1. All sexual activity is reserved for marriage. (1Co 7:1-2)

2. Marriage is a covenant (or contract) before God that must be approved by those in authority over the Christian man and woman. (Gen 14 w/ Exo 22)

3. God recognizes as legitimate those marriages approved by the state that don't violate His word.

4. There are two types of marriage: inchoate (unconsummated/betrothal) and choate (consummated).

Betrothal affords couples most of the rights of consummated marriage: using the terms "husband" and "wife", the permanency of marriage, and sexual activity that is not sexual intercourse. This because sexual intercourse is the activity that consummates a marriage. (1Co 7:36-38; Heb 13:4)