I appreciate some discussion I had this weekend regarding the book,
'Dietrich Philip Handbook'. The
original stand of the anabaptist forefathers, was that marriage
outside of the church was noble, but not valid, only marriage
in the Lord, would be regarded as recognized by the church. Therefore, the actions of the lost are not in the same regard as marriage in the Lord.
Phillips used the pattern from the beginning of creation:
1. Parental consent, (if minors, or as in Adam and Eve's case, God gave Adam his permission and a wife.)
2. Two saved and consenting adults, and
3. The acknowledgement of the church.
The lost go to the courthouse, obtain a marriage license, which is not demanded in scripture, and conduct a ceremony, sometimes with no religious affiliation, just a justice of the peace. This does NOT constitute a marriage, "in the Lord." Phillips, Simons, and the early anabaptists clearly stated this and it was the stand of the Mennonites for centuries.
Instead, if someone's unbelieving spouse left, they were free to marry, IMPORTANTLY HERE, in the Lord, and with the good counsel of the fellow believers.
This was changed to keep people who were part of the growing tide of divorce and remarriage out of the Mennonite churches, however, this is not consistent with scripture, nor thier tradition.
The reason I brought this up is because I received a recent copy of the Charity Fellowships publication, 'Voice of the Remnant.' It had an article about divisioin in the Body of Christ and what can be done about it. Well, it's like this,
Do what groups _______ believes and you'll be accepted. Is that scriptural? Especially when it is over an issue so heated and emotional as divorce and remarriage. It is easy for them to practice it because of the strong marrital state of the plain churches. But what about those from outside? Well, you know, they are expected to divorce their second spouse and remain unmarried the rest of their life, or until the other spouse dies.
This is sad. We've seen it done and it is usually messy and hurtful.
Oh, with loaves and fishes in hand, they boldly proclaim, "Please, come to our group, you can teach us things!" But it is
YOU that is going to be the target of "teaching." It is o.k., even godly to be teachable, but at the same time, it is deceiptful to bring people into a "plain" group knowing the whole time, your plan is to rearrange those you prosylatized. The mouth says, "Welcome!" The hidden truth says:
Some dare to enter, but usually at the cost of great hurt.
It is our prayer that those who have been lead to a more plain and simple life will pray for the Lord to raise up groups that don't have to be "ites" or "isms," but just churches in Christ our Lord, saved folks welcome!
Bro. Ben