The Right To LifeE

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Why should we not kill?1. Because of the Sanctity of Life

Genesis 9:1-7 NIVThen God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. The fear and dread of you will fall upon all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon every creature that moves along the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea; they are given into your hands. Everything that lives and moves will be food for you.

Genesis 9:1-7 NIVJust as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. "But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man.

Genesis 9:1-7 NIV"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man. As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it."

Parameters set by God No eating of meat with its life blood

Genesis 9:4 NIV "But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.

No killing of humansGenesis 9:5-6 NIV And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.

Set in context of procreation

Genesis 9:7 NIV As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it."

Why should we not kill?1. Because of the Sanctity of Life2. Because of the Sovereignty of God

Hebrews 9:27-28 NIV

Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

What Does it Mean?

Translations of the Sixth CommandProhibits all killing?

KJV Thou shalt not kill.ASV Thou shalt not kill.

Prohibits murder?NIV You shall not murder.NET You shall not murder.NKJV You shall not murder.NLT You must not murder.ESV You shall not murder.NASB You shall not murder.

Three types of homicide in the OT

Murder

Numbers 35:16-21 NIV If a man strikes someone with an iron object so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death. Or if anyone has a stone in his hand that could kill, and he strikes someone so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death. Or if anyone has a wooden object in his hand that could kill, and he hits someone so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death.

Numbers 35:16-21 NIV The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death. If anyone with malice aforethought shoves another or throws something at him intentionally so that he dies or if in hostility he hits him with his fist so that he dies, that person shall be put to death; he is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.

Three types of homicide in the OT

Murder

Manslaughter

Exodus 21:12-13 NIV

Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death. However, if he does not do it intentionally, but God lets it happen, he is to flee to a place I will designate.

Numbers 35:22-25 NIV But if without hostility someone suddenly shoves another or throws something at him unintentionally or, without seeing him, drops a stone on him that could kill him, and he dies, then since he was not his enemy and he did not intend to harm him, the assembly must judge between him and the avenger of blood according to these regulations.

Numbers 35:22-25 NIV The assembly must protect the one accused of murder from the avenger of blood and send him back to the city of refuge to which he fled. He must stay there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.

Three types of homicide in the OT

Murder

Manslaughter

Justifiable homicide

Biblical examples of justifiable homicide

Self-defense

Exodus 22:2-3 NIV

If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; but if it happens after sunrise, he is guilty of bloodshed. …

Biblical examples of justifiable homicide

Self-defense

Killing in war

God does not consider war murder

Numbers 31:7-8 NIV They fought against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses, and killed every man. Among their victims were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba--the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.

Soldiers were not told to leave the army

Luke 3:14 NIV Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay."

The first Gentile convert was a soldier

Acts 10:1 NIV At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.

There is a time for war & a time for peace

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: … a time for war and a time for peace.

Biblical examples of justifiable homicide

Self-defense

Killing in war

Capital punishment

The Bible approves capital punishment

OT capital crimes:

MurderRapeAdulteryKidnappingBlasphemyViolation of the Sabbath

NT on capital punishment

Recognizes the right of the state to execute offenders

Paul before FestusActs 25:10-11 NIV Paul answered: "I am now standing before Caesar's court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!"

Jesus before Pilate

John 19:10-11 NIV "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."

State has right of capital punishmentRomans 13:1-7 NIV 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.

State has right of capital punishmentDo 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. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

State has right of capital punishmentThis is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

What is Forbidden?1. Murder with express malice

Murder with express malice

Murder

Murder with express malice

Murder

Suicide

Murder with express malice

Murder

Suicide

Abortion

Murder with express malice

Murder

Suicide

Abortion

Euthanasia

What is Forbidden?1. Murder with express malice2. Murder with implied malice

Murder with implied malice

Drug peddlers

Murder with implied malice

Drug peddlers

Slumlords

Murder with implied malice

Drug peddlers

Slumlords

Shady contractors

Murder with implied malice

Drug peddlers

Slumlords

Shady contractors

Indifferent Christians?

What is Forbidden?1. Murder with express malice2. Murder with implied malice3. Anger and hatred

Jesus’ application of this commandMatthew 5:21-22 NIV You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca, ' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

Two Thoughts:1. Your concern for your fellow-man

determines whether you HAVE kept it

Two Thoughts:1. Your concern for your fellow-man

determines whether you HAVE kept it2. Your concept of God determines

whether you CAN keep it.

The most important death of all time was capital punishment

How can you keep from responding to that kind of love?