Controversial: Capital Punishment

You may say, “But what about the right to kill?” or “What about that? Doesn’t that violate the standards of the scripture?”

BIBLE: Romans 13 gives us a good picture of the relationship that we are to have to government.

You may say, “Well, you know, the scripture says here, ‘Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. There’s no power but of God.’”

BIBLE: The “powers that be” are ordained of God! “Whosoever, therefore, resists the power, resists the ordinance of God, and they that resist shall receive to themselves judgment.”

You may say, “Well, that’s a different government than today. Yeah, you know whose government that was? Nero’s! Nero’s government.

BIBLE: According to Scriptures government is ordained of God. Government, as such, is ordained of God. It has been corrupted, obviously, but the institution is still ordained of God. Government represents God’s rule in the world. It is God’s way of ordering society. Even the worst of governments around the world, still part of God's ordained government, simply to secure the good and punish the evil. In 1 Corinthians 13, verse 3: “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil.”

You don’t have to fear the law enforcement if you obey the law. “Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good and thou shalt have praise of the same.” Whatever country you live in, you must obey as long as you don't violate.

Even Jesus submitted to the Roman Government simply because He ordained them Himself. He died under Roman's Capital Punishment.

The law enforcement in view: The man given the power of keeping order in the government is a minister of? God. A minister of God to thee for good. But if you do that which is evil? Be afraid. Why? “For he bears not the sword in vain, for he is the minister of God and avenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”

God gave the governments the sword and He gave them the sword to use. This is to keep goodness prevalent and evil subdued. If you will read I Peter 2:14, “Governors we are to be subject to as under them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers.” That’s the law enforcement. They are sent for the punishment of evildoers. They do not bear the sword in vain.

I support the death penalty if a person clearly did the crime of killing another person (without any reasonable doubt and sciencifically proven). Studying government biblically for many years, I have learned so much in each topic in the bible.

Romans 13:4
In KJV: 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.

NIV: For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

In the New Testament, Matthew 26:52 and Acts 25:11, the sword means kill. The "Sword" was not used to spank someone, but to kill them. Jesus was referring sword as "shall perish with the sword." Perish means death.

In Greek for SWORD, it is ajpovllumi , Strong's # 622, the translated word for greek is Apollumi. Perish is defined as to destroy; to put out of the way entirely, abolish, put an end to ruin; render useless; to kill; to declare that one must be put to death; metaph. to devote or give over to eternal misery in hell; to perish, to be lost, ruined, destroyed.

So, when Paul was using the word "Sword" in Romans 13 means death. In Genesis 9:6: “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed, for in the image of God made He man.” Because of the sanctity of man, because he is created in the image of God, God instituted a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, etc. Murder is a crime against God in whose image man is made—it defiles God—so capital punishment is required. God instituted capital punishment. Therefore, ONLY GOD can remove the capital punishment. In the Old Testament laws are discussed into three general categories: moral, ceremonial, and civil. Civil and Moral laws have not been touched by Christ because there is no need to change because they are considered timeless, eternal, and universal, based on God's own character. Christ came to FULFILL the law, not destroy the law. Moral laws are God's laws for His followers while Civil laws are for His followers that Governments are ordained by Him. One of the example of the Civil law is Judges and jurors selected by human criteria, rather than by God's standards. (See Exodus 18:21-22). "Thou shall not murder" is also STILL a law. Since government do no murder, instead, they use the term "capital punishment".

This is from PAUL:
Romans 13:3 says: "Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you." Verse 4 says: "if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." Verse 5 says: Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

This is from PETER
1 Peter 2:(13-17) Verse 14 says: "submit to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right." Verse 15-16 says: "For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God."

Biblical Argument: Capital punishment as a fact of life, the consequences of a criminal act which is one of God's eternal laws that really there is no question about. A man condemned to die on death row is there because of his own actions. He murdered and it is simply coming back to him. God told Moses, "I AM, that I AM." God said "Thou shall not MURDER" (Notice that He did NOT say "thou shall not kill").
Exodus 20:13
NIV: You shall not murder.
NLT: Do not murder.
KJV: Thou shalt not kill (in hebrew "murder").
ESV: You shall not murder
NKJV: You shall not murder

Hebrew Word for MURDER: Xcr Transliterated Word: ratsach The Hebrew word for MURDER covers causing human death through carelessness or negligence, to murder, slay. (Qal) to murder, slay, premeditated, accidental as avenger, slayer, kill (intentional) (participle) (Niphal) to be slain (Piel) to murder, assassinate murderer, assassin (participle)(subst). "We reap what we sow" The scripture teaches, if nothing else, that we are all accountable for our own actions. Sow love, and love will be returned. If you want friendship, the bible says "show yourself friendly." Jesus told Peter that those who live by the sword will die by the sword. (I am sure you know what happened, it was when Peter cut off a soldier's ear).