We teach that God designed marriage to be a lifelong covenant, and those who enter into marriage are called to uphold it as such. Ultimately, marriage exists to reflect Christ’s sacrificial love for His church. Believers are therefore called to marry fellow believers. With this understanding, we teach that divorce may only be considered under biblically permitted circumstances.
The first biblical ground for divorce is found in Matthew 19:3–12, where Jesus allows divorce in cases of sexual immorality (such as adultery). In these situations, divorce is permitted. However, if the faithful spouse senses the leading of the Holy Spirit to remain in the marriage in hopes of restoration and repentance, reconciliation is encouraged whenever possible.
The second ground is described in 1 Corinthians 7:10–16, where an unbelieving spouse chooses to leave the marriage. Such departure reveals an unbelieving heart, and God calls the believing spouse to live in peace by allowing the separation. Abandonment may take various forms—not only physical departure, but also persistent neglect or refusal to provide for the family when able. Severe and ongoing physical abuse, especially when it results in long-term legal separation due to law enforcement involvement and an unrepentant spouse, may also be understood as abandonment.
The third circumstance is outlined in Romans 7:2–3: marriage ends with the death of a spouse. In this case, the surviving spouse is free to remarry.
Regarding remarriage, we teach that God permits remarriage when divorce has occurred for the biblically allowed reasons described above. If divorce occurred apart from these biblical grounds, we encourage reconciliation with the former spouse whenever possible. If reconciliation is no longer possible, such as when the former spouse is an unbeliever or either party has since remarried, the unmarried spouse is considered released from the previous marriage and may pursue remarriage.
In situations where remarriage occurred outside of biblical grounds, we affirm God’s grace and forgiveness. When sin is confessed before the Lord and reconciliation is sought with the former spouse when appropriate, God offers forgiveness. From that point forward, the current marriage may move ahead in repentance and be fully dedicated to honoring God.
The first biblical ground for divorce is found in Matthew 19:3–12, where Jesus allows divorce in cases of sexual immorality (such as adultery). In these situations, divorce is permitted. However, if the faithful spouse senses the leading of the Holy Spirit to remain in the marriage in hopes of restoration and repentance, reconciliation is encouraged whenever possible.
The second ground is described in 1 Corinthians 7:10–16, where an unbelieving spouse chooses to leave the marriage. Such departure reveals an unbelieving heart, and God calls the believing spouse to live in peace by allowing the separation. Abandonment may take various forms—not only physical departure, but also persistent neglect or refusal to provide for the family when able. Severe and ongoing physical abuse, especially when it results in long-term legal separation due to law enforcement involvement and an unrepentant spouse, may also be understood as abandonment.
The third circumstance is outlined in Romans 7:2–3: marriage ends with the death of a spouse. In this case, the surviving spouse is free to remarry.
Regarding remarriage, we teach that God permits remarriage when divorce has occurred for the biblically allowed reasons described above. If divorce occurred apart from these biblical grounds, we encourage reconciliation with the former spouse whenever possible. If reconciliation is no longer possible, such as when the former spouse is an unbeliever or either party has since remarried, the unmarried spouse is considered released from the previous marriage and may pursue remarriage.
In situations where remarriage occurred outside of biblical grounds, we affirm God’s grace and forgiveness. When sin is confessed before the Lord and reconciliation is sought with the former spouse when appropriate, God offers forgiveness. From that point forward, the current marriage may move ahead in repentance and be fully dedicated to honoring God.