The Death Penalty

[BrotherEastman]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Ron Paul is a for the constitution... which means that Ron Paul would not make any calls on this issue from the position of a presidential candidate as this is an issue left to the states and one that the federal government has no business involving itself in.

Also... everyone will note that I have not said whether I am for it or against it. I was for it... I have my doubts now.

That is what discussion is for... finding the truth of the matter.

Funny that you say you were for it, but now have your doubts. I personally am for what God is for, but I guess we all have our opinions as to what God is for.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by BrotherEastman

I personally am for what God is for,

It would be my hope that this would be the case.

Originally Posted by BrotherEastman

but I guess we all have our opinions as to what God is for.

That discovery is my current journey.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

It would be my hope that this would be the case.




That discovery is my current journey.

So should the church carry out public stonings? Or does the church wait for the powers that be (goverment law) to kill the offenders for them?

Where are the scriptures in the NT that allow for death penalty?

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

So should the church carry out public stonings? Or does the church wait for the powers that be (goverment law) to kill the offenders for them?

Where are the scriptures in the NT that allow for death penalty?

That is actually my current question.

I have been for the death penalty in the past but I am increasingly having trouble reconciling that thought with the NT message.

I have no scriptures to offer in answer to your question. I share your question.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

That is actually my current question.

I have been for the death penalty in the past but I am increasingly having trouble reconciling that thought with the NT message.

I have no scriptures to offer in answer to your question. I share your question.

I think that using deadly force as self defense to be against the NT teachings so I would be also against having the state or government kill anyone for me. Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord, so if that were the case it would be up to God to exact judgement. God used Gentile armies to bring judgement against His enemies, so would you say that God uses a non-Christian group to carry out His judgements? The Jews used political pull to cause Pontius Pilate to put to death Jesus after Pontius Pilate was convinced that Jesus was innocent. Death penalty can also be used to kill the innocent when used by a corrupt system.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

God used Gentile armies to bring judgement against His enemies, so would you say that God uses a non-Christian group to carry out His judgements?

I think when death penalties are carried out by governments that these are the judgments of man upon man for a man's wrongs.

God's judgments upon us are eternal ones.

A murderer could find forgiveness and turn his life over to God and escape God's judgment even if man continued with his judgment and executed the individual.

The repentant thief demonstrated this to us on some level.

[BrotherEastman]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

I think when death penalties are carried out by governments that these are the judgments of man upon man for a man's wrongs.

God's judgments upon us are eternal ones.

A murderer could find forgiveness and turn his life over to God and escape God's judgment even if man continued with his judgment and executed the individual.

The repentant thief demonstrated this to us on some level.

The repentant thief was not a murderer. So I fail to see your point.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

I think when death penalties are carried out by governments that these are the judgments of man upon man for a man's wrongs.

God's judgments upon us are eternal ones.

A murderer could find forgiveness and turn his life over to God and escape God's judgment even if man continued with his judgment and executed the individual.

The repentant thief demonstrated this to us on some level.

I totally agree with you, and what happens when those who have committed crimes are punished they are under the mercy of the Lord, and it is up to God whether they obtain mercy or judgement. Man's judgements are harsh, and unforgiving, while God is love and full of mercy. The Lord's will is that all would turn to Him in repentence and that none would perish.

In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

I think that using deadly force as self defense to be against the NT teachings so I would be also against having the state or government kill anyone for me. Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord, so if that were the case it would be up to God to exact judgement. God used Gentile armies to bring judgement against His enemies, so would you say that God uses a non-Christian group to carry out His judgements? The Jews used political pull to cause Pontius Pilate to put to death Jesus after Pontius Pilate was convinced that Jesus was innocent. Death penalty can also be used to kill the innocent when used by a corrupt system.

Paul plainly states that God sets up Rulers as revengers to execute judgement on those that are evil. Was Paul going contradicting God?

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by RevDWW

Paul plainly states that God sets up Rulers as revengers to execute judgement on those that are evil. Was Paul going contradicting God?

I think the church is different than civil government. Roman government was nothing close to a democracy. The church was powerless to halt any execution, and in fact willingly laid their own lives on the line because of their beliefs.

Was the Roman government God-ordained? Was Paul, aka Saul, justified in his evil treatment of Christians? Were the Christians worthy of death simply because an evil government chose to execute them?

Nowhere in the NT does the church assert a right to kill those who are evil. No, the church chose a different method of dealing with the wicked - they converted them.

Maybe instead of trying to enforce morality through legislation, we should actually live godly, mercifully, and be witnesses to the godless.

Killing people seals their eternal damnation.