Several questions occurred to me as I began to think about this subject, the answers to which form the heart of the following article. Perhaps they are your questions too.
Question ONE
What is celibacy, and what does GOD say about it?
Celibacy is the deliberate abstention from the married state and its physical privileges. Through His holy apostles and prophets, God has quite a bit to say about it.
Genesis 2:18-24. Here the state of marriage is established. From this time on, marriage will be the norm, for the reasons given. There is no matching Scripture establishing a state of celibacy. The unmarried man or woman is considered the exception to the norm. Classic examples of Biblical celibates are Daniel, Jesus, and Paul. Daniel was made a eunuch by men. Jesus was empowered by the Father daily to overcome this desire. We are not sure of the nature of Paul’s “gift.”
Matthew 19:8-12. Jesus here responds to his disciples’ shock about a victimized partner of marriage with a radical statement about not only celibacy, but castration. Those contemplating the single holy life should consider the extreme to which Christ may call them. Celibacy without self-control is disaster. The “gift” referred to later by Paul may be lack of sexual desire, or it may be the “grace” of lacking necessary equipment.
I Corinthians 7:1-2, 7-9. Paul’s classic treatment of the subject praises celibacy only for those who “can receive it” , those who are so gifted. He does not imply that it is for everyone, as well-meaning as one might be. He also does not exclude leaders on the basis of their decision, only implies that leaders will have less time to spend on matters dear to the the flock if they are married.
I Timothy 3:2, 12 . Married “bishops” (elders) are the norm, as are married deacons.
I Corinthians 9:5. Yes, even among apostles, having a wife was the accepted practice.
Hebrews 13:4. Marriage is to be held in high esteem by all. Already the apostle is aware that there will be a mentality that will enter the church one day that will suggest that marriage , at least for some, is a scandal, and not an honor.
I Timothy 4:1-3. Yes, there will come a time of departure from the faith. People will depart because they will listen to doctrines that come from Satan’s camp. These are people who have lived in sin for so long that they no longer have a conscience, and are willing to accept a form of godliness, rather than deal any longer in the power of God that emanates from His Word and His Spirit. One of the lies they will hear and pass on is that marriage for the leaders of the people of God is somehow inferior, and to be avoided if at all possible. That lie is with us to this day, and we can see its demonic origin by looking at the fruit it has produced and is producing.
The Scripture then is clear. Now let’s see what Rome says.
Question TWO
What does ROME say about celibacy?
Sadlier’s Catechism says that all the ordained ministers of the Church, except for permanent deacons, are normally chosen from among the celibate who intend to remain celibate “for the sake of the kingdom of heaven”. They “give themselves entirely to God and to men.” Celibacy that comes out of a joyous heart is the ideal.
Granted. Are we to believe that this is the status of all Romanist priests?
They have taken Jesus’ words regarding eunuchs and applied them to celibates of all kinds. And they have taken Paul’s words of suggestion and invitation and applied them by rigorous law to all men who would lead the flock of God. These are enticing words, but they lead to no good.
Councils and Roman documents go so far as to say that continence for the sake of the kingdom of heaven was recommended by Christ! By means of celibacy, they say, priests show their willingness to be dedicated to presenting their churches as part of the chaste virgin of Christ.
It is admitted that celibacy at first was merely recommended to priests, but afterwards in the Latin Church, it was imposed by law on all who were to be promoted to holy Orders.
Here is a classic example of the Babylonian “mixture”, the witch’s brew of truth and error in one pot. It is freely admitted that the early church did not enforce celibacy. But for reasons of her own, holy ones she says, Rome arrogantly stands against the Word and the practices of that early church, and does her own will.
Pope Paul was heard to say, ‘It deeply hurts Us [he speaks with the royal pronoun] that . . . anyone can dream that the Church will deliberately or even suitably renounce what from time immemorial has been, and still remains, one of the purest and noblest glories of her priesthood…” namely, the law of ecclesiastical celibacy.
Earlier in this address, Pope Paul gives lip-service to the original New Testament teachings, but immediately moves to Roman tradition. In the above sampling he boldly sets up his “predecessor”, and some of his favorite church fathers, along with all of Roman tradition against the revealed revelation of God. In the last paragraph he as much as says, “It is impossible we could have been wrong all these years!”
In Canon Law, priests who marry are considered to be scandalous, and are up for dismissal altogether. Here the gloves come off, and the “beauty” of celibacy is seen in its true light. Law. Punishment. Pressure. And that which Hebrews says is honorable has become in Rome a scandal.
True to her norm, once more Rome has come against the revealed words of God to apostolic founders, and replaced them with her own.
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