Bible Questions Answered:
“We have a debate, did or did not
Jesus require celibacy to be a disciple....”
Audrianna/ Perth, Australia (Western
Australia)
Bible Answer:
No!
Not much is known concerning the
domestic life of the disciples, but some is known.
Peter, was a married man!
Matthew 8:14,15 NLT
14 When Jesus arrived at Peter’s
house, Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever.
15 But when Jesus touched her hand,
the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for Him.
Early Church
Tradition has it, that Bartholomew, was the “bridegroom,”
at the wedding at Cana.
John 2:1,2 KJV
1 And the third day there was a
marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
2 And both Jesus was called, and His
disciples, to the marriage.
Matthew 10:2-4
KJV
2 Now the names of the twelve
apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew
his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3 Philip, and Bartholomew;
Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and
Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas
Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
Clement of
Alexandria (Titus Flavius Clemens - 150-215 A.D.)
Clement was a
Christian theologian. Clement in his writings states that Philip
had a wife and children.
It is assumed, that
the other disciples were unmarried.
No, our Lord, never
commanded celibacy, matter of fact the Apostle Paul, warned about
those who do.
I Timothy 4:1-5
KJV
1 Now The Spirit speaketh expressly,
that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith,
giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having
their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and
commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be
received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know The Truth.
4 For every creature of God is good,
and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 For it is sanctified by The Word
Of God and prayer.
I Timothy 3:1,2
NLT (Office of Deacon)
1 This is a trustworthy saying: “If
someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position.”
2 So an elder must be a man whose
life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must
exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He
must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.
Titus 1:6-7 NLT
6 An elder must
live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his
children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being
wild or rebellious.
7 An elder is a
manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life..."
I Corinthians 9:
3-5 NLT (The Apostle Paul.)
3 This is my answer to those who
question my authority.
4 Don’t we have the right to live
in your homes and share your meals?
5 Don’t we have the right to bring
a Christian wife with us as the other apostles and The
Lord’s brothers do, and as Peter does?
Our Lord's
words.....
Matthew 19:11,12
MSG (Jesus Christ)
But Jesus said, “Not everyone is
mature enough to live a married life. It requires a certain aptitude
and grace. Marriage isn’t for everyone. Some, from birth seemingly,
never give marriage a thought. Others never get asked—or accepted.
And some decide not to get married for kingdom reasons. But if you’re
capable of growing into the largeness of marriage, do it.”