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NASB | Matthew 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble and sin [by leading him away from My teaching], it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone [as large as one turned by a donkey] hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. [Mark 9:42; Luke 17:2] |
Subject: should I avoid the appearance of evil? |
Bible Note: I understand quite well the argument that The-minor is putting forth. The scriptures he is quoting denote that the act of intercourse is a consumation placing both participants in a state of marriage. See 1 Crinthians 6:16: "Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a harlot is ONE BODY with her? For it says, "THE TWO WILL BECOME ONE FLESH."" The exact act here (between a person and a harlot), is illicit sexual intercourse (fornication between an individual and a prostitute, as Theo-minor previously defined). The result, as Paul adequately describes, is marriage. There are no vows, no passing of rings, no preacher, friends, family, bridesmaids, etc. Just a person, a prostitute, and the Lord. The bible, in no place, prescribes the tradition of marriage (exchange of rings, marriage vows, etc.) that we have today. Marriage, while it is manifested publically, is a union between a man and a woman, and not between those two and any other person. I challenge you to produce scripture that displays the modern marriage ceremony as neccessary to facilitate "marriage". You will find no such scripture. All two people need to be "married", in my opinion, based on what is or is not found in the scriptures, is a WILLINGNESS to be married. Nowhere does the scripture require pomp and circumstance or ceremony. However, I do not denegrate the modern marriage ceremony of a purpose, and gladly suggest that a marriage ceremony, a reception, preacher, vows, etc. are a fine thing and I add that there is no wrongdoing in the participation in such festivities. However, we must not enforce what is a tradition of men where it contradicts the teachings of God. Those two people, engaged and living together (assuming they are engaged in intercourse), by Biblical example (the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:15-16, Gen 2:23-24, Gen 38:9, Deut 21:13, Deut 25:5], are as married as I am to my wife, you are to your wife, George W. Bush is to his wife, Augustus Caeser was to Livia, Joseph was to Mary, etc. You wrote: "When some one comes to be baptized they are saying I have repented, and turned away from sin, and want to follow Jesus and His instructions." Are you suggesting that two people, husband and wife, are to repent of foregoing a public marriage ceremony? You wrote: "Marriage is not mans standard of tradition, but is the standard the Lord has made,..." I agree, so why do we place our standards above the Lord's (as described in the passages above)? You wrote: "...it is not only sin in mans eyes, but is by Gods standard, Hebrews 13:4." Here you quote "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled..." [Hebrew 13:4 partial]. Do you suggest that we do not honor the union God has made? Or do you not know, "that the one who joins himself to a harlot is ONE BODY with her? For it says, "THE TWO WILL BECOME ONE FLESH."" [1 Corinthians 6:16]. Finally, I insist that you retract your "Catfish" accusations. They are juvenile and horrible, and not at all the behavior I expect from one forum member to the next. If Theo-minor is wrong, and you seek to prove such, do it with scripture or humble opinion, and keep your insults to yourself. If you wish to rebuke him, use God's words [Jude verse 9], and, I insist, avoid insults. |