Questions On Christians Relating To Government

Answer Thank you for your fine question. Sorry for the long delay. Here is an outline on the death penalty. Eventually I will be posting this outline on my site, if I can get all the machines to work right.

The Death Penalty

Introduction

In light of Long Island tragedy - 5 killed and 20 injured on Dec. 7, 1993.
In Light of John Gasey killing 33 young men and boys.
In light of the interest and emotions that this topic sparks, we, as Christians, need to know what the Bible says about the death penalty and if these things apply to us today. And, if they do, how and in what situations, do they apply?
Arguments some propose against the death penalty:

Some innocent people might be executed. In fact, many times in history this has happened.
Imprisonment for life is a worse punishment that death. The taking away of someone’s freedom is the ultimate punishment.
Death penalty does not deter criminals from murdering.
We do not have the right to make such serious judgments in this life – only God does.
Since executing a murderer is murder itself, two wrongs do not make a right. Why should we stoop to their level of barbaric behavior?
Murderers will not have a chance to repent and obey the gospel if they are executed.
Since society has created all murderers (through abusive homes, discrimination and economic oppression), and then society’s responsibility is to rehabilitate murderers, not punish them. They are not responsible for their crimes, we are.

In this lesson, all of these questions will be addressed from a biblical point of view.
Although there might be great political implications to this topic, this is not meant to be a political commentary, but rather a serious, honest examination of what the Scriptures say about this vital subject.
As Christians, we should seek to reflect the Divine will on all subjects and not be swayed by political, social or personal opinion.

What The Bible Says About Capital Punishment

Read Gen. 9:6-10.

First time capital punishment is mentioned in Scripture.
After the Flood, God instructs Noah about this law and the reasons behind such a serious penalty.
Sincere Noah’s sons provided a foundation for all the future nations; God’s instructions were intended to be applied to all the nations.
The penalty – those who take human life should forfeit their own.
The reason for the penalty – God created man in His own image (shadow, likeness). Anyone who devalues God’s image in this way should be executed. God places the highest value on human life.
The penalty was to be executed by men. This refutes the idea that we are not supposed to carry out such final judgments here on earth.

God speaks to Israel by Moses. Exod. 20:13, 21:12. The more accurate translation of Exod. 20:13 is "You shall not murder."

Again, the simple command is, you shall not murder.
The penalty – the murderer is to be executed.
Shows that God did not consider the execution of the murderer murder.

God reveals to Israel the difference between murder and accidental killing. Numbers 36:16-24.

Not all who killed people were murderers.

The murderer.

Kills with any deadly object.
Kills with hatred in his heart.
Kills by ambush – planning ahead of time.

The manslayer.

Kills suddenly by accident – not intending to do so.
Kills without being his enemy or seeking to injure him.
Kills without planning ahead.

Safeguards to protect the innocent.

Each murder must be verified by at least two witnesses. Numbers 35:29-30, Deut. 19:15. This prevents unfair application by men.
Six cities of refuge given for the manslayer to flee to so that he would not be unfairly executed. Three on the East Side of the Jordan and three on the West Side. Deut. 19:1-10.

Composed of six out of the 48 cities given to the Levites.
Only those who accidentally killed others could remain in these cities.
The roads to each were well kept and well marked.
Evenly distributed throughout the land. No person was more than 30 miles from any one of these cities. Did God care about protecting the innocent from being executed?

God still approves of capital punishment today. Romans 13:1-7.

Christians should submit to government.
God has authorized government – does not approve of individual government actions, but has provided this means for societies to exist.
Purpose of government – praise the righteous and punish the evil.
Government to act as God’s avenger even to the point of using the sword, instrument of capital punishment.
We should pay taxes to support government.

Paul’s endorsement of capital punishment. Acts 25:9-12.

Paul appealed to the Roman judicial system when falsely accused by the Jews.
Recognized the state’s right to put him to death.
Agreed that he should be executed if he had committed a capital crime.
Paul acknowledged the difference between God forgiving people of their sins and the state’s right to put that person to death. It is not the role of government to give anyone time to repent of anything.

God’s attitude toward nations that do not practice capital punishment.

Read Numbers 35:31-34.

No acceptable penalty for murder except the life of the murderer. Life imprisonment is not sufficient.
When murderers are not executed, a nation becomes spiritually polluted and will eventually fall.

God’s attitude toward Israel when they failed to punish the murderer. Isa. 59:7-8.

Conclusion

In all ages, God has decreed that all that murder those created in His own image should pay with their own lives.
We see this in the days of Noah, the nation of Israel and Jesus’ apostles.
God gave government the right to execute the murderer as well as other evildoers.
When governments fail in this, they disrespect God, His will; human life and they will eventually fall.
Does the death penalty deter crime? When murderer are duly executed they never have an opportunity to murder again and those who might murder, begin to fear the penalty. Eccl. 8:11.
Our attitude toward this, as in all things, should be determined by the word of God, not the whims of society.
Let us hope and pray that our country might turn to God’s will not only in this, but also in all things. Contact Gary

Question 2. Should we respect political leaders such as President Bill Clinton, even though they are against Biblical scripture? What does the Bible say about respecting a leader(like Clinton) who does not follow God?

Answer Although I disagree with many of the political/moral stands of our President and although I did not vote for him, the Scriptures to teach Christians (including myself) to have a respect for governmental leaders. Please look at these passages:

1PE 2:13 ś Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,
1PE 2:14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and
the praise of those who do right.
1PE 2:15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
1PE 2:16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.
1PE 2:17 Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
1TI 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
1TI 2:2 for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead
a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
1TI 2:3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
1TI 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of
the truth.
1TI 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
1TI 2:6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time.
This does not mean that we should obey evil commands from government leaders, but we should honor as much as possible their positions of authority that God is allowing them to possess for the time.

ACT 5:27 And when they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. And the high priest questioned them,
ACT 5:28 saying, "We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us."
ACT 5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, "We must obey God rather than men.
ACT 5:30 "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to
death by hanging Him on a cross.

ACT 5:31 "He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince
and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
ACT 5:32 "And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him."

ROM 13:1 Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
ROM 13:2 Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
ROM 13:3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same;
ROM 13:4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil.
ROM 13:5 Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
ROM 13:6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
ROM 13:7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. Contact Gary

Question 3. Is there anything written in the Bible that says something about kneeling to other people? I mean like how people have kneeled to kings and how people in the Catholic Religion kneel to some priests and even kiss their hand. Because in my opinion that does not look right to me.

Answer First, the Bible teaches that we ought to properly respect those who are in authority over us. Therefore, if kneeling is accepted as an appropriate expression of respect, it would not be wrong to do this. 1 Pet. 2:12-17.

However, if we are required to acknowledge our human leaders as Divine, this would be wrong. We must worship God and Him only. Matt. 4:8-11, Acts 5:27-32.

In regard to showing respect to other Christians, what we see in the Roman Catholic Church is wrong. We are not to reverence one another in the way they reverence the pope. Matt. 23:8-11, Acts 10:25-34. These ideas of men are for the exaltation of men, not God and His Word. Whether it is in the Catholic Church or a denomination or among any local group of Christians, we should respect each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Phil. 2:1-4. Contact Gary

Question 4. Can A Christians serve as a juror?

Answer Judging of law violators is essential to any system or order. The O.T. is replete with examples of judgement by divine standards of right, some time directly by God, sometime by human instrumentality, but where approved always by established law and its requirement. Over a 400 year period 15 Judges ruled in Israel of the Old Testament. Cities had a judgement seat at he gate for disposition of these matters.

Juror duty imposes within the relationship to civil government and our establishes system of jurisprudence. Such function is within the framework of individual responsibility, approval of one's conscience and qualification as unbiased. Cf. Rom. 13

The Bible deals with judging in this wise as applied to men. Mt. 7:1 "Judge not that ye be not judged. For with the same judgement you judge, you will be judged; and with the same measure you use, it will be measured to you." Harsh censorious judgement to magnify another's faults while ignoring one's own is here indicated. Contextually, within Sermon on Mount (Mt. 5-6-7) having to do with nature and character of kingdom (spiritual kingdom - church) citizenship. This is not primarily applicable to juror.

Jn. 7:24 "Do not judge according to appearances but judge righteous judgement." Judgment has an established standard - "righteousness." Therefore must be within God's standard. All things are measured by the standard of "righteousness" and determination is made as to approval or disapproval.

Conclusion: Rom. 13 establishes "powers that be" i.e. are ordained by God. General rule of juror function and conduct falls within the purview of honesty, fairness, etc. No specific Bible directives applicable to juror, per se. Judgement has to do with conclusion on basis or standard of righteousness Contact Julian

Question 5. When governments fail in this, they disrespect God, His will; human life and they will eventually fall. I was wondering where this could be found in the Bible, it would be helpful with some classes."