Divorce and Remarriage

[Augustine_Was_Calvinist]

After reading and praying, I have decided not to pursue the issue. I am going to walk in the Spirit, let the Holy Spirit do what He will through me. I will see what He does with me. I am going to desire to do when the Spirit directs me, and see people affirm my spritual gifts are going to be something that causes people (the local church) to respond, because it is for them. The idea of the spiritual gifts is simply that the Lord uses that gift in a unity, in a unifying way. God uses my spiritual gifts by His Spirit as He wills.

I would dialogue with the elders on this matter. Should you join the congregation and your divorce and remarriage is an obstruction to being an ordained deacon or elder at some point, there are many other capacities for gifted ministry within the church.

 

[Augustine_Was_Calvinist]

Of course it wouldn't be right to divorce someone you are married to and go back to the first husband or wife would it?

No, that is not an option. That would make matters even worse.

I agree with you there are some mistakes or sins that we are forgiven. However divorced people,
should not able to serve in the highest positions of the church.
Should they?
I know there are scriptures to back this but haven't found them yet.

don't think that position can be supported Scripturally.

 

[5solas]

I think Scripture teaches that divorce is allowed under very specific circumstances.

If a couple who is not Christian is married and one spouse becomes a believer, yet the other doesn't, and the non-believing spouse decides to vacate the marriage, Paul says the believing spouse is not bound in that situation.

15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases.

Does this mean that the Christian is allowed to marry again (as some think it does) or does it mean that the Christian under these circumstances is allowed to get divorced (and remain single or get reconciled)?

That's what JFB says:
1Co 7:15 - if ... depart — that is, wishes for separation. Translate, "separateth himself": offended with her Christianity, and refusing to live with her unless she renounce it.

brother or a sister is not under bondage — is not bound to renounce the faith for the sake of retaining her unbelieving husband [Hammond]. So Deu_13:6; Mat_10:35-37; Luk_14:26. The believer does not lie under the same obligation in the case of a union with an unbeliever, as in the case of one with a believer. In the former case he is not bound not to separate, if the unbeliever separate or "depart," in the latter nothing but "fornication" justifies separation [Photius in Aecumenius].

 

[Augustine_Was_Calvinist]

Does this mean that the Christian is allowed to marry again (as some think it does) or does it mean that the Christian under these circumstances is allowed to get divorced (and remain single or get reconciled)?

That's what JFB says:
1Co 7:15 - if ... depart — that is, wishes for separation. Translate, "separateth himself": offended with her Christianity, and refusing to live with her unless she renounce it.

brother or a sister is not under bondage — is not bound to renounce the faith for the sake of retaining her unbelieving husband [Hammond]. So Deu_13:6; Mat_10:35-37; Luk_14:26. The believer does not lie under the same obligation in the case of a union with an unbeliever, as in the case of one with a believer. In the former case he is not bound not to separate, if the unbeliever separate or "depart," in the latter nothing but "fornication" justifies separation [Photius in Aecumenius].

I would say that should the unbeliever "depart", that does not necessarily give permission for remarriage, since in the following passages Paul addresses reconciliation with the possibility that the reconciled party be won to Christ.

"But God has called us to peace. 16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?"

However, if the door of reconciliation is completely closed, then the deserted spouse is not bond to his/her marriage vows.

 

[Numenor]

With all due respect for the Westminster Confession - I still think only the Bible is inerrant. This article (24:6) is one of the articles I do not agree with.

Indeed, but as the subordinate standard for the PCA the WCF will govern that congregation's decisions in apointing members into positions of authority.