We believe that man and woman are created by God in His image and likeness and that these two distinct and complementary genders together reflect the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Rejection of one’s biological sex is therefore a rejection of the image of God within that person. As God did create the first union of male and female, forming the template upon which marriage is based; a reflection of the mystical and spiritual union of our Lord Jesus Christ and the church and that union is composed of one man (naturally born male as defined by genome) and one woman (naturally born female as defined by genome), freely choosing to enter into a binding contract with each other a single exclusive union as delineated in scripture (Gen. 2:18-25), giving generously of themselves in love as our Lord Christ has done for us.
We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4) and that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a natural man and a natural woman. The marriage ceremony is performed by the pastor at his discretion and is based solely upon the beliefs and bylaws of this church identified as Harvest Bible Fellowship. The couple to be married must 1) have undergone an approved Christian marital counseling or, 2) is currently undergoing such approved counseling or, 3) will undergo such approved counseling and that aforementioned approved counseling should take place prior to the marriage ceremony. Said marital counseling being one that meets Christian criteria and meets approval by HBF pastor and board.
God Bless You
