Hi, Christine!
…in order to fully understand what is going on we must view it from their perspective; when Christ’s Ministry started:
- people were grown men and women
- whole families traveled, when possible, to listen to Christ’s Teaching
- there was a significant change in Jesus’ Teachings and Ministry
- while women were ignored and children rejected by other rabbis, Jesus, the Rabbuni, actually not only tolerated women and children but He sought them and elevated them
- Jesus never marry
- Jesus’ Disciples were both single and married
- St. Peter was married
- St. Paul was single (virgin)
- Believers converted from Judaism and from paganism (Gentiles)
- Believers were single (virgin) and married
- not all couples were converted–some couples, while married or in civil unions, did not convert as a couple (some may have had children or not)
The marital state of the various people was as it is today (single/married/divorced/widowed); there has always been the Call for Celibacy as Jesus pointed out:
The Call to serve God in such chaste state is something which must be accepted/embraced by the individual who seeks to serve God in such manner!
However, there’s never been a teaching from Christ, the Apostles or the Church that Commands that all Believers must be Celibate!
Maran atha!
Angel