XXIII: MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY

14 5 0
                                    

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

"Marriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man and a woman inloving companionship. For the Christian a marriage commitment is to God as well as to the spouse, and should be enteredinto only between a man and a woman who share a common faith. Mutual love, honor, respect, and responsibility are thefabric of this relationship, which is to reflect the love, sanctity, closeness, and permanence of the relationship between Christand His church. Regarding divorce, Jesus taught that the person who divorces a spouse, except for fornication, and marriesanother, commits adultery. Although some family relationships may fall short of the ideal, a man and a woman who fullycommit themselves to each other in Christ through marriage may achieve loving unity through the guidance of the Spiritand the nurture of the church. God blesses the family and intends that its members shall assist each other toward completematurity. Increasing family closeness is one of the earmarks of the final gospel message. Parents are to bring up their childrento love and obey the Lord. By their example and their words they are to teach them that Christ is a loving, tender, andcaring guide who wants them to become members of His body, the family of God which embraces both single and marriedpersons."

(Gen. 2:18-25; Exod. 20:12; Deut. 6:5-9; Prov. 22:6; Mal. 4:5, 6; Matt. 5:31, 32; 19:3-9, 12; Mark 10:11, 12; John 2:1-11;1 Cor. 7:7, 10, 11; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4.)  

BY FAITH: WE BELIEVEWhere stories live. Discover now