Christabel N. Onuoha

the concept of celibacy as it relates to ministry and the Christian life is quite unpopular, and has mostly been. this is because it is a grace from God reserved for a few who dare to utilize the grace. Celibacy is not ordinary, and people cringe when it's mentioned. it is a grace. scripture does not condemn it, it encourages it (as a concession not a commandment), not at the expense of condemning or forbidding others from marrying. marriage is honorable in the sight of God, but if you have the exceptional ability (grace) to stay single without defiling your body - just for the purpose of serving God, Paul said "I wish everyone can be celibates for God" (paraphrased). Paul became a celibate for the sake of the gospel. we need more Christian celibates in a generation that is more confused about everything - marriage, divorce, sexuality etc. we need people who will give up that aspect of the life just for God. (Catholics call their celibates priests and nuns). in O.T they were called eunuchs. (Read 1Cor.7:1-9).

August 05 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Chris Eleam Chris Eleam

Throughout history countless devout men and women, in many different religions, have chosen to be celibate. Why? In many cases it was because they believed that fleshly, material things were “the seat of evil.” This engendered the philosophy that spiritual purity was only possible through abstaining from all sexual activity. This, however, is not the Bible’s view. In the Bible, marriage is seen as a clean, holy gift from God. The Genesis account of creation clearly portrays marriage as “good” in God’s eyes and obviously not as a barrier to a spiritually pure relationship with God.—Genesis 1:26-28, 31; 2:18, 22-24; see also Proverbs 5:15-19.

The apostle Peter and other approved servants of God holding positions of authority in the early Christian congregation were married men. (Matthew 8:14; Acts 18:2; 21:8, 9; 1 Corinthians 9:5) The apostle Paul’s directions to Timothy on the appointment of congregation overseers, or “bishops,” make this clear. He writes: “A bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife.” (Italics ours; 1 Timothy 3:2, Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition) Notice that there is no suggestion at all that it was unfitting in any way for “a bishop” to be married. Paul simply indicated that “a bishop” should not be a polygamist; if married, he should have only one wife. In fact, the Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, by McClintock and Strong, concludes: “No passage in the N[ew] T[estament] can be interpreted into a prohibition against the marriage of the clergy under the Gospel dispensation.”

August 25 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report