Magyar Egyház, 1971 (50. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1971-02-01 / 2. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 13 THE SECOND HELVETIC CONFESSION In Questions and Answers SECTION XXIX. Celibacy, marriage and household. 1. Who should be a celibate (voluntarily unmarried) ? That person should be a celibate who has the gift from God to remain single having no conjugal desire at all. 2. Is there any advantage of unmarried state? Its advantage is that a single person can devote himself more to the service of the spiritual things than a married one who is occupied with matters of marriage and family life. 3. Of uihat should a celibate be aware? A celibate should be aware of the fact that his unmarried state is not something to boast about hut should serve the Lord in steadfastness, simplicity and humbleness. 4. Could God take the gift of celibacy away from a person? Yes. And if it happens, the celibate should remember the words of the apostle: “It is better to marry than to be aflame.” I. Cor. 7:9 5. How should we regard marriage? We should regard marriage as an institution created by God in order to join a man and a woman in a relationship of permanent, mutual love, devotion and understanding with each other. Marriage is a honorable state which God blessed richly. Therefore says the apostle: “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undelfile.” Hebr. 13:4 6. With whom we disagree? We disagree with those who approve poligamv or who fordbid a second marriage. 7. How should a marriage be contracted? Marriage should be contracted in the fear of the Lord and according to the law that forbids marriage between close blood-relatives. And marriage should be contracted for its God-ordered purpose, with the consent of parents. 8. How should husband and wife live in marriage? Let them regard their marriage sacred and live in it with faithfulness, piety, love and purity. Disharmony, quarrels, immorality and adultery must be avoided. 9. What is the duty of the church? The church should have tribunals of blameless judges in order to safeguard the sanctity of marriages and to eliminate all marital immodesty and disharmony. 10. What are the duties of the parents concerning their children? a. Parents should raise their children and provide for them according to the admonition of the apostle: “If anyone does not make provision for his relations, and especially for the members of his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” I. Tim. 5:8. b. Let children be taught a profession to enable them to earn their livelihood. c. Let the children be taught to trust in God lest that either from distrust or over-confidence or greed their lives may become empty of good deeds. 11. Whom do we censure? W e censure those who prohibit and despise marriage and who pretend to be morally pure although they are the most licentious. 12. How do we feel about the rich? We do not condemn the rich if they use their riches properly and live virtously. Stephen Kovács MY CHURCH Mv church is the place where God’s Word is preached, the power of God is felt, the Spirit is manifested, the Love of God is revealed, and the Unity of God is perceived. I owe to it my love, my time, my gifts and my prayers. When I neglect its services I injure its good name, I lessen its power, I discourage its members and chill my own soul. I have an appointment with God. I go to church.
