The Sanctity of Human Life Abortion Euthanasia Suicide Capital Punishment Serving in Military, Police Human Engineering Abortion Euthanasia Suicide Capital Punishment Serving in Military, Police Human Engineering

The Sanctity of Human Life Abortion Euthanasia Suicide Capital Punishment Serving in Military, Police Human Engineering Abortion Euthanasia Suicide Capital Punishment Serving in Military, Police Human Engineering Capital Punishment

♦Must understand what the Bible teaches about capital punishment ♦“Capital punishment” = infliction of death penalty by civil law  Not by private citizens  Motivated by justice, not malice ♦Controversial subject ♦Need to understand from biblical perspective ♦Must understand what the Bible teaches about capital punishment ♦“Capital punishment” = infliction of death penalty by civil law  Not by private citizens  Motivated by justice, not malice ♦Controversial subject ♦Need to understand from biblical perspective

Human Being  Gen. 9:6  Man more than animal, special creation – having a spirit, created in God’s image  Acts 17:28 – offspring of God, having great dignity and worth (cf. John 3:16; Rom. 5:8)  We must treat fellowmen with respect, love (Matt. 22:39-39; 5:43-45) – good works (Gal. 6:10)  Gen. 9:6  Man more than animal, special creation – having a spirit, created in God’s image  Acts 17:28 – offspring of God, having great dignity and worth (cf. John 3:16; Rom. 5:8)  We must treat fellowmen with respect, love (Matt. 22:39-39; 5:43-45) – good works (Gal. 6:10)

General Concept of Punishment  Gen. 4:10 – murder of Abel cried out for restitution  Penalty is for punishment, not rehabilitation  Justice calls for penalty  Gen. 4:10 – murder of Abel cried out for restitution  Penalty is for punishment, not rehabilitation  Justice calls for penalty ♦Bible grants validity to idea of punishment for the lawbreaker

Some crimes so serious that the only justice punishment is death (Deut. 21:22-23) By certain acts a person disqualifies himself from the right to continue living Reflected in the Old Testament (Gen. 9:5-6) Some crimes so serious that the only justice punishment is death (Deut. 21:22-23) By certain acts a person disqualifies himself from the right to continue living Reflected in the Old Testament (Gen. 9:5-6) Concept of Capital Punishment

 Murder (Ex. 21:12-14)  Kidnapping (Ex. 21:16)  Abuse of parents (Ex. 21:15, 17)  Sorcery (Ex. 23:18)  Bestiality (Ex. 22:19)  Idolatry (Ex. 22:20)  Adultery (Ex. 20:10)  Incest (Lev. 20:11-12, 14)  Homosexuality (Lev. 20:13)  Rape (Deut. 22:23-29)  Murder (Ex. 21:12-14)  Kidnapping (Ex. 21:16)  Abuse of parents (Ex. 21:15, 17)  Sorcery (Ex. 23:18)  Bestiality (Ex. 22:19)  Idolatry (Ex. 22:20)  Adultery (Ex. 20:10)  Incest (Lev. 20:11-12, 14)  Homosexuality (Lev. 20:13)  Rape (Deut. 22:23-29) Capital offenses in Law of Moses

♦In Law of Moses, carrying out the death penalty was justly regulated (Deut. 17:6-7; 19:5)  Not just to deter others from same crime – but to put away the evil influence of that person (Ex. 20:13 – prohibition against murder)  Safeguard against unduly harsh punishment - indicated death penalty just for some crimes ♦Deut. 19:21

♦New Testament speaks of justice of capital punishment ♦Rom. 1:32 – do such thing worthy of death ♦Acts 25:11 – not object to execution ♦Rom. 13:4 – government, an avenger to execute wrath on those who practice evil ♦New Testament speaks of justice of capital punishment ♦Rom. 1:32 – do such thing worthy of death ♦Acts 25:11 – not object to execution ♦Rom. 13:4 – government, an avenger to execute wrath on those who practice evil

Capital Punishment Since beginning of time, there has been a principle of justice that some crimes are so serious they can be properly punished only by death. The execution of the death sentence is a part of the rightful function of civil government as ordained by God

Purpose of Civil Government ♦National righteousness (Prov. 14:34; Psa. 9:17)  God has caused nations to fall because of wickedness (Dan. 2:21; 4:17)  Governments accountable for their wickedness ♦National righteousness (Prov. 14:34; Psa. 9:17)  God has caused nations to fall because of wickedness (Dan. 2:21; 4:17)  Governments accountable for their wickedness

Purpose of Civil Government ♦Non-retaliation is an obligation of individual Christians, not a restraint upon governments (Matt. 6:38-42; Rom. 12:17-21)  Governments are ordained to protect & punish (Rom. 13:4)  Implies need for law, law makers, law enforcement ♦Non-retaliation is an obligation of individual Christians, not a restraint upon governments (Matt. 6:38-42; Rom. 12:17-21)  Governments are ordained to protect & punish (Rom. 13:4)  Implies need for law, law makers, law enforcement

Purpose of Civil Government ♦Law exist to curb conduct of those not inclined to curb their own conduct ♦Restrain injustice and crime so people live without fear (Rom. 13:1- 7; John 19:10-11; 1 Tim. 2:1-2) ♦Carrying out death penalty ordained by God (Rom. 13:4) – God sees the need ♦Law exist to curb conduct of those not inclined to curb their own conduct ♦Restrain injustice and crime so people live without fear (Rom. 13:1- 7; John 19:10-11; 1 Tim. 2:1-2) ♦Carrying out death penalty ordained by God (Rom. 13:4) – God sees the need

Consequence of Failing to Execute Capital Criminals The following quotes are from David Hocking, Stanley Brubaker and William Murchison ♦Consistent capital punishment deters crime (Eccl. 8:11; Psa. 10:3-7) ♦When society does not set up capital consequences for capital crimes, lawlessness grows ♦National character manifested in what we do about crime and punishment The following quotes are from David Hocking, Stanley Brubaker and William Murchison ♦Consistent capital punishment deters crime (Eccl. 8:11; Psa. 10:3-7) ♦When society does not set up capital consequences for capital crimes, lawlessness grows ♦National character manifested in what we do about crime and punishment

 Emotional arguments against capital punishment based on pity  Pity not always the proper response when someone justly stands under the sentence of death (Lev. 10:6-7; Deut. 19:21; Deut. 13:8-9; 19:13; Ezek. 9:5-6)  We must never let compassion keep us from doing what is right  Emotional arguments against capital punishment based on pity  Pity not always the proper response when someone justly stands under the sentence of death (Lev. 10:6-7; Deut. 19:21; Deut. 13:8-9; 19:13; Ezek. 9:5-6)  We must never let compassion keep us from doing what is right

The Sanctity of Human Life Abortion Euthanasia Suicide Capital Punishment Serving in Military, Police Human Engineering Abortion Euthanasia Suicide Capital Punishment Serving in Military, Police Human Engineering Serving in Military, Police

?If sinful for a Christian to be a soldier or police officer, then it is sinful for anyone to do so ?Yet, God commands governments to punish evil doers (1 Pet. 2:13- 14; Rom 13:4) ?Individual has no right to execute personal vengeance (Rom. 12:19) ?God delegated “vengeance to civil government (Rom. 13:4) ?If sinful for a Christian to be a soldier or police officer, then it is sinful for anyone to do so ?Yet, God commands governments to punish evil doers (1 Pet. 2:13- 14; Rom 13:4) ?Individual has no right to execute personal vengeance (Rom. 12:19) ?God delegated “vengeance to civil government (Rom. 13:4)

?John and the soldiers (Luke 3:10- 14)  Soldiers ask if need to meet any special requirement before they could be baptized  Answer: do not intimidate, be content with wages  Not told to cease being soldiers ?John and the soldiers (Luke 3:10- 14)  Soldiers ask if need to meet any special requirement before they could be baptized  Answer: do not intimidate, be content with wages  Not told to cease being soldiers New Testament Examples

?Saints in Caesar’s household (Phil. 4:22)  “Caesar’s household” = Imperial Civil Service – included soldiers  Evidently there were faithful Christians in “Caesar’s household” ?Saints in Caesar’s household (Phil. 4:22)  “Caesar’s household” = Imperial Civil Service – included soldiers  Evidently there were faithful Christians in “Caesar’s household” New Testament Examples

?Cornelius (Acts 10:1–11:14)  First Gentile to obey Gospel  Peter sent to speak words he need to hear to be saved (Acts 10:6, 22; 11:14)  Not told to resign from military  Evidently being a soldier was not sinful ?Cornelius (Acts 10:1–11:14)  First Gentile to obey Gospel  Peter sent to speak words he need to hear to be saved (Acts 10:6, 22; 11:14)  Not told to resign from military  Evidently being a soldier was not sinful New Testament Examples

?The Philippian Jailer (Acts 16:31- 36)  One of first in Europe to obey the Gospel  Though he served Roman government, and carried a sword, not commanded to leave his occupation  Continued as jailer (vv ) ?The Philippian Jailer (Acts 16:31- 36)  One of first in Europe to obey the Gospel  Though he served Roman government, and carried a sword, not commanded to leave his occupation  Continued as jailer (vv ) New Testament Examples

?Paul used Roman soldier (Acts 23:12-23)  Paul used 470 soldiers as body guards to protect against 40 Jews who sought to kill him  He knew the soldiers would kill or imprison those who attack  If it is wrong to be a soldier, it is wrong to use one (1 Tim. 5:22) ?Paul used Roman soldier (Acts 23:12-23)  Paul used 470 soldiers as body guards to protect against 40 Jews who sought to kill him  He knew the soldiers would kill or imprison those who attack  If it is wrong to be a soldier, it is wrong to use one (1 Tim. 5:22) New Testament Examples

Conclusion Not sinful to be a soldier or police officer If one’s conscience will not allow him to serve in either of these ways, then stay out (Rom. 14:23) If serving, then be honest in your dealings with others and “be content with your wages” (Luke 3:14) Not sinful to be a soldier or police officer If one’s conscience will not allow him to serve in either of these ways, then stay out (Rom. 14:23) If serving, then be honest in your dealings with others and “be content with your wages” (Luke 3:14)