Of Marriage and Divorce

1. Marriage is an ordinance of God; however, to be unmarried is also an equally honorable state, and it may be the will of God for a person to remain single. Every effort should be made to submit to the direction of God in this matter, and to maintain a chaste and obedient life style. 1 Cor. 7:7-8.

2. Premarital sex relations or promiscuous sex practices as well as homosexuality and other perversions of the natural order are violations of God’s law and purpose. All should strive to discipline their sexual desires, maintain purity of thought and practice, and avoid situations which lead to sexual temptation. 1 Cor. 6:9, 15-20; 1 Cor. 5:1-5, 9-11; 1 Cor. 7:8-9; Rom. 1:26-28; Phil. 4:8; Prov. 5.

3. By God’s appointment the marriage relationship is to continue as long as both parties are living. Marriage may not be contracted for any other period. After the death of one party the other party may lawfully marry another. Matt. 19:4-6; Rom. 7:2-3; Gen. 2:24-25; 1 Cor. 7:39.

4. Marriage is a covenant relationship made before God between a man and a woman. Prov. 2:17; Mal. 2:14; cf. Hos. 2:16-23.

5. The validity of marriage depends on the mutual agreement of the parties, rather than upon official administration; yet for the glory of God and the protection of the parties, and so that the greatness of the privilege and the seriousness of the responsibility of the marriage may be properly impressed on the parties, marriage should be contracted in the presence of a qualified officer and competent witnesses. Matt. 19:6; 1 Cor. 10:31; 1 Pet. 2:13.

6. The marriage of Christians should ordinarily be solemnized by an ordained minister of the Gospel. 1 Cor. 14:33, 40.

7. Parties to marriage should comply with the civil laws regarding marriage as long as these laws are not contrary to Scripture. 1 Pet. 2:13.

8. God created man, male and female, with specific responsibilities to each other. Gen. 2:18-25.

9. As sexual beings, men and women are, in ordinary circumstances, to marry for the expression of love, the satisfaction of their needs, and the mutual enjoyment of each other, as well as the continuation of the race. 1 Cor. 7:3-5.

10. God has ordained a natural order within the family: the husband is the head of the family, having a relationship to his wife like that of Christ to the Church. He is ordinarily the provider for his family. He is to love his wife as Christ loves His Church and as his own body. He is to love, discipline and instruct his children, and to lead his family in worship. 1 Tim. 5:8; Eph. 5:25-28; 1 Pet. 3: 7; Prov. 19:18; Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4; Deut. 6:4-9.

11. The wife is to be a helper to her husband. The Scripture commands submission to her husband in the Lord. She is to join her husband in the wise use of family resources, the care and instruction of children and the maintenance of the home as a place of love, cheerfulness and hospitality. Gen. 2:18; Eph. 5:22-24; Prov. 31:10- 31; 1 Pet. 3:1, 6.

12. Children are commanded to obey and honor their parents in the Lord. Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16; Eph. 6:1-3.

13. Family administration involves mutual responsibility. The exchange or confusion of roles in the family in ordinary circumstances results in God’s displeasure and in consequent unhappiness. Eph. 5:22; Eph. 6:4; Ps. 128; Col. 3: 18-21.

14. We deny that the submission in the Lord of a wife to her husband contradicts the equality, in value and dignity, of her person to his. Gen. 1:27; Gal. 3:28.

15. While we abhor the sinful abuses of a husband’s authority and the abdication of his responsibilities within marriage, common since the Fall, we deny that his headship is, in and of itself, a result of sin. Gen. 2:18; 1 Cor. 11:3-10; Eph. 5:23; 1 Tim. 2:11-13.

16. Although in certain circumstances in the service of God it may be unwise for a person to marry, we deny that Scripture forbids officers of the Church to marry. 1 Cor. 9:5; 1 Tim. 4:3.

17. We deny that marriage is a more spiritual state than the single life, or that it is necessary for eternal salvation. 1 Cor. 7:7-8.

18. We deny that marriage is necessary for officers in the Church. 1 Cor. 7:7.

19. Unborn children are living creatures in the image of God. From the moment of conception to birth they are objects of God’s providence as they are being prepared by Him for the responsibilities and privileges of postnatal life. Unborn children are to be treated as human persons in all decisions and actions involving them. Deliberately induced abortion, except possibly to save the mother’s life, is murder. Ex. 20:13; Ex. 21:22-23; Ps. 139:13-16.

20. Christians should not marry those who give only nominal adherence to the Christian faith. 1 Cor. 7:39; 2 Cor. 6:14.

21. We reject the last sentence in paragraph 4 of the Confession of Faith.

22. The prohibition of marriage with a deceased wife’s sister or a deceased husband’s brother is not warranted by Scripture. Lev. 18:18; Deut. 25:5-10.

23. Before seeking divorce, it is the responsibility of the innocent party to attempt reconciliation with the guilty party in the same manner as in any case of sin, first by his or her own appeal, and then, if need be, by calling on the elders of the church. Matt. 18:15-17.

24. In any marriage threatened with dissolution, or even if divorce has occurred, both parties ought to strive for reconciliation on the basis of repentance for sin and willingness to forgive. Eph. 5:25-33; Eph. 4:31-32; 1 Cor. 7:10-14.

25. Members of the household of faith should beware of seeking marriage counsel from unbelievers or from those who have failed to integrate their faith with their professional work. Matt. 18:15-17; 2 Cor. 6:14-17.

26. Desertion can be a ground of divorce only when the departing person is an unbeliever. 1 Cor. 7:15; Matt. 18:17.

27. If the unrepentant guilty party in a divorce marries another, he commits adultery. Matt. 19:9.

28. Where the guilty party shows evidence of repentance for the sin of breaking a marriage, the Church may receive or restore him or her to membership. Gal. 6:1. Education of Children

29. God is the source of all truth. The knowledge which man can attain merely reflects part of God’s creation, and cannot properly be understood apart from God. Therefore there can be no true education without a knowledge of God and His dealings with man, as revealed in the Scriptures. He enlightens man’s mind in the understanding of the physical and cultural world. Christians are to ask the aid of the Holy Spirit in the educational task. Ps. 24:1; Ps. 111:10; Prov. 2:6; Prov. 9: 10; Ex. 31:3-6.

30. Education of children is primarily the responsibility of parents, though they may delegate part of this responsibility to the church or other agencies. The earliest and most important educational institution is the home, where children are taught, by precept and example, basic principles of godly living. Parents should educate each child to the extent of their resources and the child’s ability, seeking to develop his God-given talents that he may serve God most fully and effectively. In order to promote the general welfare, the state may prescribe educational standards and should provide educational opportunities, both in harmony with God’s law. Deut. 6:6-9; Ps. 34:11; Ps. 78:2-7; Prov. 22:6.

31. In the providence of God public schools have provided great social benefits. Yet in serving a highly pluralistic society they have attempted to be religiously and morally “neutral,” which is sinful. To a large extent instruction is based on a secular, humanistic philosophy which ignores God and sees man’s welfare as the highest good. Local schools vary widely, however, according to the standards of the community and the quality of the teachers. All Christians, especially those who are teachers, school administrators or board members, should bear witness to the whole truth of God as it relates to education. Matt. 12:30; 2 Sam. 23:3-4.

32. Where necessary and possible, Christian parents should cooperate in supporting or establishing schools whose curriculum presents a biblical world and life view, and place their children in them. This requires maintenance of the highest academic quality along with Christian orientation in every subject and activity.

33. We reject any attempt by the state to force a secular, humanistic philosophy on Christian schools.

34. Parents should take care to counteract any unbiblical teaching given to their children, whether in public or Christian schools. As youth increase in their knowledge and discernment, the home and the Church should help them to examine what is presented in school, to distinguish between God-given truths and human theories, and to integrate the facts learned with a Christian view of man and the universe. Isa. 8:20.