Quote:
Originally Posted by lookingforreason
Thanks everyone for their information, I really appreciate it.
is having a witness present biblical? I havn't been able to find too much information on it, although I do know it is necessary for any legal marriage.
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When Boaz found out that the other elegible redeemer did not wish to marry Ruth he made a public annocement of his intent to do so and left a sandel with the other as assurance of his intent.
Mary and Joseph were enguaged and thier inpending marriage known before she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.
For a marriage to honor God in the world it must be know about by the world. a marriage is not a covenent made in secret. The common law marriage were the couple suposedly spoke vows in secret has no biblical presedent. Union before the public marriage commitment is concidered fornication ,biblicaly.
There doesn't have to be a party, formal anouncements, suits and gowns or specficic words said. An attendant and a few witness's that can testify to the marriage is all thats needed biblicaly, though even in scripture there is mention of wedding feasts,
The legal obligation for witnesses signing the marriage certificate varies from state to state here in America. It establishes for the bride and groom certian responcibilies and legal rights. It is a commonly accepted form of proof of those legaly binding responcibilities and rights. And is often confused with biblical marriage. How ever the two often accomplish much the same thing . professing to the world that the two have yoked (as scripture says)themselves to one another.
It is as many things a matter of what is in the heart that makes a biblical marriage a biblical marriage , not the external trappings and ceremonies.
Sincerely
His
Cliff