From the Director
“Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer – may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man’s wife? For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all his paths” (Proverbs 5: 15-21).
It is imperative that we, as ministers, not only remind our congregations why God established the marriage as the first institution, we are to remind ourselves. Why? Some of us have hardened our hearts toward the truth of the Word. “Why embrace the bosom of another man’s wife” was written for our sake, not for the sake of spreading the Gospel. We are to adhere to its meaning for our good, not just for the good of those we are counseling.
After God created the heavens and earth, He created a man and named him Adam. Afterwards, since man did not have a companion (suitable helper), God caused a deep sleep to fall upon him and removed a rib from his body. From this rib, God created a female, whom Adam later named woman. The Scripture continued with these words: “The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh’ ” (Genesis 2: 23).
Since many Chaplains/Pastors did not quite grasp the meaning of this Scripture, Paul explained it in Ephesians 5: 31-32. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” He further states: “This is a profound mystery – but I am talking about Christ and the Church.” Now it has become clear as to why marriage was the first institution created by God.
Some of you might say: Okay Hosea, why this type of letter? I am glad you asked! The issue of marriage, as I stated earlier, may not register with many. It is evident when one turns on the television, reads newspapers or magazines, etc., that women and men of God, in leadership roles, are getting divorces, participating in acts of fornication and adulterous relationships, and having abortions. It concerns me, as Director, whether these kinds of acts are being done “in secrecy” among CFGC Chaplains. I sure hope not, but are we to be excluded from the above simply because we are of the Pentecostal persuasion?
A Pastor has an opportunity to introduce to his/her congregation messages pertaining to issues of this nature. As CFGC’s Endorsing Executive, I do not have that opportunity, unless it is in the manner which I have chosen: the monthly “Newsletter.” I hope all of you agree.
While thinking on this issue, I was reminded by the Lord of a class I had attended 18-20 years ago. I searched intently for the material used for that class, because I was sure that if it were recovered, it would be extremely helpful in support of this letter. Guess what? Praise God! I found it, and I hope all of you will enjoy the readings accompanying this letter.
– Hosea Amos
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GOD DESIGNED MARRIAGE TO ILLUSTRATE HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL
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| God’s Dealings with Israel | Relationship to Marriage |
| 1 | God chose Abraham and made an unbreakable covenant with Him. (Genesis 17:2) |
Marriage begins with an unbreakable covenant between husband and wife. (Romans 7:2) |
| 2 | Israel made many mistakes but God was very patient with her. (Psalms 118:2) |
A husband and wife must be very patient and forgiving toward each other. (Colossians 3:19) |
| 3 | God reaffirmed His covenant with Israel on many occasions. (Exodus 6:5; Leviticus 26:42) |
A husband and wife should reaffirm their love and commitment to each other on many occasions. (Proverbs 5:19) |
| 4 | Israel became prosperous and complacent and soon lost her love for God. (Deuteronomy 6:12) |
A husband or wife must never lose their sense of needing each other or they will lose their love for each other. (Proverbs 31:11) |
| 5 | Israel committed adultery against God after comparing God’s leadership with the gods ofother nations. (Exodus 20:3; Psalms 78:56-61) |
No matter how ideal your partner is, there is a danger of becoming discontent by comparing your partner with others. (Proverbs 2:16) |
| 6 | God is patiently waiting for Israel to return to Him. Meanwhile, He is concentrating on theEngagement of His Son to the Church. (Romans 11:11) |
If a partner should leave, the other partner should remain single and concentrate on the spiritual growth of the children. (1 Corinthians 7:11; Malachi 2:13-16) |
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GOD’S REDEMPTION OF MANKIND
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| The Jewish Wedding | Relationship to Salvation |
| 1 | The prospective bridegroom took the initiative and traveled from his father’s house to the home. |
Christ left His Father’s house and came to earth to gain a bride for Himself. (Ephesians 5:25-28) |
| 2 | The father of the woman then negotiated with the prospective bridegroom the price that must be paid to purchase his bride (groom’s financial responsibility). |
Christ had to pay the price with His own blood. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) |
| 3 | When the bridegroom paid the purchase price, the marriage covenant was thereby established. At that point, the man and woman were regarded as husband and wife, even though no physical union had taken place. |
The believer has been declared to be sanctified, or set apart, exclusively for Christ. (Ephesians 5:25-27) |
| 4 | The moment the covenant was established, the bride was declared to be set apart exclusively for the bridegroom. The groom and the bride then drank from a cup over which the betrothal benediction had been pronounced. This symbolized that the covenant relationship had been established. |
Christ symbolized this marriage covenant through communion at the Last Supper. (1 Corinthians 11:25) |
| 5 | After the marriage covenant was in effect, the groom left the home of the bride and returned To his father’s house. He remained there for a period of twelve months, separated from his bride. |
Christ returned to His Father’s house following the payment of His purchase price. (John 6:62) |
| 6 | During this period of separation, the bride gathered her wardrobe and prepared for married life. Thegroom prepared living accommodations in his father’s house for his bride. |
Christ is preparing a place for His bride and is also sending pastors and teachers to perfect the bride for the coming wedding. (John 14:2; Ephesians 4:11-13) |
| 7 | After this period of separation, the groom, best man, and other male escorts left the house of the groom’s father, usually at night, and conducted a torch-light procession to the house of the bride. |
Christ will soon come from His Father’s house in heaven accompanied by an angelic host. (John 14:3) |
| 8 | The bride was expecting her groom to come for her; however, she did not know the exact time. Thus, the groom’s arrival was preceded by a shout. |
Christ’s return will be preceded by a shout. (1 Thessalonians 4:16) We expect His return but we do not know the day or the hour. |
| 9 | The groom received the bride with her female attendants and returned to his father’s house. |
The bride will be caught up with the Lord to be with Him. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17) |
| 10 | The bride and groom then entered the bridal chamber and, in the privacy of that place, entered into physical union for the first time, thereby consummating the marriage. |
Christ’s union with the Church will take place in heaven for all eternity. (1 Thessalonians 4:17) |
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CHRIST’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHURCH
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| Christ and the Church | Husband and Wife |
| 1 | Christ has made a lasting covenant with the Church. |
The husband and wife are to make a lasting covenant with each other. (Ephesians 5:31-32) |
| 2 | Christ is the head of the Church. (Ephesians 5:23) |
The husband is to be the head of the marriage. (1 Corinthians 11:3) |
| 3 | The function of Christ is to care for and protect the Church. (Matthew 16:18) |
The function of the husband is to provide for and protect his wife. (Ephesians 5:28-30) |
| 4 | Christ has a special ministry of purifying the Church by His Word. (Ephesians 5:25-27) |
The husband has a special responsibility to purify his wife by the Word of God. (Ephesians 5:28-29) |
| 5 | Christ will never divorce the Church, even though there is adultery within the Church. (James 4:4) |
The husband and wife must never divorce each other, even though there is unfaithfulness in the marriage. (Malachi 2:13-16; Hosea 2:14-20; Colossians 3:12-13; Mark 11:25-26) |
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THE BELIEVERS’ RELATIONSHIP TO THE LAW
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| Our Relationship to the Law | Relationship to Marriage |
| 1 | We are required to keep the entire law as long as we live. (Romans 7:1; James 2:10) |
A wife is required to obey her husband as long as he lives. (Romans 7:2-3) |
| 2 | When we die, we are no longer under the jurisdiction of the law. (Romans 7:6) |
If the husband dies, the wife is no longer under his authority. (Romans 7:3) |
| 3 | Christ lived, He fulfilled the law; and when died, He overcame the power and penalty of The law. (Romans 8:3; Matthew 5:17) |
The husband is required to find his strength in the Lord, not in himself. (Proverbs 3:5-6) |
| 4 | When we became Christians, we became a part of Christ’s spiritual body. As such, we retroactively participated in His death, burial and resurrection. (Romans 10:4; Colossians 2:20) |
In order to experience all that God planned for a marriage, a husband and wife must become Christians and then enter into Christ’s resurrection power in order to bring forth fruit to God. (Romans 7:4) |
Extracted from “Rebuilders Guide Life Notebook” |
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Update on Jim Ammerman
Chaplain Ammerman is still in need of a kidney donor. (The first four donors were disqualified, leaving an opening for other possible donors.) Required: Blood Type A or O, + or -; Age 18-50; Male or Female, not overweight; no diabetes in the family or polycystic kidney disease; (That is what CH. A. has!) in good health with a clean health history, so donating will not hinder their own health. Medical history shows donating a kidney will not detract from one’s health or longevity. A donor can take the required physical exam near home (paid for here) but must come to Dallas for the operation for about five (5) days, all expenses paid.
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CFGC STAFF SCHEDULE
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