Biblical requirements and practices for Christian marriage

¶ … reason why there are limitations and guidelines on marriage, it is important to remember that marriage is between a man and a woman, and that oftentimes (especially in the Old Testament) there were requirements that the marriage be within the respective Tribe of Israel as well. Although there were often marriages outside of a specific tribe, of more concern was when an Israelite married outside of the Jewish faith. There are plenty of examples of outside marriages taking place, but the primary purpose behind such requirements was the fear of dilution of the Hebrew race, and maybe even more importantly, dilution of the faith and traditions of the Jewish community. As the text shows; "purity of the faith was paramount regardless of the destruction of homes and families" (pp. 740-741). In today's more modern society, such requirements are not observed in as stringent a manner. One of the requirements that is espoused in the old and new testaments is the virginity of the couple, as well as the monogamy and long-lasting endurance of the marriage. Virginity in the Bible is looked upon as a choice to stay pure and a choice that is pleasing to God. Additionally, marriage is an exclusive relationship between husband and wife, and marriage is "to endure for the lifetime of the two partners" (p. 743). When considering marriage, Tom and Jane should both consider the fact that biblical teachings present them with a strength to endure all things in a marriage as long as they are committed to the relationship. In the Old Testament, a couple was deemed to be married after seven days had passed. A prime example of the seven day grace period was Samson -- who put aside his wife before the seven day period had ended at which time the marriage contract became null and void (p.742). An additional consideration was the betrothal which took place approximately one year before the marriage.

With a betrothal, the couple were considered married yet until the bride price was paid and the marriage ceremony taken place, they marriage was not entirely legal. This is different than today's more modern interpretation of being married as upon the invocation by the minister declaring the couple 'man and wife." That the marriage was special to God is also quite evident throughout scripture, and both Tom and Jane should realize the importance of maintaining a loving relationship that can only come through marriage. God has defined marriage as an agreement between a man and women to be married and live as a couple -- as husband and wife. Divorce is man's way of freeing himself from the marriage obligations, but God still considers the couple married except in cases of adultery.

Matt (5:32) shows us that there are grounds for divorce or dissolution in a marriage. One of the grounds is adultery. Adultery is the act of physical intercourse between a man and a woman outside of the marriage contract. On page 744 we read that the physical act (outside of marriage) is reprehensible due to the fact that it makes a mockery of the spiritual act that it is supposed to represent. In the New Testament, we learn that those who have not reached maturity or who are incompetent mentally to understand the ramifications of marriage should not undertake the venture, and can be divorced. Additionally, a woman who has been unfaithful to her husband can be set aside in divorce proceedings. The Bible teaches that once a Christian man or woman has been divorced, they cannot remarry (except in the case of spousal adultery) without committing adultery themselves, as well as their new partner. This does not hold true if the spouse has died; then the remaining spouse is free to marry once again.