THE WORD AND THE SWORD

THE WORD AND THE SWORD
(This post is not addressing the right of citizens to bear arms).

STOP and THINK about it (because now is a very good time).

FEW VOICES
How many others do we know who are explaining the New Testament response for Christians to violence?
How many others do we know who are pointing out the difference between the sword of steel (weapon of the State), and the sword of the Spirit (weapon of the Church)?
How many others do we know who are teaching Christian non-violence, while supporting the proper place and work of the Police and the Military? (remember, God assigned the State to protect the righteous and punish the wicked).

THE STANDARD
Biblical Christianity/Apostolic Christianity, Early Church Christianity (first 300 years) rejected the idea that Christians take up arms against other people.
It was changed by the Roman religion and the churches of the Reformation.

THE CONFUSION
Today, our society expects Christians to take up arms in self defense, homeland security and international conflicts. This is not part of the New Testament revelation.
God provided for such protection by physical force, but He did it through the State, not the Church.

Christians are not life takers, they are life givers.

PRINCIPLES
If God wants us to do something or wants us not to do something, He commands it.
If we do what God wants us to do, He commends us.
If we do what God does not want us to do, He condemns us.
God provides examples of those who do His will.

GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK
Now, look at the New Testament from this point of view.
Did God ever command a Christian to be physically violent?
Did God ever command a Christian to not be physically violent?
Did God ever commend a Christian for being physically violent?
Did God ever condemn a Christian for being physically violent?
Are there any examples in the New Testament of a Christian being violent?

If we ain't Biblical, we ain't Christian.