From Newsgroup: alt.bible

Self defense and wars: A Christian perspective.

The Bible does make a distinction between self-defense of your person
and making war with the nations. First of all, Christians are to
personally avoid the encounter if at all possible. God considers all
life as sacred. Jesus would retreat from a situation when it turned
violent. (Luke 4:28-30; Mt 10:23) The Apostle Paul did likewise. (Acts
9:23-25; 14:5,6)

God's thinking on the matter is also revealed in one of the laws He
gave the nation of Israel. At Ex 22:2,3 it states,

"2 If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the
defender is not guilty of bloodshed; 3 but if it happens after
sunrise, he is guilty of bloodshed."A thief must certainly make
restitution, but if he has nothing, he must be sold to pay for his
theft."" (NIV)

Thus, at night when you couldn't see who the intruder was or know of
his intentions (to kill you, or just take your property, etc) you were permitted to take his life. Self-defense was permitted. Although we
are no longer under that Law Covenant, it does give us some insight
into God's ideas on this subject. Yes, self-defense (when your life in threatened, not your property) is permitted.

However, every thing should be done, if possible, to avoid the taking
of the life such as wounding the person instead of killing him.

War, on the other hand, can be because of the greed of a ruling
politician. (as well as other reasons) A Christian should never be
found to be a pawn to political leaders who may or may not follow the
teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians are first accountable to God. To
blindly obey men would show where they put their trust; in men, not
God. A prophecy now being fulfilled shows God's view of war in our
day. Isaiah 2:2-4 says,

"And it hath come to pass, In the latter end of the days, Established
is the mount of Jehovah's house, Above the top of the mounts, And it
hath been lifted up above the heights, And flowed unto it have all the
nations. 3 And gone have many peoples and said, `Come, and we go up
unto the mount of Jehovah, Unto the house of the God of Jacob, And He
doth teach us of His ways, And we walk in His paths, For from Zion
goeth forth a law, And a word of Jehovah from Jerusalem. 4 And He hath
judged between the nations, And hath given a decision to many peoples,
And they have beat their swords to ploughshares, And their spears to pruning-hooks, Nation doth not lift up sword unto nation, Nor do they
learn any more -- war." (YLT)

Notice in the latter days, there would be a group of people comprised
from all the nations who will not go to war anymore. They will not
enlist into any military to kill some "enemy". They will truly "have
love among themselves" by not killing each other in nationalistic
wars.

Notice, it is "Jehovah's" house that the people stream to, not
the incorrect translation "LORD". The Tetragrammaton is used here.
(YHWH) There is only one religious group that has "beat their swords
to ploughshares" and identify their place of worship as "Jehovah"s
house". Jehovah's Witnesses are known as peace lovers throughout the
world. They will follow the Bible, whether it is socially popular or
not. They will obey "God as ruler rather than men". (Acts 5:29)

"How Can I Find Happiness in Life?
Our free Bible study program can help.
See How"
Go to: jw.org (9/11/2026)
zebrabible@proton.me

Help put the fire out in Hellfire
(God is not a sadist)
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From Newsgroup: alt.bible

You can almost always count on a Satan's Witness to twist and distort
the Bible to the exact opposite of what it teaches:

See christrose.news/war

The Divine Appointment Of Civil Government And The Sword

Romans 13:1-2

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For
there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have
been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the
authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist
will incur judgment." (Romans 13:1-2 ESV)

"Instituted By God." Civil government is not a human invention or a
pagan corruption; it is a divine institution. God Himself established
civil authority to maintain order and justice in a fallen world. To
rebel against the lawful authority of the government to bear the sword
is to rebel against the ordinance of God.

Romans 13:3-4

"For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would
you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is
good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant
for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not
bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger
who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." (Romans 13:3-4
ESV)

"He Does Not Bear The Sword In Vain." The sword is an instrument of
physical force, execution, and warfare. God has explicitly armed the
civil ruler with this physical sword to restrain evil and execute
justice. When the government uses physical force to punish wrongdoers
and protect the innocent, the civil officer acts as "the servant of God"
and "an avenger who carries out God's wrath."

1 Peter 2:13-14

"Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution,
whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent
by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do
good." (1 Peter 2:13-14 ESV)

"Sent By Him To Punish Those Who Do Evil." Lawful authorities are
commissioned by God to punish evildoers. This mandate includes the
defense of the nation against external aggressors and internal criminals through the use of authorized force.

Proposition: God has ordained civil government and armed it with the
physical sword to restrain evil, preserve order, and execute justice
upon wrongdoers.

The Command To Buy A Sword And The Changed Mission

Luke 22:35-36

"And he said to them, 'When I sent you out with no moneybag or
knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?' They said,
'Nothing.' He said to them, 'But now let the one who has a
moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who
has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.'" (Luke 22:35-36 ESV)

"Sell His Cloak And Buy One." When Jesus originally sent forth His
disciples to preach the gospel of the kingdom to Israel, He explicitly
forbade them to carry moneybags, knapsacks, or extra footwear,
guaranteeing them miraculous provision and protection during that offer
of the kingdom. However, as Israel rejected Christ and His kingdom,
Jesus explicitly revoked those former instructions. He commanded His
followers to prepare for physical self-defense and survival in a hostile world, explicitly instructing anyone without a sword to sell his outer
garment and buy one.

Luke 22:37-38

"For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: 'And
he was numbered with the transgressors.' For what is written
about me has its fulfillment. And they said, 'Look, Lord, here
are two swords.' And he said to them, 'It is enough.'" (Luke
22:37-38 ESV)

"It Is Enough." The disciples produced two physical, literal swords, and
Jesus affirmed that two were sufficient for their immediate group. This
proves that Christ was not speaking in allegorical terms, but was giving
a practical command regarding physical defense and preparation as the disciples transitioned into a new dispensation marked by hostility
toward the Gospel.

Proposition: Following the rejection of the kingdom, Jesus officially
changed the mission of His disciples, revoking their former instructions
and explicitly commanding them to equip themselves with physical swords
for protection in a hostile world.

The Scriptural Approval Of Military Service

Luke 3:14

"Soldiers also asked him, 'And we, what shall we do?' And he said
to them, 'Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false
accusation, and be content with your wages.'" (Luke 3:14 ESV)

"Be Content With Your Wages." When professional soldiers came to John
the BaptistrCothe forerunner of ChristrCoasking how to live righteously,
John did not command them to abandon their military profession. He did
not tell them to lay down their weapons or desert the army. He commanded
them to act uprightly within their military calling and to be content
with their soldier's pay.

Acts 10:1-2, 47-48

"At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what
was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God
with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and
prayed continually to God." (Acts 10:1-2 ESV) ... "Can anyone
withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the
Holy Spirit just as we have? And he commanded them to be
baptized in the name of Jesus Christ." (Acts 10:47-48 ESV)

"A Centurion." Cornelius was a high-ranking military officer in the
Roman army. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and baptized as a true believer. Yet, there is not a single word in the New Testament
commanding him to resign his commission, nor is his military service
ever described as sinful.

Hebrews 11:32-34

"And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of
Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the
prophetsrCowho through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice,
obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the
power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, made strong out of
weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight."
(Hebrews 11:32-34 ESV)

"Through Faith... Became Mighty In War." These godly men are
immortalized in the great "Hall of Faith" of the New Testament. Their
military exploits and defense of their nation were accomplished not
through carnal rebellion against God, but "through faith" in Him.

Proposition: God recognizes military service as an honorable and
necessary calling under the state, and the Holy Scriptures repeatedly
commend the faith and character of righteous soldiers.

The Distinction Between Personal Vengeance And Civil Administration

Matthew 26:52

"Then Jesus said to him, 'Put your sword back into its place. For
all who take the sword will perish by the sword.'" (Matthew
26:52 ESV)

"Put Your Sword Back Into Its Place." Jesus had to go to the cross to
fulfill Scripture and provide an atonement for our sins. Peter had
already tried to interfere with this before, and Jesus rebuked Him as
one who acted like Satan (Matthew 16:21rCo23, Mark 8:31rCo33). The problem
was that Peter acted out of personal vengeance, and in a way that
hindered the gospel. Jesus was not condemning all government sanctioned
war, but personal acts of vengeance, especially those which hinder the
gospel.

Romans 12:19

"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of
God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says
the Lord.'" (Romans 12:19 ESV)

"Never Avenge Yourselves." The individual believer is commanded never to
seek personal revenge. Instead, they must leave room for God's wrath.
The very next sentences of Scripture reveal exactly how God executes
this wrath on earthrConamely, through the civil ruler, who is "the servant
of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer" (Romans
13:4 ESV).

Matthew 5:44

"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you." (Matthew 5:44 ESV)

"Love Your Enemies." This command governs the personal attitude of a
Christian toward those who mistreat him for his faith. It does not strip
the civil government of its obligation to defend the nation or punish criminals. A soldier acting under the authority of the state is
executing civil justice and protecting people, not pursuing personal hatred.

Proposition: The Scriptures forbid private citizens from taking
vengeance into their own hands, but they command the civil government to
use the sword to protect its citizens and punish evil.

The Fruits Of False Professors Do Not Invalidate God's Word

Matthew 7:15-16

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing
but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by
their fruits." (Matthew 7:15-16 ESV)

"You Will Recognize Them By Their Fruits." Historical atrocities
committed in the name of Christ, were not the actions of true biblical disciples, but of "false prophets" and "ravenous wolves" who wore the
garments of religion but did not obey the Word of God.

Titus 1:16

"They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They
are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work." (Titus
1:16 ESV)

"They Deny Him By Their Works." The fact that ungodly men have abused
their positions to wage bloody, unbiblical wars does not prove that
lawful national defense is sinful. It simply proves that those who
committed these atrocities were hypocrites who denied God by their actions.

Proposition: The sinful actions and unscriptural wars waged by false
religious systems throughout history do not compromise the true
teachings of the Bible, but rather fulfill its warnings concerning
apostasy and false teachers.
--
Good News rCa

Jesus is God: christrose.news/Jesus-God.

There is only one true and saving gospel: Christ died for our sins and
rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Galatians 1:8-9). Every
different gospel is deceptive, leading to conscious, eternal torment in
the lake of fire (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; John 3:36; Revelation 14:10-11; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10-15). You will die in your sins if you
deny that Jesus is God (John 8:58).

The sacrificial death of Christ paid the penalty for our sins in full (Colossians 2:14), as demonstrated when God raised Him from the dead
(Romans 1:4). This allows a righteous God to forgive our transgressions (Romans 3:26) and preserve us from the coming day of wrath (1
Thessalonians 1:10). Eternal life is a free gift for everyone who trusts
in Jesus (Romans 6:23). Believe the gospel and cry out to the Lord for deliverance (Romans 10:9-13):

How to be saved: christrose.news/salvation
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