Featured Seeking church that does not allow divorce/remarriage

Hi all.

I just joined the Baptist Board. Thank you for allowing me to participate.

I was saved about 40 years ago and have been Independent Baptist for decades.
After fasting (three times), praying (earnestly), and studying God's Word (diligently) decades ago, I came to the settled conclusion that remarriage after divorce from a "covenant" spouse is adultery. I believe that this truth must be spoken in love because, if not, it can be extremely harmful.

I also believe that churches must not accept those who are living in adultery into membership but lovingly encourage them to truly repent. I believe that I Corinthians 5:11 prevents me from joining a church that knowingly permits adultery to be practiced within its membership. I currently live in San Diego, California and have not found any churches that I can join (given my convictions on this topic).

I am willing to relocate, with my wife, to a church anywhere in the world where God will have us serve.

Do any of you know of a church that takes the stand that I have described above?
I would appreciate your assistance.

I understand that this topic is extremely sensitive and do not wish to cause contention. I can provide the scriptural reasons for my position if anyone is sincerely interested.


In Christ,
Brother Bruce

 

Thanks very much Jordan. I have spoken at length with Pastor Spitsbergen. He's a good man. I'm praying and fasting about whether God would want me and my wife to join. I am currently in San Diego, California but cannot find a faithful church here. Thanks so much for responding to my post. I have prayed for you.
Brother Bruce

 

Hi Jerome,

This is a term used by some people to describe a wife or husband whom God recognizes as being in a legitimate marriage. I suppose that this term comes from Malachi 2:14....

"Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant."

I use the term "covenant spouse" for a man and woman who come together in marriage, neither of whom have been married before. I also believe that (due to divorce and remarriage) there are cases where a man or woman have been "married" before according to civil government or societal norms but have never been married before in God's eyes and were instead simply living in adultery according to scripture passages in Matthew 5 and 19, Mark 10, Luke 16, Romans 7, and I Corinthians 7. In these cases, I believe that they are therefore free to become a covenant spouse with someone else who has never been married before in God's eyes.

There are many different opinions on the divorce and remarriage issue, but I am convinced (after earnestly studying God's Word on the subject and begging God to reveal His truth to me) that this is what He plainly teaches in His Word. I believe that divorce and remarriage is the biggest "elephant in the room" in Baptist churches today and that it is the main reason why there is a lack of Godly power evident in almost all Baptist churches today compared to those of centuries past. I'm sure that people in this forum have different ideas about this and I have no interest in causing contention or beginning a debate with anyone, but I am willing to explain the Bible basis of my beliefs to anyone who is sincerely interested and willing to have a kind, Christian discussion.

God bless you Jerome!
Brother Bruce

 

Thank you, brother Vaughn.

As you have said, I am seeking a church, not a debate. I agree with you that if people want to discuss the divorce and remarriage issue (which is an extremely important issue) in depth, a separate thread would be appropriate. I would be willing to participate in this as time permits, but I know from experience that this subject can attract contentious arguments if not handled in a Christ-like manner. I think that there would need to be a commitment on the part of those involved to maintain a godly, courteous attitude.

Thanks!

 

Hi, Yeshua1.

Please see my response to Mr. Vaughn.

Have a blessed day.

 

Hi Yeshua1,

Thanks much for your question.
My belief is that it is simply like any other sin, and therefore requires repentance (confessing and forsaking). Brother Vaughn had commented that since the purpose of my post is to find a church, if people wish to discuss the divorce and remarriage issue itself, starting a thread dedicated to that purpose would be appropriate. That makes sense to me. I would be willing to contribute to that discussion in the spirit of Christian courtesy and as time allows.

May God bless you mightily.

 

Thanks! I was saved about 50 years ago in a small Baptist church in San Diego, California. I am an Independent Baptist who, having lost his previous church, am seeking for a church where God would have us serve. I have been married for 35 years. We have no children. I have been preaching, teaching, singing (and doing a lot of listening) in a care facility in town for the last nine years. I have a great love for God's Word. God allowed me to write the story of the journey on which He led me to arrive at absolute confidence in His written Word. I worked in the Engineering, Document Control, and Quality fields for 35 years. I love to backpack and try to get out at least once a year by myself into the desert or mountains where I fast and pray. God has given me the gift of being able to draw almost photographically. I have suffered from depression but God has been good to me. Our dog, Shadow, showed up at our front door over two years ago (he had almost certainly been abused). We adopted him and he's a great member of our family now.