Is Capitol Punishment Biblical?

Question

The question is raised, Does the Bible speak anywhere about capital punishment, and especially is there anything about this in the New Testament?
Let me begin to answer this, first of all, by indicating that the Bible is one whole. And the statements in the Old Testament are just as much God's will as those in the New Testament. However, we will look both in the Old and the New Testament.
In Genesis 9:6 we read, "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed. For God made man in His own image." In other words, God has laid down an inviolate rule, and this rule has never been abrogated in the Bible. You can search the Bible, and it has never been set aside. God indicates that when man murders, then he is to forfeit his life.
Now elsewhere in the Bible we'll discover that just anybody can't take that man's life. There are the constituted authorities who must do this. Now going to the New Testament, in Romans 13 we read about the role of government in carrying out the will of God. In Romans 13:1 we read, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed. And those who resist will incur judgment."
And then it goes on and speaks about government in verse 4: "For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid. For he does not bear the sword in vain. He is the servant of God to execute His wrath on the wrongdoer."
Now in the Bible the use of the sword was to kill. It was not to beat, it was not to chastise. It was used to kill. It's like the gun is used today. A gun is used to kill. And here God indicates that it is the government's role to wield the sword, death-dealing instruments, in order to execute God's wrath on the wrongdoer.
This is written, of course, totally in the context of the New Testament, after Christ had returned to Heaven, after the cross experience. And so God very definitely envisions capital punishment.
Genesis 9 is one of the best passages that indicates at least one area where capital punishment is to be administered. Another New Testament reference to capital punishment can be found in Matt 26. The Roman guard had come to the Garden of Gethsemane to seize Jesus. Suddenly Peter wielded his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, a servant of the high priest. Peter's act of striking at the head with a deadly weapon caused serious bodily injury and could have easily taken the soldier's life. Jesus immediately rebuked Peter by saying "all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." By this statement Jesus is actually reaffirming the death penalty. The language Jesus used was directly parallel to that which is found in Genesis 9:6 - "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man." Human life is very much valued by God. He gives life and takes away life. Therefore God has a right to require payment or punishment when man usurps God's authority. He can demand that punishment be meted out by the law given in Noah's day, by the unjust Roman government or by our modern day criminal justice system.

Answer 1

This is one of many issues where you can use passages from the Bible to support either side. It is true that there are many Bible passages (especially in the OT) that support capital punishment, often for relatively mild offenses:

- Adultery (Leviticus 20:10)
- Blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16)
- Breaking the Sabbath (Exodus 31:14 & 15)
- Disobedient children (Exodus 21:15 & 17; Leviticus 20:9)
- Homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13)
- Not being a virgin on your wedding night (but only if you're a woman - Deuteronomy 22:13-22)

But, there are many passages (esp. in the New Testament) that are ANTI-death penalty. For example, Matthew 5:38-39 insists that violence shall not beget violence. James 4:12 says that God is the only one who can take a life in the name of justice. Leviticus 19:18 warns against vengeance (which, really, is what the death penalty amounts to). In John 8:7, Jesus himself says, "let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

There are many, many practical problems with capital punishment (that I won't get into here), but purely from a moral standpoint, I can't imagine that Jesus would support it. True Christians shouldn't, either.

Answer 2

Romans 13:1 Respect for Authority


Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God's servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God's servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.

Answer 3

Opinion in the Assemblies of God on capital punishment is mixed. However, more people associated with the Assemblies of God probably favor capital punishment for certain types of crimes such as premeditated murder than those who would oppose capital punishment without reservation. This consensus grows out of a common interpretation that the Old Testament sanctions capital punishment, and nothing in the New Testament negates maximum punishment as society's means of dealing effectively with serious crimes. As more and more heinous crimes are reported by the media, public sentiment shifts toward capital punishment as a means of reversing the escalating violence and outrageous behavior of criminals and irresponsible citizens.

Some Christians believe capital punishment is mandated, while others believe it is merely permitted. In contrast, there are Christians who feel it is biblically prohibited. Those who believe it is prohibited base their argument on an assumption the New Testament reverses the mandate of the Old Testament prophecy which deals with habitual criminals: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man" (Genesis 9:6). However, Romans 13:1-7 implies capital punishment is still permitted under the new covenant. Those who believe capital punishment is permitted but not necessarily required point to the fact that even the Old Testament contains examples of criminal acts that were not punished by death; Cain, Moses, and David all took another man's life, but were not put to death for the killings.

Even though the Bible permits capital punishment, it lays down strict guidelines to keep judgment from being unfair or excessive. Punishment must be commensurate with the crime (Exodus 21:23-25). It must be based on certainty of guilt (Deuteronomy 17:6). It must result from premeditated intent (Numbers 35:22-24). There must be due process; cities of refuge were provided to protect the accused until trial (Numbers 35). Fairness and justice must prevail regardless of wealth or reputation (Exodus 23:6,7). Restraint should be exercised in imposing the death penalty (Ezekiel 33:11).

Deuteronomy 19:21 is sometimes noted as Old Testament support for capital punishment: "Show no pity, life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." But the context in which this statement appears deals with the treatment of proven false witnesses. Under Jewish law, the accusation of two or three witness was all that was needed to convict the accused. The defendant had to prove himself innocent. False witnesses would make a mockery of the system of justice. Once guilt was established, the punishment had to fit the crime, neither exceeding the injury done nor handing down some inconsequential punishment for a serious crime (Exodus 21:12-36, Leviticus 24:17-22).

Both the Old and New Testaments indicate that personal retaliation is not appropriate (Leviticus 19:18; Romans 12:19-13:7). Punishment should be the prerogative of the government/community, not of the individual. No matter how heinous the crime, retaliation just to settle a personal vendetta, is contrary to biblical principles. Proponents of capital punishment give three possible reasons to mandate the ultimate sentence: (1) deterrence of potential offenders who might be inclined to commit a major crime, (2) deterrence of a criminal who if free might repeat the same offense; an executed murderer could not murder again, (3) retribution or repayment to victims or society for losses sustained because of the crime.

CONCERNS:

One of the alternatives to capital punishment for a despicable crime such as murder is life imprisonment without parole. Life imprisonment without parole for these criminals ensures their future victims, if any, would not be innocent law-abiding citizens. However, the cost of such lifetime maintenance and the number of criminals needing incarceration are genuine concerns for a society that is already heavily taxed.

There is room in the church for honest differences of opinion concerning the use of capital punishment. However, all believers should seek to apply biblical principles in reaching their conclusions: the sacredness of human life (of the criminal as well as of the victim), the need of all mankind to repent, and the power of God to transform even the most violent sinners. These truths must be balanced with the obligation of government to protect its citizens, helping them to live quiet and peaceful lives.

Answer 4

yeah, also execution for homosexuals, adulterers, fornicaters, humans that have sex with animals, and idol worshippers. Hey Wait a minute, why do christians have so much to say about the quran being a violent book. Maybe they should start reading their bibles.

Answer 5

Yes
Duet.19:11 But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities:

19:12 Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.

Answer 6

Dear friend,

capital punishement is biblical.


Sources:
Genesis 9:6
Romans 13

Answer 7

Yes, after due process of law and judgment.

Answer 8

As long as it is accomplished by stoning, yes.

Answer 9

Valid question....valid answer!