Marriage
Marriage: Marriage is a blessing from God147.  We believe that from the beginning of creation GOD created the human race with a clear distinction between male and female148; they are equal worth before GOD, but different.  GOD assigned to each their gender identity, and we are obliged to embrace that identity, gladly and thankfully, in submission to GOD.  According to GOD’s Holy Word, gender is never self-assigned.  Each is called to contribute the distinctive qualities of his/her gender, this is important in the relationship of marriage.  Therefore, marriage involves the bringing together of two complementary genders to form a whole149.
 
Marriage has been ordained by GOD Almighty.  GOD’s Holy Scriptures make it clear that the divine design for marriage is one man, the husband - male (“anēr” is the Greek word used in the New Testament), and one woman, the wife - female (“gynē” is the Greek word used in the New Testament), in an exclusive and permanent relationship.  We believe marriage to be an exclusive covenantal union of one man and one woman in which such bond is a lifetime commitment150.  This is the only legitimate, established and blessed form of matrimony ordained by GOD151.

Marriage is GOD’s unique gift in which He chose to reveal the union between Christ and His church152 and to provide for the man and the woman the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to Biblical standards and the means for procreation of the human race153.

According to the truth, teachings and commandments of God we believe that legitimate sexual relations are to be exercised solely between one man and one woman who are married to each other.  Hence, illicit sexual activities (“porneia” is the Greek word used in the New Testament) are outside of marriage, including but not limited to, premarital sex (fornication)154, adultery155, homosexuality156, bisexual conduct157,  incest158,  bestiality159 and pedophilia which are inconsistent with the teaching of the Bible and the Church.  Therefore, these actions are sinful.  Further, lascivious conduct, transgender behavior160 and the production and/or distribution and/or viewing of pornography, are incompatible with Biblical truths161.

We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His grace, mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ162.

A civil government’s sanction of a union will be recognized as a legitimate marriage by The CROSSing church only to the extent that it is consistent with the definition of “marriage” found in these Articles.

147. Genesis 1:28 & 9:1
148. Genesis 1:27, 2:18-23 & 5:2; Matthew 19:4; Mark 10:6
149. Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:6-9; Ephesians 5:31
150. Proverbs 5:18-21, 12:4, 18:22, 19:14 & 31:10-12; Ecclesiastes 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16;
Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11
151. Hebrews 13:4
152. Ephesians 5:22-32
153. Genesis 1:27-28, 9:1 & 9:7  
154. Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9 & 6:18; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19, 5:21;
Ephesians 5:3-5; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; 1 Timothy 1:8-10; Hebrews 13:4; Revelation 21:8, 22:15
155. Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18:20, 20:10; Deuteronomy 5:18; Proverbs 6:29;
Matthew 5:27-28, 5:31-32, 19:8-9,18; Mark 10:6-12,19; Luke 18:20; Romans 13:9;
1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Hebrews 13:4; James 2:11
156. Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; Romans 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10: 1 Timothy 1:8-10
157. 1 Corinthians 6:9
158. Leviticus 18:6-18 & 20:11-12, 14, 17, 19-21; Deuteronomy 22:30, 27:20 & 22-23;
1 Corinthians 5:1
159. Exodus 22:19; Leviticus 18:23 & 20:15-16: Deuteronomy 27:21
160. Deuteronomy 22:5; 1 Corinthians 6:9
161. Matthew 5:28
162. Psalm 32:5; Ephesians 1:7; 2:1-10; Titus 2:11-14 & 3:4-7; 1 John 1:9
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