Introduction

• I Corinthians 6:9
• I Thessalonians 5:2
• Failure to obey God’s law on marriage and divorce will keep us out of heaven!
• This is a very emotional topic, but we must be led by God’s word.
• John 12:48
• Acts 17:11 – This is what we want to do – search the scriptures.

Seven scriptures about marriage

Genesis 2:18, 22-24 – The first marriage

• The word “marriage” is not used here, but that is clearly what is being talked about.
• Deuteronomy 24:2; 7:3
• Ezekiel 16:8
• I Corinthians 7:2
• Romans 7:3 – The phrase “joined to” is the same as is used in Genesis 2.
• In Hebrew and Greek, there was no separate word for “husband” or “wife.” Context must be used to determine if it’s “man” or “husband.”
• Genesis 2:22-3:2
• Words can help refer figuratively to the past or future.
  • Prolepsis:
    • Luke 2:11
    • Deuteronomy 22:23-24
  • Adjournment
    • Exodus 7:10, 12
    • John 9:17
    • II Samuel 11:26; 12:10
    • Mark 6:17

Romans 7:2-3

• The married woman is bound by God’s law while he is alive.
• The phrase “joined to” means marriage here, just as we saw in Genesis 2.
• If the woman is bound to one man, but marriage to another, she is an adulteress.

I Corinthians 7:39

• “Only in the Lord” means “according to God’s marriage law.”

Mark 10:11-12

• Marriage law is the same for men and women.

Luke 16:18

• Divorcing a spouse and marrying another causes one to commit adultery.

Matthew 19:9

• The NASB (1995) uses the word “immorality” here, which is too broad. Other translations make it more specific by using the phrase “sexual immorality.”
• I Corinthians 6:13, 18; 7:2 – Same word used here to mean “sexual immorality.”
• A man who divorces his wife for sexual immorality is no longer bound to her and is free to marry again. The original wife is still bound and not free to marry.

Matthew 5:32

• The man causes his wife to commit adultery because of the situation he put her in.

Conclusion

• Sin and Satan are the problems here, not God or His laws!

Acts 3, continued:

• Acts 3:16 – Peter had convicted the audience at this point.
• Acts 3:19-20 – This is what it’s all about!
  • “Times of refreshing”
    • See Isaiah 35:1-7; Jeremiah 17:5
• Acts 3:24 – See II Samuel 7:12.

Acts 4

• Acts 4:7 – By whose power? Jesus! See Acts 4:10.
• Acts 4:8 – Peter shows his boldness. Compare Matthew 10:5, 16-20.
• Acts 4:11 – See I Peter 4:4.

Genesis 4 – Cain and Abel, continued:

• Cain is afraid of being killed
  • By whom?
  • What mark?
    • This may or may not have been a physical mark. Compare New Testament passages in which we are to mark those who are out of step as brothers.

Genesis 5

• Eve had another son after Abel died – Seth.

Genesis 6 – Corruption of man and the ark

• Sons of God, daughters of man
  • Where is the sin?
  • Beauty over content
  • Abandoned God to pursue fleshly desires
• My spirit shall not remain with man forever (Genesis 6:3)
  • His days shall be 120 years
  • Lifetime or life left?
• Who were the Nephilim?
  • Context of Genesis 6:4 indicates that different kinds of people were having children and producing other kinds of people.
• Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord
  • In a nearly completely wicked world
  • Perfect (complete)
  • How? By walking with God.
  • Complete dependence
• God gives instructions for Noah to build the ark
  • Perfect dimensions for stability

“EVERYONE” was in sin but Noah

• Genesis 6:5-8
• Matthew 24:37-39
• Hebrews 11:7

Abraham left “EVERYONE” to serve God

• Genesis 12:1-4
• Hebrews 11:8-10

“EVERYONE” Joseph called a brother hated him

• Genesis 37:11, 18-20
• Genesis 50:20
• Hebrews 11:22

Moses had to leave “EVERYONE” in Pharaoh’s house

• Hebrews 11:24-27

Others who turned against “EVERYONE”

• Esther, Mordecai, Daniel, etc.

Sometimes “EVERYONE” is who is leading us away from God

• Matthew 7:13-14

Jesus lived a lonely life, yet soared with God

• Matthew 4:11
• Isaiah 53:3-9

Acts 2, continued:

• Acts 2:38
  • The word “for” in “baptism for the remission of sins” here means “so that your sins will be forgiven.” The Greek word behind it has the idea of moving toward a goal.
  • “Gift of the Holy Spirit”
    • Acts 8:20 – The gift is from God, not God Himself.
    • Romans 5:17 – Similar usage.
    • According to the context, the gift is salvation.
• Acts 2:42 – The doctrine was what came from the twelve apostles, not the 120 disciples or another group.

Acts 3

• Acts 3:6-10 – See Isaiah 35:6. The apostles performed this miracle to confirm the authority of their message. See I Corinthians 13:8-10. We no longer see miraculous works like this today.
• Acts 3:13-16 – See Isaiah 49:3; 42:1.