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Capital Punishment is a subject with proponents from one end of the spectrum to the other. The divergence of opinions is extreme. It is a perfect example of why there must be some method of determining authority. It is comparable to the little boy who owned the ball and bat. You either play the game by his rules or he takes his ball and bat and goes home. God created this universe and he has total authority. He can take His universe and disintegrate it when He pleases. That comparison may be crude and seemingly facetious, but it is not intended so. God did create the universe, and He MADE the rules. He also explained why we often differ with His requirements.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
(Isaiah 55:9)
If any believe that the Bible is not God's Word, that it is not inerrant, not infallible, not absolute, then this article will be meaningless to you. The thoughts and points are taken straight from the scriptures and if I, or you, disagree with any of them, we're wrong. Hebrews 12:2 says this:
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
God created man in His own image and for one purpose, that to worship and serve Him. To OBEY Him. For these reasons, man's life is precious to God, and set apart for His purpose. But, disobedience (sin) separates man from God. That is spiritual death. Yet the scriptures are replete with instances of physical death (separation of the body from the spirit) at the bidding of God. Often men will say that God is a God of love. He would never punish people with death or send them into eternal punishment. God is the epitome of Love. But He states in 8 different scriptures that He is also a jealous God, and He hates sin, hates disobedience. (Exodus 20:5, 34:14), (Deuteronomy 4:24, 5:9, 6:15), (Joshua 24:19), (Ezekiel 39:25), (Nahum 1:2)
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness
" (Romans 1:18)
"Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the [powers] that be are ordained of God. Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil."
(Romans 13:1-4)
"Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience."
(Ephesians 5:)
"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
(Hebrews 10:31)
Why would these and many more similar verses be in the Bible? If you believe this means people other than me and you, you are dreaming. His references to evil, ungodliness, unrighteousness, etc., means disobedience. All disobedience is considered evil with the Lord.
"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;"
(Thessalonians 1:7-9)
The preceding verses are literal. They should suffice to show anyone that God expects mankind to worship Him and Him alone. It should show that He will punish anyone who will not obey the teachings of His son, Jesus Christ. NOT, just believe in Him.
"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." (James 2:19)
So, does the Bible advocate capital punishment, or condemn it? The first reverence to such comes in Genesis 9:6. God, speaking to Noah, said,
"Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man." By this statement God is showing that there is a certain sanctity about man over the other beasts, since the previous verses has informed Noah that he may eat of the all other living things, herbs, animals, etc. except for eating flesh with blood.
Under the law, given through Moses, to the Jews, God ordered them to stone to death, those who committed certain sins. A man who picked up sticks on a sabbath after God had warned them not to do any physical work on that day, was stoned to death at His command. (Numbers 15: 30-36) Attempt to seduce Worshippers of God to go worship idols, stoned. (Deuteronomy 13:10) Murderer to be stoned (Numbers 35:17) Whoredom (Deuteronomy 22:21) And many others, A son cursing his parents, serving other gods and on and on.
God, Jesus, and the entire Bible condemns those who take revenge on others, but nowhere do they condemn those in authority for punishing those who commit crimes. Many refer to the commandment in Exodus 20:13, "Thou shalt not kill" as an indication that one may not kill another under any circumstances. Actually the true translation of the verse is "you must not murder anyone" and is so rendered in the New Century version and the word murder is used instead of kill in almost all of the modern translations. Also, the next two chapters list some ten crimes that are to be punished by death (stoning).
And to further strengthen the argument that capital punishment is ordained of God, we have the exchange between Pilate and Jesus In John 19:10-11. Pilate makes it clear to Jesus that he has the power to put Him to death. And it is well worth noting that Jesus does not condemn or deny him that power but rather confirms that God has given him this power. Again showing that governments and their right to take the life of another for certain crimes is ordained of God.
Let us end the discussion with two more pertinent scriptures.
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
(Ezekiel 33:11)
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Romans 1:32)
Author Biography: Joel Hendon was born near Gadsden Alabama. He attended public schools in Cherokee County, Alabama and after serving a tour of duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, attended Jacksonville State University, majoring in Business Administration. He became a Christian in 1948, and although he followed secular work as a career and retired from Allied Signal Aerospace, he is an avid student of the Holy Bible and related works as well as biblical history. He has an extensive website of conservative religious and political articles plus an extensive online shoppers mall. http://hebronics.org/index.html or http://hebronics.org/shoppers.html
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