Divorce and Remarriage When Are We Under the Law? - Part 1 Divorce is a too common problem today. Often been in a home and child calls the woman "Mom" and the man by his first name. It is best to study this subject when not emotionally involved. Jack Gibbert - very intelligent, knew the Scriptures well, but he was involved. Everett Mann - taught the truth, but later became involved. Divorce is too easy. A little money and paperwork and two can go their separate ways. Very little concern for what God says about the matter. What God says is very strict. Because of this, many try to get around God's Laws. Many say it is too complicated. It is not. What is complicated is man's attempts to get around God's Laws. Matthew 5:31-32 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. Mark 10:11-12 So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." Luke 16:17-18 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery. Matthew 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery: and whoso marries her which is put away doth commit adultery. Romans 7:2-3 For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. 1 Corinthians 7:10-13 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. Many positions are taught today trying to get around this teaching. Trying to allow what God calls adultery accepted into full fellowship and get people able to remarry when God said they are not allowed to. Becoming more common to hear brethren say it is impossible to know the truth for sure so we must let everyone determine their own truth. Ed Harrell wrote a series of articles defending Homer Hailey in Christian ity Magazine. They printed many letters others wrote, praising them for their tolerant attitude. Some wrote how refreshing it was to see people not taking a stand on this subject. Live and let live attitude. We must love one another, be patient with one another. Without this none of us can be saved. However, we must love God and His truth most. Three common methods used to justify remarriages God has not allowed. 1. People are not under the Law of God before Baptism. Therefore the marriage laws do not apply until after they become a Christian. 2. We are under the law before Baptism, it is sin, but we are forgiven of sin in baptism so an adulterous marriage is transformed into an acceptable marriage. 3. When the divorce is for adultery, both parties can remarry. This lesson is on #1. The only reason any of this ever got started was to justify those who have broken God's marriage laws and try to make it easy for them. It serves no other purpose. We Need to Remember the: 1. Mission of Jesus: To seek and save the Lost. How were they lost? Lost in sin. Isaiah 59:1-2 2. Purpose of the Gospel: To save men from their sins. This is why we are baptized. Why Is Man A Sinner? What Does It Take? Answers offered by men: 1. We inherit Adam's sin, born in sin, total depravity (cp. Ezekiel 18). 2. Violation of Civil Law. If you break one of man's laws you become a sinner. 3. Law of the heart. Inward consciousness of what is right and wrong. You sin when you violate your conscious. What Makes A Man A Sinner According to the Bible? Romans 1-3 mentions some sinners. What made them what they were? 1. Romans 1:18 Ungodliness and Unrighteousness. What standard determined this? 2. Romans 1:26-27 Homosexuals. What determined this to be indecent or vile? Civil Law? Law of the heart? No, God made a law in the Garden that man and woman were to be one flesh. Not Man and Man or Woman and Woman. Ever since then, homosexuality has been a sin, anytime, anyplace, by anybody. 3. Romans 1:18-32 shows that the Gentiles were guilty of breaking God's laws. 4. Romans 2 shows the Jews are just as guilty. Romans 2:1-2 Judgment is coming, judged by a standard, what standard? Truth! - 2:8 Where does truth come from? God - 1:25 John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 5. Romans 2:3 All who violate the truth will be condemned. 6. Conclusion of 1:18-2:23 The Jew that condemned the Gentile was as guilty as the Gentile, Gentile as guilty as the Jew. The Whole Point Of Romans 1-3 Is That All Are Guilty - 3:9, 23. All are in sin, Jew and Gentile. Point of the book is that salvation is the same for both groups Both have same guilt, both have same salvation by obedience to God through Christ. All Have Sinned - 3:23 What makes a man a sinner? #1, 2, 3 above? Man is a sinner when he disobeys God's standard for his life. What Is Sin? 1. Sin is "Lawlessness" or "Transgression of the Law" (KJV) Transgression or without whose Law? God's! He has a standard, a law we must follow. 1 John 3:4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 2. Sin is Unrighteousness. 1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin... What is unrighteousness? Anything not right! How do we know what is right? Who has the right to say? Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith... 3. Sin is to Wander From the Truth James 5:19-20 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. 4. Sin is to Not Do What God has Told Us To Do. James 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. There is a standard to live by. Where does it come from? God! Violation in any way = sin. Breaking the law of God. Before we can be guilty of sin we must be subject to God's laws. It is because we choose to break them that we are sinners and condemned and in need of a Savior. All Are Under The Authority Of Christ, Whether They Recognize it Or Not 1. Paul wrote that when Jesus was raised from the dead, God: Ephesians 1:20-21 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. (Col. 2:10) 2. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, our Lord instructed His disciples to teach all nations and baptize them. What right did Jesus have to tell the apostles to teach everyone they must submit to His will? The reason Jesus gave the apostles was: Matthew 28:18-19 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 3. When Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, he began His prayer by saying: John 17:1-2 Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son, that the Son may glorify Thee, even as Thou gavest Him authority over all mankind... (NASV) 4. Revelation was a message of encouragement to the Christians being persecuted. Even though they were facing difficult times, the Christians could take comfort that this message came: Revelation 1:5 "from Jesus Christ... the ruler over the kings of the earth... 5. Later in Revelation we can read of the time when the enemies of God will make war against the Lamb. They will be completely defeated. Why? They are fighting against the One who is: Revelation 17:14 "Lord of lords and King of kings". 6. God has always ruled over all mankind. Psalms 47:2, 7-8 For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. 7 For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. Israel was a special nation to God with special privileges and law. This did not alter the fact that all mankind was responsible to their Creator. The Gentiles were under a differ ent standard than the Jews, but they were still responsible to God for their actions. (Ro mans 2:12-15) If all mankind were not responsible to God, what gave Him the right to destroy Sodom, Edom, Egypt, Babylon and many others? It was because they transgressed the standards God had set for their behavior even though they were not in covenant relationship with Him. Nebuchadnezzar had to learn the hard way that it was the God of Israel who was ruler over all the realm of mankind. He was told: Daniel 4:25 They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses. One of the greatest messages of the book of Daniel is that Jehovah rules over all of mankind and not just the nation of Israel. (see Daniel 2:21, 37-38, 44, 4:17, 24-37, 5:18-28) All of the many prophecies against the nations proves that God expected them to live up to a certain standard and He had the right to punish those who refused to do so. Now that the fullness of times has come, the rule and authority belongs to the Son until He delivers the Kingdom up to the Father. (1 Cor. 15:24-26) Now, all are under the authority of Christ. This is why it is so urgent that we teach the world to repent. They have not submitted to His laws and are under condemnation. Why does the wrath of God come? Ephesians 5:3-6 5:6 "Because of these things..." 5:6 "disobedience" is translated from "apeithea". Vine's - "Stubborn rejection of God's will". Apeithea is used in reference to both alien sinners and children of God. It is the same word that is translated "unbelief" in Heb. 3:19, 4:6. What do people think God is going to use to judge when they teach a person is not under the law of God? Mankind's responsibility to God's will is the foundation of the judgment. The only thing that can judge anyone to be wrong is the law of God. What else can judge people? John 12:48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. There Must Be Law Before There Can Be Sin Romans 4:15 ...where there is no law there is no transgression. Romans 5:13 ... sin is not imputed when there is no law. Why is there no sin when there is no law? Sin is transgression of the Law. You cannot break a law that isn't there. (Stop sign on bus route. Pull it up, throw it away. Can't run it any more) Man Is Always Under Law. This is why man is condemned. Why did the Flood come? Sin! Sodom, Canaanites, Jericho, Balaam. Jonah preached to Nineveh to repent. Repent of what? Sin! Assyria, Egypt, Ammon, Moab, Tyre, Damascus, Babylon, Edom were all judged. Why? They did not live according to the standard they should. All have sinned. Romans 3:9, 23 This is why all must repent. The only reason the teaching that non-Christians are not under the law of God ever got started is to justify past marriages and divorces and try to make the teaching of Jesus easier. The only time it is ever used is to justify a marriage that God calls adultery and to let people stay in it. It is never used to teach homosexuals don't have to come out of sin, thieves, drunkards, etc. If we are not under God's law until we become a Christian, then we cannot sin until we become a Christian. Romans 4:15 ...where there is no law there is no transgression. Romans 5:13 ...sin is not imputed when there is no law. There is no such thing as 2 sets of marriage laws or a "Christian marriage". Either you follow God's laws or you do not. Baptism does not change the law we are under. It does enable us to be forgiven of the times we have broken the laws we are already responsible to. God's standard is for ALL. Either we follow it or we must repent before we can be for given. This includes stop doing the sin. To say that one is not under God's marriage laws until he becomes a Christian is a lie of Satan, one that will cause people to go to hell, condemned forever because they never repented to be forgiven. No one repents for getting married (assuming they have the right to get married) We repent of sin! Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. It doesn't matter what sin a man is involved in, he must turn away from it, he must re pent. Whether it is drinking, lying, stealing, not doing what he knows what is right or adultery. There must be repentance, a turning from the evil. All are responsible to God's Law. All have broken them. Our only hope is to repent (turn away from sin) and be forgiven of the sins we have committed. We cannot isolate the marriage laws out of everything else and say we don't have to repent and come out of the sin we are guilty of no matter how difficult it might be to follow. If we do, what verse gives us the right? Man is guilty in sin. This is why Christ died. Sin is transgression of Law and Man is accountable. The purpose of the Bible, Sacrifice, Christianity, is Man is lost in Sin. Obvious, simple to understand, unless we allow emotions to rule instead of our minds. Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc Divorce and Remarriage When Are We Under the Law? Part 2 Anytime man tampers with the Bible for any reason he runs into problems. Often people don't want to hear what God says, they think the cost of discipleship is too high and unreasonable. Many have itching ears and turn from the truth. It doesn't make a differ ence what a person comes up with, we can know the truth on the matter if we know where to look. God has given a book that has the answer no matter what. This completeness is one evidence that it is word of God. No man could have written it so complete and perfect. The teaching that a person is not under marriage laws and can marry many times, and then keep whoever they are married to at time of their baptism is no exception. Left off with repentance last lesson. We must have it to be saved (Luke 13:3, 5). What is Repentance? Thayer's Lexicon "to change one's mind for the better, heartily to amend with abhor rence of one's past sins" Gagster's Lexicon "to undergo a change in frame of mind and feeling, to repent; to make a change of principle and practice, to reform" Webster's "to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life" Repentance always includes change of action, It is a turning. We know of repentance from action. To Pharisees and Sadducees, John preached: Matthew 3:7-8 ...Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance. In 1 Cor. 6:9-11, if they had remained sinning could they claim to have repented? How do we know the fornicator repented? stopped fornicating, idolater stops worship ping idols, thieves stop stealing, etc. Adulterers must stop committing adultery. The whole purpose of repentance to begin with is that we are guilty before God. One that did not repent - Rev. 2:18-22 We must cease from sin to repent. What is so hard about this to understand? Problem: Some don't like the conclusions. They Make Emotional Arguments: 1. Children involved, Ezra 10:1-5 All this proves is that the way of the transgressor is hard. (Proverbs 13:15) Neither man's law nor God's law changes just because children are involved. Yes, this can cause difficulties, but it does not change the law. 2. They love each other. Drunk may truly love his bottle, but if he is going to repent, he needs to give it up. Homos and Lesbians may love each other. What or who do we love most? If a man is convicted of a crime and sentenced to prison, imagine a lawyer arguing that he can't be sent to prison because he and his wife love each other and cannot be separated. Try using this excuse in the military to avoid deployment where no crime has been committed. 3. If we tell people this they will not become Christians. Luke 14:26 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. Even if we baptize them we haven't baptized a true disciple. We too often forget what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, want to make it easier. Often, it can be difficult to follow Christ, but we must realize what we have been forgiven of. We know we have broken God's laws and stand condemned on our own, but Jesus took our sins on Him and now we must follow Him, giving self up as He gave Himself for us. Either we love Him enough to do it or we don't. Other Problems to Consider 1. If non-Christians are not under marriage laws how can they be guilty of adultery? 1 Cor. 6:9-11 2. Did any of the Corinthians continue in their sins? If so, were they forgiven or still guilty? Why try to isolate only one sin? 3. Baptism is for remission of sins for non-Christians. For a Christian, prayer is for remission of sins. Either way one is just as forgiven. If married, then baptized and then they can remain in unlawful marriage, why not marry and pray and stay in marriage? Would you not be just as forgiven? 4. If Baptism makes a wrong marriage right, what happens when only one is baptized? Is one committing adultery and one is not? 5. If marriage is recognized by God only in the church, it is then a church ordinance. Then only those in church are married (no such thing as a Christian and Non-Christian Marriage, just marriage). To be consistent, all who are baptized should then have a marriage ceremony because they were never truly married to begin with. Baptism is not a Marriage Ceremony. Any who sees this is seeing something not there. Where is the passage? Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins. To teach that it does more, we must be able to find it in God's Word. If marriage laws do not apply to the sinner how can marriage itself be? (Felix was married to Drusilla, Acts 24:24). 6. Some desire one example of a couple breaking up after Baptism. There was a serious divorce problem during the 1st Century. The Bible doesn't mention any, and there are no writings are preserved of couples breaking up. In 1 Cor. 6:9-11, there is a list of those who shall not inherit the Kingdom. Where is the example of the Thief, Drunk, Homosexual changing their ways? How do we know it would be wrong for a thief to keep stealing, drunk to keep drinking, etc.? From the passages that tell us it is wrong. How do we know it would be wrong to continue in a marriage that God calls adultery? The Bible tells us it is wrong. The passage that talks about unscripturally married couples breaking up is found in every passage that teaches repentance of sins. 7. A lie is a lie whether before or after baptism, theft is theft before or after. If it is adultery before baptism it is adultery after baptism. If not, why not? One would have to prove the laws of God are changed for one after baptism to say they are innocent. God Has A Standard To Judge By John 5:28-29 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth -- those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. John 12:48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him -- the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Acts 17:30-31 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead. Marriage is from the beginning - Matt 19:3-6, Gen. 2:24 God's Marriage laws are for all mankind, for all times. They are not laws just for the Jews or just for Christians. God created man, wants man to be happy, knows what is best for man and set the laws up for man's own good. "It is not good for man to be alone" shows God's concern. Today marriage is the only thing we have left our of the Garden of Eden. Today it is still true "It is not good for man to be alone". Marriage is the closest union people can have in this life It is something that is very serious, and is something people need. We need to be able to depend on our family, no matter what happens. We change jobs, cars, jobs, wealth changes, yet always should have our husband or wife we can depend on. When we violate any of God's laws, He has warned us of the punishment. When we violate God's marriage laws, it is no exception. If a man does not treat his wife according to knowledge, God won't listen to his prayers. If he does not provide for his family he is worse than an infidel. If his family is not like it should be he cannot be an elder or deacon. If any man or woman violate the trust of their spouse, the one that God said they are to be one flesh for life and goes out with another, God says you no longer have the right to be married again for the rest of your life. It does not matter what the problem may be (1 Cor. 7:10-11) What about the position that you are forgiven at baptism, therefore you remain in the marriage you happen to be in at the time of conversion? 1 Corinthians 7:20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. Remain in any lawful calling.- 1 Cor. 7:12-24. Married or not, circumcised or not, free or not, it makes no difference. Living in adultery is not something you can remain in. 1. Can a homosexual or lesbian couple remain together? Why not? God condemns it as sin! Can a couple in an adulterous marriage remain together? No! They must repent of their sin. They can be forgiven as much as the homosexuals, but they must come out of their sin. 2. If Baptism makes a wrong marriage right, what happens when only one is baptized? Is one committing adultery and one is not? 3. Baptism is not a Marriage Ceremony. Any who sees this is seeing something not there. Where is the passage? Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins. To teach that it does more, we must be able to find it in God's Word. If marriage laws do not apply to the sinner how can marriage itself be? (Felix was married to Drusilla, Acts 24:24). 4. Baptism is for remission of sins for non-Christians. For a Christian, prayer is for remission of sins. Either way one is just as forgiven. If married, then baptized and then they can remain in unlawful marriage, why not marry and pray and stay in marriage? Would you not be just as forgiven? God takes marriage seriously - Malachi 2:13-16 If man and woman break up over little things like "incompatibility", God says: "If you do not work it our and get back together, you must remain alone the rest of your life." Marriage is for life, "till death do you part." We need to see the seriousness of marriage before we can understand the seriousness of the penalty on divorce. Either we follow God's laws on marriage or we don't. If we don't while we are not a Christian we are guilty and need forgiveness. We must repent to be forgiven. This includes coming out of the sin. If we disobey while Christian we are guilty and need forgiveness and must have repentance. Whether we violate God's law before we become a Christian or after, we must repent to be forgiven. 1. The law is the same for both Christian and Non-Christian, 2. The sin is the same - 1 John 3:4 - sin is lawlessness 3. The penalty is the same We are under the law before Baptism. When we violate God's marriage laws before we are baptized, it is sin, and we need to be forgiven. We can be forgiven of breaking God's marriage laws along with all other sins, but baptism does not transform an adulterous marriage into an acceptable marriage. Baptism is not a marriage ceremony. It is for the forgiveness of sins. If marriage laws do not apply to non-Christians, then no non-Christian is married and at baptism, all couples would have to be re-baptized. All Have Sinned, All Need Forgiveness This is why Christ died "While We Were Yet Sinners" (Romans 5:8) God invites us to come out of our sin whatever it may be and be his child and live with him forever. We must be baptized to have sins forgiven. Why are we in sin? We broke God's laws. Through baptism we can receive forgiveness of past sins, but we must also stop committing the sins, no matter what part of God's laws we have broken. If something is sin, it must be repented of, turned away from, stopped, ceased. No one attempts to justify the continuation of any other sins except the sin of breaking God's marriage laws, God has given no exceptions If there is an exception, must show the passage to prove it, Not "I Think", "I Feel", "I Want", "I Believe", but what does God say? Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc Divorce and Remarriage - Part 3 The Exception God made man male and female for a reason, to leave father and mother and cleave to his wife and be one flesh. This for all times and for all people. God established marriage for benefit of man and society. 1. Man is to have a "help meet" in life to get through life and to accomplish goals. Help meet - KJV, (a helper suitable - NIV, a helper comparable - NKJV) = fit, proper. Male + female = fulfill God's purpose for man. 2. Marriages provides a Legal, orderly method of raising children. Animals vary in behavior, man higher than animals, actions to be higher. He is to cleave to wife, one flesh, have offspring from union. Malachi 2:15 Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. (NIV) Where there is a breakdown of marriage as God would have it, there is a breakdown in raising godly offspring. 3. Lawful exercise of desire of flesh, 1 Cor 7 "to avoid fornication". Sexual relations are good and proper if done according to God's will. Man has made many restrictions through the centuries. God's restriction is that all sexual relations are to be within the marriage relationship. Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. All this was in the original desire of God, Matt. 19, Gen. 2:24 What is Marriage? Webster's: 1. the social institution under which a man and woman live as husband and wife by legal or religious commitments. 2. the state, condition, or relationship of being married. Marriage is a special relationship between man and woman. It may be righteous (right) or may not be. Just because the relationship is there does not mean it is right before God. Mark 6:17-18 - Herod and Herodius Herod married Herodius, John said it not lawful to have her. Why? She was "Thy brother's wife" She was married to Herod, yet she was not referred to as Herod's wife but the wife of Philip. Herodius was married to Herod by laws of man but as far as God was concerned she was married to another man. Just because people are married doesn't mean God considers them husband and wife. Something else is involved. People speak of the "Marriage Bond" as if they were the same. In a true marriage there is the marriage and bond at the same time. Two can be married but not bound, can be bound but not married. We can have a bond where the marriage has been destroyed. Marriage is special relationship between man and woman, which they may have a right to it or may not. Herod and Herodias did not have that right. Herodius was married to Herod, but still considered wife of Philip. "Bond" from "Deo" Thayer's - "Bind, that is to put under obligation that is law". To understand marriage and remarriage must understand difference between marriage and Bond. "Marriage" is a special relationship between a man and woman. They may have the right or may not have that right. Herod did not, yet married to Herodias. She still wife of Philip, not Herod as far as God was concerned. "Bond" is the obligation we have because of the Law of God. Deo - to bind, put under obligation, of the law, duty Romans 7:2 Bound by law Romans 7:2 For the woman who has a husband is bound [deo] by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. Whose law? God's law, God says so. While her husband lives she is an adulteress. The man she is married to she not bound to. She is bound to one that she is not married to. The one she is bound to is called her husband, but the one she is married to is just another man. Just because she is married doesn't mean it is acceptable to God. God says she is still accountable to the first man. Whatever caused the breakup, she had no right to the second man. 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 If she departs, let her remain unmarried. Whatever is involved in departing amounted to becoming unmarried. It destroyed the marriage relationship. The first thing that is said is Don't Do It, but if she does, there are two options. #1 remain unmarried or #2 go back to husband. Even though she is unmarried and may remain unmarried, she still has husband as far as God is concerned. 7:15 Not under bondage "bondage" is from douloo {doo-lo'-o} a. to make a slave of, reduce to bondage b. metaph. give myself wholly to one's needs and service, make myself a bondman to him If an unbelieving spouse departs, the believer is not under obligation to serve them once they leave. They may be separated, and unmarried, not serving one another, but they still have a husband or wife (7:10-11). Something is still there after the marriage relationship is gone, this is referred to the "Bond". The bond is not the same thing as the marriage relationship. This is important when looking at Matthew 19. Bonds can be one way. One can be released from a bond while the other is not because of what they have done. 1 Corinthians 7:39 A wife is bound [deo] by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. We need to see what God expects of the union. It is not to be taken lightly. It is not something we get into and out of easily, but bound together for life. Matthew 19 19:5 Cleave or join - from proskollao, kollao = glue, proskollao = strong glue (fasten together) 19:6 One flesh "One" in Genesis 2:24 is the same as "One" in Deut. 6:4 "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord" Lord is from Jehovah, God from Elohim (Gods), (God said, let Us make man in Our image) As the God-head is one, united in power and purpose, so is man and woman to be united. 19:6 "What God has joined" Joined is from suzeugnumi {sood-zyoog'-noo-mee} 1) to fasten to one yoke, yoke together 2) to join together unite 2a) of the marriage tie Joined - yoke, like two animals working and pulling together. They have the same direction, same goals, same ambitions. Idea of two going sepa rate ways in marriage not according to Bible. For couples to work or plow together as one is what God wanted for mankind from the beginning. Marriage is not just two people making an agreement and that they can do what they want and they can get in or out as they please. There is much more than that in marriage. 19:6 "Let no man put asunder". The emphasis is on the closeness of the two. Marriage is a Covenant of God Malachi 2:14 Yet you say, "For what reason?" Because the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Proverbs 2:16-17 To deliver you from the immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters with her words, who forsakes the companion of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God. Man wants to make marriage to be just a human covenant that we can get into and out of anytime any way we see fit. In actual fact we have God to deal with. Romans 7:2-3, 1 Cor. 7:39 Woman is bound by law, God's law. We cannot approach marriage Divorce, Remarriage without taking in consideration what God has said from beginning to end. Covenant: A pact or an agreement between man and wife. When it is with God, it is one sided. God makes the terms, there are no negotiations. With marriage, there is an agreement between two people, they make an agreement, and with God. God sets the terms for his part. There is no negotiation. We can obey or disobey, but we cannot change the rules. When a marriage is made, two people make an agreement, a covenant, not only with each other but also with God. Now they are also under God's laws. God joins them. Now they are expected to fulfill the obligations of their commitment. When they break that commitment, God does not take it lightly. God holds them accountable. God calls divorce treachery. Being married is serious thing. Too often the idea is if it doesn't work, then divorce and try again. We may divorce and remarry as far as man's laws are concerned but God still holds you responsible to the first marriage. If one ever remarries after divorce, God doesn't see it as marriage but as adultery. The reason it is adultery is because as far as God is concerned they are still married to the first. It makes no difference what man may think. Many laugh at it, celebrities do it as if it is great thing, it is encouraged, amuses people on T.V. God has never accepted it and never will. This Covenant is special and is not to be played with. Law of marriage says if anyone divorces and remarries, the second marriage is really an adulterous union. A couple is bound for life. There is Only One Exception Given - Matthew 5, 19. Matthew 19: Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus. They had two views on divorce and wanted to be able to accuse Jesus of being either too strict or lenient. Christ does not refer to their ideas nor Moses, but goes to the beginning. This answer is the same as the one given in Genesis, Romans, 1 Cor, Mark, Luke He is questioned further, (cp. Mark 10) 19: 8-9 putting away = to loose, The Bill of Divorcement is as open and public as marriage. Fornication = with man or woman (Jude 7 - homosexual = fornication) When one that is put away remarries it is Adultery, Why? They are bound to one another. Who does the exception apply to? Some claim both. Look at where it is located. It applies only to the one putting away, not the one put away. Matthew 19:9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery. (NKJV) Matthew 19:9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery. (NRSV) Matthew 19:9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery. (NIV) Matthew 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery. (ASV) Matthew 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. (KJV) Two made covenant, God holds both responsible. If you break your covenant, you cannot remarry except for Fornication. The one innocent can. What of one put away? They commits adultery, no exception given Matthew 5:31-32 Matthew 5:32 says it differently, This is position of responsibility, "Makes". When a man puts away his wife he makes her adulteress. He must share responsibility of sin she commits. Why? They have a covenant. He breaks that covenant and puts her away. God holds him to that covenant. He has responsibility to woman. His body is not his, but hers. 1 Cor. 7:3-4 You break your covenant, you are held responsible for the results. If he puts wife away for fornication, she is responsible for her own sin, he is freed, she broke the covenant and made herself an adulteress. The person initiating the divorcing is held accountable for the fornication of another if the divorce is for a wrong reason. If a man marries again, he commits adultery against his first wife - Mark 10:11. Mark 10:11 So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. Problems if the Guilty Party Can Remarry 1. If a man gets tired of his wife and meets another woman, if he commits fornication with the new woman, then he is free to divorce his first wife and remarry. If he does not commit fornication with the new woman, then he must remain single if he divorces his wife. 2. If a husband beats up wife, is a drunkard, mistreats the children, and she leaves, she must remain single. But if she commits fornication with another man, then it's O.K. to marry again. 3. If a man and woman tire of each other and meet couple that each is attracted to the other, all they would have to do is have weekend of wife and husband swapping and then remarry and be acceptable to God. 4. If a man and woman separate, and she does not live with another or remarry, does the man have right to remarry? No. All he would have to do is commit fornication, get divorced and then he would be free to remarry. No religion or society has a more lax standard of divorce and remarriage than one that teaches a man can deliberately commit fornication to get rid of wife and remarry. Could not a man commit fornication and remarry 50 times if he can do it once? God's Law is Strict, Very Strict Matthew 19:10 was the time for Jesus to correct His disciples when they expressed surprise at His words, but he didn't. The disciples got the point many today need to. We can understand, if we will just put all the passages together. Marriage is not: Man bound to Wife Only But is: Man Bound to Woman, Man bound to God, Woman Bound to God. One may have their bond broken between the man and woman but the bond with God will still be there. We are still subject to His law. When one commits adultery, the spouse has the right to break the bond between them, but the bond with God's law is still there. Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc Does Matthew 19 Still Apply Today? The exception in Matt. 19 is not found in other passages. The Lord did not have to state it every time to make it binding. Luke does not mention baptism in his account of the great commission, but that does not mean baptism is not required. Just because baptism is not mentioned in John 3:16 does not mean that we do not need to be baptized. When Paul spoke on divorce, he was not giving an exhaustive teaching on the subject in any of the passages, but was giving teaching that applied to the particular situation in the context. The exception is repeated in Matt. 5:32. Matt. 5:32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery. Just because the exception is not stated in one place doesn't mean that it cannot be found elsewhere. When God gave the Pass over Law in Exodus, He gave explicit directions as to when it was to be observed, and no exception is to found at that place. Later, in Numbers, an exception was given for those on a journey or those unclean by reason of contact with a dead body. They were to observe the Passover on the same day, only one month later. We must realize that the law of God can be stated in some place or place without the exception being mentioned. This would be true of Paul's statements in Romans 7 and 1 Corinthians 7. The fact that the exception is not mentioned here does not mean that it does not exist. Baptists give many verses to show that belief is needed for salvation and conclude that since baptism is not mentioned in the passages they quote, it means that it is not a condition of forgiveness. We only have to quote Acts 2:38 etc, to show that it belongs to the law of God and is binding. Matt. 5:32 and 19:9 are not explanations of Deut. 24. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some uncleanness in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house, when she has departed from his house, and goes and becomes another man's wife, if the latter husband detests her and writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house, or if the latter husband dies who took her to be his wife, then her former husband who divorced her must not take her back to be his wife after she has been defiled; for that is an abomination before the Lord, and you shall not bring sin on the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance. If one was guilty of adultery, the punishment was clear. It is not mere divorce: Deuteronomy 22:22 If a man is found lying with a woman married to a husband, then both of them shall die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman; so you shall put away the evil person from Israel. Leviticus 20:10 The man who commits adultery with another man's wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death. JESUS CAME TO TEACH THE KINGDOM OF GOD, NOT THE LAW OF MOSES Matthew 4:23 Now Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Mark 1:14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, Luke 4:43 but He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent." Luke 8:1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, WE MUST LISTEN TO WHAT JESUS TAUGHT John 3:34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. John 5:24 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. John 8:47 He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God. John 8:51 Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death. John 12:48-50 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak. John 14:23-26 Jesus answered and said to him, If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me. These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 17:8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. John 17:14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at various times and in different ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; Hebrews 2:1-3 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. I say to you When Jesus said "I say unto you" He was laying down the law for the new Kingdom Matthew 5:21-22 You have heard that it was said to those of old, `You shall not murder,' and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, `Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, `You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. Matthew 5:27-28 You have heard that it was said to those of old, `You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:33-34 Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, `You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; Matthew 5:43-44 You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Matthew 10:42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward. Matthew 12:36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. Matthew 18:3 and said, Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:19 Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. Matthew 19:23-24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Matthew 5:31-32 Furthermore it has been said, `Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery. Matthew 19:8-9 He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery." Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc