In order for a person to be accused of adultery, that person has to have gone through some kind wedding ceremony, whether it be purely a religious ceremony or a civil ceremony. Although the Bible doesn't give a detailed description of a Hebrew/Israelite/Jewish wedding ceremony, those wedding ceremonies did take place, after which couples were recognized by the public as being lawfully-married couples.

So, yes, you do have to go through some kind of legal wedding ceremony, even if it is a tiny one, in order for you to be legally married and accepted by the universal Church as being lawfully married.

by what law though? whose legal authority is required? can we be mandated to have the legal authority of an authority that doesnt recognize Gods definition of marriage?

I think the mandate is to make the vow before God,, the details beyond that,, in my opinion, are very subjective/regional/cultural

The details are not so subjective that individuals get to choose their own definition of marriage. Otherwise, there would not be anything stopping a grown man from taking marriage vows with a girl under the age of 12. Granted, that sort of thing has happened in history, but only when it was acceptable by the community.

I think the definition of marriage is a vow of commitment before God between a man and a woman to cleave to each other

society and culture has defined for themself what constitutes a woman or a man,,,,vs a boy or a girl

Does the Bible define marriage that way, or is that an assumption on your part?

Romans 1:20-32

These verses indicate that homosexual passions and acts are unnatural, shameful, contrary to sound doctrine and deny entrance to the Kingdom of God. This being so they cannot be the basis of a Christian marriage sanctioned by God’s Church. The Church exists to save people, not to bless the means of their damnation. No marriage can be sanctioned by the Church if the very basis of the marriage involves acts that put the couple outside of eternal salvation. No matter what our society may legislate, the law of God is clear - that a marriage is not a godly marriage if it is a same sex union.

Marriage is between a man and woman. God is clear on that, in the Bible. God created Adam and Eve and Eve became Adam's Wife. So often people in society look for loop holes to byepass what God is teaching Us in his Word. The Bible is clear about what "Fornication" is. It is having sexual intercourse with someone other than your spouse. Many people have sex all the time, and they are not concerned about following what the Bible teaches. So, We as Believers should be aware of how God wants us to Live, as Believers in Christ Jesus. People that live together and have sex together without being married is a Sin.

Amen to that :)

I'm not sure what you mean exactly by 'condone' sexual activity but will go with what I know for myself.

First I have to be honest about myself with myself. So am I perfect?, absolutely not. Have I enjoyed a sexual relationship outside of marriage? Yes. When asked do I admit that? Yes

I've been told by several people that they are hesitant with people claiming to be Christians because they are often people that present themselves as 'morally superior' to others, sit in judgement of others and then it all comes crashing down when skeletons in their closets are revealed. And I mean seriously nasty skeletons!

The way I reconcile my faith is knowing that every time I make a mistake I can come, with a sincere heart, and ask for forgiveness. God works, almost exclusively, with screw ups in the bible.

What I believe is, that as Christians we need not to be afraid to show our faults and insecurities with others, we are not immune because of our faith, but we also need to show how we face and deal with these issues through our faith. That we take these opportunities, learn from them, allow our church families to be our support and Christ to be our guide.

Do I advocate for casual sex with multiple partners? No. Do I sit in judgement of those who do? No. My heart aches for so many because I have no idea what path I life has lead them to the place they are now. If they ask for my opinion I first ask do they want the truth or do they want to hear what they want to hear. If it is the truth then I give it to them and why I believe what I do.

This may not be the best answer, but it is an honest one.

I was blessed just reading this, Mortica. Amen, sistah :)

Wow,
Thanks dmckinnon. I've never participated in forums before but I find the topics and responses from others here interesting and thought provoking

Mortica7, like the Apostle Paul, you admit to your weakness, not excuse it.

I am referring to single Christians who won't admit to their weakness in regards to sexual intercourse.

I don't seat in judgement of other singles that do because i had sexual intercourse outside marriage before i became born again. It grieves me anytime i remember it. All i do is to pray for those that still find solace in sexual immorality and to preach the gospel to them. Single Christians must stay away from sex. True!

I don't seat in judgement of other singles that do because i had sexual intercourse outside marriage before i became born again. It grieves me anytime i remember it. All i do is to pray for those that still find solace in sexual immorality and to preach the gospel to them. Single Christians must stay away from sex. True!

Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. (I Corinthians 7:1-3) NIV

Now to the unmarried and widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
I (Corinthians 7:8,9)

Written by Paul to the church of Corinth




Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

(Hebrews 13:4) NIV

I remember the first time I read this in the bible. It was right after I was born again. Reading this it seemed to me that God preferred you be alone, because then it would be easier to serve Him without all the hassles that come with being with another person, but then if you couldn't control yourself He was giving us another option—marriage.

So, for me, it seemed marriage was just an alternative option; as opposed to burning in lust and falling into sin, but the better option was being alone, like Paul was.

I remember the first time I read this in the bible. It was right after I was born again. Reading this it seemed to me that God preferred you be alone, because then it would be easier to serve Him without all the hassles that come with being with another person, but then if you couldn't control yourself He was giving us another option—marriage.

So, for me, it seemed marriage was just an alternative choice that God was offering us, as opposed to burning in lust and falling into sin. However, the more preferred choice was being alone, like Paul was.

What's even more interesting to note, other than the above scriptures we've been discussing, are the scriptures that follow....

"Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife." (1 Corinthians 7:10-11)

I can't tell you how many people I know (believers even) who have not followed these scriptures, but have divorced and married again—sometimes more than once. This is just another instance of people doing what they want (instead of what God wants).

What's important here is not how we feel or think or what opinions or views we have, but that we follow what God has told us to do. He didn't tell us these things to make our lives difficult, but to make them better.

Divorce


And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery
(Matthew 19:9)

Immorality is allowable cause for divorce.


But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God has called us to peace.
(I Corinthians 7:15)

The Believer is not under obligation to try to continue living with the unbeliever.