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Jesus gave some principles concerning marriage. In Matthew 19, verses 4 & 5, Jesus says, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning created them male and female? For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife and the two shall become one. So that they are no longer two but one flesh.”
Marriage is a decision of two individuals, a man and a woman, to share the same type of pure, Christian love described by the apostle Paul in I Corinthians 13, the love chapter. Here we find that Love is patient and kind. It does not envy, and is not boastful or proud. It is not rude. It is not self-seeking, or selfish, and is not easily angered. It does not keep records of wrongs and does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails!
The relationship between husband and wife is compared to that between Christ and the church.
Through the apostle Paul in chapter 5 of the book of Ephesians, this is God's instruction to the man or husband:
“Husbands, love your wives just as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for her.
“So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies.
“For no one ever hated his flesh but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.”
In the book of Colossians chapter 3 verse 19, apostle Peter re-emphasizes this instruction to husbands to love their wives and clearly added saying: “Do not be bitter toward them.”
Likewise, through the apostle Peter, in the 3 rd chapter of I Peter, God's instruction to the man or husband is even magnified. It says:
“Husbands, likewise dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life that your prayers be not hindered.”
And in the book of Proverbs, the man or husband is instructed by God's inspired word, saying: “Rejoice with the wife of your youth.”
But what the ladies or wives? Does God also have instructions for them? First of all, let us not forget that in the first book of the Bible, the book of Genesis, in chapter 2 verse 18, God said “It is not good that man should be alone, I will make him a helper comparable to him.”
From the beginning then, the woman was created by God to be a “helper” or a meet help for the man.
And yes, God has instructions to the woman or wife. In Ephesians 5:22-23, apostle Paul, by God's inspiration, instructs:
“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
“For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the church, and He is the Savior of the body.
“Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
“Let the wife see that she reverence or respect her husband.”
Likewise, the apostle Peter was inspired by God to give this instruction in the 3 rd chapter of I Peter:
“Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.
“Do not let your adornment be merely outward, rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the sight of God.
“For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.”
Again, Paul was inspired to give God's further instruction to the wife in Titus 2:4-5:
“That they admonish young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.”
Finally, the women and wives will find inspiration and motivation by the 31 st chapter of the book of Proverbs, which describes a virtuous wife. For then, verse 28 will describe you: “Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her.”
In Malachi 2:14, it is made clear that in a true marriage a man and a woman covenant before God to take good care of each other as husband and wife. It declares:
“…the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth… She is your companion and your wife by covenant.”
In verse 15, we find a warning inspired by God:
“But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.”
The Psalmist, David, was inspired to write in Psalm 127 verse 1:
“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”
So, Gilbert and Ann, do strive with all your heart to let the true God rule your life and your marriage.
[Ask Gilbert and Ann to stand up together]
May it be in extreme thoughtfulness and reverence, and in dependence upon divine guidance, that you enter now into this holy union.
Gilbert Deboma, do you covenant before God, in the presence of all these witnesses, to take Ann Theresa Ocampo, to be your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance of marriage, and promise to love her, to honor, to provide for and cherish her, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, and be to her in all things a good and faithful husband as long as you both shall live?
[Gilbert answers: “I DO”]
Ann Teresa Ocampo, do you covenant before God, in the presence of all these witnesses, to take Gilbert Deboma, to be your wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance of marriage, and promise to love him, to honor and cherish him, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, and be to him in all things a good and faithful wife as long as you both shall live?
[Ann answers: “I DO”]
[After Ann answers, Elder asks Gilbert to take Ann's right hand and say to him to follow after.]
Gilbert, you may now take Ann's right hand and repeat after me.
“I, ________________, take you _______________, to be my wedded wife—to have and to hold—from this day forward—for better, for worse—for richer, for poorer—in sickness and in health—to love and to cherish—till death do us part—according to God's holy ordinance—and thereto I give you my pledge.
Ann, repeat after me.
“I, ________________, take you _______________, to be my wedded husband—to have and to hold—from this day forward—for better, for worse—for richer, for poorer—in sickness and in health—to love and to cherish—till death do us part—according to God's holy ordinance—and thereto I give you my pledge. (solemn vow or promise)
[Bride and Groom loose their hands, after which Elder says:]
“Let's pray.“
[The three kneel down]
(Example of what to include in prayer: Our Father in heaven, You ordained marriage for Your children and You gave us love. We present to You, Gilbert Deboma and Ann Theresa Ocampo who come this day to be married. May the covenant of love they make be blessed in true devotion and spiritual commitment. We ask that You, Eternal God, will give them the wisdom, willingness, and ability to keep the covenant they have made.
Other things to ask: Grant them the strength of faith/ abiding love/ good health/ prosperity/ peace/ happiness. And if God chooses to bless them with children–to rear them in the nurture of Christ, dedicated above all to the service and love of God.)
[After prayer—you three stand up and join the singing of a congregational hymn]
[CONGREGATIONAL HYMN]
[after which Elder will proceed with the ceremony by saying–]
“You may now exchange the tokens of your union.”
[GROOM AND BRIDE EXCHANGE RINGS]
[after this Elder says–]
“You may now join hands.”
“What therefore God has joined together let no man put asunder. Forasmuch as you both, Gilbert and Ann have consented together according to God's holy ordinance to be united in marriage, and have witnessed before God and this company and have pledged your love and loyalty to each other, I therefore now pronounce you as husband and wife in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
“The Groom may now kiss the Bride.”
[They kiss]
“I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Deboma.”
[Follow them as they march out]
(The wedding of Gilbert Deboma and Ann Ocampo took place December 22, 2002 in Manila. It was the first wedding in the fellowship.) |
