Homesteaders Bylaws                                                                 Revised January 2022

APPENDIX F

Biblical Definitions

Preamble: Homesteaders believes that all matters of faith and conduct must be evaluated on the basis of the Holy Bible which is our infallible guide (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Since the Holy Bible does speak to the nature of human beings and their sexuality, it is imperative that we correctly understand and articulate what the Bible teaches on these matters. 

Based on the Holy Bible, Homesteaders believes in the following definitions of marriage, gender and sexual identity, sexuality, and sanctity of life:

Marriage

Homesteaders believes that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one genetic male (man) and one genetic female (woman) in a single, comprehensive, exclusive, monogamous, and conjugal “one flesh” union, as delineated in the Holy Bible. We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. Anything outside this union is addressed in the section herein labeled Sexuality. (Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:4-9; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 1:26-27; Heb. 13:4, Ephesians 5:31-33)

Gender & Sexual Identity

Homesteaders believes that God wonderfully and immutably created mankind in His image, genetically male (man) and genetically female (woman), sexually different but with equal personal dignity. Homesteaders believes and upholds the biblical truth that gender and sexual identity are not on a spectrum. These are two fixed, distinct, and complementary genders which reflect the image and nature of God. Sexual identity is irrevocably established by biological sex, which is based on genetic DNA at conception and not based on self-perception or feelings. Homesteaders believes attempts to medically alter or surgically change or otherwise redefine biological/genetic sexual identity are contrary to God’s established plan for humankind. (Genesis 1:26-28, I Corinthians 6:9-13, Romans 1:26-32, Matthew 19:4, Mark 10:6)

Sexuality

Homesteaders believes that sexuality is a glorious gift from God when expressed within Biblical marriage. Homesteaders believes that sexual acts are not permitted by God outside of an exclusive, monogamous marriage between one genetic male (man) and one genetic female (woman), as defined by the Holy Bible and within this Appendix F.  Homesteaders believes that other sexual acts and expressions-  including but not limited to adultery, fornication, incest, zoophilia, pornography, prostitution, masturbation, voyeurism, pedophilia, exhibitionism, sodomy, polygamy, polyamory, sologamy, same-sex sexual acts, transgenderism, and transvestism are sinful and prohibited by God. (Genesis 1:26-28, Genesis 2:24, Exodus 20:14, Leviticus 18:7-23, Leviticus 20:10-21, Deuteronomy 22:5, Matthew 5:27-28, Matthew 15:19, Matthew 19:4-6, Mark 10:5-9, Acts 15:28-29, Romans 1:26-27, I Corinthians 6:9-20, I Corinthians 7:2-5, Galatians 5:19, Ephesians 4:17-19, Ephesians 5:25-27, Colossians 3:5, I Thessalonians 4:3,7, Hebrews 13:4, Revelation 19:7-9, Revelation 21:2)

Sanctity of Life 

Homesteaders believes that from the moment of fertilization until natural death every human life is sacred as all human life has been created by God in His image and likeness. Thus, from fertilization to natural death, every human life must be recognized, respected, and protected. The right to life is not determined by society, but instead is inherent to all human life by virtue of being created in the image of God. Because human life begins at the moment of fertilization and ends at natural death, it is against our religious and moral conviction to formally or materially cooperate in the termination of human life such as through abortion or euthanasia. (Genesis 1:26-27, Exodus 20:13, Exodus 23:7, Psalm 22:9-10, Psalm 139:13-16, Isaiah 44:1-2, Isaiah 49:5, Job 10:8-12, Jeremiah 1:5, Matthew 5:21, Luke 1:39-45)

These definitions have been liberally adapted from both Worldview Academy and Liberty Institute.

All verses have been taken from the NKJV (New King James Version) Holy Bible 2021.

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