Bible Verses for Your Wedding, Part IIWritten by Deborah Spence
In Part One of this article, we discussed sometimes challenging task of choosing Bible verses for your wedding ceremony and listed possible choices from Old Testament and Apocrypha. In Part Two we continue with a list of possibilities from Gospels and New Testament. We will also discuss some tried and true methods for narrowing down choices.The Gospels Matthew 5:1-10 The famous Beatitudes, which proclaim God's favor to those who try to live by God's law. (See Luke 6:17-49 for a shorter account of The Sermon on Mount which also includes a few other verses found elsewhere in Matthew.) Matthew 7:24-27 A metaphor on establishing your home on a foundation in God. Matthew 22:35-40 The greatest commandment of love and many ways it applies to life. Mark 2:18-22 Christ as bridegroom and His followers as bride. Mark 10: 42-45 It is better to serve than to be served John 2:1-11 The wedding at Cana where Christ performs his first miracle of turning water to wine. John 3:16 The famous "For God so loved world." John 14:6 "I am way, truth, and life..." John 15:9-17 An admonition to love one another and Christ's sacrificial love for us. Verses from New Testament Romans 12:9-18 The Christian's duty to love and all that is encompassed by that duty: hope, patience, prayer, compassion, and more. Be sure to compare this passage to 13th chapter of First Corinthians. I Corinthians 13 Perhaps most famous of all wedding Bible verses, this chapter defines ultimate gift of Spirit: Love. I Corinthians 14:1 "Make love your aim" in all you do. (Verses 2-5 go on to discuss superior gift of prophecy rather than speaking in tongues.) I Corinthians 16:14 Be certain that everything you do is motivated by love. 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 Through Christ's sacrificial love, we have become new creations. Ephesians 2:4-10 God's gracious love for us saves us through faith. Ephesians 4:25-5:2 Be loving and forgiving, speaking only good and imitating Christ." ...let not sun go down upon your wrath..." (KJV) Check on more modern translations for a better reading. Ephesians 5:21-33 This passage depicting Christian home is difficult for some because it deals with "submission theology." However, general thought is mutual submission. Understand it from an early church point of view. Philippians 2:1-5 Guard against selfishness. Be humble and serve others. Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice and don't be anxious. Live honorably and justly, and God's peace will be a part of your lives. Colossians 3:12-17 The Christian life lived in love and harmony. Do all in Christ's name. Colossians 3:18-20 More submission theology with admonition to husbands to love their wives. I John 3:1 "Behold, what manner of love Father hath bestowed upon us..." (KJV) I John 3:16 Christ's example of sacrificial love. I John 3:18-24 Believe in Christ, and keep His commandments by loving one another. I John 4:7 Love each other because love comes from God. I John 4:16-19 God loves us. If we live in love, it serves as a sign that God lives in us. We are capable of love only because God loved us first. Revelation 19:1; 5-9 A glorious celebration in heaven for marriage of Lamb of God. The church is depicted as Bride.
| | Bible Verses for Your Wedding - Part IWritten by Deborah Spence
An important aspect of planning your wedding is selecting Scriptures to be read in ceremony. Many clergy encourage couples to look through Bible and choose some appropriate verses. This provides an excellent way for bride and groom to personalize their service by choosing passages that have a special meaning for them or speak to their particular situation. For many couples this is both exciting and daunting. After all, Bible is a pretty big book! Where to begin? How to choose? Which to choose?Most members of clergy will not object to more than one reading during your ceremony. In fact, many will encourage you to pick as many as 3 passages. As difficult as it might be for you to believe, it can be hard to narrow it down. There are so many from which to choose! The following list is Part One of a two-part article and begins with readings from Old Testament, also known as Hebrew Bible. The list comes as a result of years of working with wedding couples in Episcopal, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, and Christian Science churches and from my education at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Direct quotes from Bible are taken from King James Version, which is in public domain. The interpretations or paraphrases of these verses are strictly my own. However, they do reflect mainstream thought and are non-denominational in perspective. Part One - Old Testament and Apocrypha Readings from Old Testament, also called The Hebrew Bible, are also most appropriate for Jewish weddings. Genesis 1:27-28a, 31a God's good and gracious work in creating man and woman for each other
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