We will
give priority to fulfilling family responsibilities, to preserving
the sanctity of marriage and to maintaining divine order in the home.
Priority of the Family
The family is the basic unit of human relationship and as such is
foundational to both society and the church (Genesis 2:18-24). The
divine origin of the family, along with its foundational character,
makes it imperative that we give priority to ministry to the family,
both from a personal and corporate standpoint. The practice of Christian
disciplines and virtues should begin in the home (Deuteronomy 6:6,
7). Therefore, our families should establish some pattern for family
devotions and should endeavor to provide a Christian environment in
the home (1 Timothy 3:3, 4; 5:8).
Sanctity of Marriage
Marriage is ordained of God and is a spiritual union in which a man
and a woman are joined by God to live together as one (Genesis 2:24;
Mark 10:7). Because of the divine character of marriage, it is a lifelong
commitment with the only clear biblical allowance for divorce being
fornication (Matthew 5:32; 19:9). Sexual involvement, either before
marriage or with someone other than the marriage partner, is strictly
forbidden in Scripture (Exodus 20:14; 1 Corinthians 6:15-18). Understanding
the sanctity of marriage, partners should strive to maintain a happy,
harmonious, and holy relationship. Should divorce occur, the church
should be quick to provide love, understanding and counsel to those
involved. The remarriage of divorced persons should be undertaken
only after a thorough understanding of and submission to the scriptural
instructions concerning this issue (Matthew 19:7-9; Mark 10:2-12;
Luke 16:18; Romans 7:2, 3; 1 Corinthians 7:2, 10, 11). Should a Christian
desire to remain single, this decision should be respected and should
be seen as a viable scriptural alternative (II Corinthians 7:8, 32-34).
Divine Order in the Home
When God created man, He created them male and female (Genesis 1:27).
He gave them distinctly different characteristics (1 Corinthians 11:14,
15; 1 Peter 3:7) as well as different responsibilities (Genesis 3:16-19;
1 Peter 3:1-7). In God's order, the husband is head of the home (Ephesians
5:22-31; Colossians 3:18, 19), parents are to nurture and admonish
their children (Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:21), and children are
to obey and honor their parents (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians
3:20). In order for harmony to exist in the home, God's order of responsibility
must be observed.
