Link: http://gso.iphc.org/bishop.html

General Board of Administration Adopts
Resolution Regarding Same-Sex Marriage

The General Board of Administration (GBA) of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, convening November 3-5, 2008, in Greensboro, North Carolina, went on record opposing same-sex marriage. In response to the prevailing social climate in the United States and around the world, the Board unanimously adopted the following statement

After prayerful search of the Bible and the International Pentecostal Holiness Church Manual (2005-2009), it is the decision of this Board and is hereby resolved that, as a matter of ecclesiastical rule and polity, ministers, licensed and ordained by the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, shall not preside at or perform any marriage ceremony of persons of the same sex (meaning a marriage ceremony that has the intent and purpose of uniting a man to another man or a woman to another woman) or any ceremony related thereto. Furthermore, no same-sex marriage ceremony, or any ceremony related thereto, shall be allowed to take place on any property owned, held in trust, leased, or otherwise possessed by the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, its Conferences, or local churches.

Presiding Bishop James D. Leggett assured the Board that the statement had been drafted in consultation with legal counsel.  A PDF version of the resolution may be downloaded here.

"Most people will be surprised that a majority of adherents in nearly all religious traditions, including a majority of evangelical Protestants, say that there isn't just one way to salvation or to interpret the teachings of their own faith."

This thought-provoking comment was made by Luis Lugo, director of the Pew Forum, the organization responsible for the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, which may be the most exhaustive survey ever taken of religious and political attitudes of the American people. The Survey, which finds that while many Americans are highly religious, most are not dogmatic in their approach to faith. This new analysis examines the diversity of Americans' religious beliefs and practices as well as their social and political attitudes. "The fact that most Americans are not exclusive or dogmatic about their religion is a fascinating finding," said Luis Lugo.

Part Two of the Landscape Survey includes a wealth of information on the religious beliefs and practices of the American public. It also explores the social and political attitudes of religious groups, including members of many small religious traditions - such as Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists and agnostics - not typically analyzed in public opinion surveys. Part One was released earlier this year in February.

"This report illustrates, chapter and verse, the amazing diversity and dynamism both between and within religious traditions in America," noted John Green, senior fellow at the Pew Forum. "And this diversity of affiliation, belief and practice matters when it comes to social and political questions."

If the opening statement is correct, and the survey data certainly supports it, then a serious divergence has developed between the official doctrinal statements or teachings of evangelical churches and the personal beliefs and practices of their membership. On the NAE website, their Statement of Faith includes the following:

"We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, ..."

"We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential."

The NAE Statement of Values also includes a reference to salvation by Christ, alone.

"Together we stand on God's revelation in Scripture of redemption alone in Jesus Christ the son of God, by grace through faith"

As a NAE member denomination, our own Articles of Faith includes the following:

"We do not believe that any sort or degree of good works can procure or contribute toward our justification or salvation. This is accomplished solely and exclusively upon the basis of our faith in the shed blood, the resurrection and justifying righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ."

In a recent IRD press release, the Institute on Religion & Democracy President Rev. Dr. James W. Tonkowich commented, "Dr. Williams’ (Archbishop of Canterbury) stated goal of a[n Anglican] Communion that will not break apart over interpretations of the Bible is laudable, but this crisis is not about conflicting interpretations, it is about longstanding church tradition and the authority of the Bible itself." He went on to say, "Churches that offer liberal interpretations of Scripture quickly lose their ability to critique the prevailing culture and become politically correct pawns"

We can only hope that the evangelicals surveyed felt pressure to appear politically correct; the alternative is very disheartening. With 70% of the American population, 83% of Mainline Christians, 79% of Catholics, 72% of Orthodox Christians, 59% of Historically Black Churches and 57% of Evangelical Christians agreeing that there is more than one way to eternal life, it is safe to say that American Church has done a lousy job of making disciples.

I'm curious about our readers opinions on this subject. To express your opinion, go to the One Way Poll. The survey page will open in a new window. Or you can add your opinion in a comment below. Results will be shared in a future article. Thank you.

The story of the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the infant Church may be told using numbers, as well as with sentences and words. Specifically, the opening chapters of Acts highlight the numbers 50, 15, 120, and 3,000. Together they tell the story of the Spirit’s descent.

50 – The name “Pentecost” itself is a number, meaning “fiftieth day.” For us, Pentecost Sunday is always recognized as the seventh Sunday after Easter. For them, the observance of the Jewish feast seven Sabbaths after the Passover provided the occasion for the city of Jerusalem to be filled with festive worshippers (Leviticus 23:15-16; Acts 2:5).

15 – This number represents fifteen specific nationalities or people groups identified as being present to witness the original phenomena of the New Testament Pentecost (Acts 2:9-11).
Many of these on-lookers evidently became participants in the reception of the Gospel and carried their new-found faith back to their homelands, such as to the capital city of Rome.

120 – This approximate number constituted the first “congregation” to experience the promised baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:13-15). This cohort included the disciples of Jesus, His mother and brothers, as well as un-named men and women. Together they became the answer to Moses’ wish (Numbers 11:29) and the initial fulfillment of prophecy (Joel 2:28).

3,000 – The purpose of Pentecost was and is to empower followers of Jesus to be witnesses for Him (Acts 1:8). Luke summarizes the outpouring of the Spirit in only four verses (Acts 2:1-4), but devotes twenty-seven verses to Peter’s memorable message (Acts 2:14-40). The astounding result netted 3,000 converts to Christ – the beginning of the numbers from Pentecost.

- by Dr. Terry Tramel, Bible Chair and Assistant Professor at Southwestern Christian University

I have been an amateur cosmologist since my teenage years. I have always been fascinated with the Genesis account of the beginning of mankind and how they propogated the Earth. I read all of the books I can find on the subject, from both sides of the discussion. I think the most meaningful book recently has been The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief by Francis S. Collins(Hardcover, 2006). The current issue of Salvo is dedicated to the subject of Intelligent Design (ID). That's why when the following news crossed my computer screen, I was intrigued. As you read the following, keep in mind that Intelligent Design is not exactly the same as creationism, although both look to a divine author of the universe.

A new movie is coming that Christians everywhere shouldn’t miss. From the promoters of Passion of the Christ comes Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. The movie, hitting theaters this Spring, addresses the issue of Evolution vs. Creation and how Christian views and values are suppressed in the classroom. You can learn more about the movie here: www.expelledthemovie.com

The film's promoters are hoping by raising awareness on this issue they can bring about positive changes in our educational system and allow students everywhere to learn that there are other possibilities on how the world was created beyond Evolution.

Here are a few ideas on how you can educate your congregation on issues that deeply affect our families, schools, courts, churches, and the progress of science, medicine, and morality:

Flyers
There are several flyers designed that can be easily printed right from your computer. Many churches are bundling them with their weekly bulletins. Click here to download flyers now.

Web Site
There are several advertising units that can be placed on your Web site to promote the movie. Simply place the ad on your church Web site and link them to Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed home page. Click here to download web site ads now.

Trailer
Download the movie trailer and play a short commercial during your service or other church event. Click here to download the trailer now.

Host a Tour with Ben Stein
Ben’s “Expelled Tour” will kick off the movie campaign by traversing America in a huge, boldly decorated bus, proclaiming “FREEDOM” to the millions of students, teachers, scientists, and others who have dared to question the “truth” of Darwinism.

By hosting an Expelled Tour event in your town you can help hundreds, even thousands, of people (especially students):

• Learn about new scientific evidence that invalidates Darwin’s claims.
• Hear from scientists who are being SILENCED for those discoveries.
• Learn how to defend your belief in God based on SCIENTIFIC evidence.
• Learn what can and can’t be taught in school
• See a SNEAK PEEK of exclusive clips from Ben’s “Expelled” movie.
• Learn how your group can receive FREE tickets to see “Expelled” in movie theaters.

RSVP now to host a tour.

What do you think about the Evolution vs. Intelligent Design controversy? Share your thoughts on this issue here on the new IPHC Discussion Blog. Spread the word and make a difference.