Bible Question:
Are God's laws applicable to everyone or only to believers? Our discsssion group has been debating this issue for some time. I say they apply to all regardless while my pastor friend disagrees. I believe there is a difference between "applicablility" and "accountability". For example, two men commit the same sin (marry a divorced woman with a living ex - Mathew 19:9 and 5:32). One man does so "out of ignorance" while the other does so with "full knowledge" that they were doing wrong. The man who committed the sin "out of ignorance" according to the Bible would not be held accountable since he "did not know". On the other hand, the individual who committed the sin "knowing it was wrong" would be held accountable by God. Although both received different treatments, they both committed the same offense and broke the same law. In 1 Cor 7:12-15, Paul is addressing "mixed marriages" - that is a marriage between a "believer" and an "unbeliever". So what does Paul mean when he says that the remaining spouse is "no longer under bondage". It is my contention that Jesus' command that divorce only occur for the "cause of fornication" applies to both "believers" and "unbelievers" alike. And that the "divorced" wife, weather a "believer" or "unbeliever" is still required to adhere to 1 Cor 7:10-11 - "... remain single or reconcile ....". Therefore "no longer under bondage" cannot imply a violation of 1 Cor 7:10-11. |
Bible Answer: Dear Juan, I hope we aren't back into the Ellen White stuff. To answer your question: It depends: The law that required Adam to not eat from the tree in the midst of the garden doesn't apply to me. Nor does the law preventing me from entering the holy place of the tabernacle. Nor does the law requiring me to abstain from eating shellfish. The moral law applies to all men. I am not in the covenant of the nation of Israel. I am, however, a participant in the covenant with believers. Every covenant obligates the participants in different ways. Let me make a broad, sweeping statement: Broad, sweeping statements are generally prone to error. In Him, Doc |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Bible general Archive 2 | Author | ||
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Holy_Bible12 | ||
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walkngrace | ||
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walkngrace | ||
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rejoice05 | ||
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johnny-b | ||
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Sherna | ||
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L Covey | ||
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JuanMas | ||
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DocTrinsograce | ||
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mikeb1758 | ||
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shearecj |