Adultery & Repentance
by: Ivie Powell
If one is in an adulterous relationship, does baptism make such a holy relationship? If one answers in the affirmative, he makes salvation based on baptism without repentance! However, genuine repentance, as we noted in last week’s bulletin article, not only demands a change of mind, but a change of direction or action as well. In discussing this very question, whether people can stay in an adulterous marriage after baptism, Hugo McCord correctly stated:
"It does not matter how many divorces and remarriages precede baptism, since baptism washes away all sins, say some preachers. True it is that scriptural baptism washes away sins (Acts 22:16), but scriptural baptism must be preceded by repentance (Acts 2:38). Repentance has not taken place if one keeps on living in adultery after baptism. Baptism is not a magic rite converting adultery into holy living. One cannot imagine John the Baptist, demanding fruit worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8), telling Herod Antipas if he would be baptized his marriage with Herodias would be approved." (Hugo McCord, Gospel Advocate, June 26, 1979).
Some questions are in order for those advocating the view that baptism makes an adulterous marriage holy: Could a polygamist continue with five wives, after baptism, with God’s approval? Could an idolater continue in idolatry after baptism, with God’s approval? And could one remain in a denomination after learning the truth and being baptized, with God’s approval?
In an effort to find a loop hole, some say that I Corinthians 7:20 justifies adulterous marriages staying together after baptism. However, one can continue to abide only in a state that is a moral and legitimate one! Can a pagan continue to abide with his five wives after baptism? Can two homosexuals continue to abide in their "marriage" after baptism? Adulterous relationships are not legitimate in God’s sight, either before or after baptism!
It is truly mind boggling to read what some teach about repentance. For example, brother Goebel Music in his book on Divorce makes the following comment about the Andrew Connally and Olan Hicks debate:
"From the questions asked of Olan Hicks, the idea (theory) is set forth, by brother Hicks, that a man may put away his mentally ill wife, marry another woman, and stay with her without further sin. He said, ‘It is possible provided he is forgiven of sins in regard to the first two actions.’ He also says a man may put away his paralyzed wife, may marry another and may continue in his marriage with her without further sin. He says, "On same conditions as questions two. . .’" (Goebel Music, "Divorce and Repentance", Divorce, p. 238).
Then there are those who say there is no Bible example of two people in adultery separating at baptism. One could also ask where is the Bible example of a drunkard quitting his drinking? Because specific examples are not given of every sin repented of, does not mean that they continued in their sins! However, Paul mentions those who once were (past tense) fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate and abusers of themselves, but were then washed and sanctified (I Corinthians 6:9-11). Does anyone seriously believe, for one moment, that they continued in those sins after baptism, with God’s approval?! Beloved, if one genuinely repents, he removes himself from an adulterous relationship!
Some have even stated that Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are Old Testament passages, and unless the teachings of our Lord are restated after Acts 2 they aren’t binding or a part of the New Covenant. As brother Garland Elkins correctly points out:
". . .A law can be stated before it comes into effect. Jesus stated many things which did not take effect until the day of Pentecost, yet some of these things were not stated again after the day of Pentecost of Acts chapter 2. Surely no one will say that the following Scriptures were a part of the law of Moses, and were in effect at that time: John 3:5; Matthew 19:28; 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16. Jesus was not merely explaining the law of Moses in these passages. In Matthew 5:32 Jesus clearly showed that Moses said one thing, but He said something different: "Moses said...,but I say unto you."
Brother Elkins quotes Matthew 18:15-17, and concludes:
"This procedure was set out by our Lord for the church before the church was established. It most certainly was not a part of the law of Moses! No apostle ever repeated Matthew 18:15-17, yet our Lord bound such teaching upon the church. This one Scripture forever shows the error of the theory that all pre-Pentecost teaching is part of the Old Testament." (Garland Elkins, "Jesus’ Teaching on Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage," pp.14,15)
It has been correctly observed, those who hold to false views on marriage, divorce and remarriage, for the most part, are themselves or have children or other relatives in adulterous marriages. When one turns from the plain teaching of our Lord to justify a relative or anyone else, he has clearly demonstrated his love for others over Christ! "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:37). Again the Saviour said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Proponents of false views have willfully blinded themselves to God’s truth. "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).
Brethren, the only way to convert the lost and erring is by faithfully proclaiming the glorious gospel of Christ! That’s the only way repentance will be forthcoming. "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47). Mark 2:17 tells us that Jesus, ". . .came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Not only does the love (John 3:16), mercy (Ephesians 2:4), goodness (Romans 2:4), and grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9) call all to repentance, but God’s severity as well!!! The Hebrew writer informs us: "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31). Yes, there is an everlasting hell awaiting those who have not obeyed the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9), and those members of the church who have apostatized (2 Peter 2:20-22). Our heavenly Father does not want anyone to be eternally lost, and neither do faithful members of the body of Christ. When those who have lived in adultery, and those who have taught false doctrine, meet God at judgment, they will realize too late that God really meant what He said in I Corinthians 6:9-10 and Galatians 5:19-21! "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men. . ." (2 Corinthians 5:10-11).