Is this a sin??

[stubbornkelly]

I did some research, and as far as I've been able to find, there is no law in any state that requires a couple get a marriage license to be married. The state may not recognize the marriage, but that doesn't make the couple any less married. State recognition is just that, state recognition. Even common law marriage is only state recognition of the fact a couple intends to be husband and wife and has been so for a set period of time - basically, it does the same thing a marriage registration does, just without filing paperwork.

Biblically, if you leave your family and cleave to one another, and make the promise to do so in front of dedicated witnesses, you are married. I would say the marriage ceremony you and your spouse had counts. A marriage without a license or state registration is not "illegal," in spite of the popularlity of the phrase "legal marriage." A more accurate phrase would be "state-sanctioned marriage."

Again, though, there aren't any laws (AFAIK, but double check for your state) that require a marriage be state-sanctioned. If there were, her concerns would have foundation.

 

[JillLars]

"if you leave your family and cleave to one another, and make the promise to do so in front of dedicated witnesses, you are married"

I think its important to keep in mind that if you are a Christian you take your promises to God very seriously, far more seriously than you would take a piece of paper that says you are married. There are benefits to having your marriage sanctioned by the state, but the most important thing is that the couple promise their lives together to God and stick to it.

 

[pmarquette]

Now i'm wondering is this legal marriage such a big deal?? Is this really a sin??? and what would your advise be??

???? can't get married in the church , a church , before a justice of the peace ? In the eyes of men or in the eyes of God ?

might want to log onto " cfaith.com" and look for a church in your area , sit and talk with pastor / minister .

We were both divorced , went through the catholic annulment process , ended up in a protestant word or faith church , were married before a justice of the peace .....

Have you talked with mayor , alderman , representative , congressman , etc. to assist you? Has to be some way to reproduce what was lost .... God says , you can do : Matthew 19.26 ; Philipians 4.13 ; Zechariah 4.6 ; Romans 8.28-37...

work like it depends on you , pray like it depends on God . pray as Nehemiah prayed " for favor " with the government , authority ; speak to this mountain before you ....

look and proverbs 6.18 , forgive and pray for your pastor's wife [ out of God's will ] , forgive , that you might be forgiven

 

[dldeskins]

I did some research, and as far as I've been able to find, there is no law in any state that requires a couple get a marriage license to be married. The state may not recognize the marriage, but that doesn't make the couple any less married. State recognition is just that, state recognition. Even common law marriage is only state recognition of the fact a couple intends to be husband and wife and has been so for a set period of time - basically, it does the same thing a marriage registration does, just without filing paperwork.

Biblically, if you leave your family and cleave to one another, and make the promise to do so in front of dedicated witnesses, you are married. I would say the marriage ceremony you and your spouse had counts. A marriage without a license or state registration is not "illegal," in spite of the popularlity of the phrase "legal marriage." A more accurate phrase would be "state-sanctioned marriage."

Again, though, there aren't any laws (AFAIK, but double check for your state) that require a marriage be state-sanctioned. If there were, her concerns would have foundation.

This reminded me of what I heard about South Carolina (I am no lawyer, so don't quote me). In SC, if a couple registers in a motel as Mr. and Mrs., they are LEGALLY married in SC. This doesn't require a birth certificate

 

[set free in Christ]

I believe that at the first time you have sex in the eyes of God you are married. There is nothing more "legal" to me in the eyes of God. To get the church in it seems to have messed you up. The pastor's wife has no say in the matter and if it was a sin I am sure that Jesus would have no problem in comming over and having supper with you. Church and relegion really get to me some times!!!!!!!!

 

[IslandBreeze]

Sex does NOT equal marriage. You do not become married by having sex.

 

[desi]

I'm married for 2 years now. What i mean by married is that we r blessed in a church, but because of legal papers we couldn't get married legally ( singing an agreement). We are doing our best to do this part.
And we r going to a church for nearly 2 years now. And now the problem is that the paster's wife i going around telling everyone that we are living in sin and that they should not visit us at home. Her point of view is that we shouldn't have an sexual relationship with one another untill we marry legally.

Now i'm wondering is this legal marriage such a big deal?? Is this really a sin??? and what would your advise be??

You could probably get married in another country. A church where the Pastor's wife is a gossip is one place I would steer far and wide from.