Romans

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NASB	Romans 13:1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
AMPLIFIED 2015 2015	Romans 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God. [Prov 8:15]

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Bible Question (short): Requirements of a valid marriage?

Question (full): What constitutes marriage?
What does scripture constitute as marriage?
I've been studying this topic and this is where I've gotten so far. I'd appreciate corrections, comments and input if you so incline.

Here are a few examples found in scripture where marriage was deemed valid.

The first marriage took place between Adam and Eve.
Eve was given to Adam as his wife by God. The 2 became one flesh. No civil law existed at that time; no piece of paper was signed. God married them. The 2 were joined directly by God. Was there a ceremony? Witnesses? Legal papers drawn up? No.
I�m not making an argument in favor of marriages without witnesses, or legal paper work, but I�m presenting the examples of marriages found in scripture.
For me, my question is who has the authority to sanction a marriage and what does God require to take place for a marriage union to be valid? We know that in some states the law recognizes �common law� marriage as a legal marriage through cohabitation of a said amount of time. It could be argued that marriage thru cohabitation and consummation is consistent with scripture (at least in Old testament) so if the law deems common law marriage as legal marriage does God view it as binding as well? I don�t know.

Thus far I have not found examples in scripture that describes what a God sanctioned marriage looked like in terms of a ceremony, legal recognition and as to who should perform or have the authority to perform the ceremony. We do know there were wedding celebrations and I imagine in Jewish tradition there would have been some sort of ceremony involving a rabbi, witnesses or parental authorization required. Marriages, for the most part were arranged by the husband to be and the father of the female. I wonder if she had a choice in that tradition when she became of age.

In my recent exploration of this topic I have found in scripture a few examples where marriages came into existence through cohabitation and consummation. In these examples I don�t see a ceremony, festivities, witnesses, a rabbi�s authority presiding, public vows being exchanged or the government�s legal recognition.

Here are 3 examples of marriage through cohabitation and consummation found in scripture cited here on the forum. (I forgot who referenced it, but the scripture references are correct)

1. Deut 21:10 A soldier�s procedure to follow in order to marry a captive woman of the conquered enemy. (This passage sort of troubles me because it seems like forced consummation is sanctioned, but I am hoping I am misunderstanding it.)

2. Gen 16:2 indicates how Abram (who was already married to Sarai) took her maid, Haga, to wife.

3. Gen 29:20 is the clearest evidence of them all and is the story of Jacob, Rachel and Leah. Jacob worked 7 years for the hand of Rachel, the younger sister. After the wedding celebration, the father sent the older sister Leah to the marriage bed instead because it was their custom to give the older daughter in marriage before the younger. Jacob woke up the next morning to find that he had actually consummated a marriage with Leah, the older sister. After confronting the father, Rachel was sent to him one week later to wife. In this story, there was only one wedding feast which obviously involved Rachel. Therefore the marriage to Leah was due solely to cohabitation and consummation.

Under the old covenant, multiple marriages for men were allowed and adultery, from what I gather, seems to be defined as marrying or lying with another man�s wife. (Example: David and Bathsheba)
Fornication outside of marriage for both males and females was punishable by death. (Unless the woman was raped against her will)

In the New Testament, Paul instructs that a marriage is to be between one man and one woman. Monogamy not polygamy. Thus far all I can find in the New Testament regarding marriage is how believers are to behave to their spouse once married, but I don�t see anything as to what constitutes marriage or rather how God recognizes marriage. We are told not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, but that passage does not convince me that it is specifically referring to marriage, though it is safe to draw the conclusion it would logically apply to marriage.

What are your thoughts? If anyone could point me to any biblically sound online sources on this topic, I'd surely appreciate it.

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Romans

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