Homosexual Acts Are Not a Salvation Matter?

Written by Herb Kraker

It has been said a number of times recently that same-sex marriage is not a salvation matter. What defines a salvation matter? I have asked a broad range of pastors what that means and have searched the internet, all without coming up with a good definition. 

So, let’s attempt a definition; I would like to suggest that a salvation matter is something believed or done which is against Scripture and, if not repented of, would prevent one from inheriting eternal salvation. It must be pointed out that it is not possible to determine from this definition alone what matters are salvation matters and which are not. In order to determine that we need to go to Scripture. When Scripture says that something bears direct relevance on entering the Kingdom of God, that must be considered a salvation matter.  And scripture says this about a lot of things: idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissentions, factions, envy, drunkenness, and sexual immorality (Gal. 5:19-21; see also 1 Cor. 6:9-11 and Eph. 5:5-7).  These are the Scripture passages the Heidelberg Catechism draws upon in declaring that “no unchaste person, no idolater, adulterer, thief, no covetous person, no drunkard, slanderer, robber, or the like will inherit the kingdom of God” (Q&A 87).  Both Scripture and our confessions declare that these are salvation matters.

Here it’s necessary to distinguish between walking in sin and falling into sin. Certainly sin separates us from a perfect God. If committing any sin kept us out of heaven, no one would be saved. According to Scripture repentance of sin allows forgiveness, and reunites us with God. Walking in sin without repentance is what keeps a person from inheriting the Kingdom of God . 

So what specific things could be considered salvation matters? If a person would go about having one affair after another and never repented of them, that would be a salvation matter. If a person lived the life of a mobster, killing opponents on a regular basis and never repented, that would be a salvation matter. If a person lived their entire life without repenting and trusting in a divine Christ, that would be a salvation matter. No human is able to pay the price to redeem us from our sins. These are fairly clear examples. 

What specific things would not be considered salvation matters? After all, that is the context in which this discussion is taking place. Baptizing infants is one such example. Charles Haddon Spurgeon was a very prominent preacher in London in the 1800’s, and we are still today being blessed by his writings. However he supported only believer baptism, not infant baptism. In the Reformed faith, we believe it is biblical to baptize the infants of believers. Since Spurgeon never “repented” of not having baptized infants, did he forfeit his salvation? There are no texts of Scripture that would suggest that a correct understanding and practice of baptism bear direct relevance on entering the Kingdom of God.  Thus, while we believe one’s understanding and practice of baptism are important, it does not prevent one’s salvation if one does not understand it correctly.

At this point, let’s take a look again at the definition proposed above. A salvation matter is something believed or done that is against Scripture and, if not repented of, would prevent eternal salvation. 

If, as we’ve seen from Scripture, walking in unrepentant sin is a salvation matter, consider what Christian leaders are saying when they say same-sex marriage is not a salvation matter. They are saying one doesn’t need to repent of it in order to inherit the Kingdom of God. This is the same as saying it is not a sin. They are equating it to matters like practicing only believer baptism. In doing this, these leaders have assumed the last two synods were wrong when they confirmed that homosexual acts are sinful. But simply declaring it to be “not a salvation matter” offers no explanation as to why Synod was wrong.

Let’s take a look at some additional passages of Scripture that deal with the seriousness of sexual immorality in particular. I Cor. 5:11 reads, “But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one In Eph. 5:3 we read, “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.” There are similar warnings given in Matt. 5:27-30, Col. 3:5-6, Rev. 2:20-23, 21:8. 

A five-year study committee produced the Human Sexuality Report which concluded that same-sex relationships are sinful. Two synods then examined that document and officially determined the conclusion to be biblical. As Christians we are called to test the spirits (I John 4). When people say that same-sex acts are not a salvation matter, can that position stand up when it is tested in the light of Scripture?

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Herb Kraker is an elder at Searchlight Ministries in Jamestown, MI and he completed an MTS from Calvin Theological Seminary in 1987.