Those Who Refuse.. I

WHAT IS HOMOSEXUALITY?
The actual words "homosexual" and "lesbian" are not found in the Scriptures. The word "homosexual" is reported to be a German invention to euphemize and take the place of the distasteful word "sodomite." Although the word "sodomy" as used today may not even have a direct connection with the sexual sins of historical Sodom.
While the Scriptures do not speak to us in the actual mechanics of homosexual acts, nonetheless, the practice of same sex lust assuredly is mentioned and condemned in Scripture as a sin that needs to be repented of just as idolatry, adultery, stealing, murder, and all sins.

The word homosexual is applied to both men and women whose sexual preference is with one of the same gender. Male homosexuals are generally called "gay" or "gay men (bakla)," while female homosexuals are generally called "gay women" or "lesbians (tomboy)."

Most gay men will acknowledge that male homosexuality is mentioned in Scripture. What may be alarming to many is that while they concede that it is mentioned and talked about, they deny that it is categorically a sin. On the other hand, many argue that gay women or lesbianism are not mentioned in Scripture at all.

Just a couple of comments: Clearly it is admitted that same gender sex was condemned under Moses, and that it was a practice of "Baal worship." And so it suggested that homosexuality was not inherently wrong, but rather it was wrong because it was practiced in the worship of Baal. Apparently, had not the pagans used homosexuality in their worship of Baal, God would have allowed it. I think not.

It is then suggested that since homosexuality was a part of the things forbidden under the law of Moses (which they call "the Code"), but Christian Believers are not under the Code, but under Christ, therefore, "the Code became obsolete." So what is the argument for not following the admonition of Paul regarding same gender sex in Rom. 1:26-27? Well you just read it:
We will now see whether the Scriptures substantiate the above assertion that: "There is nothing in the Bible to support any finding about homosexuals." We will first look at three sexual perversions closely related with homosexuality.

I Cor. 6:9-10 - "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God".

What are paramours, catamites, and sodomites? (I used American Heritage College Dictionary)
1. Paramours (Gk) (King James, 'fornicators')-Strong's #4205 pornos "to sell, a male prostitute, fornicator, whoremonger."

2. catamites (Gk) (King James, 'effeminate')-Strong's #3120 malakos "soft, fine clothing, a catamite, effeminate." catamite (Gk): "a boy who has a sexual relationship with a man", effeminate: "having characteristics more often associated with women than a man"

3. sodomites (Gk) (King James, 'abusers of themselves with mankind'-Strong's #733 arsenokoites "a sodomite, defile self with mankind."

THESE PERVERSIONS ARE CONDEMNED IN SCRIPTURE
1. "I wrote unto you in an epistle not to keep company with fornicators with such an one not to eat" (I Cor. 5:9-11). Other scriptures are: Eph. 5:5, I Tim. 1:9-10, Heb. 13:4, Rev. 21:8, Rev. 22:14-15)
2. "Be not deceived, neither ...effeminate shall inherit the kingdom of God" (I Cor. 6:9-10).
3. "Be not deceived, neither ...abusers of themselves with mankind shall inherit the kingdom of God" (I Cor. 6:9-10).

Paul states that none who continue to commit the sins listed above "shall inherit the kingdom of God." These sins need to be repented of and put in the past. And that is what the chosen Few in these Gentiles churches were doing. Notice Paul's consolation to those who repented of these sinful deeds of the flesh: "And such WERE some of you but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:11).

See you next of the series..... God bless you