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Romans 13:1-4 endorses the death penalty in the NEW Testament era — the government "bears the sword" as "God's avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." Romans 12:19 commands individuals NOT to avenge — leave it to government.

The Death Penalty Is Biblical... Obviously 00:13:46 – 00:19:24

Romans 13 as NT endorsement of the death penalty, paired with Romans 12

Romans 13:4: government is "God's servant" and "an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer" — the sword = lethal force. This isn't just descriptive; it's theological approval. The context is crucial: Romans 12:19 says "never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God" — and Romans 13 immediately explains HOW God brings wrath: through government. So: individuals/church → don't avenge, overcome evil with good; government → bears the sword as God's avenger. This distinction is key to understanding the whole biblical framework: the church doesn't execute; government does. 1 Corinthians confirms this — Paul commands excommunication for sin in the church, not execution.
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@Dundada63093 @davidmn316 @restoredkgdm @rightresponsem That’s not exactly true because scripture does have the death penalty for those who take a human life. That said, Christians are not looking for the death penalty—they are looking to save the lo...

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@whoalaura @StothersRyan Yes, you are correct. Many false prophets do exactly this. Prophets carried the death penalty for false prophecy because of this. When God inspires someone to write scripture, it is self-evident, internally consistent, and no...

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@pauldirks @KaeleyT Thanks for the response and clarifications. To answer your first questions: The Bible argues that God has instituted authorities to maintain order and serve the common good. Romans 13:1-7 is a central passage that addresses this...

@pauldirks @KaeleyT Thanks for the response and clarifications. To answer your first questions: The Bible argues that God has instituted authorities to maintain order and serve the common good. Roma

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The Death Penalty Is Biblical... Obviously @ 00:13:46

2020-11-02

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death penalty Romans 13:1-7 Romans 12:19 government as Gods avenger
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