1. The Christian & Carnal Warfare I. The Bible Condemns Murder. A. An unrepentant murderer cannot enter the kingdom of heaven (Galatians 5:19-21; I John 3:15). B. There is a distinction between murder and “manslaughter” (Numbers 35:14-18; 35:20-24).

2. The Christian & Carnal Warfare II. The Bible Condemns Personal Vengeance. A. Personal injury is to be either endured, escaped or addressed by civil authority. 1. “Do not resist an evil person” (Matthew 4:38-40). 2. “When they persecute you in this city, flee to another” (Matthew 10:23; Luke 21:20,21). 3. “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman?” (Acts 22:22-29).

3. The Christian & Carnal Warfare II. The Bible Condemns Personal Vengeance. B. An individual may not take personal vengeance (Romans 12:18,19).

4. The Christian & Carnal Warfare III. The Bible Gives Civil Authority the Right to Punish Wrongdoing. A. This is not considered murder on the part of the ruler (Numbers 35:19; 35:24-27; Romans 13:3,4). B. This is not considered murder on the part of those who carry out the punishment (Numbers 15:32-35; Deuteronomy 17:6,7; 21:18-21).

5. The Christian & Carnal Warfare IV. The Bible Gives to Christians the Responsibility to provide for their families. A. One who does not provide for his own is worse than an unbeliever. (I Timothy 5:8). Note: context is not military service, but we must ask ourselves… B. If we must provide those things necessary for sustaining life, how could it be that we are not authorized to defend life? (Exodus 22:2).

6. The Christian & Carnal Warfare V. The Bible does not condemn the Participation in Civil Government. A. John did not address warfare when addressing soldiers (Luke 3:10-14). B. Cornelius and Erastus were servants of the state (Acts 10:1; Romans 16:23).

7. The Christian & Carnal Warfare Conclusion. A. The same authority that gives civil government the right to punish wrongdoing would would apply if an individual or nation commits wrongdoing (Deuteronomy 9:5). 1. Citizens that act to carry out the punishment of wrongdoing are not considered murderers (Numbers 35:27).

8. The Christian & Carnal Warfare Conclusion. B. The same authority that would give to families the right to defend their own as a provision for their families would apply when that protection is in participation with the civil authority. (I Timothy 5:8). C. This does mean that a Christian may participate in carnal warfare if the military campaign itself is an act of wrongdoing (i.e. cruelty, theft, greed) (Acts 5:27-29).