Question

The Bible stands very clearly for Capital Punishment, both in the Old and New Testament:

"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]

"If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman's husband demands and the court allows. But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life." [Exodus 21:22-23].  (Note: The verse just quoted calls for the death of all who are guilty of the murder of a child in the womb--abortion.  But, sadly, our authorities have made it legal to abort babies).

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." [Romans 13:1-4]

Note the use of the word sword which stands for the government's God ordained right to inflict severe punishment, to include death--Capital Punishment (see Matt 26:52; Acts 25:11).  The "Sword" was not used to spank someone, but to kill them.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "Tony Capoccia's Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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