Did the first Church accept such things? No; they preached the Gospel, and they knew it would not be a popular message.
Indeed, a church is about ministering the truth, not acceptance. gays are welcome if they accept the ministry and testimony of each. This is a blatant attempt at muzzling and shutting up other congregants who have a different word from God to them.
These people are truly of the seed of Soddom and Satan, horrible.
and yet it grew in spite of that.
I agree....preach the full Word and God will honor His Word.
We are warned that the 'man of lawlessness' (2 Thessalonians 2) will not appear until the Apostasy (1 Timothy 4) comes first.
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!(Isaiah 5:20).
I would not want to be the pastor of one of these apostasy churches who will have to stand before The Lord and give an accounting of his actions.
This going along to get along routine is getting old. The Bible clearly states that as believers we are to get off our duffs and spread the Good News. . .not just invite them into a building! I heard a sermon yesterday that explicitly stated that we are to be like Paul and run the race to the end. . .not sit on a false sense of security. Notice verse 20 Jesus said commanded you NOT suggested to you.
Matthew 28:16-20King James Version (KJV)
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.