capital punishment

[paul]

i think i've just been told that capitol punishment is of God,i don't favour the view myself but would be interested in some opinions.
i have been told that peter 2v14 explains this,but i just read the chapter and don't think God tells us that capitol punishment is right i think He is just telling us that we are to respect those in authority and not go against their laws,just like Jesus did,but they cruxified Him did that make it right what they did?i see that He was without sin and was not guilty of anything.but is it that we are to live by the law of man so that if they punish us we are not guilty,and only die in the name of Christ and not because we have broke their law.is just saying that we should be prepared to die by the hands of man and by their punishment just like Jesus was.
be grateful of any views.
God bless.
paul

[Romans8_1]

I would say that you will find the biggest arguement for capital punishment in the OT.  Especially in the Law.  Of course we could make that arguement that we don't kill people for many of the offenses laid out.  We don't kill those who commit adultry or homosexuality or many other things anymore.  I think it comes down to a personal conviction.  I, personally, am for it in many cases.  I see sexual child molestors, rapist and murders at the top of my list.  This is what we would call worldly consequences.  But as Christians, we must pray for them, we must love them, we must care about them and try to bring the word of Christ to them.  But their body must suffer the consequences of their actions.  Love should be unconditional, but that doesn't excuse the harm done.  If my child commited a crime, I would love them and stand by their side, but they would have to suffer the consequences.  I would hate it, and I would support and console them with every ounce of my being.  This should be the same feelings we project to other criminals.  When you see a criminal, imagine if that was your son or daughter.  How would you feel?  What would you do?  Isn't this the same love Christ calls for us to feel towards everyone.  Suffer consequences?  Yes.  But don't neglect to love the entire time.  

Hope this helps.

Grace and Peace to you.

[paul]

thanks,romans,but i'm still confused,i've now had romans 13v4 qouted(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.
what does this mean?does this justify capital punishment?
are all rulers of God?
didn't Jesus say Mar 12:17 ... Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.
doesn't this mean that the things of caesar as a ruler himself are not the things of God,but just that we should honour them with taxes and whatever else they demand by law, but does this mean they are righteous men of God?
what does this mean (Eph 6:12)  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
is this refering to evil rulers of this world?
i don't know i'm struggling with this topic and would appreciate any more imput.
God bless.
paul

[Sapphire W34P0N]

I don't believe there is any crime that deserves the destruction of human life. Lawfully, it is the only right everyone in the world has, and taking that away from anyone seems wrong.

[ollie]

Was not God's purpose of death as a punishment, in His law, to remove the evil from among the people?

[paul]

what law?
doesn't it say(Rom 13:  Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
i think i'm starting to understand,God tells us here to love one another,it is only the ruler that should punish as they are given authority by God to punish.but if they are to be wicked leaders we are still to honour them,but this doesn't mean what they do is right.(1Pe 2:18)  Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
(Eph 6:7)  With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
we are to serve the lord only,but rulers are given authority to punish,but these rulers are still men,and have no authority to murder.i don't think so anyway,otherwise by killing someone who is not saved you are taking away the life they have in which they could become saved,for is the killing of a sinner not the loss of a soul.
just how i seem to be grasping it,but i would still appreciate more input,thank you all.
God bless.
paul

[Sapphire W34P0N]

Was not God's purpose of death as a punishment, in His law, to remove the evil from among the people?

Evil, referring to sin, I assume, cannot be removed from anyone.

[paul]

sin can be removed from anyone with the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.
but you can't remove evil from among the people,as evil is in the world in the form of satan.
death doesn't stop sin only gives satan another notch on the scoreboard,if the one put to death was not saved.
God bless.
paul

[Sapphire W34P0N]

sin can be removed from anyone with the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

No, it can't. If it were removed, those who receive the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ would not sin. Unfortunately, this is impossible.

[Forrest]

     In a perfect World capital punisment would not be nessary, but sence sin entered the World we have had a death sentense
GEN 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

[paul]

the sins you had before you are forgiven of Christ are removed and washed away,Christ keeps forgiven us,but the law forgives no man,no one is saved by death.
God bless.
paul