WPC56 Er6kQbjUI^{Wq_!E۳\~?BQbuY-ՉmLϾDJF1 DVNH" TJ0yVZ e`o Ƨk"*n ؕaӄSoox61$Hg_BI/YkBkՄ~~BSNv?ɻW4 GT4OT !8thS.OTLFy9:G RAVkG>tW;zlLݍc$2O`VX} o:◥p Av. 0` m UByhuOÝ5eZ>M(}#UYN % 0: 0U- 0 0_ 0 0 0 07 0 0 0 0 0 0Q 0 0 04 0 0X 0 0 0c 0  0 0O 0 0y 0 B- 0C 0UX>|Z 0C 0W^ w4 m 2& ASX 0V D5! B6!bS!B[![!""N"" 0V""" 00 # 0<;# 0w# 0>5$ 0vs$ 0`$ 0`I% 0`% 0. & 0`7& 08& 0& 02' 0' 0:( 0Y( 0_0) 0) 08g* 0+ B*#- D/M- D+|- 0- D/+/ 0Z/ 06(0 0^0 0:41 0^n1 0<1 1e2 0Nm2U62U*22222 1u3 7233 0V4 0D444444 0V"5x5x5x5x5x5x5x5x5x5x5x5x5x5x56Canon MG6200 series Printer . . 0&d9 Z6Times New Roman RegularX($USUS.,*+ (_2623  ..*D+D (_25   ," <DL,23  ..," <DL,   *5+5 (_24  ) <DL)23  ..) <DL)  *2+2 (_23 ` &<<DL&23  ..&<<DL& ` */+/ (_22  #DL#23  ..#DL#  *,+, (_21   DL 23  .. DL  *)+) (_20 h DDL23  ..DDL h *&+& (_19  L23  ..L  *#+# (_18   L23  .. L  *>> (_17  2( 4 <DL223  Ԁ2( 4 <DL2  *DD (_16   ," <DL,23  Ԁ," <DL,   *55 (_15  ) <DL)23  Ԁ) <DL)  *22 (_14 ` &<<DL&23  Ԁ&<<DL& ` *// (_13  #DL#23  Ԁ#DL#  *,, (_12   DL 23  Ԁ DL  *)) (_11 h DDL23  ԀDDL h *&& (_10  L23  ԀL  (## &_9   L23  Ԁ L  (>> &_8  2( 4 <DL223  2( 4 <DL2  (DD &_7   ," <DL,23  ," <DL,   (55 &_6  ) <DL)23  ) <DL)  (22 &_5 ` &<<DL&23  &<<DL& ` (// &_4  #DL#23  #DL#  (,, &_3   DL 23   DL  ()) &_2 h DDL23  DDL h (&& &_1  L23  L  &## $_   L23   L  )Hairline d($    (B2$ !USUS.,    0  \  `&Times New Roman8DocumentManagement::ModifiedBooleanTRUE($    (B2$ !USUS.,    0  }D|DntFold3|xU compromisers ingef/g0E<<C(.3$ !USUS.,  1111)!dxdx d- - 8 m(USUS.,  oXX  THEMARRIAGE,DIVORCE,REMARRIAGE,  @@ AND HUSBANDOFONEWIFECONTROVERSY#X Xo0#oXX #X Xo#    (.3$ !USUS.,  0.Normal<:Definition T<AA:Definition L , 5+ ` hp x 5  5+ ` hp x 586Definition(''&H1      (&H2  (&H3  (&H4 XXX (&H5 (&H6  20Address8MM6Blockquote , , 5+ ` hp x 5   5+ ` hp x 5,*CITE,KS*CODEK]<6X9`(Courier NewKS#\  `&Times New RomanS42Emphasis64Hyperlink    <:FollowedHype    4NV2Keyboard K]<6X9`(Courier NewKS#\  `&Times New RomanS <z:Preformatted/%  ,Kk %#/K]<6X9`(Courier NewKS#\  `&Times New RomanS/%  ,Kk %#/<:zBottom of 7Q(X7  ?^%2A`Arial?  S#\  `&Times New RomanS7R(X7&  d dP)1dxd'dxd<:zTop of For7T(X7  ?^%2A`Arial?  S#\  `&Times New RomanS7R(X7P)2dxd0KS.SampleK]<6X9`(Courier NewKS#\  `&Times New RomanS0.Strong 8KS6TypewriterK]<6X9`(Courier NewKS#\  `&Times New RomanS42Variable: 8HTML MarkupB      2 0CommentB   35;AGMSY_11.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.(O$<6X9`(Courier New%2A`Arial3#37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)ci)Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(.3$ !USUS.,  ($$   1  (.3$ !USUS.,   9'USUS.,  _   oXXINTRODUCTION#X XoL#   !USUS.,  _  #X XXX|OY 8 XXdd8 5Oan  2@ _#YIX#X  CHAPTER1:INTRODUCTION##X X#YI# _Ԉ    WewanttostartthisseriesoutbystatingunequivocallythatwebelievethatGodsplanfor  marriagefromthebeginninghasbeenonemanwithonewomanforalifetime.Godspecifically  statesthathehatesputtingaway(divorce)inMalachichapter2#X XX#X I##X XXX .Wealsowanttounequivocallystate  thatbecauseofthewickednessofmansheartthatGodmakesprovisionfordivorceandremarriage.   WhileitisobviousthatGodallowedpolygyny,or,themarryingofmultiplewives,itisalsoobvious p  thatthatwasnothisoriginaldesign.Thereisnotoneinstanceofpolyandryrecordedinthe \  Scriptures.Polyandryis#X XX#X ##X XXX thepracticeoffemaleshavingmorehusbandsthanoneatthesametime#X XX#X ##X XXX .We H  willdealwiththeseissuesaswemoveforward. 4     WeareabouttoaddressseveralofthemostcontroversialissuesintheScriptureswhenwe  p  dealwiththesubjectsofmarriage,divorce,remarriage,sexualsins,andthequalificationsformen  \  toholdpositionsintheministry.Inthisstudy,wewillattempttoanswermanyquestions;someof H  whichareidentifiedinthenextparagraph. 4    Manyquestionscometomind.WhatistheScripturaldefinitionofmarriage?IsthereanOld   TestamentoraNewTestamentScripturethatspecificallyprohibitsamanorawomanfromhaving   twoormorespouses?AretheirScripturalgroundsfordivorce?Howarewetounderstandthe  phrase: #X XX#X z##X XXX WhatthereforeGodhathjoinedtogether,letnotmanputasunder?#X XX#X 1 ##X XXX Canamarriedperson  beguiltyoffornication?#X XX#X ##X XXX ԀWhatistheScripturaldefinitionofadultery?Whatisanadulterer?What  isanadulteress?WhatistheScripturaldefinitionforfornication?Whatisafornicator?Whatisa l harlot?Whatisawhore?Whatisawhoremonger?Canasinglepersonbeguiltyofadultery?What X istheScripturaldefinitionofunmarried?#X XX#X ] ##X XXX ԀArebothpartiestoadivorcealwaysguiltyofsin?Is D divorceoneofthetwounforgivablesins?Dothescripturespermitremarriageafterdivorce? 0 Accordingto1Timothy3andTitus1,whatconstitutesachurchoffice?Inwhatgrammaticaltense l isthequalificationsforpastorsanddeaconswrittenininFirstTimothychapter3andTituschapter X 1?Fromthecontextof1Timothychapter1,whatcanbedeterminedaboutwhatgroupofpeople D PaulisinstructingTimothyabout?FromthecontextofTituschapter1,whatcanbedetermined 0 aboutwhatgroupofpeoplePaulisinstructingTitusabout?Theanswerstobothofthosequestions  willgiveyousomecluesastohowtointerpretandapplytheinstructionsgiventoTimothyandTitus  concerningtheroleofmeninthechurch.#X XX#X  ##X XXX InwhatotherchapteroftheNewTestamentare  qualificationsfordeaconsgiven?What,ifany,churchofficesisamannotqualifiedtoholdifhehas   beendivorced?Isasinglemanwhohasneverbeenmarriedqualifiedtobeapastor,preacher, |! evangelist,oradeacon?Isawidowerqualifiedtoholdanychurchoffice? h"    Weknowthatwewillreceivesharpcriticismfrommanyofthedoctorsthatpreachinthe T#! pulpitsofmanyIndependentBaptistchurches.Wewillbecalledcompromisersonthesubjectsof @$" marriage,divorce,remarriage,andqualificationsformenintheministryofthechurchoftheliving ,%| # God.Whilewedonotseekconfrontation,weknowitwillcomefromthosewhoparrotanddefend &h!$ thetraditionofthedoctorsofthelaw.Therearemanywellmeaningmenoutthere,whowerespect, 'T"% whosedoctrineconcerningthesesubjectsdoesnotlineupwithwhatthewordofGodteaches.There '@#& arealsomanywellmeaningmenoutthere,whowerespect,whoparrotthepositionsoftheirleaders (,$' andhavenotsearchedtheScripturestoseewhatthussaiththeLord.Weknowthatsomefolkswill )%( readthismaterialandtheScripturesthatbackitupandwillrejectitoutrightbecauseitgoesagainst *&) whattheyhavebeentaughtbysoandsoeventhoughtheyknowthatwhattheyhavebeentaught +&* doesnotlineupwiththeScriptures.Wealsoknowthatsomepeoplewillnotevenbotherreading t thistherestofthewaythroughsimplybecauseofsomeofthequestionsthatwereaskedinthetwo ` openingparagraphs.WewouldtoGodthatanyandallwouldtakethetimetoproveuswrongon L  whatwesayhere.Atleastthen,theywillhavestudiedtheissuethroughforthemselves.Pleasedo 8  nottelluswhatyouhavebeentaughtbyyourpreacher,pastor,evangelist,orteachersifyouhave $  notprovedwhattheysayagainsttheScript3ures.Wewillnotbemenpleasersonthissubjectbecause   thegrossmisinterpretationandmisapplicationoftheScripturesontheseissueshasdestroyedthe   livesofmanygreatmenandwomensittinginourpewsandstandinginourpulpits.Satanhasused  t themisinterpretationoftheseissuestodrivemanygood,Godlymenfromthepulpitsofour ` churchesandtodenyentryintotheministrytomanyotherGodlymen.Youcanstrutlikeapeacock L  ifyouwanttowhenyouproudlyproclaimthatyouhaveneverbeendivorced.Howmanytimeshave 8  youwentawhoringaroundonyourwife.Or,howmanytimes,andwithhowmanywomen,didyou $  havepremaritalsex.Whenyougetthroughcuttingdivorcedpeopletothebonewithyour   unforgivingtonguewhydontyouasktheHolyGhostifitisokayforyoutoputdownthesaltshaker p  youusedtopoursaltintotheirwounds. \    Wearepersonallyguiltyofhavingbattledwiththeseissuesforyearswhilelisteningtowhat H  thismanhadtosayandtowhatthatmanhadtosaywithouthavingdoneacompletestudyonthe 4 wholecounselofGodconcerningtheseissues.Thishasnotbeenaneasyroadtowalk.Wehavehad   tothrowoutsomebeliefsthatweheldtoandadamantlydefendedforyears.Inotherwords,some   ofourconclusionsfromthisstudycontradictdoctrineswehavebeentaughtandhaveheldtofor  years.ThelightoftheScriptureshaslitupthedarkcornerswheresomeofthedoctrineswehave p heldtorest.Wearegoingtopresentourfindingsandconclusionsinthepagestocomeandwe \ welcomeyourcommentsandquestions.Onceagain,weencourageyoutoproveuswrongbecause H wehaveagenuineheartfeltdesiretorightlydividetheWordOfTruth.IfweareScripturallywrong, 4 wewanttobeprovedwrong.Ifyourstandardofrighteousnessformarriage,divorce,remarriage,and   qualificationsexceedsthatwhichiswritteninScriptures,donottrytoimposethosestandardson   yourfellowbelieversbecauseitwillsubverttheforgivinggraceofGodintheirlivesandwillcause l themgreatharmandgreatpain.Weneedtobeverycarefulaboutourdoctrine.TheLordJesusChrist X  saidin#X XX#X ##X XXX Matthew15:9: Butinvaintheydoworshipme,teachingfordoctrinesthecommandments D! ofmen.Muchofwhatweteachandpreachconcerningmarriageanddivorceislacedwiththe 0" poisonofthedoctrinesandcommandmentsofmen.Ifyourstandardofrighteousnessexceedsthe # standardsoftheScripturesandyouattempttoimposeyourstandardsuponothers,thenyouareguilty $ ofbeingaPharisee.Thisstudyisoursincereattempttoinstructourselvesin,andyieldto,the $  teachingsofthewordofGodconcerningmarriage,divorce,remarriage,andGodsrequirementsfor %l! churchleaders.Wehopethatyouwilljoinusinthisstudywhereourobjectiveistodeterminewhat &X" thussaiththeLordconcerningtheissuesofmarriage,divorce,remarriage,andqualificationsfor 'D # churchoffices. (0!$ #X XX#X X###X XXX   Inthecourseofthisstudy,wehavelookedup,read,andstudiedincontexteveryoccurrence )"% ofthefollowingwordsandphrases(thenumberofoccurrenceswelookedatareinbrackets): |*#&  h+#' 8  adulterer[3],adulterers[9],adulteress[5]#X XX#X n'##X XXX ,adulteresses[3]#X XX#X (##X XXX ,adulteries[5]#X XX#X A)##X XXX ,adulterous v [4]#X XX#X )##X XXX ,adultery[39]#X XX#X )##X XXX ,betroth[4]#X XX#X J*##X XXX ,betrothed[9]#X XX#X *##X XXX ,bound[104]#X XX#X *##X XXX ,bride[14]#X XX#X 9+##X XXX ,bridegroom b [24]#X XX#X +##X XXX ,concubine[22]#X XX#X +##X XXX ,concubines[17]#X XX#X @,##X XXX ,divorce[1]#X XX#X ,##X XXX ,divorced[4]#X XX#X ,##X XXX ,divorcement[6]#X XX#X 1-##X XXX , N effeminate[1]#X XX#X -##X XXX ,espousals[2]#X XX#X -##X XXX ,espoused[5]#X XX#X ;.##X XXX ,fornication[36]#X XX#X .##X XXX ,fornications[3]#X XX#X .##X XXX , :  fornicator[2]#X XX#X 2/##X XXX ,fornicators[3]#X XX#X /##X XXX ,harlot[42]#X XX#X /##X XXX ,harlots[2]#X XX#X :0##X XXX ,harlots[6]#X XX#X 0##X XXX ,harlots[1]#X XX#X 0##X XXX , &  husband[126]#X XX#X /1##X XXX ,husbands[6]#X XX#X 1##X XXX ,husbands[17]#X XX#X 1##X XXX ,husbandofonewife[3]#X XX#X 92##X XXX ,inunto[76]#X XX#X 2##X XXX ,   laywith[13]#X XX#X 2##X XXX ,liewith[28]#X XX#X I3##X XXX ,lyingwith[7]#X XX#X 3##X XXX ,loosed[32]#X XX#X 3##X XXX ,marriage[18]#X XX#X ;4##X XXX ,marry[22]#X XX#X 4##X XXX ,   married[30]#X XX#X 4##X XXX ,oneflesh[10]#X XX#X =5##X XXX ,put(ing)away[64]#X XX#X 5##X XXX ,sodomite[1]#X XX#X 5##X XXX ,sodomites[4]#X XX#X 66##X XXX ,spouse  t [6]#X XX#X 6##X XXX ,spouses[2]#X XX#X 6##X XXX ,uncleanness[40]#X XX#X 87##X XXX ,unmarried[4]#X XX#X 7##X XXX ,virgin[34]#X XX#X 7##X XXX ,virgins[22]#X XX#X ,8##X XXX ,virgins  ` [1]#X XX#X |8##X XXX ,wedding[7]#X XX#X 8##X XXX ,whore[15]#X XX#X 29##X XXX ,whores[2]#X XX#X 9##X XXX ,#X XX#X 9##X XXX whoredom[21]#X XX#X :##X XXX ,whoredoms[32]#X XX#X a:##X XXX , L  #X XX#X :##X XXX whoremonger[1]#X XX#X ;##X XXX ,whoremongers[4]#X XX#X \;##X XXX ,#X XX#X ;##X XXX whoring[19]#X XX#X ;##X XXX ,wife[407]#X XX#X B<##X XXX ,wifes[11]#X XX#X <##X XXX ,wives 8  [131]#X XX#X <##X XXX .$     Thoughwereadincontexteveryoccurrenceofthewordsabovewedidnotuseeveryoccurrence r  becausemanyofthewordswereusedgenericallysuchashusband,wife,andwivestonameafew. ^  Whereaspecificoccurrenceofawordgaveadefinition,description,orinterpretationofwhatawife, J  husband,andetc.were,weusedthatScriptureinthisdiscussion.Thereasonwegivethefigures 6 aboveistoshowthereaderand/orlistenerthemassiveamountofinformationthatisavailableinthe " Scripturesconcerningtheissuesthatarebeforeus.    Weputagreatdealofemphasisonsexualsinsinourstudybecauseitistheviolationofthe  marriagebedthatleadstomanydivorcesandopenfornicationbythemarriedandunmarried.We p havestudiedJewishandRomanmarriageanddivorcecustomsandlaw.Wehavealsolookedat \ manyBibledictionariesandcommentariesnottodeterminewhereweshouldstandontheseissues, H buttoseewherevarious greatmenofGodstoodontheseissues.Whatwecantellyouisthatit 4 isamixedbagwithmanygreatmenofGodcomingdownonoppositesidesoftheissue.Two   exampleswillbrieflyservetoillustratethispoint.OneofthegreaticonsoftheIndependentBaptist   movement,C.I.Scofield(aCongregationalist),wasadivorcedpastor.ScofieldwasDwightL. n MoodyspastorandMoodyknewhewasdivorced.WhatthatmeansisthatbothScofieldandMoody Z believeditwasokayforadivorcedmantoholdapastorsposition.ManyoftheIndependentBaptist F  preachersandpastorsthatharangueagainst doublemarriedpreacherspushtheScofieldStudy 2! BibleanditsKingJamesBiblecorrectingnotestothehilt.Manyofthesamepastorsandpreachers " setMoodyupasthestandardto liveandpreachby.AsmuchaswerespecttheministryofDwight  # L.Moody,heisnotthestandardthatweholdourdoctrinetoandneitherisanyotherpastor, #  preacher,orevangelist.Ourstandardfordoctrineistheperfect1611AuthorizedKingJamesBible. $l!   InthestudiesthatfollowwebegofyouNOTtoreadintotheScripturesanyofyour %X" preconceivednotionsanddoctrineaboutmarriage,divorce,andremarriage.Readandinterpretthe &D # ScripturesliterallyanddiligentlycompareScripturewithScripture.BeaBerean.Webegofyouto '0!$ setasideeverythingthatyouhavebeentaughtaboutmarriage,divorce,andremarriage#X XX#X E=##X XXX Ԁthatdoes ("% NOTlineupwiththeliteralfactsandtheliteralinterpretationofthescriptures.Youwillbeshocked ~)#& atwhatyouwilllearn.Weknowthatwewereshocked.Wehadmanypreconceivedideasabout j*#' marriage,divorce,andremarriage#X XX#X H##X XXX ԀthatdidnotlineupwiththeScriptures.Weheldtodoctrinesthat V+$( exceededtherighteousnessoftheScriptures.Regardlessofhowwellintentionedourmotivation t mightbe,webecomelegalistsandPhariseeswhenourrighteousnessexceedstherighteousnessof ` theScripturesandweattempttoimposethatrighteousnessonafellowbeliever.Matthew23:4 L  declares: 8  8  #X XX#X lJ##X XXX Matthew23:4   4Fortheybindheavyburdensandgrievoustobeborne,andlaythemonmens   shoulders;buttheythemselveswillnotmovethemwithoneoftheirfingers. t   #X XX#X L##X XXX Wehavediscoveredthroughthisstudythatthatisexactlywhatwehavebeenguiltyofinthepast L  becausewehadnevercompletelystudiedthewholecounselofGodonthesubjectsbeforeus.Many 8  wellintenionedmenthatwelovehavetaughtussomedoctrinesconcerningmarriage,divorceand $  remarriagethatcannotbesupportedfromtheScriptures.Consequently,theeffectofthatunscriptural   teachinghasbeentopunishandmakeguiltythosethatareinnocent.Therewillbethosewhowill p  accuseusofpromotingPeterRuckmansviewsonmarriage,divorce,andremarriage,butwetotally \  rejectthatcriticismbecauseourviewsdidnotcomefromregurgitatingPeterRuckmansviewsor H  thatofanyotherauthororcommentary,butfromanexhaustiveandindependentstudyofthe 4 Scriptures.WhilewehavereadPeterRuckmans Marriage,Divorce,AndRemarriagepampletof   39pages(19typewrittenpages),wedidnotreadthatuntilmostofthepreparationforthisworkwas   completed.  #X XX#X M#  _What_ԀcomplicatesthematterbeforeusevenmoreisthefactthatmanymenofGodwhom p weknowareholyandseparated,menwhomwelove,holdcontraryviewsontheprimarysubjectthat \ isbeforeusandthatismarriage,divorce,remarriage,andqualificationsformenintheministry.It H isnotadenominationalissueeither.ManygreatmenofGodhavestronglydisagreedoverthese 4 issues.IamnottalkingabouttheRomanCatholicseitherwhohavealmosttotallyforsakentheWord   ofGodinthesematters.WehavealsoseengreatmenofGodjustdroptheirheadsandturnaway   whenaskedwheretheystandontheseissues.Manytimesthatisareactioncausedbynotwanting l tochallengethatwhichweknowtobewrongbecausewefearconfrontationandlosingfriends.#X XXX  X  Regretably,mostofthedoctrineheldbymostmenintheministryispeerdriven.Thedoctrinesthat D! theyclaimtobelieveinarethosedoctrinesthattheyweretaughtinaseminaryorBibleInstitute;or 0" areheldtobythosementheyrunwithintheircamporassociation;orthatareheldbysomegreat # preacher,pastor,orevangelist;orthattheywerefedfromsomecommentaryorbookthattheyread. $ Mostpreachers,pastors,andteacherstodaydidnotbuildtheirdoctrineonindependent,Bereanstyle $  Biblestudy.Thefearofmanbringethasnare:butwhosoputtethhistrustintheLORDshallbesafe.#X XX#X V# %l! #X XXX Greatmenarenotalwayswise:neitherdotheagedunderstandjudgment.#X XX#X Y#ԀTheDevilcastethasnare &X" bothwhenwedonotmeetthestandardofthescripturesandwhenweexceedthestandardofthe 'D # scriptures.BothbringreproachupontheLordJesusChristandhisChurch.Bothareaproductoffear (0!$ andalackoffaith.Whenwedonotmeetthestandardofthescriptures,wearerightfullycalled )"% compromisersandsoftonsin.Whenourrighteousnessexceedstherighteousnessofthescriptures |*#& thenwearerightfullycalledPharisees,hypocrites,andlegalists.#X XXX ԀWewilldocumentmanyofthose h+#' differencesbetweenthegreatmenofGodaswemovethroughoutthisstudy. #X XX#X \# v  V+$( Ї