In the beginning god made man,and took a rib from man and made him a help mate,the bible say's they became as one flesh,were they married,according to god.

You are not legally married until you have a marriage license. Sex before marriage does not make you married – where in the bible does it say that? That makes no sense. You may be “married” in your hearts, and perhaps even in the eyes of God (doubt it), but that means nothing in the grand scheme of things.

In other words: Your pastor is right.

Romans 13 (English Standard Version)

Verse 1) Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Depends on your religion and how they interpret the bible. I would think the Catholics consider a couple married if they are married in the Catholic church regardless of whether they have a civil marriage or not. I have heard that in my own religion, Judaism, as long as the couple has committed to each other, considers each other husband and wife, and keep a Jewish home they will be considered married. But, it probably depends on the rabbi. I figure with how often in history the Jews were not allowed to practice their reigion or enter a temple we probably improvised. Just a guess.

@Imadethisupwithnoforethought Back when the verse you cited was written I would think the governing bodies were religious bodies? But, I don’t know for sure. Do you know the thoughts on that?

There is civil law and there is church law.

Civil law requires a license. And that has all sorts of other legal ramifications, like inheritance, the ability to give medical direction, etc.

Church law usually is aligned with civil law, but sometimes not.

But remember that there are zillions of people who are not religious, so civil law is the overall standard.

@JLeslie The book was probably written around AD 55. Christians were absolutely not in power. Paul was trying to convert non-Jews into Christianity (he invited non-Jews to adopt Christianity, and often got into viscous fights with traditional Jews who had converted). Phrases like this, and in other parts of his writings, are trying to present Christianity as something good Roman citizens could convert to, and as non-threatening to Roman institutions, as opposed to the radical face of Christianity presented by the Jewish Christians who were centered around Antioch.