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NASB | Acts 20:28 "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 20:28 "Take care and be on guard for yourselves and for the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd (tend, feed, guide) the church of God which He bought with His own blood. |
Bible Question (short): Married by church and not state? |
Question (full): Is it biblical for a church to authorize a marriage that is not simultaneously authorized by the government? In other words, can a church biblically marry two people, without the couple also being married by the government? The reason that I ask is due to financial penalties, that the government places on the legally disabled (medically handicapped), if they get married. I am legally handicapped, so I can't go to work more than 16 hours per month. If I get married, the government will take away my rent income, food allowance and medical coverage (medications and doctor visits). This is because I would be considered by the government as being a dependent on a potential wife, if I were to marry. I would be financially penalized 1200 dollars per month, which equals 500,000 dollars in 35 years. For this reason, I have chosen not to marry under the laws of the government. I am permanently disabled and will not likely recover. Is it biblical for the church to marry me, if I do not simultaneously get a legal marriage contract from the government? I would like to have kids too, but the government provides this obstacle. Further, my question is not regarding politics. I'm looking solely for a biblical basis on the issue of church ordained marriage. Biblical basis only please. |