What Does The Bible Say About Capital Punishment?

Jun 4, 2017

F.A.Q:  What Does the Bible Say About Capital Punishment?

 

Scripture Says . . .

• Capital punishment is permissible for the capital offense of murder.

“From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man.  ‘Whoever sheds blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in His own image.’”  Genesis 9:5-6

• Does not diminish life, but rather reveals God’s elevated view of human life.

 

• Governing authorities are God’s appointed instruments of civil
  • Instituted by God as a servant to reward those who do good and punish those who do wrong. (1 Peter 2:13-17; Romans 13:1-7)

 

A Pressing Question . . .

• What about the New Testament and grace?
  • To receive mercy and grace for our sin does not exonerate us from the consequences of our sinful choices.
  • Justice and mercy are not incompatible, but are inseparable.
    • Justice is never sacrificed because of grace, but is fully satisfied because of grace.

 

5 Biblical Cautions Regarding Capital Punishment . . .

1. Punishment equal to the crime

“But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” Exodus 21:23-25

 

2. Certainty of guilt

“On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.”  Deuteronomy 17:6

 

“If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses. But no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness.”  Numbers 35:30

  

3. Intent

“But if he pushed him suddenly without enmity, or hurled anything on him without lying in wait or used a stone that could cause death, and without seeing him dropped it on him, so that he died, though he was not his enemy and did not seek his harm, then the congregation shall judge between the manslayer and the avenger of blood, in accordance with these rules.”  Numbers 35:22-24

 

4. Due process (Deuteronomy 17:8-13)

 

5. Last resort

“Say to them, As I live, declares the LORD God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?”

 

How Do We Respond as Christ-Followers? . . .

• Pray for those who have been offended.
  • Forgiveness
  • Healing

 

• Pray for those who are the offenders.
  • Pray for their repentance.
  • Pray for your heart to be grieved over them, not rejoicing.

 

• Pray for wisdom for our judicial officials.
  • To judge rightly
  • To judge fairly

                       

• Pray for a heart that is broken over the brokenness of this world.