This post is a follow-up message from Pastor Ben's sermon entitled "Marriage Equality". [Watch video]

Last Sunday we began laying the groundwork for the subject of marriage in Ephesians 5. Why must we lay groundwork by talking about “Marriage Equality” before we address husbands and wives? The reason is that our culture has in just the past few decades created an atmosphere that is hostile to the teaching of Ephesians 5 on headship and submission.

But God’s people were never to follow culture. We cannot begin this discussion with what is popular, or how we feel, or even what has been made law. Our first concern is God’s law, not man’s.

We are well aware that gender roles and marriage equality are difficult subjects for many. But we must absolutely start with the authority of Scripture. The VBC Doctrinal Statement begins with these words, “The Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God and is the supreme and final authority for Christian faith and daily living (1 Timothy 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Matthew 5:18; Psalm 119).” It’s always good to remind ourselves of this starting place, and why we believe what we believe. We must let the Scriptures take us where they will, and we are unashamed in this position.

Jesus said this about marriage equality: “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate” (Matthew 19:4-6). With these words, Jesus affirmed both the historical fact of creation as well as God’s original design for “one flesh”-equality in marriage.

But Jesus affirmed many other things about the Scriptures:

Jesus Himself, affirmed the power of Scripture:
“But Jesus answered and said to them, ‘You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.’” (Matt.22:29)

Jesus Himself, affirmed the indestructibility of Scripture:
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” (Luke 21:33)

Jesus Himself, affirmed that all of God’s Word would be fulfilled:
“For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:18)

All this to say, if Jesus taught the authority of Scripture as unchanging for all time, shouldn’t we believe and do the same?

But what about the New Testament? “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world” (Hebrews 1:1-2). Jesus Christ was God’s final “Word” to all of mankind.

He then spoke through the New Testament apostles and prophets, “How will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard” (Hebrews 2:3).

Old Testament, Gospels, Epistles—they are all God’s inspired Words.

So, when we read...

"In the beginning God created the heavens and earth." (Genesis 1:1)

"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

"Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body." (Ephesians 5:22-23)

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her." (Ephesians 5:25)

...They are all equally true. One is not less true than another, regardless of time, place, culture or the opinion of people. If you believe one, you must believe the other.

When we talk about the authority of Scripture, we are talking about the authority of God. They are one and the same. Jesus is the Final Word on these matters—and all else.