The creation Mandate

[Tithesmeister]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Firstly, I would like to say this passage is written directly to the man and woman God created on the day He created them. It was spoken to them of whom God created in the garden. This command resonates throughout all of human history, by the fact that humanity has multiplied exponentially and has exercised dominion over all of the created things and it is still progressively being fulfilled.

Secondly, I want to recognize that it is in this 1st chapter of Genesis that the biological role of male and female are established here. The role of male and female are binary and will not change until the resurrection. It is at that point they are neither male nor female, married nor given in marriage. (Mt.22:30)

Now to the verse:

Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them,

This statement identifies all of what God is speaking over them. God is blessing the man and woman he created.

and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth,

God was speaking a prophetic blessing over Adam and Eve. He was not simply commanding them to get married and have intercourse. God was telling them to do the thing that causes babies to be born and He would make the wombs fruitful. It is only God who can open the womb, therefore if this verse was simply a command for man, Adam and Eve would be incapable of fulfilling it.

and subdue it (Earth): and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

In addition to God's command to multiply, He also commands man to subdue and have dominion.. To subdue is to dominate or bring something under control by force. To have dominion is to rule over something. The scriptures’ command to, “subdue it and have dominion over” are linked. Like saying, “conquer and take control”. They are different words with slightly different meanings, but one builds up to the other. It isn’t meaning to subdue the ground only and have dominion over the animals only. It means mankind is to take authority over the Earth and reign over every creature in it.

Hmmm

I didn’t notice ANY instruction to get married?

Can you elaborate?

[good samaritan]

Marriage is an implication.

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

The wedding ceremonies may differ throughout history and cultures, but the institution of marriage was required.

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

I recently have had a discussion about something known as the creation mandate. I contend that the Genesis 1:28 is more so a promise than it is command to require marriage. The opposite view was that marriage is necessary except for rare exceptions and one of them was the gift of singleness. Is there anyone else that has heard of this?

What is the gift of singleness? The Scriptures know of no such gift.

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by diakonos

This was suggested because of the persecution that the church was facing at the time.

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by Amanah

It's totally okay not to marry.

1 Corinthians 7:8-9 KJV
I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

I think there might be a problem with some forms of birth control once you are married though.

Originally Posted by diakonos

This was suggested because of the persecution that the church was facing at the time.

Additionally, Paul makes it clear that what he wrote, was a "concession, not a command".

See: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage...A6&version=ESV

[votivesoul]

Paul expected, even ordered, young widows to marry again, and have children:

1 Timothy 5:14 (ESV),

So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.

Each verb here (i.e. marry, bear children [one word in Greek], manage, give...) are present active indicative, meaning, the young widow is supposed to, by this command, abide and "do" these things.

And, if this is the command for widows, what then for other woman?

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

What is the gift of singleness? The Scriptures know of no such gift.

“Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.”
....1 Corinthians‬ ..7‬:..7‬ ..NASB1995‬‬

This is where the idea is derived

[Amanah]

When I read 1 Cor 7
I see a choice based on opinion or preference,
Not a commandment or mandate.

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Amanah

When I read 1 Cor 7
I see a choice based on opinion or preference,
Not a commandment or mandate.

Nor do I. I think it as our liberty. Although, the overall design of God is that man was not complete without a wife. The average person is not going to be happy single, hence the gift of singleness.

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Nor do I. I think it as our liberty. Although, the overall design of God is that man was not complete without a wife. The average person is not going to be happy single, hence the gift of singleness.

My sister chose to remain single, and is single till this day.
She was molested by a Catholic priest when she was 11.
He molested her without penetrating her,
she never emotionally recovered and remains a virgin.
While I believe most people will choose marriage,
Some may not.