Serving as Deacon and divorce

Actually, in the Greek it does say wife...

gunh gune goo-nay'
probably from the base of 1096; a woman; specially, a wife:--wife, woman.

Not just a woman, for the mother was also called woman. We see this in the case of Jesus calling Mary 'Woman'.

Wife is the title given to the woman married to the Husband.... Husbands love your wives.

 

No actually it does not say wife. There was another word that meant wife, but it is true this word could carry the meaning of wife if in the proper context as it is here.

 

That does not make a bit of sense. What are you saying? I have not twisted a thing. If the purity of the church depends on any man... the church will not be pure... unless of course that man happens to be Jesus Christ.

 

The only way I know of to show you are a Christian is to be a follower of Christ. Is there another way?

 

Without even getting into the scriptural specifics...I just have to say this:

The bolded portion of your quote shows an appalling lack of grace, and seems to indicate your skepticism that God can change someone.

A wee bit judgemental, I would say.

 

As I said before, the Greek does say woman in this verse... but it goes on to say 'Specially wife'.

It is speaking of a certain woman, not just any woman. This is why wife is the best translation here.

 

Like I said. The word wife is never used specifically. It is a general word for woman, however in certain contexts it can cover for wife.

 

The passage is clear. it does not say or suggest that there are any circumstance or changes that can be accepted. What we are seeing today is compromise and the total lack of obediance to the word.

 

Reading this thread, it is obvious that there are differing interpretations. I see much validity in the passage prohibiting polygamy rather than dealing with divorce.

Your view of divorce as "the unpardonable sin" is disturbing to me.

 

what disturbs me is when someone adds to what I say. I never suggested that divoorce was unpardonable. The thing is that forgiveness does not mean one is to be re-instated in every area or even uused in certain areas. A person can be forgiven and yet disqualified. David is a prime example.

 

If you'll notice my posts, you will see I give no blanket endorsement to bring a divorced person into the office. Like I said earlier...there are numerous questions that must be addressed when dealing with one who has a past that includes divorce. But there are many, many questions worth consideration:

• What about the one who has biblical justification for divorce?
• What about one who was divorced before becoming a Christian?
• What about one who has not been divorced, but years ago married a woman who had been divorced?
• What about one who was divorced, was in the process of becoming reconciled, and then the lady was killed in a wreck? (happened in a former church of mine)

And since I tend to approach this passage from the polygamy prohibition, these are legitimate questions.

You said this earlier:

Clarify this for me: are you saying that folks who feel the "polygamy" interpretation is correct, but still address carefully any issue relating to divorce, are guilty of "compromise and total lack of obedience?" Or does that phrase refer to divorce in the church in general? I'm unclear on what you mean there...

 

If the divorce is because of fornication on the part of the wife, or the wife is an unbeliever and chooses to part, the believing husband is not bound according to the Word of God.

And if the husband is not bound according to the Word of God then he is above reproach and can fill the office of the deacon or bishop... providing he meets the other qualifications set forth in 1 Timothy 3.

 

RE: Deacon

These passages were not speaking of divorce at all. On the contrary, they were stating a bishop or deacon could have only one wife at present. More than one wife would take away from the responsibilities that come with the office of deacon or bishop... for, the man seeks to please his wife. More wives, more time spent with them.


AMEN!!!!

 

Did God forgive Moses when he struck the rock? Was he immediately struck dead? NO. Yet God did not allow Moses to enter the promise land. How could God do that! Didn't he forgive Moses? I believe God did, yet his actions had consequences just as our actions have consequences today.

David was a man after God's own heart, yet because of the blood on his hands he was not allowed to build the temple. Why? Didn't God forgive him? How could God be so cruel as to punish David after forgiving him for his past bloody actions? I believe it's because God has a high standard and a high expectation for all believers and especially for those in leadership.

It doesn't mean God loved Moses or David any less, it just means that God has always maintained high standards and we should do the same.

Moses struck the Rock a picture or type of Christ. In the New Testament marriage is a picture of Christ and the church. Christ's bride is to be pure.

There are many wonderful Christian that are divorced. I am sure David and Moses were also wonderful people, yet they did not meet Gods' standard and so was not able to participate as God shows us in scripture.

The idea that God can't forgive a divorced person should not even be a question. The emphasis should be on the standard that God places upon leadership. He expects the highest standards.

A pastor is a picture of Christ. I guess that's how I see it.

 

If the passage in question is referring to divorce, then redbelt's examples are applicable.
It's my opinion it's referring here to polygamy. If that's the case, then his examples don't work.

And remember...there are times where divorce is biblically allowed. Would God fault the innocent party here?

And let's keep in mind that none of us deserve God's favor. No one is "worthy" of serving God as a deacon or pastor.

Using David and Moses, let's consider this...if someone was divorced before becoming a Christian...would that apply as well?

 

1Ch 28:3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.God did not hold David off from building His temple because of sin. It was because of his calling. the blood he shed that is referecned here was the blood shed in war not sin. There is nothing in that passage to indicate this was a result of sin. The phrase "a man of war" qualifies "and hast shed blood". This is not an example of the revoking of God's call.


1 Chr 28:51 Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. 52 Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel.

Moses never stopped being the shepherd of Israel until he died. God did not immediately remove him but continued to speak through him to Israel. He remained the undershepherd of Israel. Again this is not an example of God revoking his calling on a man that has failed.

Ro 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.God does not revoke his call on a man's life because of failure. Even Manassah was restored upon repentence. Revoking a call of God is not a high standard nor is it biblical. It is contrary to grace and purposes of God.

 

Amen, 2 Timothy2:1-4!

 

OK time for a little humor in this heavy discussion.

I am in the process of becomming a Deacon. The Church has voted for me to be examined by the IL / IA Association. That was scheduled for last Sat., but postponed due to weather.

On last Wed. (3 days before I was to be examined) the Pastor comes to me and says "I guess I should ask you, This is your one and only marriage isn't it?"

I had to resist the urge to say the first smart mouthed comment that came to mind. I didn't think the Pastor would find it funny if I replied "Well yes, since what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas." :saint:

I didn't say it, but I thought it.

Bill

 

Sir,
The discussion of my thread was related to God's forgiveness, not the revoking of God's will. Some had suggested that to not allow a divorced person to serve was saying that God could not forgive them. My point was that God will love us and forgive us, but that does not mean that we may still have consequences to our actions.

I am not sure revoking the call of God would apply here in the discussion of divorce, unless a pastor would get divorced while pastoring and seek to stay in the ministry. Boy, that could make another interesting thread here, I'm sure.

I appreciate your comments and enjoy the opportunity to read and respond. Thank you!

 

As far as consequences go your examples fall short of your intended point. Moses was a murderer. And God called him any way. Your idea of what a high standard is falls short as well. Davids call was to be a warrior not to build the temple. The refusal by God to allow him to build it was not about his sin. You may want to go back and reread that.