Question:
What constitutes a “marriage” in God’s eyes? Does a loving, committed relationship between a man and woman still count even if there has been no “ceremony”? When did our current marriage “ceremony” become recognized?
Answer: Marriage in God’s eyes is final when the intent of marriage is consumated by sexual union (Gen 2.24). However, we are also commanded to obey our authorities and governments (Rom 13.1; as long as the laws don’t violate God’s Word) and the civil ceremony is what identifies a couple SOCIALLY as being married. Therefore, for us today in America, the Godly OFFICIAL act of getting married would include the civil ceremony, the spiritual intent, and the physical consumation.