-Introduction

-The topic of capital punishment has been in the news a great deal lately.

-Kenneth Boyd became the 1,000th person executed in the U.S. since the death penalty was reinstated in 1977.

-He shot and killed his estranged wife and her father. He never denied the charge. As a matter of fact, he is the one who called 911 and informed the authorities of what he had done.

-Joseph Smith was recently convicted of kidnapping, sexually assaulting and murdering and 11-year-old girl. The abduction was caught on a video tape.

The jury for the case has recommended the death penalty.

-A number of Hollywood actors have come out in support of Stanley Williams, co-founder of the notorious “crips” gang. He was convicted of 4 murders (one execution style) that were connected to robberies. He still claims that he is innocentof those charges.

-The country of Singapore executed an Australian man who was found guilty of drug trafficking. Many Australians protested and urged their government to boycott Singapore. Australian officials declined the request of a boycott but did contact the officials in Singapore with requests for clemency.

-Of course, with this topic comes much debate.

-Some support it, believe that it should take place and believe that it is justified under certain circumstances.

-Other staunchly oppose it and say that it is never justified. Instead, they say that it is barbaric, uncivilized.

-Tonight, let’s investigate God’s word concerning this matter.

-Is Capital Punishment Against the Nature and Will of God?

-Those who oppose the death penalty have been known to appeal to the 6th of the 10 commandments, “Thou shalt not kill” (Ex 20:13). Is this a proper appeal?

-kill - (Strongs) - ratsach - “a primitive root; properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. kill (a human being), especially to murder

-NASB - “You shall not murder”

-This commandment is talking about the intent to murder.

-distinction between non-intended killing and murder - Ex 35:11-18, 30-33

-There was punishment for both. But, capital punishment was prescribed for murder.

-Ex 32:26-28 - context: punishment for building and worshipping the golden calf - This event took place when Moses came down from the mountain where he received the 10 commandments.

-God is a loving, gracious, merciful and forgiving God. However, this does not eliminate the fact that He is also just and a punisher of sinfulness.

-There are numerous examples throughout the O.T. scriptures when God required the lives of those He punished.

-2 Kings 19:35 - God sent an angel who killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night.

-Heb 10:31

-Rom 11:22

-Is Mankind Overstepping His Bounds By Carrying Out the Death Penalty?

-Rom 12:19-21 - This passage points out that we, as individuals, are not to pursue a course of revenge.

-Rom 13:1-4 - This passage deals with the authority given to governments.

-vs 3 - Leaders are to uphold the good and punish evil.

-vs 4 - Governments are authorized to “bear the sword” against evil.

-“His power is delegated to him for the defense and encouragement of the good, and the punishment of the wicked; and he has authority to use capital punishment, when the law so requires. The term "sword" leads us to infer this” (Adam Clarke'sCommentary, Electronic Database. (c) 1996 by Biblesoft).

-Genesis 9 and Capital Punishment

-Gen 9:1-6

-authorization to kill and eat animals, do not eat blood, capital punishment

-vs 7-17 - the covenant of the rainbow

-Very important: Notice the reason for capital punishment: “for in the image of God made he man”

-Because we are made in the image of God, we should have a deep respect for the life that we have been given and the life of all others.

-A person who kills another lacks that respect and is deserving of capital punishment.

-Here’s a very important question: Do these instructions have any application to us today?

-Col 2:14 - The Law of Moses was nailed to the cross of Christ. But, these instructions are not a part of the Law.

-There was nothing that removed these instructions. Nothing ever removed God’s establishment, design and law of marriage given during the Patriarchal Age.

-see Matt 19:4,8 - Marriage has transcended covenants.-interesting connection to Acts 15:20,29

-Does the rainbow have any signifant meaning for us when it appears in the sky today?

-Summary and Invitation

-I’m afraid many people don’t understand capital punishment because they separate their thoughts regarding it from God’s word.

-It is authorized by God’s word and is even commanded for certain situations.

-Again, this does not negate God’s grace, mercy and love. It does remind us of His justice and punishment of sin.

-Rom 3:23 - Since we’ve all sinned, we must seek His forgiveness. (Heb 11:6)

-To escape the punishment that we each deserve, we must be obedient to the Gospel. Upon our obedience to the Gospel, we receive the grace of God and the forgiveness of sins.

-Have you obeyed the Gospel? If not, believe in Jesus (John 3:16, 8:24), confess that faith (Matt 10:32, Rom 10:9-10), Repent of your sins (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30), Be Baptized into Christ (Mark 16:16, Act 2:38, 22:16)

-If you’ve already obeyed the Gospel, have you been living faithfully (Rev 17:14)? If not, return to faithfulness by confessing your shortcomings, repenting of your sins and praying for forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24).

Author Unknown

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