Dr. Butch Belgica’s SHAPAT on governance
If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if any one kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.
(Part II)
LAST week, I discussed in this column the subject – When a Nation Forgets God – one of the articles appearing in Dr. Butch Belgica’s new book titled “SHAPAT” – a compilation of articles by Dr. Belgica and other God-fearing men who believe that the Bible is the Word of God; that God is in control of all nations and all peoples; and that Biblical wisdom on leadership has immense impact and relevance in our lives.
*** Today, I would like to share some excerpts of another article appearing in “SHAPAT.” The article is about capital punishment. Capital punishment as a component part of the criminal justice of a nation remains controversial to this day. One may ask: What does the Bible say about the death penalty? Is death penalty an indispensable part and parcel of the justice system of the peoples and nations in the Old Testament days? What does the New Testament say on the death penalty?
Let me share with you excerpts about death penalty found in some articles appearing in Shapat:
“Throughout the Old Testament, we find many cases in which God commands the use of capital punishment, references and examples of God taking life. We see this first with the acts of God Himself. God was involved, either directly or indirectly, in taking of life as a punishment for people and nations. Examples: • The flood of Noah in Genesis 6-8. God destroyed all human and animal life except that which was on the ark.
• Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18-19), where God destroyed the two cities because of the heinous sin of inhabitants.
• In the time of Moses, God took the lives of Egyptians’ first-born sons (Exod. 11) and destroyed the Egyptian army in the Red Sea (Exod. 14).
“There were also punishments such as the punishment at Kadesh-Barnea (Num. 13-14) or the rebellion of Korah (Num. 16) against the Jews wandering in the wilderness. God used capital punishment to deal with man’s sin and the sin of nations. God also emphatically instituted capital punishment in the Mosaic Law. Numerous offenses were punishable by death. In Exodus 21, God commanded capital punishment for murderers. Premeditated murder (or what the Old Testament described as “lying in wait”) was punishable by death. Also punishable by death was involvement in the occult (Exod. 22; Lev. 20; Deut. 18-19). This included sorcery, divination, acting as a medium, and sacrificing to false gods. Then capital punishment was to be used against perpetrators of sexual sins such as rape, incest, or homosexual practice. Within this Law code, capital punishment was extended beyond murder to cover various offenses.”
“Capital punishment is never specifically removed or replaced in the Bible. While some would argue that the New Testament ethic replaces the Old Testament ethic, there is no instance in which a replacement ethic is introduced. As we have already seen, Jesus and the disciples never disturb the Old Testament standard of capital punishment. The Apostle Paul teaches that we are to live by grace with one another, but also teaches that we are to obey human government that bears the sword. Capital punishment is taught in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Finally, the same Bible, which begins in Genesis 9:6 with the establishment of capital punishment, carries the theme consistently throughout the text, and ends by reiterating it in Revelation 13:10: “If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if any one kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.” From beginning to end, the Bible says capital punishment is authorized and required by God. For indeed, the Bible teaches that although all men are condemned to die because of sin, God gave man a chance to live again to everlasting life should he repent, have faith in Jesus Christ, and believe that He rose again from the dead. Thus, through capital punishment in the Criminal Justice System, the principle of salvation and the gospel of love is manifested and perceived. God requires this principle: Sin, you die – but if you repent and believe in Christ Jesus, you live forevermore!”
(To be continued) *** This column continues to give out copies of the Holy Bible for free to those who cannot afford to buy their own copies. If interested, please send your letter-request to Ms. Nelly Favis Villafuerte, 5233 LRV Building, Fahrenheit St., Palanan, Makati City. Kindly mention if it is the Tagalog, English, Cebuano, or Ilocano Bible that is preferred. Be joyful and forgiving! (Comments may be sent to Ms. Villafuerte’s email: villafuerte_nelly@yahoo.com)