In a stunning example of modern-day apostasy, megachurch pastor Dr. Delman Coates of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, Maryland, used his pulpit to reject centuries of biblical teaching on sexual purity.
During a sermon series titled “Let’s Talk About Sex,” Coates flatly declared that sex outside of marriage is not a sin, contradicting clear Scripture and leading many to question how such a message could come from a church that claims to be “Christ-Centered.”
Breaking News. Spirit-Filled Stories. Subscribe to Charisma on YouTube now!
As reported by ChurchLeaders, Coates attributed traditional Christian teaching on premarital sex to “problematic translations” and centuries of “myths, superstitions and lies.” He insisted, “The Greek word ‘fornication’ in the Bible does not refer to premarital sex,” arguing instead that Paul’s warnings in 1 Corinthians 6 about sexual immorality were strictly about prostitution.
“Porneia,” he said, “means a harlot or a prostitute,” not premarital relations. He then claimed that “the entire context is fleeing prostitution, not fleeing premarital sex.”
/**/Such statements are not only inaccurate but deeply misleading.
The word porneia in the New Testament is used broadly to describe sexual immorality, which includes but is not limited to prostitution. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 15:19, “Out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality (porneia), theft, false testimony, slander.” To claim that the Bible “finds no biblical basis” for abstinence until marriage is a direct contradiction of the clear teaching of both Jesus and the apostles.
Coates went so far as to say, “The Bible is not saying that [sex outside of marriage is wrong]. It is critiquing prostitution, the immoral and unjust sexual and economic exploitation of poor people, slaves, women, and young males.” He added, “I really believe that some Christians think that being boring makes them holy.”
This kind of teaching is not just controversial, it is dangerous.
Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!
Paul warned in 2 Timothy 4:3 that “the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” That time is now.
The Bible does not change to accommodate modern desires. Any pastor who encourages believers to reject God’s standards for holiness is not leading a church, he’s leading a rebellion.
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
