PREAMBLE 

By now, the government and the public have been made aware of the positions and concerns of the Christian community in Singapore over the repeal of Section 377A. Statements have been issued by different Christian councils and denominational bodies. Our Pastoral Word addresses the flocks under our care, and draws our attention to four main areas for urgent prayer and action. 

1. GOD’S WORD

It bears repetition that BPCIS considers the homosexual act and lifestyle to be contrary to God’s Word and therefore a sin. That said, the sin of homosexual act or lifestyle is not greater than any other sin. All who desire to follow Jesus Christ as Lord must confess and repent of all known sins in their lives, whatever the sins may be. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross.

2. GOD’S CHURCH

All persons, regardless of the nature of their sin, are in need of the Saviour and will be judged by Him. As pastors, we lovingly welcome into our churches all persons who desire to worship the Lord with us, but on the condition that all who approach God in worship renounce and repent of their sins and strive to live godly lives. We recognise that our flesh may still strain under the forces of same-sex attraction or homosexual orientation but it is not a sin to be tempted. We pray for all who are tempted sexually to receive God’s grace in order to remain chaste and have a lively fellowship of Christian brothers and sisters to support them and hold them accountable.

3. GOD’S WITNESS

The mandate of the Church and of every Christian is the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20, which is to make disciples of all nations. As we do so, we are to teach them to observe everything that Christ has commanded us. These things include the biblical model for marriage and family. Let us continue to uphold and teach the good sense, value and relevance of such a model, not only in our churches but also in the communities where our churches are situated. This we do through the way we live, and so persuade as many people as possible to agree with and embrace it. 

4. GOD’S WORLD

Since the mandate of the Church and of every Christian is the Great Commission, we do not focus on “culture wars” that alienate us from those who need the gospel. Neither do we engage in social activism to force our views on those who do not share our beliefs. We thank God that the Government has consistently shown itself to be consultative in its policy-making and has discharged itself responsibly. We pray that God continues to raise godly men and women to the leadership in our country.

CONCLUSION

We recognise that the Church and Christians have been and will always be a minority in society and therefore, we cannot expect the rest of society to live by the values that we espouse and hold dear. Nevertheless, our hope is in God to protect us where He has placed us to represent Him and to provide for us so that we may be effective witnesses for Him there.

Finally, with the repeal of Section 377A, may God help us navigate the path ahead of us with wisdom and courage, heeding the words of our Lord Jesus, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭ESV

The Bible-Presbyterian Church in Singapore

关于废除377A的牧函

2022年8月25日

前言

到目前为止，政府和公众已经了解到新加坡基督教界对废除377A法案的立场和关注。不同的基督教理事会和教派机构已经发表了声明。我们的牧函针对我们所照顾的羊群，并提请我们注意四个方面并藉着祷告和行动。

1. 上帝的话语

值得重复的是，BPCIS认为同性恋行为和其生活方式违背了神的话语，因此是一种罪。尽管如此，同性恋行为或生活方式的罪并不比任何其他罪大。所有渴望跟随耶稣基督为主的人都必须承认并悔改他们生活中所有已知的罪，无论这些罪是什么。在十字架下罪都会被赦免。

2. 上帝的教会

所有的人，无论其罪的性质如何，都需要救主，并将受到他的审判。作为牧师，我们充满爱心地欢迎所有希望与我们一起敬拜主的人进入我们的教会，但条件是所有亲近神并敬拜神的人都要弃戒罪和悔改他们的罪，并努力过敬虔的生活。我们认识到，我们的肉体在同性吸引或同性恋取向的力量下可能仍然紧张，但被试探并不是罪。我们为所有受到性诱惑的人祷告，希望他们能得到上帝的恩典，持守贞洁，并有一个活跃的基督徒弟兄姐妹团契来支持他们。

3. 上帝的見證

教会和每个基督徒的任务是马太福音28章19-20节的大使命，使万民作主的门徒。当我们这样做时，我们要教导他们遵守基督所吩咐的一切。这些事情包括圣经中的婚姻和家庭模式。让我们继续坚持和教导这种模式的意义、价值和相关性，不仅在我们的教会，而且在我们教会所在的社区。我们通过我们的生活方式来做到这一点，从而说服尽可能更多的人同意和接受它。

4. 上帝的世界

由于教会和每个基督徒的任务是大使命，我们不关注 "文化战争"，因为它使我们与那些需要福音的人疏远。我们也不参与社会活动，把我们的观点强加给那些与我们信仰不同的人身上。我们感谢上帝，政府在制定政策时一贯表现出协商的态度，并负责任地履行了自己的职责。我们祈祷上帝继续兴起敬虔的男女来担任我们国家的领导。

結論

我们认识到，教会和基督徒在社会上一直是而且永远是少数，因此，我们不能指望社会上的其他人按照我们所支持和珍视的价值观生活。然而，我们希望上帝在他安排我们代表他的地方保护我们，并供养我们，使我们能在那里为他做有效的见证。

最后，随着377A法案的废除，愿上帝帮助我们用智慧和勇气继续走前面的路，我们主耶稣的话说："同样，你们的光也要照在人前，好叫他们看见你们的好行为，把荣耀归给你们在天上的父。" 马太福音5:16 ESV

新加坡笃信圣经长老会