Pattern for Marriage

We believe the marriage relationship was orgained and created by God (Hebrews 13:4) as a special relationship between a man and woman.  God’s original plan, from the beginning, was one man and one woman for life (Matthew 19:4-6).  We believe that God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16) and recognizes only one reason to dissolve a marriage (Matthew 19:9).

God has established a pattern (1 Corinthians 11:3) for the man, wife and family similar to Jesus and His Church.  The husband is to love his wife and the wife is to show respect for her husband.  While our roles are different, husbands and wives are equal in Christ’s sight.  They complement each other.  Like the congregation operates as one, the husband and wife also should function together as one (Ephesians 5:31) in raising their children to know and love the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).  Children are taught obedience (to be respectful) by their parents (Colossians 3:20).