, Spotify, and Stitcher.
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This is a true issue facing Apostolics in this time. And if I may say so, young people are faced with this issue a lot since a large population of homosexuals are our peers, who are being encouraged to explore their sexuality, in school and on college campuses. I thank you for the thorough explanation Dr. Bernard.
This shouldnt even be a question. of course not.
I thank God for His words of wisdom through Rev. David Bernard. This video is a great help for me as I'm dealing with things like this in my family.
Had to make this decision recently myself. The decision itself wasn’t difficult, following through was.
Bro Bernard, your videos are of great value and I thank you for your ministry.
Thank you for this topic. I had a coworker tell me. I was different from other christians cause I was good to her and her partner. This broke my heart. No wonder why they turn from church. If all we do is preach to them. They will never come and change.
Well said! My holy ghost was waiting....... and yes 👍 not hating but not endorsing.
Well said Dr Bernard.
I dont even want to go to a straight wedding
HAH! This is an underrated comment!
🤣🤣
Ready or Not ?
Heaven or Hell
Choose Wisely !
I LIKE LISTENING TO BRO, BERNARD,S TEACHING TO REFRESH MY MIND ON PENTICOSTAL TEACHING. I LEARN SO MUCH, I LOVE THE LORD SO I WANT TO DO WHAT,S RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD
Pentecostal. It’s phonetically written.
I did not even listen to the video ' the clear answer is NO . This should not even be up for debate' it is not a marriage in the first place.
I'm reading the comments.
I think we should watch so we could understand more and answering people with grace.
Exactly what I was thinking
Correct
Didn’t even have to make a video on this good elder the answer is no! I appreciate all you do!!
I would go. I live that person and I would be there for him, her, they
Yes, but his answer is so good!
@@edineujunior Loving someone is antithetical to celebrating their counter-productive and harmful lifestyle.
Thank you for addressing this very real issue from a Christian perspective! Love the person, not the sin. We are all going to be judged the way we judge others, the Bible says. And who is without sin? Sin has many forms.
Well said sir 🙌🏾
Thank you Bro Bernard for your dedication, you are a gift to humanity. I would love to hear your breakdown of a Christian view of Jeremiah 31 and the new covenant!
Clearly, Peter and the NT writers applied the New Covenant to the church, beginning at Pentecost. But also clearly is the reality that the church does not fit the context of the OT prophecies of the New Covenant. The answer is that Pentecost/the church was only the near-term prophetic fulfillment - and the far-term fulfillment for Israel will take place during the Millennial Kingdom when every remaining unfulfilled promise to Israel is brought to fulfillment.
God brought me from the gay lifestyle. I'm baptized in Jesus Name, & filled with the HG. For the last 16 yrs. I've been counseling/ministering to individuals with unwanted SSA, and gender identity issues. Also ministering to families that are Apostolic & have a gay loved one.
1 Cor. 5:9, 11 clearly states we are not to "company" with fornicators. This includes inviting the gay family members partner over for a family gathering, holiday, vacation, etc. That invitation says it's OK.
Loving them is a given. But if the gay family member and their partner are ever going to be saved, there must be tangible, distinct boundaries. Most Apostolic family members I've worked with DO NOT make proper boundaries. They embrace the gay family members partner as if they are a normal part of the family. Scary stuff we're seeing in these end times.
Thank you for addressing this issue, Bro. Bernard. It is so needed.
@Cindy Mayo I would love to be able to get some advice for you. God has laid someone on my heart who is in that lifestyle and I would like to know what to do/say and where to make the boundaries, etc.
@Cindy Mayo
I do no agree with you at all sister and I believe you are misled. I too was delivered from this lifestyle and have been baptized in Jesus Name and filled with the Holy Ghost since 2011. It was ONLY because I was invited and not ostracized and treated as a leper that I am here and free from sin today. Anyone with the Holy Ghost should have no worries of drawing in a person of sin as they contain the light of the world inside of them. Your comment saddens me to think of how many you could’ve reached if you had remembered that such were some of you. Sister, Jesus was the ONLY one to touch a leper and mingle with the unclean for draw them in. How dare we say we are too good to invite them to holidays and other events that would expose them to the love of Christ and compassion? How will they ever fall in love with God if we can’t cross over the lines and love like Jesus did, regardless of what the religious said? Yes, we should never attend their weddings and use common sense in other outings and not go places we have zero business being, but to say they aren’t welcome in our circles is saying Jesus didn’t die for them too, only the saved. Last I checked, Jesus was a friend of sinners. I was loved for years by an apostolic family who shared meals, holidays, and love with me and saw that even though I was with their daughter, they weren’t going to lose us both. The scripture you quoted is being taken out of context. We should not do as they do, nor glorify or even acknowledge this lifestyle as it is absolutely sin. But they are lost, not wrong and that is a big difference. Once they know the truth and err, then they are wrong. What they need is love in order to grow faith and trust in us first, then God. We are the first taste of God many ever see.
In my experience, They were going to love us and knew that we were just two hurting girls who needed to be drawn INWARDS closer to the cross. We were broken and needed to see and feel what real love was.
Our lives are the only bridge to Christ some will ever walk. Remember that.
@@kimlabrie7472 thank you for sharing that. Such a beautiful testimony!
Wow i love what u just said. I believe in loving them and treating them well too but u have to be really careful. I wouldnt want them in my personal space too much either because they may see it as acceptance and they normally try to force their lifestyle on ppl too.
@@kimlabrie7472 no one is saying to ostracise them i think but u have to have clear boundaries. Not everyone is strong enough either to deal with those things. Gays love pushing theie lifestyles on ppl too.
As a Oneness person who struggles with this, I agree.
What a wonderful answer......love the Bernards
We are called not to participate in disobedience to the word of God.. we will pray for them but can't hang out with them in disobedience to the word of God.. sorry but no God be merciful to all who live such life style... it's your choice to do that.. don't expect us to compromise our Choice as well..we must obey God first.. how many gay weddings did the Apostles attend to? 0
Clear answer in no.
I wouldn't.
There no more explanations …the rest is just blah blah blah
Thank you all
Blessings to all ❤❤❤
Why apologize for not attending if not attending is the right thing to do?
I wont apologize, I will just tell them straight out, NO!!!
I would not apologize, either.
Because you still want to show grace.
These people are a missions field. Sinners, in need of God, just as we were.
By apologizing, you show that, while you stand firm on your understanding of biblical truths, you also show sympathy and grace towards their life.
Just flat out saying no, and being rude, will only push them further away… things we as Apostolics, and Christians in general should avoid.
Remember, without love we are nothing more than clashing cymbals… no matter how correct your message is.
@@JDGurg how can we say we love someone and not tell them the truth? I agree to show grace and love but I could not say I love someone and not let them know that they need to change their ways to be saved. Although it may go against their comfort and even offend them but that is what we as Christians are commanded to preach. Why would we need to apologize for doing what God says is right? We speak the truth in love not out of wrath or condemnation although if the person refuses to repent that is what they will be facing. I believe that the reason why there is so much homosexuality creeping into the churches today is because of the lack of Modern day John the Baptists who are not afraid to preach what the Bible says even though it may cost our life. Jesus said in John 8:40 “But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth… it seems like this is what happens when truth is spoken. Was Jesus showing grace when he told the Pharisees to repent or perish? I believe He was.
Great Insight David!
I wouldn't go. But, what about the wedding of a family member who is marrying for the second time? Is it not adultery? Are we hypocrites if we attend such a wedding while refusing to go to a gay wedding?
To maintain relationships, wouldn't attending both be the better choice? Or do we refuse both and tell them why?
There are circumstances behind that. Gay marriage is not of God period
@@michaelhines4600 neither are the false “holiness standards” commanding men to shave their manly beards and look like little boys. That I disagree with such foolishness doesn’t stop me from attending their services and seeing that despite such folly, the people are genuinely loving, good hearted, compassionate folks.
If the member was divorced for any reason other than adultery (any illicit sexual activity outside of marriage), then I would say don't go. The concept Bro. Bernard laid out is applicable to any situation. If a family member in their 40s identified as a child and wanted to marry a 12 year old, best believe I wouldn't be there. And you can mock this example, but it's about to become a reality. Look up the next letter added to gay b c's - "M." (Minor Attracted Persons).
As for the beards, just go to a church that doesn't preach against it if you are that adamant about it. There are a lot of UPCI churches that don't preach against it.
@@jonszab431 just go somewhere that doesn't preach against it probably isn't the best advice. It would be better to seek God on how he wants you to respond to the issue and go from there.
@@ashleyweatherspoon3229 That's horrible advice
Abstain from all appearance of evil.. I Thessalonians 5:22
Neither be partaker of other men's sins.. I Timothy 5:22
So simply explained, thank you brother.
James 4:4
“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
Wonderful explanation
Some of that is true but you must have loyalty to God you must come from among them no you do not enjoy their enjoyment let them have it but you come from among them you can't sugar coat or pretend with God. So we feel this shows love to others by participating in their life that's wrong your loyalty belongs to God and because that person is not in your life doesn't mean you don't love them come from among them is what he said.
quick answer is , nope.
Thank you Brother Bernard, explained very well, I've had to give that understanding to others myself it should be clearly understood that we cannot be Partakers of sin, but we must still love them as everyone else, that is not hard when understanding is present and love is in ones heart. some people says well it's legal, it's important that everyone understand that this is man breaking God's laws, therefore it is sin and not Ok with God. "Bottom line God did not change it and never will, therefore it is not changed, We most obey God rather than man!
I agree with Dr. Bernard. I love them, but I am not going🇨🇦
.2 Corinthians 6:
14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
Beautiful words❤
My conscience says no, otherwise i would be condoning it.
Amen God said Avoid such persons
Don't even eat with them
I am not going to any gay wedding or anything that promotes sin.
Excellent.
Solid word....
My family's had to deal with this. The adult sibling and her partner who were/are lesbians are very unrestrained in their behavior. They want to normalize their lifestyle and have it accepted. There are young children present who could be confused and influenced. For this reason my Dad made the decision not to invite them. He told the daughter that she is always welcome but her lifestyle isn't. If she wants to come and not flaunt her lifestyle, she's welcome. Also anytime she is ready to turn around and make a change the door is open. She was given the same share of cash and assets in the will as the other siblings. Unfortunately it's been 46 years since she left the the family. She will accept nothing less than full acceptance and recognition of her choice. We love her, we pray for her, but don't know what else to do.
I guess you just have to let her go her own way and keep her in prayer. You've done what you can. We cannot normalize abomination.
Why would you want to??!
I’m very sure…no
"ALL are welcome to become a part of the church of course" (3:50) I'm sure he means after an Acts 2:38 conversion experience but someone watching this who is not grounded might take it as a loop hole. Other than that, 100% EXCELLENT!!! I have been dealing with with a lesbian sister for many years. It would blow your mind to know how their minds work.
He did go on to explain that a person has to become born again before becoming more of an integral part of the church or the ministry at/of the church. He was saying that we don’t keep a person from attending just because of their lifestyle.
Absolutely NOT. Never ever would I do that. Someone asked me if I would attend and stay to clean up. I told her straight out, " ARE YOU CRAZY?"!!!!
Amen.
My relatives are that way inclined. The same as any other of that persuasion but I never had an issue with the person but the lifestyle they lead. I keep getting told to keep quiet and stop speaking out but that's not my nature and speak out against it. Generally a lot I have met have been very nice people but the acts infiltrate a lot of the actions speak etc so I don't act on that
No
Amen 🙏
Absolutely not. If you do you are supporting that lifestyle.
I don't know if David Bernard has answered this question, but I think it'll be a good one and at the same time answer several other social/political/cultural questions as well.
Particularly in the United States, should Apostolics keep church and state separate?
Well, our Constitution separates Church and State, and it's not going to change. The best we can hope for is to have politicians implement Godly policies.
@@derekbaker777 All the Constitution does is shield the people from government-mandated religion.
Most people I've talked to about Separation between Church and State have no idea what it means, all Pastor should know and learn what this statement means and pass that knowledge on. To make it simple, the Government cannot force it's people or mandate that we be a certain Religion, Example: mandating that everyone in America has to be a Catholic, or Baptist etc. miss quoting the meaning of this statement has landed Pastors in jail.
I would.
May I ask why?
To quote Margaret Thatcher: NO, NO, NO !
Right now they are looking to legalise certain aspects of pedophilia using homosexuality. This thing is no normal thing. I didnt like when Bishop speaks about not being judgemental thou. Because in that situation, telling them that their lifestyle is wrong is not being judgemental. Dont know what u would do to really be judgemental. I have been around homosexual and treated the person good while others were treating him badly. I dont believe in treating ppl badly. But i wouldnt probly go places and do alot of things with the person.
I agree with your position.
no no and no
Noooooo
How do I ask them a question?
Should oneness apostolic attend a friend or a family member wedding who is getting married 2nd time?
I think that is a less clear-cut answer. While homosexuality is always sin in God's eyes, and is not even a marriage in God's eyes, the same cannot be said for a second-time wedding. That being said, I think EVERY wedding you attend (and everything you do for that matter) is a case-by-case situation (unless it is strictly prohibited by Scripture). Only you know the details involved in each situation.
👍👍👍👍
No.
I know this isn’t the same thing but I was wondering your opinion on this, what if a close family member is Baptist and they invite me as a apostolic to there baptism? How should I handle this.. I thing this is soon going to take place, so just wanted to see what you thought about it.
I would pray about it. That's definitely a hard one. I would never attend a gay wedding though.
A baptist trinitarian baptism is not an abomination. It may be based on false doctrine, but I personally couldn't equate that with a perverse "marriage". Then again, each situation is different. If it is a person who has willingly left the truth to embrace Trinitarianism, I may think twice about it. If it is someone I am trying to win to the Lord, I may go. If anything, it may spark conversation that can lead to further discussion on the topic of true Jesus name baptism.
Apostolic Pentecostal??? As if such a person is the only denomination that is born again?
God create a man and a woman …Adam and Eva .
no 🙏 Amen
Thank you for a wise and balanced approach.
I would suggest that someone seek specific direction from the Lord.
Peter would not have gone to Cornelius except that he was specifically directed to do so.
I agree with all of the principles laid out here. I agree mostly with the application. I just believe we should leave the door open to God to direct us to do things we might not ordinarily do in the event that it is not specifically condemned by Scripture.
In other words, participation in homosexual behavior is directly condemned, attending a celebration or ceremony is not. Idol worship is condemned, going into the house of a Gentile is not.
Yes
No
WWJD....IS THE WEDDING LEAGAL, OR JUST A CERRAMONY.....
I am wondering if this question should have been asked. These need ppl help thou.
Actually, it was a good question. It helps Christians give an answer IN LOVE to family and friends. There isn't anything wrong with the question, however your attitude could be examined.
The answer is plainly NO. Also the upci is not Apostolic and haven't been in years.
Hi, just curious about your take on the UPCI not being "Apostolic". Can you expand on that?
Please explain your statement.
JUST NO！！！
Any decisions or choices we make as a believer should go through the test of "Loving your neighbor as yourself." Now the question is asked; "Would I want someone I love to attend my wedding even though they might not approve of the union?" The answer is yes, if you really followed the edict of "Loving your neighbor as yourself" as a hard truth. Doing into another that you would want have done to you in real action. Weddings are attended all the time by people who might not necessarily approve of the person the loved one is marrying, that shouldn't change because it's a homosexual union and the fact you are playing a part in their joy and happiness because you love them is a Christ-like testimony they won't soon forget and will be the greater witness than anything you could say on homosexuality. Christians have no problem attending secular weddings that are all ceremony and not faith-based with the two getting married, why should it be different here? Plus you get free shrimp at the reception and who doesn't like free shrimp?
I feel this response is ignorant and beneath what I have come to believe a person such as yourself would advocate. To perform a wedding is an endorsement of a completely differing view. Attending is not! Attending a wedding is like Attending a graduation, birthday or baby shower. It is is simply love and support for the person you supposedly love. Do you also advocate skipping a baby shower from the woman having a baby out of wedlock?
To be fair, and more to the point accurate, you are comparing apples to volcanos. A woman having a baby is a woman having a baby whether she is married or not. Two people joining together before God are not doing so as a marriage if they are both of the same sex. So, to skip such a ceremony is not to skip a marriage, it is to skip something that is actually _against_ God. It is an intentional act, whereas the unwed mother can have all kinds of circumstances which led to that but, either way, there is life being produced here, something which the same-sex coupling is not about.
Key word you used… SUPPORT……Marriage is a Biblical concept, it has nothing to do with a graduation or birthday… Completely different subjects… And yes, Skip the shower….Out of wedlock pregnancies used to be handled discreetly, but now it’s cause for celebration. The moral decline of civilization continues..
Attendance = support and celebration. It also legitimizes it. Would you attend a wedding between a woman and a horse? No, because it is pure filth and an abomination. By attending you are essentially saying "this is a legitimate wedding".
Excellent point.
God loves and affirms gay people.
No he doesn't.
God does love homosexuals. He does NOT affirm them. There is no difference between an alcoholic and homosexual in His eyes though. Both must repent (completely turn from the lifestyle and not go back) to be in a right standing with God.
God loves everybody but He clearly does NOT affirm perversion and abominable sin. Have you read the Bible? Since Scripture clearly says the opposite, the burden of proof is on you to somehow demonstrate the audacious claim you just made. So, please tell us, how did you come to that conclusion?
@@jonszab431 alcoholism may be sin, but I don't believe scripture refers to it as an abomination. Therefore, while they are both sin, I don't think we can draw an absolute equivalence.
@@jonszab431 God DOES love homosexuals. He died for ALL sinners. He DOESN'T love or condone their sin. You are COMPLETELY MISINTERPRETING SCRIPTURE!! Jesus was most angry with the Pharasees than sinners. You have a very Pharasseeical attitude that you may want to check against the the word of God abd sincere prayer. We are all sinners saved by grace.
So unbiblical.
Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
The title is funny.. “apostolics”, as if being named after apostles is better than being named after Christ. Of course I went to a “gay wedding,” because I love the people and their relationship is a strong one based on love and mutual respect. Their relationship is just as important and vital to a well functioning community as a “Biblical” marriage.
Your “holiness standards” which command men to shave their faces and deny their natural, God-given masculinity and instead all have bald faces like pre-pubescent boys isn’t Biblical, either, but I ignore that egregious anti-scriptural commandment and still attend your churches because I recognize no humans get it ALL right. 😊
The UPCI from the organizational level does not mandate you have to be clean shaven. If you cannot abide by the standards set forth by the leadership at the church you go to, perhaps you should go to one that you can, lest a root of bitterness rise up in you. I fear it may be too late for that as on one hand you mock the church being Apostolic and on the other claim to attend one of these churches. Please remember, Antioch was where followers of the apostolic teachings were first called Christians. This was quite some time after the outpouring in Acts 2.
@Jonathan Stringer Then go ahead and have a beard.
Your first paragraph is so backwards it's frightening. First of all, we are Apostolic CHRISTIANS. It is not Apostolic vs Christian, as you assume. Second, you cannot "love" someone if you are celebrating their perversion. It would be far more "loving" to be kind to them but set limitations, lest you be guilty of supporting, enabling, normalizing or celebrating their sin. Third, your statement that their perverse relationship is just as important to a community as a Biblical marriage just shows you have outright embraced apostasy. If perversion is vital to a well-functioning society, then God is in the wrong for calling it sin and withholding it from us. You need to repent and stop expecting God's church to see things in the compromised way you do. If you understood the seriousness of sin, much less sin that God calls an abomination, you might change your tune a bit.
Amen.
No
No