Changes to Chapter 15 - Marriage

                             Chapter 15:   Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage   (pages 201 - 207) in 17th Edition

     The 59th GC Session changed the number of this Chapter to Chapter 13:  name remains same. 

The text below was taken from the section,  Social Relationships, (Chapter 13, page 180, 181 in 17th Edition) the changes are shown in black bold

These evils have become more open and threatening to the ideals and purposes of the Christian home. Adultery, pornography, abuse of any kind (including sexual abuse of spouses, children, and the elderly), incest, and homosexual and lesbian practices are among the perversions of God's original plan and illustrate the brokenness of humanity. As the intent of clear passages of Scripture (see Ex. 20:14; Lev. 18:22, 29; 20:13; 1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Tim. 1:10; Rom. 1:20-32) is denied and as their warnings are rejected in exchange for human opinions, much uncertainty and confusion prevail. Since ancient times and civilizations, Satan‟s plan always has been to cause people to forget that God is their Creator and that when He created humankind in His own image, He created both "male and female" (Gen. 1:27).    Appears on page 145 of the 18th Edition

 

 Text taken from page 181 of 17th Edition and transfer to Chapter 15 with change to one word "can"

Our homes are by far the best places for social gatherings. In large centers where it is impossible to hold such gatherings in homes and where there is no social center of our own, we should secure a place free from influences destructive of Christian standards, rather than a place ordinarily used for commercial amusements and sports, such as social halls and skating rinks, which can suggest an atmosphere contrary to Christian standards.      Appears on page 146 of the 18th Edition

 

The following text appears on page 201 (17th Edition) in the section, Oneness of Marriage. The last sentence has been added.

God intended the marriage of Adam and Eve to be the pattern for all future marriages, and Christ endorsed this original concept: "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning „made them male and female,‟ and said, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh‟? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate" (Matt. 19:4-6).  Marriage, thus instituted by God, is a monogamous, heterosexual relationship between one male and one female.    Appears on page 148, 149 of the 18th Edition

 

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Church Manual Changes Changes to Chapter 1 Changes to Chapter 11 - Elections Changes to Chapter 12 - Finance Changes to Chapter 13 - Christian Living Changes to Chapter 14 - Discipline Changes to Chapter 16 - Organizing Churches Changes to Chapter 17 - Pulpit Not A Forum Changes to Chapter 2 Changes to Chapter 4 - 5 Changes to Chapter 6 - Membership Changes to Chapter 7 - Church Officers Changes to Chapter 8 - Services, Meetings Changes to Introduction Changes to Notes Major Changes - Appealing Differences to Next Level Mystery of the Missing Paragraph New Right Given to Members - fairness