by Tim Cantrell, Sr. Pastor,
Antioch Bible Church
(Johannesburg, South Africa)

We do not practice conversion therapy; we practice conversion ministry.  We preach true conversion and God’s transforming power:  “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul” (Ps 19:7).  “Repent you therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19).  We convert no one; God alone does it.

We affirm that no one was ever saved by becoming heterosexual.  Hell is populated by both heterosexuals and homosexuals, by all who would not repent and be converted to Christ.

We deny that we are homophobes or transphobes; we are Theo-phobes, we fear God, not man.  We affirm that we love all people, because they are made in God’s image; and because they are fellow sinners in need of God’s saving grace, including all homosexuals and transexuals.

We deny that we practice hate-speech; it is love-speech, “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15).  We affirm that what God says about human sexuality is life-giving and liberating for society, and has transformed civilisations (Matt. 5:13-16).  We are following Jesus’ Golden rule, ‘treating others the way we would want to be treated’ (Matt. 7:12).

We affirm that real hate and true love are not defined by society, but by Scripture, which tells us, “Love…does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Cor. 13).  Lying to people is hatred not love.

We deny that biblical sexuality is “myth” (a).  Homosexuality and transgenderism are myths destroying society.  God defines what is true and false; myths are measured against the standard of His Word.

We deny that homosexuals are truly “gay”; sin brings misery and ruin.  Real joy is found in obeying God’s Law and in knowing His Son.  We deny that the rainbow belongs to the LGBTQ community; God gave the rainbow as His sign to all the earth of His faithfulness. 

We deny that homosexuals should have pride in their perversity; they should be ashamed of their rebellion against nature and against the Creator (Rom. 1:18-32).  Only Christ can forgive sin, remove shame, and give a clear conscience.

We deny that LGBTQ inclinations are God-given or natural, or that such a lifestyle is an inalienable human/civil right.

We deny that people can define their own gender, identity, or pronouns.  God made us, He decides our gender and we submit to His pronouns.  Gender cannot be re-assigned or transitioned out of; it is not fluid or subjective; it is fixed and objective – defined by the Creator, not the creatures.  Your gender is never an accident; it is always by divine assignment.

We affirm that God’s grace in the gospel gives both pardon and power for the follower of Christ to put sinful desires to death and live a transformed, Spirit-filled new life (b) (1 Cor. 6:9-11; 2 Cor. 5:17).

(a) As stated in Canada’s recent C-4 Bill:  https://www.libertycoalitioncanada.com/biblical-sexuality-sermon-sunday

(b) See helpful Nashville Statement:  https://cbmw.org/nashville-statement