I would agree with the statement that "being single is a calling
for an elect group". With God has ordained a person to be single,
let no man mock him or her. I believe that God has His purpose for
them in the ministry and Paul is an excellent example.
However, the criteria still holds. Interestingly, if you look at 1
Timothy 3 : 1-13, list quite a number of "qualification" that a
bishop(pastor in other denominations) and elders/deacons must
hold.
verse 2 says, "A bishop then must be blamless, the husband of one
wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt
to teach;"
Flip a page or two in the bible and we see in 1 Timothy 4:1-3 about
doctirnal posion mentioned by Paul to Timothy. Forbidding to marry
and abstaining from meats are doctrines of the Devil. (Hmm...makes
you wonder why that the Roman Catholics are doing with the monks,
nuns and abstaining of meats on Fridays).
Was Timothy really 19 years old. I only knew that he was young. My
understanding is that Paul sent Timothy to oversee the affairs the
church in Ephesus. As far as I know, the Bible did not mention that
Timothy was actually leading the congregation in the church akin a
bishop or pastor.
I would think that Timothy, despite his youth, has been well taught
by Paul and God had allowed him such wisdom to oversee the affairs
in the church in Ephesus.
Just a few more verses about homosexuality.
1) Homosexuality is an abomination and put to death
Lev 20:13 "If a man lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman,
both of them have commited an abomination: they shall surely be put
to death; thier blood shall be upon them."
2) Homosexuality is ungodly
2 Peter 2:6 "And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into
ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto
those that should live ungodly;"
3) Homosexuality is filthy and wicked
2 Peter 2:7 "And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy
conversation of the wicked."
So its quite clear on God's stand on homosexuality.
