on marriage, divorce, remarriage and family planning

Statement by the Supreme Church Council of the Pentecostal Church in Poland on marriage, divorce, remarriage and family planning

1. Marriage is an institution established by God. It is a monogamous and indissoluble union between a man and a woman (Gen 2:23–24; Matt 19:5–6; Mark 10:6–12; Eph 5:31).

2. Marriage is considered to have been contracted at the moment the vows are exchanged in a public ceremony in accordance with the applicable legal and ecclesiastical norms (Gen 24:67; 29:22–23; Judg 14:10; Ruth 4:11–13; Matt 1:18–21;).

3. A marriage between a believer and a non-believer – despite the validity of such a marriage – is considered to be contrary to God’s will (2 Cor 6:14–16).

4. Divorce is wrong (Mal 2:13–16; Matt 19:8; Mark 10:9).

5. Divorce is recognised as permissible in the specific cases set out in the New Testament:

• the Matthew clause (5:32; 19:9),

• both of Paul’s clauses (1 Cor 7:11, 15).

6. Remarriage is permissible where the divorce was the result of adultery or was initiated by a non-believer. This also applies to those divorced for reasons other than those mentioned above, provided the divorce took place before their conversion. However, in every case, the question of remarriage should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Consequently, a pastor should not be required to perform a wedding service if doing so would trouble his conscience (Matt 5:32; 19:9; 1 Cor 7:15; 2 Cor 5:17).

7. Premarital and extramarital sexual relations, homosexual relations and the sexual deviations mentioned in the Scripture are sins (Lev 18:22–23; Deut 5:18; 22:13–29; Matt 1:18–25; 5:27–28; Luke 1:34; Heb 13:4; Rom 1:26–27).

8. The sanctity of sexual relations within marriage is recognised, through which the biblical principle “they become one flesh” is fulfilled and which serves the purpose of procreation (Gen 2:24; Eccl 9:9; 1 Cor 6:16; 7:3–5).

9. Spouses have the right to plan their family in accordance with their Christian conscience; the use of contraceptives is permitted, with the exception of those that induce early miscarriage. Abortion is a sin (Gen 1:28; Ex 20:13).

Warsaw, May 2010