Some things are not mentioned in the Bible, but God gives us wisdom to understand His teachings. Throughout the Old Testament, this practice was not only accepted, but commanded by God. Jesus Himself suffered the death penalty and 10 other apostles did too. I know God is love, and teaches us to forgive and love, but He is also a righteous God... Just think about this. What is more harsh, the death penalty, or the everlasting fires of hell? God has no problem casting those that deny His Son into the lake of fire, why shouldn't the death penalty be carryed out to those deservant of such harsh punishment?
Just my thoughts, and this is how I see it. <><
"Thou shalt not kill" the 6th commandment, seems very specific, yet some believe an alternative word of "murder" rather than kill and say that makes the death penalty OK by them.
I tend to believe the "Thou shalt not murder" translation, and here's why: The Bible does not contradict itself. Part of the law says that people shpuld be executed, and that can't be a contradiction.
In terms of the NT, there is debate about Christ perfecting, fulfilling, etc. the Old Law/ Old Covenant. It is written that the great commandment perfects the Old Law. Does this mean that the OT abolishes the practice of capital punishmest? I'd be curious to hear discussion on that (as long as it doesn't get personal, inflamatory, etc...)
Jesus chose life and defied the OT Mosaic law when he could have been justified in carrying out the OT law and let the crowd put her to death.
Jesus did not defy the law in this situation. Sure the law prescribed stoning for this woman, but it first prescribed that her judges be righteous within the law, which the mob at hand was not. Jesus upheld the law. A very important point, IMO. (And thanks to Alex, as he taught this to me in another thread.)
As has already been pointed out, the death penalty was the command of God for many offenses which today don't fall under the "capital crime" guidelines i.e. adultery, talking back to parents, etc. My point is that God commanded it, so He must be in favor of it.
The "thou shall not kill" commandment does mean murder. Otherwise, you could extend that to mean just about anything. You couldn't have carried out the sacrifices that God commanded without killing. Hunting today would be going against God's command if killing was applied in a general sense. You couldn't even swat a fly or mosquito that was biting you if you were to carry it to it's fullest extreme.
I don't believe capital punishment collides at all with God's will for us -- I think it agrees with His will.
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Myself, I feel that the only control I have over whether or not someone gets the death penalty would be if I based my vote on whether a canidate is "pro or anti death penalty". Folk can make choices to avoid going to jail or doing an act that will put them in that position. I myself am in favor of the death penalty for folk that have committed hienious crimes. A murderer on death row has a luxery that their victims did not have . . .a final chance to seek God before their taken out. Mat 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take thesword shall perish with the sword.
There are consequences for the decisions we make and the things we do.
And when it comes right down to it, it is our government/ judicial systym that makes these decisions, so regardless of what we think about it, we are subject to the laws of the land. Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Rom 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: Rom 13:4 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.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
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