By 'Gbenga Bankole
There are different schools of thought when it comes to choosing life partner these days. Some people believed that in as much as it is God leading a brother to a sister, the potential couple should not bother about their genotype or whether they are compatible medically. This is because God is perfect in everything He does.
Genotype and other necessary medical tests are mandated before wedding in most of the top denominations in the country, including Christ Apostolic Church, Worldwide, irrespective of the divine confirmation or conviction of the intending couple.
Some distinguished ministers in the mission shared their opinions with CAC NEWS on this topic.
Pastor Olu Olorunpomi
CAC Eternal Praise Assembly, Alakuko Lagos.
God is the Creator of ALL THINGS, and that includes medical science and technological advancement. God has the benefits of man as His top priorities. The OIL mentioned in James 5:14 alludes to the use of medicine.
Therefore, if God has made all things for us, genotype testing before wedding is to man's benefits. By the way, going ahead without ascertaining your status is presumption and "putting God to test" and I can boldly say that the result has never been funny. Let no one be carried away by a blind faith. It's disastrous. God has given us brains so that we won't mess up our destinies.
Those who didn't have the knowledge in the past were losing children without knowing why. Some were lucky to be perfect matches. Now that the knowledge and medium is readily available, it will be dangerous to jump into marriage without the requisite tests. Don't be fooled by the lie that it's only that brother or sister you must marry.
Let every intending couple get tested. And the church must mandate it.
Pastor Doyin Adeyemi
Zonal Youth Coordinator
CAC Light of the World Zone, Ikorodu Lagos.
God is not the author of confusion. He created man including the genotype. If it doesn't matter God will not place it in man. And since God knows it matters He will not lead you into what will create problems for you. we should not allow ignorance and lust to push us to tempt God .
PASTOR OLOGUNAYE-JACOBS
ASSEMBLY PASTOR, CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH, HOUSE OF JUDAH, IBADAN NIGERIA.
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Firstly, it's not only the genotype compatibility that guarantees go ahead in marriage. We have the Rhesus factors of blood group and the likes.
Yes, It is true that Prior to this era which is witnessing numerous breakthroughs in medical science, many sickle cell related diseases were being interpreted as spiritual manipulations. This was in the days when civilization was yet to kick humanity in the face. Marriages were contracted merely on erotic love and most times with parental recommendations without recourse to ascertaining the genotype of both lovers
However, with the advent of science and the continuous quest for knowledge and the cause and effect of certain ailments, people and religious leaders are gradually becoming aware while some Christian organizations are putting stringent laws to verify the genotype content of intending couple before walking them down the aisle and making the pronouncement “I do”. Although the final say, rests squarely on the decision of the intending couple, most Christian organizations have continuously advised incompatible lovers against tying the nuptial knot.
Let me site these two passages of the Bible as a guide to Christian living: Ecclesiastes 10:10 says: If the axe is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success (in other words, profitable to direct. My emphasis)
Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
However, It's high time one really deduces what the voice of the Lord really is. Though, the mind of God is always opaque to a mere mind that has no vivid approach to what the Spirit of God is saying. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:14 that: I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him. So, if it's the voice of God and not man that's saying go ahead with such a marriage, God knows how He'll cause them to live as if their genotypes are compatible. Furthermore, both parties that must be married must really be in agreement to the purported move even when their genotypes will go ahead to produce a sickle cell anaemia child, scientifically. Though, will not really be, if God is the one behind their coming together.
Let me site this as an example. Take a look at one who has his/her genotype tested before marriage and the result read AA and after marriage, it was discovered that the genotype is AX or XX, because we have some XX who are not 'sickler' as we always thought? Should they now divorce?
To the intending lovers out there, you must know how God speaks to you so that you'll not just be moved by emotion. Thanks.
Pastor Abiodun Jimoh
CAC Port-harcourt
Let us define genotype and Phenotype:
Your genotype is your complete heritable genetic identity OR a particular gene or a set of genes carried by an individual. Genotype is hidden as a layman's description but the actual visible characteristics like height, eye colour, overall health, disease history, your behaviour and general disposition is called Phenotype. Let us consider the implications of the popular genotypes with the first four children of a married couples.
AA+AA = AA, AA, AA, AA
AA +AS = AA, AS, AA, AS
AA+SS = AS, AS, AS, AS
AS+AS= AA, AS, AS, SS
AS+SS= AS, SS, SS, SS
SS +SS = SS, SS, SS, SS
Science made us to understand that children with genotype SS are sickle cell and are prone to sickle cell diseases that can ruin future joy in marriages. It can end up in the death of such children.
Based on the above, can we neglect genotype as a factor in choosing a life partner? Though I believe and practice divine healing. Mark 10: 27 and Luke 1: 37 said with God nothing shall be impossible. If the couple are permitted not to go for any medical test (since it is a requirement) before wedding both in the church and government. If the family involved will practise faith according to God's standard, if the couple will be obedient to God's ordinances, if the couple will practice divine healing etc. My submission is that since we are living in the world enclosed in deceit and medical slavery it is better to go for all tests required by government and the church so as to reduce the rate of divorce that is alarming now. I will support that genotype should be considered as a factor in choosing life partner. Thank you.