The false position: “If a non-Christian spouse deserts the Christian spouse, the Christian is free of the bondage to that marriage and free to remarry.” (This is based upon a flawed interpretation of 1 Corinthians 7:10-16.)

This doctrine is false because: It contradicts Jesus’ one exception in Matthew 19:9 It conflicts with the entire context of 1 Corinthians 7 The permanency of marriage is affirmed in verses 10-11 Being married to a non-Christian is not justification for divorce in verses 12-13 Verse 15 deals with a situation forced upon a Christian spouse It misses the whole point of the conflict in verse 15 Being married to an unbeliever may create problems, urge compromises & force a choice The Christian’s first loyalty is to Christ If the non-Christian forces the issue, the Christian is permitted to “let him depart” and not compromise loyalty (being “enslaved”)

This doctrine is false because: It contradicts Jesus’ one exception in Matthew 19:9 It conflicts with the entire context of 1 Corinthians 7 It misses the whole point of the conflict in verse 15 Divorce and remarriage are NOT being discussed in this verse The word “bondage” is NOT referring to the marriage bond The word means “enslaved,” which is never used of marriage Deserting the Lord to maintain a marriage would be enslavement “Bondage” is in the Greek perfect tense, denoting completed action in the past with a present result – lit, “He was not bound and still is not bound” – this obviously does not refer to the marriage bond There is no permission in this verse to remarry!

The false position: “Regardless of one’s past relationships or marriages, since baptism washes away all sins, it also washes away previous marriages and divorces, and it thereby sanctifies the present (albeit adulterous) marriage.”

This doctrine is false because: While baptism certainly washes away sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16), and while baptism will wash away the sin of adultery (1 Cor. 6:9-11), Scripture nowhere affirms that baptism changes a sinful practice into a righteous one or a sinful relationship into a righteous one. While all sins mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 were committed by the Corinthians before their conversion, NONE could be continued after their conversion. A once-idolater could not continue worshiping idols after baptism A once-thief could not continue a life of stealing after baptism A once-drunkard could not continue drinking after baptism They obviously stopped these practices, rather than the practices becoming sanctified in their baptism.

This doctrine is false because: All fornication before baptism is still sinful after baptism Premarital sex before baptism is sinful and remains sinful after Homosexuality before baptism is sinful and remains sinful after Polygamy before baptism is sinful and remains sinful after Pedophilia before baptism is sinful and remains sinful after Incest before baptism is sinful and remains sinful after Bestiality before baptism is sinful and remains sinful after Prostitution before baptism is sinful and remains sinful after Likewise, adultery before baptism is sinful and remains sinful after Baptism does not sanctify any of fornication, including adultery

This doctrine is false because: It pushes Biblical study to the point of absurdity What if only one spouse in an adulterous marriage is baptized? Is the marriage only “half adulterous” now? Adultery “takes two.” Why didn’t John the Baptist just tell Herod to get baptized and he could keep Herodias as his wife? Didn’t “the Baptist” know the power of baptism? How can the blood of Jesus wash away adulterous marriages in baptism but that same blood cannot wash away adulterous marriages when a Christian confesses such? It’s the same blood, with the same power. If not, why not?

This doctrine is false because: The power of baptism to forgive sins REQUIRES genuine repentance to precede it (Acts 2:38; 17:30-31). The SINS must be STOPPED! Repentance involves (1) Resolution to stop sin (Psa. 51) + (2) Reformation of life away from sin (Matt. 12:41) + (3) Restitution of wrongs done by sin (Luke 19:8) Repenting of an adulterous relationship is more than just regretting a past decision and determining to never do it again Repenting of an adulterous relationship requires a cessation of that which is sinful (i.e., the adulterous marriage) Genuine repentance will not allow one to continue living in sin (Jn. 8:11) Repentance demands severing relationships that violate God’s will (ex: prostitute, polygamist, homosexual, pedophile, adulterer, etc.) Biblical precedence requires a cessation of sinful marriages (Ezra 9-10)

Believe that Jesus is God’s Son – John 20:30-31 Repent of your sins and turn to God – Acts 3:19 Confess your faith in Jesus – Romans 10:9-10 Be immersed into Christ – Galatians 3:27 God will forgive all of your sins – Acts 22:16 God will add you to His church – Acts 2:47 God will enroll you in heaven – Hebrews 12:23 Be faithful to Christ unto death – Revelation 2:10