The ABI Statement of Faith

MAN & WOMAN

1.  The first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve, were created as described in Genesis and are the progenitors of the entire human race.
(Genesis 1:26–27; Matthew 19:4–6; Romans 5:12; 1 Timothy 2:13)

2.  God created Adam and Eve, in His image, as complete persons with material and immaterial aspects (body and soul/spirit), who were initially innocent, pure and righteous.
(Genesis 1:26–27)

3.  Adam and Eve, after being tempted by Satan, disobeyed God and consequently acquired a sin nature.
(Genesis 3:1–14)

4.  By virtue of being descendants of Adam, all are sinful by nature and by choice.
(Romans 5:12–21)

5.  Being sinful, all are guilty before God and under His condemnation. Thus, all are spiritually dead and physically dying from the moment of conception.
(Genesis 3:1-19; 5:3; Psalms 51:5; Ephesians 2:1–3)

6.  Through procreation, a fully human person, body and soul, comes into existence at conception.
(Genesis 5:3; Psalms 51:5; Romans 5:12–13)

7.  Marriage, Sexual Morality and Gender Roles

7.1  Marriage is a God-given institution, in which one man and one woman enter into the covenant of marriage for life according to God’s command.
(Genesis 2:21–25; Matthew 19:15; 1 Corinthians 7:39–40)

7.2  All sexual expressions, relations or activities which is not within a biblical, heterosexual marriage are sinful.
(Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:28; 19:19; Romans 1:24–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 13:4)

7.3  Men and women are designed to complement each other in life and ministry.
(Genesis 2:25; Matthew 19:5; Mark 10:7)

7.4  Men are to love their wives as Christ loved the Church, providing leadership, pastoral care and biblical instruction for their families.
(Ephesians 5:25–31; 1 Timothy 2:11–15, 3:1–15)

7.5  Wives are to submit to their husbands, and to teach and lead younger women, their families and one another.
(Ephesians 5:23–24; 1 Timothy 5:1–4; Titus 2:1–5)

7.6  Men alone are to be in pastoral and eldership roles in the church, as well as other positions that would include the teaching of the Scriptures to an audience that would include men.
(1 Timothy 2:11–15; 3:1–15)

7.7  God enables some to be single and celibate for life, while remaining pure in thought and deed, according to His perfect will and plan for their life,.
(Matthew 19:11–12)