Gender

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These
two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen 1:26-27.) Rejection of one’s biological sex given by God at birth is a rejection of the image of God within that person.

Marriage and Sexuality

We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Gen 2:18-25.)

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.)

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside
of a marriage between a man and a woman.

We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10.)

We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11.)

We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity as all people are made in the image of God. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31.) Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Canyon Bible Church of Prescott.

We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Canyon Bible Church of Prescott as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to Canyon Bible Church's members and to the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Canyon Bible Church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. (Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thess 5:22.)

Marriage Policy

Because God has ordained marriage and defined it as the covenant relationship between a man, a woman, and Himself, Canyon Bible Church of Prescott will only recognize and give due regard to marriages between a biological man and a biological woman as they were at birth. Further, the pastors, elders, deacons and anybody else in church leadership shall only officiate in weddings and solemnize marriages between one man and one woman as they were at birth.

Final Authority for Matters of Belief and Conduct

The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Canyon Bible Church’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Board of Elders is Canyon Bible Church’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.