Marriage Matters
I Timothy 3:2 “The husband of one wife”
Chapter 24 of the Westminster Confession of faith contains the clear teaching of Scripture concerning the permanence of marriage, Biblical reasons for divorce and the way the church is to confront divorce when it happens in its midst.
The text of the confession reads:
24.1
Marriage is to be between one man and one woman; neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband; at the same time.
24.2
Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife, for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue, and of the church with a holy seed; and, for the preventing of uncleanness.
24.5
Adultery, or fornication committed after contract, being detected before marriage, gives just occasion for the innocent party to dissolve the contract. In the case of adultery after marriage, it is lawful for the innocent party to sue out a divorce: and after the divorce, to marry another, as if the offending party were dead.
24.6
Although the corruption of man is such as is apt to study arguments, unduly to put asunder those whom God has joined together in marriage: yet nothing but adultery, or such willful desertion as can no way be remedied, by the church, or the civil magistrate, is cause sufficient for dissolving the bond of marriage: wherein a public, and orderly course of proceeding, is to be observed; and the person concerned in it, not left to their own wills and discretion, in their own case.
May this clear exposition of the Scripture enable us to clearly understand and do God’s will in this regard.
Because of grace,
Tim
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