Marriage.

[Rudy]

Does anyone know of an apostolic preacher that would perform a marriage ceremony without a license?

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Rudy

Does anyone know of an apostolic preacher that would perform a marriage ceremony without a license?

Why is a preacher needed? Does the Bible authorize preachers to "perform marriages"?

[Esaias]

Biblically, a marriage is a contract between a man (the groom), the bride, and the bride's father. The groom's father also has an advisory role, but is not the final authority, it seems.

So for a marriage to be valid in God's eyes there needs to be two or three witnesses and a public declaration of marriage (with the consent of the bride's father or nearest male relative responsible for her, unless there are none) followed by a consummation. The exchange of vows would certainly certainly suffice as the "contractual terms" although they could also just be written out and the two parties publicly affirm their commitment to the terms.

No preacher needed. And the "license" or PERMISSION resides a) in the stipulations of God's Word as to what constitutes marriage and b) in the consent of the bride's father to give her in marriage.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Biblically, a marriage is a contract between a man (the groom), the bride, and the bride's father. The groom's father also has an advisory role, but is not the final authority, it seems.

So for a marriage to be valid in God's eyes there needs to be two or three witnesses and a public declaration of marriage (with the consent of the bride's father or nearest male relative responsible for her, unless there are none) followed by a consummation. The exchange of vows would certainly certainly suffice as the "contractual terms" although they could also just be written out and the two parties publicly affirm their commitment to the terms.

No preacher needed. And the "license" or PERMISSION resides a) in the stipulations of God's Word as to what constitutes marriage and b) in the consent of the bride's father to give her in marriage.

There is no stipulated contract or procedure for marriage anywhere in Scripture.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Aquila

There is no stipulated contract or procedure for marriage anywhere in Scripture.

Wrong. Democrats love to believe that, so they can push fornication as "marriage".

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Wrong. Democrats love to believe that, so they can push fornication as "marriage".

I don't mind being corrected. I've researched the issue and know all about the Ketubah. However, my point is, it isn't in Scripture. If it is, could you provide it?

P.S.

Most Democrats are big on state involvement, with marriage licenses being granted to non-traditional couples (gays, polyamorous, polygamous, etc.). Most of those who have grown leery of government involvement in marriage and consider shying away from civil licensing are Conservative Republicans. For example, here is the Marriage Pledge (which our fellowship has agreed to):

The Marriage Pledge:


In many jurisdictions, including many of the United States, civil authorities have adopted a definition of marriage that explicitly rejects the age-old requirement of male-female pairing. In a few short years or even months, it is very likely that this new definition will become the law of the land, and in all jurisdictions the rights, privileges, and duties of marriage will be granted to men in partnership with men, and women with women.

As Christian ministers we must bear clear witness. This is a perilous time. Divorce and co-..habitation have weakened marriage. We have been too complacent in our responses to these trends. Now marriage is being fundamentally redefined, and we are ..being tested yet again. If we fail to take clear action, we risk falsifying God’s Word.

The new definition of marriage no longer coincides with the Christian understanding of marriage between a man and woman. Our biblical faith is committed to upholding, celebrating, and furthering this understanding, which is stated many times within the Scriptures and has been repeatedly restated in our wedding ceremonies, church laws, and doctrinal standards for centuries. To continue with church practices that intertwine government marriage with Christian marriage will implicate the Church in a false definition of marriage.

Therefore, in our roles as Christian ministers, we, the undersigned, commit ourselves to disengaging civil and Christian marriage in the performance of our pastoral duties. We will no longer serve as agents of the state in marriage. We will no longer sign government-provided marriage certificates. We will ask couples to seek civil marriage separately from their church-related vows and blessings. We will preside only at those weddings that seek to establish a Christian marriage in accord with the principles ..articulated and lived out from the beginning of the Church’s life.

Please join us in this pledge to separate civil marriage from Christian marriage by adding your name.

Drafted by:

The Reverend Ephraim Radner

The Reverend Christopher Seitz

Source: https://www.firstthings.com/marriage-pledge

You might also consider doing additional research before laying such accusations:

Bad idea for ministers to sign marriage licenses, pastors insist
https://www.baptiststandard.com/news...pastors-insist

Right or Wrong? Signing state marriage licenses
https://www.baptiststandard.com/opin...NlcyI7fQ%3D%3D

2nd Opinion: Pastors, stop signing those marriage licenses
https://www.baptiststandard.com/opin...NlcyI7fQ%3D%3D

Editorial: Marry church and covenant; divorce church and state
https://www.baptiststandard.com/opin...NlcyI7fQ%3D%3D

Pastors want covenant certificates to replace marriage licenses
https://www.baptiststandard.com/news...NlcyI7fQ%3D%3D

Marriage by Biblical Covenant
Not State License
http://www.truthinliving.org/Marriage_Covenant.php

Holy Matrimony vs. Marriage
http://presys.com/~ekklesia/mvm.htm

Marriage Proposal: Why Not Privatize?
http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=1657

In addition, we have plenty of commentary from CONSERVATIVES regarding how marriage licenses should be abandoned by serious Bible believing Christians. Here are two leading conservatives who have commented on the issue:

"My personal opinion is government shouldn’t be involved. The whole country would be better off if individuals made those decisions and it was a private matter." ~ Ron Paul

"The best approach is to make marriage a private matter. When we no longer believe that civilization is dependent on government expansion, regulating excesses, and a license for everything we do, we will know that civilization and the ideas of liberty are advancing." ~ Ron Paul

"Christian couples should not be marrying with State marriage licenses, nor should ministers be marrying people with State marriage licenses." ~ Pastor Matt Trewhella

"Both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were married without a marriage license. They simply recorded their marriage in their Family Bibles. So should we." ~ Pastor Matt Trewhella

"As a minister, I cannot in good conscience perform a marriage which would place people under this immoral body of laws. I also cannot marry someone with a marriage license because to do so I have to act as an agent of the State—literally! I would have to sign the marriage license, and I would have to mail it into the State. Given the State’s demand to usurp the place of God and family regarding marriage, and given it’s unbiblical, immoral laws to govern marriage, it would be an act of idolatry for me to do so." ~ Pastor Matt Trewhella

I think you're incorrect in your assumption that marriage without licenses is a liberal or Democratic notion. In fact, most Democrats that I know would like to reinstate Common Law Marriage statutes, which would legally recognize the union of many cohabitating couples who wish to avoid marriage licensing. In this way, the government recognizes any union established by a couple claiming "marriage"... license or not.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I think you're incorrect in your assumption that marriage without licenses is a liberal or Democratic notion.

See? You either can't, or don't read. I never said "marriage without licenses is a liberal or Democrat notion."

Good grief.

[Esaias]

Now, if one requires a preacher in order to satisfy requirements of the state, then that assumes the state has authority to impose requirements. Which goes full circle right back to the license thing.

At this time, states have pretty much abandoned any legitimacy in regards to marriage. People should just go back to the Bible, and make sure inheritance issues are sufficiently taken care of contractually.

[Miss Scarlett]

Originally Posted by Rudy

Does anyone know of an apostolic preacher that would perform a marriage ceremony without a license?

I'm not sure I understand your Question, If the Pastor is not licensed, or the couple don't have license. If no license is present to make the marriage legal, I don't think an apostolic pastor would perform a marriage. But if you are asking if the preacher doesn't have license, it would make no difference. You can be married in my state by a Justice of the peace, a Judge, or a supervisor.

[jediwill83]

:-D