Answers to "Ask Mike"
Questions
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54. Who has the authority to act as a vicar and marry me?
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As
to who can perform marriages, the Scripture is unclear. Various
cultures permit a variety of individuals to perform marriages. Other
than the couple, marriage involves two separate entities - God and
the state. In the actual marriage ceremony, the church, particularly
the minister involved, acts as an agent of the state and of God. I
do not perform weddings unless the couple willingly indicates they
desire to build their relationship and their family on Christ and
God's Word. Who performs the wedding, assuming they are licensed to
do so by the legal authorities, is not nearly as important as the
vows taken before God and man. Therefore, ministers, judges, ship
captains when at sea, and, in some states, Justices of the Peace are
all legitimate functionaries in such events.
Answers to "Ask Mike"
Questions
|
||||
|
54. Who has the authority to act as a vicar and marry me?
For more answers, see |