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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:
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. |
Bible Answer: First of all, rightly or wrongly, the government is attempting to provide for you in lieu of your having a husband. Were you to marry, it is your husband who ought to be providing for you. If it appears that he will be unable to do so, then he would not be a fit mate. If he supported you in your proposed plan, he would be of questionable character, making him unfit in that sense. Secondly, what you are proposing is concealing from the government your true marital status. Consequently you would be receiving money from them that would not properly belong to you, making you cupable of stealing, adding another vice to lying. Thirdly, you would be failing to submit to the government in a matter over which God has granted them authority. Indirectly, therefore, you would be resisting the Lord. Finally, in the eyes of the law, this would be considered fraudulent behavior, something to be more expected by the world than the children of God! Why not take the plunge and watch how the Lord will provide for your every need as you seek above all other things to walk righteously before man and God. Eph 4:25a Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour 1 Tim 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 1 Pet 2:13a Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake In Him, Doc |