IBNGBC - Page 7

Transgender / Gender Identity

He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them “man.” (Genesis 5:2) And he answered and said unto them, “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female...” -Jesus (Matthew 19:4) The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God. (Deuteronomy 22:5)

We believe that, as the Scripture states and Jesus affirmed, God created mankind in two distinct genders, male and female. This design in the creation of humanity was twofold: for the purpose of procreation and for the mutual companionship that the opposite genders provide each other. (Genesis 1:27; 5:2; Matthew 19:4)

We believe that God designed and created the genders distinctly different from each other: physically, psychologically, emotionally and socially. In spite of their differences in design, God loves, honors and respects both genders equally. A man and a woman are two which become one through marriage. (Matthew 19:5)

We believe that each individual’s gender is established by God at conception. Although the unborn may be extremely young and small, they still possess their unique God given identity which naturally includes their gender. (Genesis 25:23, 24; Psalm 139:13-17; Jeremiah 1:5)

We believe that physically reassigning one’s natural birth gender is a form of mutilation of the created being. Denying one’s birth gender behaviorally is also equally a lie and denial of one’s true being and personal identity. (Romans 1:28)

We also believe the social denial of gender with regards to issues of modesty such as public restroom use, fitting room use, name titles, etc. is sexually immoral and an affront towards God and His authorship of creation. “Cross-dressing” (transvestism) is also a display of rebelliousness towards God with regards to one’s birth gender.(1 Corinthians 6:15, 16,18; 10:13)

We believe that the behavior of denying one’s birth gender is a direct result of sin’s impact upon the mind, causing faulty thinking, vain imagination, demonic influence and social temptations. It is a socially destructive and self-destructive behavior that often is accompanied by self-centeredness and self glorification. (Psalm 119:113)

The current and popular notion that “sexual identity” is not a biological reality but rather simply a thought or preference in one’s mind is inherently erroneous. If one believes they are a bird, no matter how hard they believe this notion, they can not fly. If one believes they are a fish, they could not live under the ocean, they would drown. Gender is not simply a matter of one’s genitalia; it encompasses the entire scope of one’s being. One’s gender identity is imprinted in every living cell within their body; through the language inscribed in one’s genes, chromosomes and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). No matter what gender one erroneously thinks they may have been “mistakenly” created as, what they are in biological reality is what they are. The philosophic idea “I think, therefore I am.” -René Descartes (1596-1650), is as humanistic, worldly and erroneous today as it always was.

We do recognize that many individuals suffer mentally and emotionally with regards to their personal gender identity. Many of those suffering are suffering as a result of being victimized. Others are caught up in gender identity issues as a result of delving into sinful sexual activities. In either scenario, as mentioned previously, one’s true gender goes back to their creation; their true gender is identified in each living cell of their composition.

We believe that the ongoing argument regarding the beginning of transgender behavior in an individual (Are people born that way or do they learn it?) is immaterial. We are all born sinfully inclined; all people have the propensity to commit sin, any sin; God revealed this reality to David in the Bible. (Psalm 51:5) We believe that in the final analysis, there are no transgender “people”; there are simply people who practice transgender behavior, regardless of whether they were born with this inclination or whether they acquired it. (1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 John 1:8) For the record, if people are born with a gender identity problem, sexual attraction to the same gender or any other perverted sexual behavior, it still doesn’t make these behaviors right or non-sinful.

We believe that the notion that one can be caught up in the influence and bondage of sexual perversions and be “right” with God is false. The movements that promote such untruths are demonically inspired and empowered. (Revelation 21:8)

With regards to children born with ambiguous genitalia, this condition is, again, a direct result of sin’s effect on the human race.. (These defects, as with all birth defects, are a direct destructive result of sin entering the human race through the disobedience of Adam & Eve as recorded in the book of Genesis.) People with this condition are erroneously referred to as Hermaphrodites; a slang term. In the case of the birth defects with ambiguous genitalia, one’s genetic chromosomes identify one’s gender: “XX” signifying a female and “XY” signifying a male.

We believe that we are living in a culture that has become obsessed with sexuality, and subsequently desensitized to the guilt and shame of sexual sin. Because of this, we believe that believers should strive to model the natural distinctions between the genders; men should be men and women should be women. Accounting for cultural distinctives, the genders should still be distinguished from each other in appearances, communications and social behaviors; for example, men can where a kilt in Scotland but not a skirt in the United States, etc. The notion of gender blending flies in the face of the gender distinctions that God created in human beings. (Genesis 5:2)

We believe that when believers are exposed to the lewdness of sexual immorality, God’s Biblical advice is simple: flee from sexual immorality. (1 Corinthians 6:18; Ephesians 5:3) For believers, the guidance of God’s indwelling Holy Spirit, the Bible, the spiritual fruit of self-control and prayer are all available to thwart temptations of all sexual sin.

Individuals who are ensnared in the delusion of questioning their birth gender are victims of sin and in need of healing from God. They are vulnerable to influence by the demonic realm and in need of rescue. They, like the rest of sinful humanity, are dearly loved by God who has made every provision for them to be freed from their sin and reunited with Him. (Psalm 51:5) (John 8:36)

We believe that, for those who are caught up in the craving and bondage of gender identity denial issues, transgender behaviors and other sexual perversions, there is hope! Although sexual sins carry a heavy penalty, they are not unforgivable sins. (John 8:36; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 4:8; 1 John 1:10) Like all other sin, freedom and victory can be obtained from gender identity confusion and other sexual perversions. Freedom and victory come only by becoming born again through accepting Jesus Christ as one’s personal Lord and Saviour. (Isaiah 1:18; John 8:36; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

It should be understood, the Itty Bitty Nitty Gritty Bible Church does not hate those caught up in “gender identity” issues or other sexual perversions; we despise rebellion towards God and sexual perversion. We are neither intolerant nor phobic; in contrast, people who are caught up in sexual sins become intolerant and fearful of the truth. (Romans 1:18-32) We reject and oppose any and all forms of cultural hatred, aggression and violence towards anyone caught up in sexual sins.

Genesis 1:27

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Genesis 5:2

He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them “man.”

Genesis 25:23-25

The Lord said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." [24] When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. [25] The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau.

Psalm 51:5

“Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” -David

Psalm 119:113

I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

Psalm 139:13-17

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. [14] I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. [15] My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, [16] your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. [17] How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

Isaiah 1:18

"Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Jeremiah 1:5

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

Matthew 19:4

"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,'

Matthew 19:5

And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

John 8:36

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” -Jesus

Romans 1:18-32

[18] The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, [19] since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. [20] For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. [21] For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. [22] Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools [23] and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. [24] Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. [25] They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen. [26] Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. [27] In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. [28] Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. [29] They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, [30] slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; [31] they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. [32] Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

1 Corinthians 6:15, 16

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! [16] Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”

1 Corinthians 6:18

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

Ephesians 5:3

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.”

James 4:8

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

2 Peter 2:14

With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed - an accursed brood!

1 John 1:8

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:10

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

Revelation 21:8

“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars - their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Mariolatry

The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. [34] Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, [35] so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2:33-35)

We believe that any and all adorations of Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus, are idolatrous and as such are sinful. Statues, paintings and medallions depicting Mary are merely idols, propagated by Satan and the demons. (Exodus 20:4; 34:14)

We believe that the numerous, un-Biblical myths regarding Mary today are also evil. Notions that Mary was sinless in her life, that she remained a virgin after the birth of Jesus, that she occasionally appears on earth today and that she can be prayed to for blessings are simply untrue. All of these misconceptions are a result of demonic influence in the thinking of unsaved people. The motivation of Satan behind all of this deception is simple: divert people away from Jesus Christ, give them lies to believe.

It should be noted that the greatest misconception regarding Mary is that she is an advocate between man and God through Jesus Christ. Through sinful thinking she has erroneously been elevated to a position of co-redemtrix, if that were even possible. Additionally, the title “Mother of God” is a blasphemy; she merely served God as the human mother of Jesus, the human nature of Jesus that is. (See: “What we believe about Jesus Christ”) Mary and Joseph were in a sense “foster” parents to Jesus while He was upon the earth. (“Co-redemtrix” is someone who, in theory, would be able to provide personal salvation, in addition to Christ. “Blasphemy” is speaking falsehood and/or evil against God.)

Today, Mary in the earthly sense, is dead. Her body, like the rest of those who have died, has decomposed. Assuming that she remained faithful to Christ until her end, her spirit and soul are with God today, with all of those who were saved on earth. In the end times, her body, like the rest of those who were saved, will be physically resurrected. (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

It should be understood, the Itty Bitty Nitty Gritty Bible Church does not hate those who are caught up in Mariolatry; we despise idolatry, demonic deception and falsehood. We reject and oppose any and all forms of cultural hatred, aggression and violence towards anyone caught up in Mariolatry. Today, those who call upon Mary are deceived; they are caught up in a great, powerful and ensnaring deception. They are in true need of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Exodus 20:4

"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.

Exodus 34:14

Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Luke 2:33-35

The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. [34] Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, [35] so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

1 Thessalonians 4:16

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Sainthood / Veneration of Saints

Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings.

(Philippians 4:21)

The concept of a special hierarchy of Christians commonly known as “saints” is non-Biblical and consequently erroneous. The adoration and “praying to” of these fictional “saints” for protection and favors is idolatrous, encourages coveting and is thus consequently sinful. Within Christian speaking, Peter should not be referred to as “Saint Peter” but rather as the “Apostle Peter” or simply “Peter”. Ironically, those who excel in leadership in the Church become servants to the rest. (Mark 10:44) The false idea of “saints” in Christiandom is more akin to the worship of Roman and Greek mythological gods.

The New Testament Greek word for saint is hagios. The word is used very little in the Bible. The Greek word implies being separated, as from the sinful world and fully given over towards God. It is applied to all believers in Jesus Christ, not a few or special class of Christians. True believers in Jesus Christ by nature should have denounced the world system completely and placed their full love and allegiance in Christ; hence all those who have surrendered to Christ are “saints”. (Matthew 22:37; 1 Peter 1:1; 2:11)

Matthew 22:37

Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'

Mark 10:44

And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

Philippians 4:21

Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings.

1 Peter 1:1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world…

1 Peter 2:11

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

Witchcraft / Wicca / Sorcery Neopaganism

Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. (Revelation 22:15)

We believe that humans are inherently spiritual “free agents”; that is to say, they are able to voluntarily align themselves with Satan and the demonic realm. Humans are capable of communications with the demonic realm and vice-versa. Humans are capable of soliciting demons to perform, in a limited way, evil acts and insert influence towards others.

We believe that the modern notion that witchcraft in its various forms today is an acceptable practice is unquestionably wrong and sinful. The Bible emphatically illustrates that friendship towards Satan is equated as hatred towards God. (Joshua 24:15) The notion that there are “good” witches and “white” magic is equally erroneous and sinful. (Isaiah 5:20) (Matthew 6:23) In the same context there is no such thing as a “white” lie. (John 8:44)

Cultural characters such as imps, banshees, leprechauns, fairies, pixies, gremlins, physical idols, mythological gods and creatures, etc. are all manifestations of Satan and are capable of servings as conduits between humans and demons.

Although those who propagate evil often appear victorious, in the end, they will sadly be lost eternally with Satan and the demons in damnation. While in this life, people can and should be delivered from witchcraft. (Proverbs 14:12) (Revelation 22:15)

It should be understood, the Itty Bitty Nitty Gritty Bible Church does not hate those who are caught up in witchcraft; we despise witchcraft - rebellion towards God, demons and Satan. We reject and oppose any and all forms of cultural hatred, aggression and violence towards anyone caught up in witchcraft; those caught up in witchcraft are in need of salvation. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Joshua 24:15

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

2 Chronicles 33:6

He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, provoking him to anger.

Leviticus 19:31

" 'Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.

Isaiah 5:20

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

Isaiah 8:19

When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?

Matthew 16:23

Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

John 8:44

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

1 Corinthians. 10:13

Revelation 22:15

Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Halloween

“I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people.” -God (Leviticus 20:6)

We believe that the modern celebration of Halloween is a worldly practice that does not benefit the spiritual life of Christian believers. (Philippians 4:8)

We believe the choice for Christians to not celebrate Halloween is a no-brainer. Halloween’s very themes invariably spoof and/or even exalt sin, death, Hell, demons and Satan himself! Its myths and practices are all pagan in origin. Unbeknownst to many, the Halloween season is jointly a time of celebration amongst those who practice witchcraft and worship Satan. (2 Corinthians 6:14, 15)

We believe the modern lure of Halloween has a destructive and desensitizing effect upon the minds of children and adults. (John 8:44; 1 John 2:22) As children are dressed to parade around, often as monsters, ghosts and other spiritual entities, they are unwittingly indoctrinated with the notion: “There are no such things as ghosts, etc.” This denial of the spiritual realm invariably challenges and even cancels out the belief in real spiritual beings such as: demons, angels, Satan and even God Himself. (John 4:24)

On a less critical but still important note, Halloween shadows a major event in the life of the Christian Church: the beginning of the Reformation of the Church. On October 31st, 1517, the German theologian Martin Luther posted his “Ninety-Five Thesis” on the doors of the Church at Wittenberg University. Almost totally unheard of today, October 31st historically was known as “Reformation Day”.

We believe that the practice of providing Halloween alternatives for Christian children is acceptable within reason. Some Christian congregations host: Biblical themed dress-up parties for kids, dramatizations of the events of Martin Luther and the Reformation and also host public social events to distribute Bibles and Gospel tracts with candy to the spiritually lost. All of these outreaches should communicate: a renouncing of the world’s Halloween revelry and a sharing of Jesus Christ and the Gospel of salvation. We do realize that many believers may simply not be comfortable with the notion of Halloween outreach alternatives. We believe that this viewpoint is also valid and should be respected by all. (Romans 14:20)

We believe that the best use for Halloween by believers is to evangelize. Bring glory to Jesus Christ and defeat to Satan by giving out generous treats with plenty of Gospels, Bible tracts and candy. (2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Peter 3:15)

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

2 Corinthians 6:14, 15

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? [15] What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

1 John 2:22

Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist--he denies the Father and the Son.

John 8:44

John 4:24

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Romans 14:20

Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.

2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage -with great patience and careful instruction.

1 Peter 3:15

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…

Disease

…then the Lord will bring upon you and your descendants extraordinary plagues - -great and prolonged plagues - and serious and prolonged sicknesses. Deuteronomy 28:59

We believe that all disease is a direct result of Adam and Eve rejecting God in the Garden of Eden. Their sin impacted all of God’s creation from the molecular to the galactic levels. It impacted the total creation: the inanimate physical universe as well as the whole of living creation. Concerning us mostly is its impact upon humanity, all of the descendants of Adam and Eve.

The creation as we see it now is not as it was in the beginning. Now we are born diseased and dying. The creation on the individual and social level is destructive and even self-destructive. Disease is, as the word “dis+ease” suggests, an absence of “ease” or more specifically, a lack of “peace”.

Before Adam ans Eve rebelled they and all of creation was perfect. There was no degenerative aging, defects, disease or death. If they ahd not sinned they would be here today! Disease is passed on from one generation to another.

Disease afflicts us all in two ways. We all struggle indirectly from the inherit nature of disease. We also can be further afflicted by disease through sinful activities. Individuals and whole groups of people may receive disease as a judgment from God. God’s purpose for judgment id to persuade people not tp sin and return to Him It should be noted that all disease is not directly a judgemnet. Much of it is the natural demise of humanity because of Adam and Eaves sin.

In the New Heaven and New Earth ther will be no disease. All will be made whole, or “perfect” again! For now God answer’s the prayers of those who accept Him on His terms. He truly desires that all people would come to Him and live, now and eternally.

Genesis 2:17

“…but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”

Romans 5:12

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned…

Hebrews 9:27

Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…

Revelation 20:6

Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

Revelation 20:14

Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.

Revelation 20:12

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

Revelation 21:8