Posted by A FRESH split in the Anglican Communion could follow the vote this week of the Episcopal Church’s General Convention to approve a rite for the blessing of same-sex relationships.
Although the new rite is not for gay marriages, it has nevertheless split opinion and critics will say that the American Church has moved even further away from the rest of the Anglican Communion.
One of the first to respond was the Bishop of South Carolina, the Rt Rev Mark Lawrence, who said the vote would ‘wound’ the Anglican Communion.
In a statement issued on behalf of his Diocese, he said: “We grieve that General Convention has further departed from [the traditional teaching on marriage] and adopted a resolution to permit pastoral license to violate the existing canons on marriage.
“We believe this decision will seriously wound the Church and ask you to join us in prayer for God’s One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.”
In a vote by orders, the House of Deputies concurred with the House of Bishops to pass Resolution A049, which authorizes provisional use of the rite “The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant” starting on December 2 (the first Sunday of Advent). Clergy will need the permission of their bishop under the terms of the resolution.
The motion in the House of Deputies was carried by 78 per cent in the clergy order, with the clergy in 85 deputations voting yes, 22 no and four divided; and 76 per cent in the lay order, with laity in 86 deputations voting yes, 19 no and five divided. The bishops had approved the resolution on July 9 with a roll call vote of 111 to 41 with three abstentions.
Yes, this will wound the communion, no doubt. But all politics are local. The American public has grown increasingly open to same sex “marriage”. The US Episcopal Church has become, at the lay and clerical leadership level, at one with the times, yet again. I imagine that few delegates had any concern for the Anglican Communion.
SPIRITUAL WAR AGAINST INTRODUCTION OF HOMOSEXUALITY IN THE CHURCH AND THE STATE:
BY CONSECRATING OPENLY GAY BISHOPS AND VOTING ” ON SAME -SEX BLESSINGS, THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH HAS DEPARTED FROM THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.
In 1Timothy 4: 1-2 St. Paul says: (KIng James Version-KJV).
1. ” Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits , and doctrine of devils;
2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy ; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;…”
Consequently, the wrath of God has fallen against the Episcopal church and all advocates of homosexuality and same-sex marriages and God has given them up to do all shameful kinds of immoralities without the fear of God.
St. Paul says in Romans 1: 18-32 (KJV).
18. ” For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungogliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;……………
21.Because that, when they knew God , they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations , and their foolish heart was darkened.
22. Professing themselves to be wise , they became fools,………
24.Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves.
25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, ……….
26. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections :
for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature;
27. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another ; men with men working that which is unseemly,
……………………………………….
28. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge,
God gave them over to a reprobate mind , to do those things that are not convenient;
29. Being filled with all unrighteousness,
fornication,
wickedness,
covetousness,
maliciousness,
full of envy,
murder,
debate,
deceit,
malignity,
whisperers,
30. Bacbiters,
haters of God,
despiteful,
proud,
boasters,
inventors of evil things,
disobedient to parents
31. Without understanding, covenant breakers , without natural affection , implacable, unmerciful:
32. Who knowing the judgement of God , that they which commit such things are worthy of death , not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
In Leviticus 19:2 God says to his people:
” Ye shall be holy : for I the LORD your God am holy.”
As St. Peter says , Christians are the holy people of God : 1Peter 2:9 (KJV)
9.” But ye are a chosen a chosen generation,
a royal priesthood,
an holy nation,
a peculiar people;
that you should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.:
10. Which in time past were not a people , but are now the people of God:
which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”
As holy people of God, christians should know that though we are in the world , we are not of the world. We are the Body of Christ , the continuation of His incarnation.
Our mission on earth is to glorify God as we shine as light in darkness. Every Christian is a burning candle in the dark world of sin.
Therefore we should not do as the people of the world do but we should shine as light in darkness. The darkness of this world cannot overcome the light of one burning candle as it will be seen shining in darkness from one end of heaven to the other.
Jesus says Mathew 5:14-16 (KJV):
14. Ye are the light of the world.
A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15. Neither do men light a candle , and put it under a bushell, but on a candle stick;
and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16. Let your light so shine before men , that they may see your good works , and glorify your Father which is in heaven. ”
In the name of God the Father , and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.