Ministerial Resource No.1_marriage Ceremony Series

Compiled by: Herman Abrahams (Senior Pastor), Cornerstone Faith Ministries, P.O. Box 740, Westridge 7802, Rep. of South Africa.

E-Mail: Mentorship2003@yahoo.co.uk

Note to the reader:

If you have been blessed with this sermon compilation, I would be honoured to receive an e-mail from you merely telling me where in the world you are based- I do not need any other information. This is merely so that I can have the pleasure, and give thanks to Almighty God, that all over the globe the ministry which he has entrusted to me, is blessing the body of Christ and helping to extend the Kingdom of God.

Thank you. Herman Abrahams, Cape Town, South Africa.

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Marriage Ceremony

A. OPENING

A.1) INTRODUCTION

We are gathered together in the presence of God to witness the marriage of ..................… .................. and .......................... .......................... and to ask God for His blessing on them through Jesus Christ our Lord, and to share in their joy.

A.2) WHO GIVES ……………………. TO BE MARRIED?

(bride’s first name)

A.3) THE BOND AND COVENANT OF MARRIAGE WAS GIVEN BY GOD IN CREATION. It is God who says in His Word, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” (Gen. 2:24)

It is God who instituted marriage. Marriage belongs to God and husband and wife are responsible to Him for their marriage. They will have to give an account of that which God has entrusted to them.

A.4) CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE IS NOT JUST A LEGAL CONTRACT; it is at the same time a spiritual contract. The parties to this spiritual contract about to take place here today is ...................... ...................... and the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, there are three parties to a Christian marriage – husband, wife and Jesus of Nazareth, who died in order to save us from our sins.

A.5) MARRIAGE IS A SIGN TO US OF THE UNION BETWEEN JESUS AND HIS CHURCH, and HOLY SCRIPTURE commands that all should hold it in honour. Marriage should be respected and not be tampered with.

A.6) THE UNION OF HUSBAND AND WIFE IN HEART, MIND AND BODY IS A GIFT FROM GOD FOR THEIR MUTUAL JOY.

¨ It is given for the companionship, help and comfort that the one ought to be for the other in times of prosperity and adversity.

¨ It is given that the natural instincts and sexual desires, bestowed by God, should be regarded as holy and ordered properly.

¨ It is given that they may have children and nurture them in the knowledge and love of the Lord.

A.7) Therefore, marriage in not to be entered into unadvisedly, without counselling, lightly, or merely to satisfy physical desires; but reverently, with discretion and due consideration of the purposes for which it was instituted by God. Those who are called by God to this Holy State, should continue in mutual faithfulness and love.

Into this Holy State of life ............................ and .................................. come now to be joined.

B. PRAYER, PRAISE AND WORSHIP

C. BIBLE READING AND SERMON

D. THE MARRIAGE

D.1) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.

TO GROOM: .............................. have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour?

Response: I have.

TO BRIDE: .................................... have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour?

Response: I have.

TO BRIDE AND GROOM: Now upon public confession of your faith, you have made known to all men that Jesus Christ of Nazareth is your Lord and Saviour…

(Here the minister may add such words as he sees fit)

D.2) BRIDEGROOMS CONSENT: (South African legal version)

Do you ...................................... declare that as far as you know there is no lawful impediment to your proposed marriage to .................... here present, and that you call all here present to witness that you take .................... as your lawful wife.

Answer: I do

Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her alone, as long as your both shall live?

Answer: I will

D.3) BRIDES CONSENT (South African legal version)

Do you ................................declare that as far as you know there is no lawful impediment to your proposed marriage to ........................... and that you call all here present to witness that you take .......................... as your lawful husband?

Answer: I do

Will you love him, comfort him, honour and protect him, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?

Answer: I will

D.4. BRIDEGROOMS VOWS

The bridegroom takes the bride’s right hand in his and they turn towards each other.

HE SAYS:

I .......................... take you ...................................

to be my wedded wife,

to have and to hold

from this day forward;

In prosperity and adversity

to love and to cherish

and to honour in the Lord;