So if a divorce/remarriage occurs before someone is a believer (an assembly big wig from Omaha for example), are they still committing adultery after they become a believer according to assembly doctrine?

Out of the blue one day I received an e-mail from an old - um, friend - telling me that because I had been divorced (even though it was on the cusp of coming to faith) I could never remarry.  He also informed me that he would never consider a relationship with me (which again came out of the blue), based on Mark 10.  

I knew he'd joined this organization earlier in the year, and every so often I'd receive some sort of communication, telling me something "new" about scripture  (i.e. Assembly doctrine).  Women should wear a headcovering, Michelle, pray about 1Cor11.  Or, remarriage is unscriptural for you, check out Mk10.  Or, there is some sort of special way to become extra-cool-SuperChristians, "special" sons of God, check out blah blah blah (thankfully, this was the last e-mail I received regarding weird teachings, and I can't remember the particular verse.)

Each e-mail was an affront to me, and to the grace God had shown me.  I had been a Christian for a short time, but even I knew his new "knowledge" was heavily based on Assembly teachings, but I never knew why or how in the world this came about.

His marriage comment smacked me like a 2x4, and wounded.  I felt like "used goods" even though it all happened prior to receiving the Lord.  I approached my church elders and they poured over everything - fact-based - for nearly six months, giving it prayerful consideration.  I am not attending a liberal, take-an-Exacto-knife-to-the-bible-if-you-don't-like-the-verse church, and I sit under very godly leadership (not perfect, just godly).  I felt led to listen to them very carefully, and then test the decision.

After a painful six months (although I was not dating (heretic!) anyone at the time of the question) they determined that I would be free to be married in the church.  I knew they'd put their hearts and souls out to God to determine this, and I was grateful.  I had struggled with how I would react to whatever decision was made, and I'd determined that if God wanted me to remain single, I would, but I would not do so on the opinion of one misguided man.

I would love to read some of Geftakys' materials to see what his doctrine taught/teaches.  It's hard to sort it all on this site.  Some folks are bitter, some are angry.  Some are defensive, on both sides of the fence.   I would also love to be allowed to attend an Assembly meeting - and I'll feel much better about this organization (whatever is left of it) when an invitation could be forthcoming.

I'm sorry to jump in the middle here, but this subject breaks my heart.  I am concerned for those who are judged based on their past, instead of their repentance and the new creation in Christ!  Sometimes doctrine disguised as scripture not only hurts those inside the organization, but has consequences outside as well.

Can someone then please explain to me Mark 10:1-12.  I see no exception clause there.  And I see Jesus giving the original intention that God had from the beginning (which was one man and one woman and that's it).

And while your at it, explain to me how Abraham had an affair with Hagar and David with Bathsheba yet Abe was know as the "friend of God" and Dave "a man after God's own heart."    

Now do you have the double doors or just the one???  Did they knock or ring the doorbell???

JohnMaloneFan

Just curious -- who in Omaha's leadership was divorced and remarried ?

Sadly people like Joe Sperling

Have decided that the Bible means nothing and
Joe Sperling words mean truth...

First divorce is as any sin forgiven if you seek forgiveness .....

But Paul said because we have Grace is that a cause to sin...

Joe Sperling need to see that if your in a bad marriage
than ask God to help you....

Divorce is not the answer, God Is !!

But to many people like Joe say, God doesn't want me to
be unhappy ??  
God wants you to honor him and trust him ....
Marriage is good sometimes and bad sometimes it's life ................
Joe if you divorced just because you didn't like the woman anymore ,then you have Sinned.
God will forgive ---
But doesn't mean he changed his mind and said it's ok to remarry !!!!!!!!!

You Joe put self before God and put words into his mouth
he has never said !!!!!!!!!  That's  Sin also !

Dan,

You appear not to understand what I said.  Please read it more carefully.

I NEVER rejected God's Word!  I NEVER said that Jesus was wrong!  I NEVER took the place of Jesus!  My belief in the Word of God is 100%.  My entire point was that Matthew, Mark and Luke ARE in agreement.

You stated that adultery was a legitimate reason for a divorce.  I stated that the Bible says that fornication (porneia) is a reason for a "putting away ones wife", not adultery (moicheia).  I would hope that you would agree that the verses that I quoted in Mark and Luke were true.  Now if they are true, then there is no exception for what I would consider a legitimate marriage.  This should give us a little bit of insight as to what Jesus meant by "fornication" (porneia).  Fornication can be used to describe something other than adultery. I would also hope that you would agree that Matthew 5:32 was true.  But for it to be true and not contradict Mark 10:11 and Luke 16:18, then Matthew 5:32 must be talking about a marriage that was not lawful in the first place (i.e. not a real marriage).  And strangely enough, the word "porneia" can describe those acts from Leviticus 18 that would describe a marriage that is not legitimate in the first place.   Please read what I have to say more carefully, and read what your Bible says more carefully before making any false accusations.

And NO, the Holy Spirit is not wrong.  Yes, Paul did address divorce, but Jesus was specifically talking of remarriage in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Paul was addressing if a non-believing spouse left, and not remarriage.

I tried to make this a simple explanation. But Dan, if you are still having difficulty understanding this, please let me know.  It is not good for you to make such false accusations.

Proverbs 21:28
A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

Please hear what God has to say.  He has given us his Word.  Please cherish it.