The Sanctity of Human Life

1. The Sanctity of Human Life • Abortion • Euthanasia • Suicide • Capital Punishment • Serving in Military, Police • Human Engineering

2. The Sanctity of Human Life • Abortion • Euthanasia • Suicide • Capital Punishment • Serving in Military, Police • Human Engineering • Capital Punishment

3. Must understand what the Bible teaches about capital punishment • “Capital punishment” = infliction of death penalty by civil law • Not by private citizens • Motivated by justice, not malice • Controversial subject • Need to understand from biblical perspective

4. Human Being • Gen. 9:6 • Man more than animal, special creation – having a spirit, created in God’s image • Acts 17:28 – offspring of God, having great dignity and worth (cf. John 3:16; Rom. 5:8) • We must treat fellowmen with respect, love (Matt. 22:39-39; 5:43-45) – good works (Gal. 6:10)

5. General Concept of Punishment • Bible grants validity to idea of punishment for the lawbreaker • Gen. 4:10 – murder of Abel cried out for restitution • Penalty is for punishment, not rehabilitation • Justice calls for penalty

6. Concept of Capital Punishment • Some crimes so serious that the only justice punishment is death (Deut. 21:22-23) • By certain acts a person disqualifies himself from the right to continue living • Reflected in the Old Testament (Gen. 9:5-6)

7. CapitaloffensesinLawofMoses • Murder (Ex. 21:12-14) • Kidnapping (Ex. 21:16) • Abuse of parents (Ex. 21:15, 17) • Sorcery (Ex. 23:18) • Bestiality (Ex. 22:19) • Idolatry (Ex. 22:20) • Adultery (Ex. 20:10) • Incest (Lev. 20:11-12, 14) • Homosexuality (Lev. 20:13) • Rape (Deut. 22:23-29)

8. In Law of Moses, carrying out the death penalty was justly regulated (Deut. 17:6-7; 19:5) • Not just to deter others from same crime – but to put away the evil influence of that person (Ex. 20:13 – prohibition against murder) • Deut. 19:21 • Safeguard against unduly harsh punishment - indicated death penalty just for some crimes

9. New Testament speaks of justice of capital punishment • Rom. 1:32 – do such thing worthy of death • Acts 25:11 – not object to execution • Rom. 13:4 – government, an avenger to execute wrath on those who practice evil

10. Capital Punishment Since beginning of time, there has been a principle of justice that some crimes are so serious they can be properly punished only by death. The execution of the death sentence is a part of the rightful function of civil government as ordained by God

11. Purpose of Civil Government • National righteousness (Prov. 14:34; Psa. 9:17) • God has caused nations to fall because of wickedness (Dan. 2:21; 4:17) • Governments accountable for their wickedness

12. Purpose of Civil Government • Non-retaliation is an obligation of individual Christians, not a restraint upon governments (Matt. 6:38-42; Rom. 12:17-21) • Governments are ordained to protect & punish (Rom. 13:4) • Implies need for law, law makers, law enforcement

13. Purpose of Civil Government • Law exist to curb conduct of those not inclined to curb their own conduct • Restrain injustice and crime so people live without fear (Rom. 13:1-7; John 19:10-11; 1 Tim. 2:1-2) • Carrying out death penalty ordained by God (Rom. 13:4) – God sees the need

14. Consequence of Failing to Execute Capital Criminals • The following quotes are from David Hocking, Stanley Brubaker and William Murchison • Consistent capital punishment deters crime (Eccl. 8:11; Psa. 10:3-7) • When society does not set up capital consequences for capital crimes, lawlessness grows • National character manifested in what we do about crime and punishment

15. Emotional arguments against capital punishment based on pity • Pity not always the proper response when someone justly stands under the sentence of death (Lev. 10:6-7; Deut. 19:21; Deut. 13:8-9; 19:13; Ezek. 9:5-6) • We must never let compassion keep us from doing what is right

16. The Sanctity of Human Life • Abortion • Euthanasia • Suicide • Capital Punishment • Serving in Military, Police • Human Engineering • Serving in Military, Police

17. If sinful for a Christian to be a soldier or police officer, then it is sinful for anyone to do so • Yet, God commands governments to punish evil doers (1 Pet. 2:13-14; Rom 13:4) • Individual has no right to execute personal vengeance (Rom. 12:19) • God delegated “vengeance to civil government (Rom. 13:4)

18. New Testament Examples • John and the soldiers (Luke 3:10-14) • Soldiers ask if need to meet any special requirement before they could be baptized • Answer: do not intimidate, be content with wages • Not told to cease being soldiers

19. New Testament Examples • Saints in Caesar’s household (Phil. 4:22) • “Caesar’s household” = Imperial Civil Service – included soldiers • Evidently there were faithful Christians in “Caesar’s household”

20. New Testament Examples • Cornelius (Acts 10:1–11:14) • First Gentile to obey Gospel • Peter sent to speak words he need to hear to be saved (Acts 10:6, 22; 11:14) • Not told to resign from military • Evidently being a soldier was not sinful

21. New Testament Examples • The Philippian Jailer (Acts 16:31-36) • One of first in Europe to obey the Gospel • Though he served Roman government, and carried a sword, not commanded to leave his occupation • Continued as jailer (vv. 35-36)

22. New Testament Examples • Paul used Roman soldier (Acts 23:12-23) • Paul used 470 soldiers as body guards to protect against 40 Jews who sought to kill him • He knew the soldiers would kill or imprison those who attack • If it is wrong to be a soldier, it is wrong to use one (1 Tim. 5:22)

23. Conclusion • Not sinful to be a soldier or police officer • If one’s conscience will not allow him to serve in either of these ways, then stay out (Rom. 14:23) • If serving, then be honest in your dealings with others and “be content with your wages” (Luke 3:14)