Is a legal ceremony required for a marriage in God's eyes?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

UnitedWithChrist

Well-known member
Aug 12, 2019
3,739
1,928
113
#1
My conviction would be, yes, and those who aren't legally married are living in sin (with the exception of a young engaged couple who might be shipwrecked on a desert island or something weird like that).

Notice this verse:

Matt 5: 31“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Jesus is quoting from the Law regarding this subject (Deut 24:1). So, in God's economy for ancient Israel, he established legal recognition for divorce. Do you really think there wasn't a process for legal recognition of marriage?

Additionally, would a Christian, who should be intent on presenting a good witness to the world, avoid marriage?

Societal expectations have been eroded, but I think there is still some stigma upon a child if his parents are not married.

I only bring up this topic because I've heard a few older professing Christians express this idea that marriage isn't required to cohabitate and enjoy the sexual benefits of marriage. Usually they are following theologies that are very independent and separated from the normal evangelical experience. In fact, some of them are legalistic and claim that the Mosaic Law is still in effect. This is really bizarre because for all their professed attentiveness to minor aspects of the Mosaic Covenant, they are disrespectful toward the institution of marriage.
 

Yahshua

Senior Member
Sep 22, 2013
2,702
684
113
#2
Marriage is a covenant, established in the presence of witnesses and the Almighty, and was valid by that operation. It's an institution that existed long before church and state merged in that aspect.

So is the state or government needed to enter into a legal marriage? No.

Of course there are benefits to having a marriage recognized by one's state or government now...but for it to be legal in the living God's eyes I believe all there needs to be is a ceremony:

- priest/pastor/official rep for the Almighty

- witnesses present for the covenant

- a meal or celebration

- a meeting/joining of the families, etc.

- public exchanging of oaths

- seals/symbols of the covenant visible for all to see

...everything we're expecting - or have received - at our own marriage with the lamb.

Can't just shack up and say you're married.
 
M

Miri

Guest
#3
The laws of the land do not recognise
marriage unless it’s done legally.
Why would people not want to legally marry?

In bible times there was some sort of wedding ceremony before witnesses. Even Jesus attended a wedding!

Where two or three witnesses are gathered.....
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,555
13,320
113
#4
I hope so. I'd hate to think I spent all that money on the wedding (and all that money on the divorce) for nothing. ;)
 

Noose

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2016
5,096
932
113
#5
Weddings are traditions of men.

Marriage as defined by God is a man and a woman becoming one flesh which basically means sex.

The governments and religions have muddied the waters by legalizing the ceremony which most of the time violates God's own requirement:

Matt 5: 33“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

So, whatever you do, do not forget God. Give to Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar and to God what is God's
 

UnitedWithChrist

Well-known member
Aug 12, 2019
3,739
1,928
113
#6
Weddings are traditions of men.

Marriage as defined by God is a man and a woman becoming one flesh which basically means sex.

The governments and religions have muddied the waters by legalizing the ceremony which most of the time violates God's own requirement:

Matt 5: 33“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

So, whatever you do, do not forget God. Give to Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar and to God what is God's
What doe that verse have to do with marriage?
 
Nov 23, 2013
13,684
1,212
113
#7
My conviction would be, yes, and those who aren't legally married are living in sin (with the exception of a young engaged couple who might be shipwrecked on a desert island or something weird like that).

Notice this verse:

Matt 5: 31“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Jesus is quoting from the Law regarding this subject (Deut 24:1). So, in God's economy for ancient Israel, he established legal recognition for divorce. Do you really think there wasn't a process for legal recognition of marriage?

Additionally, would a Christian, who should be intent on presenting a good witness to the world, avoid marriage?

Societal expectations have been eroded, but I think there is still some stigma upon a child if his parents are not married.

I only bring up this topic because I've heard a few older professing Christians express this idea that marriage isn't required to cohabitate and enjoy the sexual benefits of marriage. Usually they are following theologies that are very independent and separated from the normal evangelical experience. In fact, some of them are legalistic and claim that the Mosaic Law is still in effect. This is really bizarre because for all their professed attentiveness to minor aspects of the Mosaic Covenant, they are disrespectful toward the institution of marriage.
Not exactly what you’re talking about per se but why was it ok for David to have untold multiple wives and concubines? Was there a ceremony for each of them?
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,167
12,763
113
#9
Not exactly what you’re talking about per se but why was it ok for David to have untold multiple wives and concubines?
While God did not call polygamy a sin in the OT, the original principle of one husband and one wife was established in Eden, confirmed by Christ, and also by the apostles. The spiritual leaders of the churches (the elders) were to show by example that they were husbands with only one wife.

So it was not really OK for David, but God allowed it and David paid a price for it. Solomon paid and even greater price.
 
Nov 23, 2013
13,684
1,212
113
#10
While God did not call polygamy a sin in the OT, the original principle of one husband and one wife was established in Eden, confirmed by Christ, and also by the apostles. The spiritual leaders of the churches (the elders) were to show by example that they were husbands with only one wife.

So it was not really OK for David, but God allowed it and David paid a price for it. Solomon paid and even greater price.
I’m not in support of it lol, it’s just something that puzzles me. Almost every biblical figure in the Old Testament had multiple wife’s, concubines, handmaids etc. In fact I can’t think of one that didn’t.
 

calibob

Sinner saved by grace
May 29, 2018
8,268
5,510
113
Anaheim, Cali.
#11
Not exactly what you’re talking about per se but why was it ok for David to have untold multiple wives and concubines? Was there a ceremony for each of them?
Well from a dispensations' point of view, as times and circumstances change so do rules like how many wives can we have? Or what if there's no officials available? The better question is what is the motivation? What God has put together let no man put asunder.
 
L

Locoponydirtman

Guest
#12
Ceremony not required. But the law of the land here in America requires a license so, we are obligated to get one.
 
Nov 23, 2013
13,684
1,212
113
#13
Well from a dispensations' point of view, as times and circumstances change so do rules like how many wives can we have? Or what if there's no officials available? The better question is what is the motivation? What God has put together let no man put asunder.
I don't know of a place in the bible where it calls for a man to only have one wife EXCEPT if is he's going to be a bishop.
 
7

7seasrekeyed

Guest
#14
Not exactly what you’re talking about per se but why was it ok for David to have untold multiple wives and concubines? Was there a ceremony for each of them?

cause he was a sinful man

he said so himself...and the spirit of lust that had a hold of him really blossomed with his son who followed him

how many women did God make?

just one? and where did he take the part from the man? his little toe?

honest to pete.

please accept this smack upside your head with my condolences :geek:

it wasn't ok and neither was divorce even in the OT...but because of the hardness of their little teeny hearts etc
 
7

7seasrekeyed

Guest
#15
I don't know of a place in the bible where it calls for a man to only have one wife EXCEPT if is he's going to be a bishop.
since a Bishop was to set an example, hello doodles?

get the drift?

I cannot believe..well yes I can but introducing this nonsense again proves what exactly?

Mormons know better?
 
Nov 23, 2013
13,684
1,212
113
#16
since a Bishop was to set an example, hello doodles?

get the drift?

I cannot believe..well yes I can but introducing this nonsense again proves what exactly?

Mormons know better?
Maybe one day I can be the Christian you are.
 
7

7seasrekeyed

Guest
#19
Do you get off on putting people down and making fun at them?
no actually

your ad hominum attack is sad

the thread is about marriage and you introduce something to entirely derail it

marriage according to God is between a man and a woman