IPHC believes that divorce is never God's intention for any marriage. Yet, because of sin, God allows divorce in certain circumstances where all hope of reconciliation as been lost.

IPHC affirms the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5:31, 32; 19:1-9 and the teachings of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:1-40.

In broad outline these teachings mean:

1. Marriage (between a man and woman) is meant to be "till death us do part."
2. Adultery or dissertion is biblical grounds for divorce. Yet, God's first intention is that forgiveness be extended and accepted in such cases and the marriage be reconciled and restored.
3. If two Christians cannot live peaceable with one another, the apostle Paul allows for separation but not divorce (1 Corinthians 7:10, 11). Paul allows room for the Holy Spirit to bring healing to whatever caused the estrangement.
4. If an unbeliever chooses to divorce a believer, the believer is not under bondage and is free to remarry (1 Corinthians 7:12-16).
5. IPHC recognizes that there are state legal issues related to marriage, separation, and divorce that Christians must realistically face that are not addressed in Scripture. But the principles of Scripture are clear:

a) Christians should make every effort to avoid sin, forgive one another, and actively seek to reconcile their marriage;

b) If a partner refuses to live in the marriage and initiates a divorce, the other partner is free before God;

c) Christians should actively seek the counsel of pastors and marriage counselors in order to strengthen, enrich, and preserve their marriage.

Last update on 10/4/06
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