The Westminster Confession of Faith 24-1, The Larger Catechism 137-139, and The Shorter Catechism 70-72 explain our Church’s understanding regarding marriage, particularly in reference to the Seventh Commandment, “You shall not commit adultery.” For additional information follow this link: http://pcaac.org/WCF.htm.
(Editor’s Note: The following statement was posted on the website of the PCA Administration Committee)
Since the Presbyterian Church (USA) amended its Book of Order 10-A, removing the so-called fidelity and chastity requirement for ordination, the Office of the Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) has received numerous inquiries regarding the PCA’s position on human sexuality and ordination. Inquirers have either confused the PCA with the PC(USA) or have simply asked what the position of the PCA is.
The PCA requires that all candidates for ordained office practice what we believe God requires of all persons; that is, that single persons are to live chaste lives, that “marriage is to be between one man and one woman,” and that fidelity in marriage is God’s will revealed in Holy Scriptures. The PCA has not changed nor is it considering any changes in its requirements for ordination.
The PCA and the PC(USA) are distinctly different denominations. Like most Presbyterian denominations in North America, the PCA and PC(USA) have common historical roots dating back to Colonial America. The history of Presbyterianism in America involves a series of divisions and mergers arising from several issues.
What is now the PCA was formed in 1973 in order to be a Presbyterian denomination that is “Faithful to the Scriptures, True to the Reformed Faith, and Obedient to the Great Commission.” In 1982 the Reformed Presbyterian Church Evangelical Synod joined with the PCA.
Although there are theological differences within PCA, these differences are along a conservative-evangelical spectrum and within the doctrinal parameters of The Westminster Confession, and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. All PCA Teaching Elders (Ministers), Ruling Elders, and Deacons, affirm in their ordination vows that they “sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith and Catechisms of this Church, as containing the system of doctrine taught in Holy Scriptures.”
The Westminster Confession of Faith 24-1, The Larger Catechism 137-139, and The Shorter Catechism 70-72 explain our Church’s understanding regarding marriage, particularly in reference to the Seventh Commandment, “You shall not commit adultery.” For additional information follow this link: http://pcaac.org/WCF.htm.
The PCA General Assembly has on several occasions expressed its position of seeking to minister the Good News of forgiveness to all people through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, teaching people to practice biblical standards of thinking, conversation, and conduct through instruction in the Holy Scriptures and in dependence upon the enabling grace of the Holy Spirit. For additional information follow these links: http://www.pcahistory.org/findingaids/rpces/docsynod/301.html, http://www.pcahistory.org/pca/2-398.pdf, http://www.pcahistory.org/findingaids/rpces/docsynod/301.pdf, http://www.pcahistory.org/pca/2-399.pdf, http://www.pcahistory.org/pca/3-025.pdf, http://www.pcahistory.org/findingaids/rpces/docsynod/301.pdf, http://www.pcahistory.org/pca/27GA-Ov22.pdf
For more information contact:
The Office of the Stated Clerk
Presbyterian Church in America
www.pcaac.org
Statement Source [Editor’s note: the original URL (link) referenced is no longer valid, so the link has been removed.]
