Who is the Author of marriage? God or man?

“No one is an authorized baptizer by virtue of position or office. Any Christian has the right to baptize a person who confesses his faith in Jesus as the Messiah and God's Son. This is not a clerical act. It is not the prerogative of an "ordained minister" for every child of God is a minister of God, and ordained of God to fulfill the divine will. We should encourage Christian fathers to immerse members of their own families, or those who lead others to the Lamb of God to immerse them. What is wrong with allowing a high school student who has been instrumental in the conversion of one of his schoolmates to baptize that one in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit?

In open forums the question of performing marriage ceremonies is always raised as an exception to what I have stated. But one who performs marriages does so as a representative of the state, not of the community of the saints. It is a license from the state which permits him to serve in this capacity and the qualification for officiating is set by the constitution of the state, and not provided within the framework of God revelation.” ~ excerpt from “The Clergy System” by W. Carl Ketcherside 

This question often arises- “Who has the authority to consecrate a marriage?” According to the laws of the land, there are certain qualifications and requirements by the state that determine when a marriage becomes official. According to one website, open-ministry.org, you must have certain qualifications to perform a marriage. 

“Entitlement or authorization means that an individual is either entitled or authorized to perform the solemnization of marriage by the ordaining entity and the respective state.”

What you will need to perform a wedding:

• You must be ordained
• Have a Letter of Good Standing
• Have a copy of your Ordination Credential
• Know the State Laws of where the marriage will be performed
• Have a Wedding Certificate for the couple to sign

These qualifications appear to make marriage as a product of human invention and not divine authority. I understand that Paul and Peter both tell us to obey those governments who watch over us. Yet, both Paul and Peter lost their lives because they spoke of the truth in Christ; that His authority supersedes any man-made ordinances that run contrary to God and His word. The Pharisees also used a coin with the image of Caesar to try to trap the Lord Jesus Christ. His reply, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 

If marriage is God’s divine covenant for His creation, then it would best serve us to know how we need to defend this institution. According to some states and countries, marriage re-definition is a popular item. For the better part of 2000 years, marriage was between one man and one woman. Understandably, polygamy was also an option in some cultures, but today we see a total re-definition of marriage as being between more than one man and one woman for life.  You would have to live on a deserted island to not know that the push for same-sex marriage is the “new” definition of marriage. Yet, we see a totally different view if we read the Bible and the very words of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Matthew :194 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,⁵ And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? ⁶ Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

The biblical definition is one man and one woman for life. This is God’s will for mankind. The words of the Lord originate “from the beginning.” In the first book of the Bible, we see the definition of marriage ordained by God. 

Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

If we notice, marriage is not a human invention. Anyone who redefines marriage will have to answer to God. If that is the case, does man have any authority to change, redefine, ordain, perform, or institute marriage? The answer is no. Man must abide by God’s rules especially when it comes to marriage. Anyone who believes that he or she can change the definition of marriage has just made themselves into a god. This is very dangerous.

When any website, publication, pastor, or government official redefines marriage, they do so against the will of God. Same-sex marriage is not the first instance in which marriage is redefined. For now, the majority of the Evangelical church does not view same-sex marriage as a “valid” marriage. I say “for now” as if same-sex marriage is in succession with remarriage after divorce. 

Divorce and remarriage is so common today that one would hardly find a separation from “Christian” divorce and secular divorce. In fact, the modern institutionalized church makes divorce and remarriage much more attainable with the benefit of twisting scripture and preaching a false Gospel devoid of repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. 

In fact, W. Carl Ketcherside’s assessment that the clergy system is really a representative of the state and not the community of saints is spot on. The ordained clergy MUST adhere to the qualifications of the state or these institutions stand to lose 501c3 status. A time is coming and has already arrived that any church, pastor, or ordained minister that does not conform to the laws of land will face retribution. Yet, these clergy have already succumbed to the lies of divorce and remarriage. Slowly and surely, congregation after congregation will ignore the definition of one man and one woman for life, just as they ignored the “no-fault” divorce law that crept into the churches across America. 

The greatest enemy against marriage is the same as he was yesterday. He twists God’s words, disguises himself as an angel of light, and he infiltrates the least expected of places. “Yea, hath God said?” Did God really say He hates divorce? Did God really say that ALL “remarriages” are adultery? Did God really say? 

1 Cor 7:10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: 11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

Dear brethren, the enemy has entered the man-made institutions of Churchianity and seeks to destroy from within. Marriage is always the target just as marriage was the target from the beginning. The only way to defeat an enemy of this power is to align ourselves under the Headship of Christ. Since the Lord Jesus Christ defeated the enemy at the cross of Calvary we must repent of the lies of marriage redefinition and marriage deconstruction and believe by faith in the permanence of marriage. The time is now. One man and one woman for life. No excuses, no exceptions, so help us God.  

In Christ’s love,

Neil