Racially Mixed Marriages

[Sept5SavedTeen]

Ok, I've got to ask this one, only because we were having a discussion about it with the saints at my local assembly, and they are all very much against racism of ANY kind, and they have NO problem with white and black marriages or any other racial combination. Does anyone on AFF have a differing opinion or have a preference or background that leans against interracial marriage for yourself or your close relatives or relatives? Has anyone ever been in an apostolic assembly where interracial marriages have been preached against? Up north we're not perfect, but it seems that racism is completely out of the assembly here, and amidst hearing the thoughts of the others and giving my imput, I saw slight suddelties of racism in my own thinking which I am going to change. Anyways, thoughts?... Does anyone believe that GOD setting the borders of people's habitations refers to GOD's intent for the blacks to be in Africa and the Chinese to be in China and the France to stay in France and so forth (I don't know how this would apply to the USA's melting pot, but I am sure someone somewhere has an explanation). Does anyone know of churches/ministers that won't perform interracial marriages?

-Bro. Alex

[Jermyn Davidson]

I've had brothers and sisters in Christ tell me in plain terms that they were personally opposed to interracial marriages, and I was told by one of my close associates that our Pastor at the time was against such. However, he never gave me that impression.

As far as I know, I've never attended an Assembly where the Leadership outright condemned or refused to perform interracial marriages.

Most are concerned about being equally yoked. This is most important and has very little (if anything) to do with race.

[MissBrattified]

There are several interesting threads on this subject...you should do a search.

I do know of churches whose pastors won't officiate marriages for mixed-race couples. It seems to be more of an issue in the south, but that would change (for the better) a lot quicker if church leaders would take a stand.

This topic is important to consider from a scriptural point of view, and no other. It's really time for the church to move beyond skin tone.

One thing I find most irritating is that the objection is almost ALWAYS against blacks and whites, but there seems to be nothing at all wrong (from the same folks' perspective) with Caucasians wedding Hispanics, Asians, Indians (dot or feather), Middle Eastern, etc etc!!!!! The fact that the only objection seems to be to whites marrying blacks is very telling in and of itself.

The restriction in the New Testament is ONLY for believers to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Nothing was EVER said about skin color or even "culture."

The Old Testament restrictions were the same--they were about religion, and NEVER skin color. Moses' wife was a black woman (Ethiopian), and Miriam was cursed with leprosy because she criticized Moses for marrying Zipporah. (Numbers 12)

This is a good reference for determining how God thinks we should treat those of different cultures, countries and races:

Lev 19:33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.
Lev 19:34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

The laws of the Lord were the same for those who were born into them, and for those who came into it of their own accord:

Num 9:14 And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.

Deu 23:7 Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.

Then there's the story of Ruth, who told Naomi, "...your people will be my people and thy God my God." And she married Boaz with no raised eyebrows, regardless of the fact that she was a Moabitess.

It seems obvious to me that it is the state of one's heart towards God and their obedience to His laws that matters most--not race, color, creed, culture, gender or any other shallow measurement of value or equivalence.

Racism rises up when we fail to see others through the eyes of Christ.

Some have commented that we all have prejudices of some sort--and maybe it's true, but we should diligently seek to rid ourselves of such thought processes--not justify them with the idea that it's "just how we are." If we follow God's commandments, racism and prejudice cannot be reconciled with Christianity on any level.

[Ron]

I am not against interracial marriages (for obvious reasons) but I do strongly believe that good Apostolic Man outa find himself a good Godly Apostolic woman will submit!

Glory!

[jaxfam6]

You left off the option of "I don't care". It is not my business who someone falls in love with and marries.

[jaxfam6]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

I've had brothers and sisters in Christ tell me in plain terms that they were personally opposed to interracial marriages, and I was told by one of my close associates that our Pastor at the time was against such. However, he never gave me that impression.

As far as I know, I've never attended an Assembly where the Leadership outright condemned or refused to perform interracial marriages.

Most are concerned about being equally yoked. This is most important and has very little (if anything) to do with race.

Amen

[commonsense]

Originally Posted by jaxfam6

You left off the option of "I don't care". It is not my business who someone falls in love with and marries.

Exactly! It's not for me to decide. What does the scripture say? ( Miss B has already told us.)

I've never heard it preached, but I'm aware of pastors that wouldn't perform mixed race marriages.

[George]

I have heard of preachers who condemned interracial marriages but they had nothing in which to base their opinions. There were several interracial couples in the Bible including Moses and his wife.

[Truthseeker]

I'm in a white/black marriage so obviously don't have a prob with it.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

There are several interesting threads on this subject...you should do a search.

I do know of churches whose pastors won't officiate marriages for mixed-race couples. It seems to be more of an issue in the south, but that would change (for the better) a lot quicker if church leaders would take a stand.

This topic is important to consider from a scriptural point of view, and no other. It's really time for the church to move beyond skin tone.

One thing I find most irritating is that the objection is almost ALWAYS against blacks and whites, but there seems to be nothing at all wrong (from the same folks' perspective) with Caucasians wedding Hispanics, Asians, Indians (dot or feather), Middle Eastern, etc etc!!!!! The fact that the only objection seems to be to whites marrying blacks is very telling in and of itself.

The restriction in the New Testament is ONLY for believers to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Nothing was EVER said about skin color or even "culture."

The Old Testament restrictions were the same--they were about religion, and NEVER skin color. Moses' wife was a black woman (Ethiopian), and Miriam was cursed with leprosy because she criticized Moses for marrying Zipporah. (Numbers 12)

This is a good reference for determining how God thinks we should treat those of different cultures, countries and races:

Lev 19:33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.
Lev 19:34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

The laws of the Lord were the same for those who were born into them, and for those who came into it of their own accord:

Num 9:14 And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.

Deu 23:7 Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.

Then there's the story of Ruth, who told Naomi, "...your people will be my people and thy God my God." And she married Boaz with no raised eyebrows, regardless of the fact that she was a Moabitess.

It seems obvious to me that it is the state of one's heart towards God and their obedience to His laws that matters most--not race, color, creed, culture, gender or any other shallow measurement of value or equivalence.

Racism rises up when we fail to see others through the eyes of Christ.

Some have commented that we all have prejudices of some sort--and maybe it's true, but we should diligently seek to rid ourselves of such thought processes--not justify them with the idea that it's "just how we are." If we follow God's commandments, racism and prejudice cannot be reconciled with Christianity on any level.

great post