1

How Can We Know God’s How Can We Know God’s Will ?Will ?

1Cor 1:26-31 - Not Many wise according to the flesh not many 1Cor 1:26-31 - Not Many wise according to the flesh not many mightymighty

We don’t have to know every nuance of the Greek language to understand itWe don’t have to know every nuance of the Greek language to understand it God uses the week things of the world to shame the wiseGod uses the week things of the world to shame the wise Christ became the wisdom of God that we might boast in the LordChrist became the wisdom of God that we might boast in the Lord

Acts 4:13 - ...understood that they were uneducated and Acts 4:13 - ...understood that they were uneducated and untrained menuntrained men

Peter and John were not men of learning that went to the best schools with the brightest mindsPeter and John were not men of learning that went to the best schools with the brightest minds

They were common fishermen given an uncommon missionThey were common fishermen given an uncommon mission 1 Corinthians 2 - We have the mind of Christ through the Spirit1 Corinthians 2 - We have the mind of Christ through the Spirit

No one knows the thoughts of God save the Spirit of God who reveals themNo one knows the thoughts of God save the Spirit of God who reveals them We received the Spirit who is from God that we might know the things freely given to us by GodWe received the Spirit who is from God that we might know the things freely given to us by God We have the mind of ChristWe have the mind of Christ

Ephesians 3:1-5 - And when you read you can understand my Ephesians 3:1-5 - And when you read you can understand my insightinsight

God expects us to learn how the message of God was given by revelationGod expects us to learn how the message of God was given by revelation And also He expects us to know and understand what that reveled message isAnd also He expects us to know and understand what that reveled message is

James 1:2-5 - But if any of you lack wisdom let him ask of GodJames 1:2-5 - But if any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God We all have the same facts given to us by revelationWe all have the same facts given to us by revelation But we don’t all assimilate the facts the same way therefore we have different understandingsBut we don’t all assimilate the facts the same way therefore we have different understandings As we go to God in prayer He gives us the wisdom to correctly apply the facts we haveAs we go to God in prayer He gives us the wisdom to correctly apply the facts we have

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God’s Plan For God’s Plan For MarriageMarriage

A Covenant between the two people and GodA Covenant between the two people and God - - Mal. 2:14; Matt.19:5Mal. 2:14; Matt.19:5 No man can separate what God has joined togetherNo man can separate what God has joined together What God joined together was intended to be permanentWhat God joined together was intended to be permanent

Leave Mother and Father and Cleave to WifeLeave Mother and Father and Cleave to Wife - - Gen 2:18-25Gen 2:18-25 Permanence - A man shall leave his father and motherPermanence - A man shall leave his father and mother Commitment - And shall cleave to his wifeCommitment - And shall cleave to his wife

God’s Marriage Law was for lifeGod’s Marriage Law was for life - - Romans 7:1-3Romans 7:1-3 The law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he livesThe law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives Likewise the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is livingLikewise the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living Only if the husband dies is she discharged from the law of her husbandOnly if the husband dies is she discharged from the law of her husband The exception clause would confuse his point about the law and its jurisdiction over manThe exception clause would confuse his point about the law and its jurisdiction over man

God Hates Divorce - Mal.2:13-16God Hates Divorce - Mal.2:13-16 To do so is to deal treacherously with the wife of your youthTo do so is to deal treacherously with the wife of your youth ““Who was a companion of a sacred covenant, who had borne children and shared his joys and sorrows” HHWho was a companion of a sacred covenant, who had borne children and shared his joys and sorrows” HH

God Sanctioned Only 2 Reasons For Man To RemarryGod Sanctioned Only 2 Reasons For Man To Remarry - - Rom 7:1-3; Rom 7:1-3; Matt 19:9Matt 19:9

Death of one’s mateDeath of one’s mate Because of fornication, the innocent one is loosed by GodBecause of fornication, the innocent one is loosed by God

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Examples of God’s Laws That Examples of God’s Laws That Spanned AgesSpanned Ages

Prohibition against MurderProhibition against Murder Predated Mosaic Law and God expected all to know - Predated Mosaic Law and God expected all to know - Gen 9:6Gen 9:6 Incorporated into Mosaic law - Incorporated into Mosaic law - Incorporated into the law of Christ - Incorporated into the law of Christ - Acts 25:11Acts 25:11

More assumed than statedMore assumed than stated

Not 3 different laws on murder, but one law spanning agesNot 3 different laws on murder, but one law spanning ages

The Sacrificial SystemThe Sacrificial System Predated the Mosaic Law - Predated the Mosaic Law - Gen 4:3; Job 42:8Gen 4:3; Job 42:8 Incorporated and expanded in the Mosaic law - Leviticus , Duet.Incorporated and expanded in the Mosaic law - Leviticus , Duet. Incorporated into the law of Christ but changed - Incorporated into the law of Christ but changed - Rom. 12:1Rom. 12:1

Our bodies are sacrifices which are to be living, holy and acceptable to GodOur bodies are sacrifices which are to be living, holy and acceptable to God

The Marriage LawThe Marriage Law Predated the Mosaic Law - Predated the Mosaic Law - Gen 2:18-24Gen 2:18-24 The divine plan was interrupted by God - The divine plan was interrupted by God - Matt 19:3-8Matt 19:3-8

Caused by the hardness of man’s heartCaused by the hardness of man’s heart

God authorized and regulated divorce under conditions - God authorized and regulated divorce under conditions - Deut Deut 2424

Jesus re-instituted God’s original plan - Jesus re-instituted God’s original plan - Matt 19:9-12Matt 19:9-12

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Things That God Allowed Things That God Allowed And Regulated That He And Regulated That He

Did Not WantDid Not Want

A Monarchy Instead of A Theocracy - 1 Sam 8A Monarchy Instead of A Theocracy - 1 Sam 8 They desired to be like the other nations around them - They desired to be like the other nations around them - vs. 5vs. 5 ““They have rejected me from being king over them” - They have rejected me from being king over them” - vs. 7vs. 7 Warnings of the type of rule a king would bring - Warnings of the type of rule a king would bring - vs. 10-22vs. 10-22 They demanded what God did not want - They demanded what God did not want - vs. 19-20vs. 19-20

Divorce Instead Of Married For Life - Duet 24Divorce Instead Of Married For Life - Duet 24 Because of the hardness of their hearts God allowed divorce - Because of the hardness of their hearts God allowed divorce - Matt 19:8Matt 19:8 God regulated it in the Mosaic Law – God regulated it in the Mosaic Law – Deut. 24Deut. 24 Re-Established the original law in Christ - Re-Established the original law in Christ - Matt 19:8-9Matt 19:8-9 He made provisions for it but did not want it nor originally plan for itHe made provisions for it but did not want it nor originally plan for it God HATES divorce – God HATES divorce – Mal. 2:13-17Mal. 2:13-17

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Fornication ( PORNEIA) - 4202 Fornication ( PORNEIA) - 4202 NounNoun

W.E. Vines Expository Dictionary of Biblical WordsW.E. Vines Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words In the physical sense- “is used of illicit sexual intercourse, in Matt 5:32 and 19:9 it In the physical sense- “is used of illicit sexual intercourse, in Matt 5:32 and 19:9 it

stands for, or includes, adultery”stands for, or includes, adultery” In the metaphorical sense - “of the association of pagan idolatry with doctrines of, and In the metaphorical sense - “of the association of pagan idolatry with doctrines of, and

professed adherents to , the Christian faith, 1 Corinthians 5:9, 10, 11”professed adherents to , the Christian faith, 1 Corinthians 5:9, 10, 11”

Halley’s Bible Handbook on page 443Halley’s Bible Handbook on page 443 ““Chapter 19:3-12. Question about Divorce. Jesus’ teaching about divorce is recorded Chapter 19:3-12. Question about Divorce. Jesus’ teaching about divorce is recorded

here and in Matthew 5:31; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18; and Paul discusses the subject in here and in Matthew 5:31; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18; and Paul discusses the subject in 1 Corinthians 7, One man and one woman married for life is God’s will for the human 1 Corinthians 7, One man and one woman married for life is God’s will for the human race. Christ seems to allow only one cause for divorce (9).race. Christ seems to allow only one cause for divorce (9).

A Greek - English Lexicon of the New Testament and other Early Church A Greek - English Lexicon of the New Testament and other Early Church Literature, by William F. Arndt and F. Wilber Gingrich:Literature, by William F. Arndt and F. Wilber Gingrich:

““Prostitution, unchastity, fornication, of every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse...Of Prostitution, unchastity, fornication, of every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse...Of the sexual unfaithfulness of a married woman Mt. 5:32; 19:9”the sexual unfaithfulness of a married woman Mt. 5:32; 19:9”

Systematic Theology, by Charles HodgeSystematic Theology, by Charles Hodge ““The passages in the Gospels, referring to this subject, are Matthew 5:31, 32; 19:3-9; The passages in the Gospels, referring to this subject, are Matthew 5:31, 32; 19:3-9;

Mark 10:2-12; and Luke 16:18. The simple meaning of these passages seems to be, Mark 10:2-12; and Luke 16:18. The simple meaning of these passages seems to be, that marriage is a permanent compact, which cannot be dissolved at the will of either that marriage is a permanent compact, which cannot be dissolved at the will of either of the parties. If, therefore, a man arbitrarily puts away his wife and marries another, of the parties. If, therefore, a man arbitrarily puts away his wife and marries another, he commits adultery. If he repudiates her on just grounds and marries another, he he commits adultery. If he repudiates her on just grounds and marries another, he commits no offence. Our Lord makes the guilt of marrying after separation to depend commits no offence. Our Lord makes the guilt of marrying after separation to depend on the ground of the separation. Saying, ‘that if a man puts away his wife for any cause on the ground of the separation. Saying, ‘that if a man puts away his wife for any cause save fornication, and marries another, he commits adultery’; is saying that ‘the offence save fornication, and marries another, he commits adultery’; is saying that ‘the offence is not committed if the specified ground of divorce exists.’ And this is saying that is not committed if the specified ground of divorce exists.’ And this is saying that divorce, when justifiable, dissolves the marriage tie.”divorce, when justifiable, dissolves the marriage tie.”

Wayne’s Definition - NothingWayne’s Definition - Nothing

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Adultery (MOICHAO) 4298 - Adultery (MOICHAO) 4298 - VerbVerb W.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical WordsW.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words

Defines the noun form as “denotes one ‘who has unlawful intercourse with the spouse of Defines the noun form as “denotes one ‘who has unlawful intercourse with the spouse of another’”...The verb form “is used in the middle voice in the NT, is said of men in Matt. another’”...The verb form “is used in the middle voice in the NT, is said of men in Matt. 5:32; 19:9; Mark 10:11; of women in Mark 10:12”5:32; 19:9; Mark 10:11; of women in Mark 10:12”

Word Pictures in the New Testament, A.T. Robertson page 154-155Word Pictures in the New Testament, A.T. Robertson page 154-155 ““Except for fornication (PAREDTOS LOGOU PORNEIAS). This is the marginal reading in Except for fornication (PAREDTOS LOGOU PORNEIAS). This is the marginal reading in

Westcott and Hort which also adds ‘maketh her an adulteress’ (POIIEI AUTEN Westcott and Hort which also adds ‘maketh her an adulteress’ (POIIEI AUTEN MOICHEUTHENAI) and also these words: ‘and he that marrieth her when she is put away MOICHEUTHENAI) and also these words: ‘and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery’ (KAI HO APOLELUMENEN GAMESAS MOICHATAI)... McNeile holds committeth adultery’ (KAI HO APOLELUMENEN GAMESAS MOICHATAI)... McNeile holds that ‘the addition of the saving clause is, in fact, opposed to the spirit of the whole context, that ‘the addition of the saving clause is, in fact, opposed to the spirit of the whole context, and must have been made at a time when the practice of divorce for adultery had already and must have been made at a time when the practice of divorce for adultery had already grown up.’ grown up.’ That in my opinion is gratuitous criticism which is unwilling to accept That in my opinion is gratuitous criticism which is unwilling to accept Matthew’s report because it disagrees with one’s views on the subject of divorceMatthew’s report because it disagrees with one’s views on the subject of divorce. He adds: . He adds: ‘it cannot be supposed that Matthew wished to represent Jesus as siding with the school of ‘it cannot be supposed that Matthew wished to represent Jesus as siding with the school of Shammai.’ Why not, if Shammai on this point agreed with Jesus? Those who deny Shammai.’ Why not, if Shammai on this point agreed with Jesus? Those who deny Matthew’s report are those who are opposed to remarriage at all. Matthew’s report are those who are opposed to remarriage at all. Jesus by implication, as Jesus by implication, as in 5:31, does allow remarriage of the innocent party, but not of the guilty one.”in 5:31, does allow remarriage of the innocent party, but not of the guilty one.”

A Greek - English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian A Greek - English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, by William F. Arndt and F. Wilber Gingrich 526Literature, by William F. Arndt and F. Wilber Gingrich 526

““1. of a woman (Ezk 16:32) the man who divorces his wife causes her to commit adultery (if 1. of a woman (Ezk 16:32) the man who divorces his wife causes her to commit adultery (if she contracts a new marriage) Mt 5:32; Mk 10:12she contracts a new marriage) Mt 5:32; Mk 10:12

2. of a man, who marries a divorced woman Mt. 5:32; 19:9 or who marries again after 2. of a man, who marries a divorced woman Mt. 5:32; 19:9 or who marries again after divorcing his wife 19:9 commits adultery against her (his first wife) Mk 10:11.divorcing his wife 19:9 commits adultery against her (his first wife) Mk 10:11.

3. of a man or woman, whoever acts as the heathen do (ie., takes part in idol-worship), 3. of a man or woman, whoever acts as the heathen do (ie., takes part in idol-worship), commits adultery (and it cannot be expected of the other marriage-partner to maintain commits adultery (and it cannot be expected of the other marriage-partner to maintain marital relations).marital relations).

Wayne’s Definition - NothingWayne’s Definition - Nothing

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Divorce (APOLUO) 630 Divorce (APOLUO) 630 VerbVerb

W.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical W.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical WordsWords““To let loose from, let go free, (APO, ‘from’, LUO, to To let loose from, let go free, (APO, ‘from’, LUO, to loose’), is translated ‘is divorced’ in KJV of Matt 5:32 (RV, loose’), is translated ‘is divorced’ in KJV of Matt 5:32 (RV, ‘is put away’); it is further used of divorce in Matt 1:19; ‘is put away’); it is further used of divorce in Matt 1:19; 19:3, 7-9. The Lord also used it of the case of a wife 19:3, 7-9. The Lord also used it of the case of a wife putting away her husband, Mark 10:12, a usage among putting away her husband, Mark 10:12, a usage among Greeks and Romans, not among Jews. See Dismiss.”Greeks and Romans, not among Jews. See Dismiss.”

A Greek - English Lexicon of the New A Greek - English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, by William F. Arndt and F. Literature, by William F. Arndt and F. Wilber GingrichWilber Gingrich““1. Set free, release, pardon” as a prisoner, or a debtor. 1. Set free, release, pardon” as a prisoner, or a debtor. “2. Let go, send away, dismiss - a. divorce, send away “2. Let go, send away, dismiss - a. divorce, send away one’s wife, or betrothed.”one’s wife, or betrothed.”

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Does MDR Belong In Romans Does MDR Belong In Romans 14 ?14 ?

Romans 13:11-14 - Preceding Passage in ContextRomans 13:11-14 - Preceding Passage in Context V.12 Cast off works of darknessV.12 Cast off works of darkness V.13 Walk becomingly...not in revelingV.13 Walk becomingly...not in reveling v.14 Make no provision for the fleshv.14 Make no provision for the flesh

Moral sin condemned with strifeMoral sin condemned with strife The context prohibits Romans 14 from teaching what it condemns - fellowship with sinThe context prohibits Romans 14 from teaching what it condemns - fellowship with sin

Romans 16:17-19 - Succeeding Passage in ContextRomans 16:17-19 - Succeeding Passage in Context V.17 Mark those that cause division and occasions of stumblingV.17 Mark those that cause division and occasions of stumbling V.18 By fair speech they beguileV.18 By fair speech they beguile

Doctrinal sin condemnedDoctrinal sin condemned The context prohibits Romans 14 from teaching what it condemns - fellowship with doctrinal sinThe context prohibits Romans 14 from teaching what it condemns - fellowship with doctrinal sin

Romans 14Romans 14 V.1 Deals with the untaught and how to treat himV.1 Deals with the untaught and how to treat him V2. Deals with the taught that he may eat all thingsV2. Deals with the taught that he may eat all things V3. Don’t let the strong or weak treat other with contemptV3. Don’t let the strong or weak treat other with contempt V.14 Deals with things that are not unclean in itselfV.14 Deals with things that are not unclean in itself V15 Deals with eating meats, a clean thingV15 Deals with eating meats, a clean thing V16 Deals with good thingsV16 Deals with good things V20 Deals with all things that are cleanV20 Deals with all things that are clean

Conclusion From The ContextConclusion From The Context Paul is only dealing with things that are pure and of indifference to GodPaul is only dealing with things that are pure and of indifference to God Context will not allow placing sinful things in this contextContext will not allow placing sinful things in this context

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Who May Remarry in Who May Remarry in Matthew 19?Matthew 19?

• ““The The PhariseesPharisees also cane to Him, also cane to Him, testing Himtesting Him, and saying to Him, , and saying to Him, ‘Is ‘Is

it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?’it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?’• And He answered and said to them, And He answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read‘Have you not read that He who that He who

made them at the beginning made them male and female’, and said made them at the beginning made them male and female’, and said ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.’together, let not man separate.’

• They said to Him, They said to Him, ‘Why then did Moses command to give a certificate ‘Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?’of divorce, and to put her away?’

• He said to them, He said to them, ‘Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts‘Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, , permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. not so. And I also say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for And I also say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.’whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.’

• His disciples said to Him, His disciples said to Him, ‘If such is the case of the man with his ‘If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.”wife, it is better not to marry.”

• But He said to them, ‘All cannot accept this saying, but only those to But He said to them, ‘All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given; whom it has been given; For there are eunuchs who were born thus For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake.eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”it, let him accept it.”

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Who May Remarry in Who May Remarry in Matthew 5 ?Matthew 5 ?

Remove the exception clauseRemove the exception clause ““But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason causes her to commit But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason causes her to commit

adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.”adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.” Here we have two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. An independent Here we have two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. An independent

clause is a clause that is a complete thought, and if standing alone would form a clause is a clause that is a complete thought, and if standing alone would form a complete sentence. Both clauses are independent clauses of each other, but complete sentence. Both clauses are independent clauses of each other, but joined by the conjunction.joined by the conjunction.

This is straight forward and easily understandable.This is straight forward and easily understandable.

Now Let’s add the exceptionNow Let’s add the exception ““But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual

immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.”divorced commits adultery.”

Here we have two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. An independent Here we have two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. An independent clause is a clause that is a complete thought, and if standing alone would form a clause is a clause that is a complete thought, and if standing alone would form a complete sentence. complete sentence.

Whoever divorces his wife for ______ (now there is an exception to the statement) Whoever divorces his wife for ______ (now there is an exception to the statement) except it be for immorality causes her to commit adultery. So without the except it be for immorality causes her to commit adultery. So without the exception there is adultery and with it there is no adultery.exception there is adultery and with it there is no adultery.

Now the next clause. And whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits Now the next clause. And whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery. There can be no sharing of the exception clause between independent adultery. There can be no sharing of the exception clause between independent clauses.clauses.

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The 7 One’s Of Ephesians The 7 One’s Of Ephesians 4:1-64:1-6

One BodyOne Body - His church - His church One SpiritOne Spirit - That reveals the mind of God - That reveals the mind of God One HopeOne Hope - Heaven is our hope - Heaven is our hope One LordOne Lord - Jesus is our common savior - Jesus is our common savior One FaithOne Faith - One body of doctrine - One body of doctrine One BaptismOne Baptism - Our common cleansing - Our common cleansing One GodOne God - Who is over all - Who is over all

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Not Under Bondage 1 Corinthians Not Under Bondage 1 Corinthians 7:10-167:10-16

v 10. The Lord’s command to the marriedv 10. The Lord’s command to the married A Wife is not to depart from her husbandA Wife is not to depart from her husband If she does depart let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husbandIf she does depart let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband And the husband is not to divorce his wifeAnd the husband is not to divorce his wife

v 11-16. But to the reset I, not the Lord sayv 11-16. But to the reset I, not the Lord say If any brother has an unbelieving wife who is willing to live with him, let him not divorce himIf any brother has an unbelieving wife who is willing to live with him, let him not divorce him A woman who has an unbelieving husband who is willing to live with him, let her not divorce A woman who has an unbelieving husband who is willing to live with him, let her not divorce This marriage produces clean children, otherwise your children would be unclean (not This marriage produces clean children, otherwise your children would be unclean (not

married)married) But if the unbeliever departs let him depart, the brother or sister is not under bondage in But if the unbeliever departs let him depart, the brother or sister is not under bondage in

suchsuch

Is Paul Standing In Opposition to God’s Command?Is Paul Standing In Opposition to God’s Command? The word for the marriage bond in Romans 7:2 is (DEO) 1210.The word for the marriage bond in Romans 7:2 is (DEO) 1210.

It means to be under constraint or under compulsion to somethingIt means to be under constraint or under compulsion to something To bind as bound in spirit Acts 20:22. i.e. compelled by his convictions , under the constraining power To bind as bound in spirit Acts 20:22. i.e. compelled by his convictions , under the constraining power

of the Spirit of God to go to Jerusalem. A wife is said to be bound to her husband Romans 7:2 Vine’s.of the Spirit of God to go to Jerusalem. A wife is said to be bound to her husband Romans 7:2 Vine’s. This is the word used for the marriage bond but is not used in 1Cor 7:15This is the word used for the marriage bond but is not used in 1Cor 7:15

The word for this bond in 1Cor 7:15 is (DEDOULOTAI)The word for this bond in 1Cor 7:15 is (DEDOULOTAI) It means slaveryIt means slavery One is not to be enslaved to one’s spouse to the rejection of ChristOne is not to be enslaved to one’s spouse to the rejection of Christ One married to a non-Christian who wants to leave is not under slavery One married to a non-Christian who wants to leave is not under slavery This word is taken from the word DOULOO or DOULOS. It means to reduce to servitude, enslave to This word is taken from the word DOULOO or DOULOS. It means to reduce to servitude, enslave to

oppress by retaining to servitude Acts 7:6; 2 Pet2:19 Bagster’s Analytical Greek Lexicon oppress by retaining to servitude Acts 7:6; 2 Pet2:19 Bagster’s Analytical Greek Lexicon

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How We Can Be Divided Over MDRHow We Can Be Divided Over MDR1. 1850’s ACMS Controversy - Disciples of Christ Division

Unity With Differences

a. Support ACMS Independently, individually

b. Consider the faith of dissenting brethren

Division over practices - Philippians 4:14-18

a. ACMS was introduced into the church budget

b. Forced acceptance upon every member treasury

c. Those not wanting to violate their scruples can leave

2. 1900 Instrumental Music Controversy - Christian Church DivisionUnity With Differences

a. Believe but practice at home

b. Consider the faith of dissenting brethren

Division over practices - Ephesians 5:19

a. IM was introduced into the worship service

b. Forced acceptance upon every member

c. Those not wanting to violate their scruples can leave

3. 1950 Institutional Controversy - Institutional DivisionUnity With Differences

a. Support Institutions individually

b. Consider the faith of dissenting brethren

Division over practices - Acts 20:28-30

a. Institutions were introduced into the church budget

b. Forced acceptance upon every member

c. Those not wanting to participate can leave

4. 2002 Unity In Diversity / MDR Controversy - Division ??????Unity With Differences

a. Disagree but study the issue

b. Consider the faith of dissenting brethren

Division over practices - I Corinthians 5:1-5

a. Forcing church to fellowship those in sinful marriages

b. Forces every member to accept immorality

c. Those not wanting to fellowship error can leave