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. 96
• Man more than animal, special creation having a
  spirit, created in Gods image
• Acts 1728 offspring of God, having great
  dignity and worth (cf. John 316 Rom. 58)
• We must treat fellowmen with respect, love (Matt.
  2239-39 543-45) good works (Gal. 610)

5
General Concept of Punishment

• Bible grants validity to idea of punishment for
  the lawbreaker

• Gen. 410 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. 2122-23)
• By certain acts a person disqualifies himself
  from the right to continue living
• Reflected in the Old Testament (Gen. 95-6)

7
Capital offenses in Law of Moses

• Murder (Ex. 2112-14)
• Kidnapping (Ex. 2116)
• Abuse of parents (Ex. 2115, 17)
• Sorcery (Ex. 2318)
• Bestiality (Ex. 2219)
• Idolatry (Ex. 2220)
• Adultery (Ex. 2010)
• Incest (Lev. 2011-12, 14)
• Homosexuality (Lev. 2013)
• Rape (Deut. 2223-29)

8

• In Law of Moses, carrying out the death penalty
  was justly regulated (Deut. 176-7 195)

• Not just to deter others from same crime but to
  put away the evil influence of that person (Ex.
  2013 prohibition against murder)

• Deut. 1921

• Safeguard against unduly harsh punishment -
  indicated death penalty just for some crimes

9

• New Testament speaks of justice of capital
  punishment
• Rom. 132 do such thing worthy of death
• Acts 2511 not object to execution
• Rom. 134 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. 1434 Psa. 917)
• God has caused nations to fall because of
  wickedness (Dan. 221 417)
• Governments accountable for their wickedness

12
Purpose of Civil Government

• Non-retaliation is an obligation of individual
  Christians, not a restraint upon governments
  (Matt. 638-42 Rom. 1217-21)
• Governments are ordained to protect punish
  (Rom. 134)
• 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. 131-7 John 1910-11 1 Tim.
  21-2)
• Carrying out death penalty ordained by God (Rom.
  134) 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.
  811 Psa. 103-7)
• 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.
  106-7 Deut. 1921 Deut. 138-9 1913 Ezek.
  95-6)
• 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. 213-14 Rom 134)
• Individual has no right to execute personal
  vengeance (Rom. 1219)
• God delegated vengeance to civil government
  (Rom. 134)

18
New Testament Examples

• John and the soldiers (Luke 310-14)
• 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 Caesars household (Phil. 422)
• Caesars household Imperial Civil Service
  included soldiers
• Evidently there were faithful Christians in
  Caesars household

20
New Testament Examples

• Cornelius (Acts 1011114)
• First Gentile to obey Gospel
• Peter sent to speak words he need to hear to be
  saved (Acts 106, 22 1114)
• Not told to resign from military
• Evidently being a soldier was not sinful

21
New Testament Examples

• The Philippian Jailer (Acts 1631-36)
• 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 2312-23)
• 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. 522)

23
Conclusion

• Not sinful to be a soldier or police officer
• If ones conscience will not allow him to serve
  in either of these ways, then stay out (Rom.
  1423)
• If serving, then be honest in your dealings with
  others and be content with your wages (Luke
  314)