The position for the Nairobi Baptist Church on

Same sex marriages or Bi-Sexual relationships is as follows:

(a)        Same sex sexual relationships and/or marriages are clearly and categorically condemned in scripture as sinful and unnatural (Leviticus 18:22-23 ; 20:13 and Romans 1:24-28)  Anyone who, therefore, would seek to justify homosexual practice, lesbian practice or bisexual practice would be clearly living in disobedience and rebellion to God’s standards and commands.

(b)      We recognize, however, that there are men and women who struggle with homosexual or gay feelings.  Such feelings have their origins from among other factors: sexual abuse earlier in life, introduction to the practice in same sex boarding institutions and a higher than normal level of sex hormones of the opposite sex in some persons. These feelings and struggles are what is commonly referred to as homosexual orientation. 

        Those who struggle with homosexual orientation are not significantly different from persons who are heterosexual but also struggle with sexuality in singlehood through non-marriage or through widowhood or through marital separation of one form or another.

        Sexual struggles, whether among same sex or opposite sex are not innately sinful.  What is sinful is the homosexual practice and equal to fornication and adultery for heterosexuals.  As in the case of anger, the Bible says you can be angry, but in your anger do not sin.  Struggling with any feelings is not wrong itself.  Gratifying those feelings in a manner condemned in scripture is what becomes sinful.

(c)    In the same way we as a Church can and do provide support for persons facing different kinds of struggle, e.g. living alone as a mature Adult, living alone in separation, divorce or widowhood, living with terminal illness or living with alcoholism.  We believe there is potential in the Church for providing support to persons living with the struggles of homosexual orientation.  The support would have the goal of helping such persons not to give in to homosexual practice, which is sin.

(d)       Through most of her history the Church has tended to rank sins.  There are types of sin which hurt ourselves and others more than other kinds of sin do, ALL sin before God is sin.  Among those who will not inherit the kingdom of God along “homosexual offenders”:

“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived:  Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanders nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)”.

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious; sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God> (Galatians 5:19-21)”.

The Nairobi Baptist Church cannot, and will not ever support anyone engaging in homosexuality, lesbianism or bisexual practice.  But Nairobi Baptist Church will encourage persons in our congregation struggling with homosexual feelings (orientation) to call our number at the NBC Counseling Centre. We will provide necessary support and Christ’s unconditional love, so that same sex feelings will not turn to be acted out as homosexual, lesbian or bisexual behaviour, which are all clearly sin.  In the latter, the Nairobi Baptist Church cannot and will not be a partner for we are committed always and firmly to remain “Rooted in the Word”.

 John C. Gichinga (Rev.)                                      Mr. Judah Bett            

SENIOR PASTOR                                           CHAIRMAN, ELDERS’ COURT

Dated: 5^th August 2007