Sanctity of Marriage

[JIME]

Sanctity of Marriage

Marriage is an establishment that is given and governed by God Almighty. Its ultimate purpose was to multiply the human race, but it was also for companionship.

(Genesis 1:26-28) Then God said,

Edited September 28, 2009 by JIME

[Fez]

This from Tertullian, in about Ad 500 in a letter to his wife. Tertullian - Letter to His wife - Book 1. he knew a thing or two.

Together they pray, together prostrate themselves, together perform their fasts; mutually teaching, mutually exhorting, mutually sustaining. Equally (are they) both (found) in the Church of God; equally at the banquet of God; equally in straits, in persecutions, in refreshments. Neither hides (ought) from the other; neither shuns the other; neither is troublesome to the other. The sick is visited, the indigent relieved, with freedom. Alms (are given) without (danger of ensuing) torment; sacrifices (attended) without scruple; daily diligence (discharged) without impediment: (there is) no stealthy signing, no trembling greeting, no mute benediction. Between the two echo psalms and hymns; and they mutually challenge each other which shall better chant to their Lord. Such things when Christ sees and hears, He joys. To these He sends His own I peace. Where two (are), there withal He Himself. Where He, there the Evil One is not.

These are the things which that utterance of the apostle has, beneath its brevity, left to be understood by us. These things, if need shall be, suggest to your own mind. By these turn yourself away from the examples of some. To marry otherwise is, to believers, not "lawful;" is not "expedient."

[JCISGD]

Hi JIME, if youve seen my previous posts on this topic in the M/D poll etc you will see i agree and am 95% convinced with the death only exception for remarriage. I am a divorced person who was married preChrist to a divorced woman. I spent 4 agonising years trying to know the truth of my duty and course of action, before divorcing. I was at the time seperated unreconcilably from her and our two young children. Only after 20 yrs did i come accross the proofs you are posting and now i think i was right to divorce, even though at the time i had only complied with my wifes wishes and i had did not have peace about it.

I do have a couple of niggling concerns that you or others might be able to help clear up. I am not seeking to bind anyone up or liberalise the scriptures, i only wish to uphold the truth.

1.) Jesus said "whoever divorces his wife causes her to commit adultery" Is Jesus then expecting/allowing her to remmarry? how is that she is commits adultery unless she remmarries and why is it that Jesus assumes/predicts? she will remarry?, or is she considered as being in adultery merely because her husband has divorced her?

2.) Paul says not to divorce the unbelieving spouse if they are willing to stay but the believer is not under bondage (duty) if the unbeliever wants to depart from the marriage. 1 Cor 7:12 + 13 +15. Is Paul condoning divorce of an unbeliever? if so how is this not adultery?

[JIME]

Hi JIME, if youve seen my previous posts on this topic in the M/D poll etc you will see i agree and am 95% convinced with the death only exception for remarriage. I am a divorced person who was married preChrist to a divorced woman. I spent 4 agonising years trying to know the truth of my duty and course of action, before divorcing. I was at the time seperated unreconcilably from her and our two young children. Only after 20 yrs did i come accross the proofs you are posting and now i think i was right to divorce, even though at the time i had only complied with my wifes wishes and i had did not have peace about it.

I do have a couple of niggling concerns that you or others might be able to help clear up. I am not seeking to bind anyone up or liberalise the scriptures, i only wish to uphold the truth.

1.) Jesus said "whoever divorces his wife causes her to commit adultery" Is Jesus then expecting/allowing her to remmarry? how is that she is commits adultery unless she remmarries and why is it that Jesus assumes/predicts? she will remarry?, or is she considered as being in adultery merely because her husband has divorced her?

2.) Paul says not to divorce the unbelieving spouse if they are willing to stay but the believer is not under bondage (duty) if the unbeliever wants to depart from the marriage. 1 Cor 7:12 + 13 +15. Is Paul condoning divorce of an unbeliever? if so how is this not adultery?

The answer to your first question: I think Jesus knew that the desire of a woman is to be married. Thus, He said if she being divorced remarries she commits adultery because she is still bound to her first husband by God. God only recognizes the first marriage.

The answer to your second question: Paul was telling them to stay with the unbeliever to be a witness, but not to leave the unbeliever or divorce them. If they(the unbeliever) leave, then let them go. They are still married in the sight of God. Basically they are separated. They cannot remarry.

[Guest LadyC]

if the unbeliever divorces the believer, the believer is free to marry again.

[Believer1997]

I'm so happy someone has started a thread on marriage and divorce - I don't believe we've ever had one here!!!

[Arthur Durnan]

I agree that holy matrimony is a lifetime commitment between a male & a female. In fact it's the only sexual relationship ever sanctioned by the Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 19 is quite clear. And I also agree that if an unsaved spouse is determined to depart, as Paul puts it, then the saved spouse is to regretfully allow it. Biblical lifetime marriage is compared in Holy Writ with our Savior's eternal relationship with His blood-bought Church.

[Smalcald]

What does sanctity mean as it relates to marriage?

[~Shalhevet~]

This topic has been talked about adnauseum. http://www.worthychristianforums.com/divor...ues-t94001.html

I've said my opinions and nobody like them so I have nothing else to say. I agree that remarriage is adultery except in cases of adultery, widowers, and unbelievers leaving believing spouses.

[JIME]

What does sanctity mean as it relates to marriage?

It means that it is sanctioned, ordained, governed by God. God commissioned marriage as stated by Jesus in Matt 19:5-6 (AMP)--And said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be united firmly (joined inseparably) to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder (separate).

It says that God joins people in marriage thus making it sanctified.

Edited September 29, 2009 by JIME