We are no longer under a theocracy. We are now under obligation to comply with the laws of the land. See Rom 13:1-7. The laws of the land regulate, dictate who can execute capital punishment. Churches are not authorized to execute capital punishment.

Israel, while under God and His theocracy, were obligated, duty-bound, to execute capital punishment in accordance with the Laws of Moses. The law is a transcript of God's character. It reflects His will and way. It is a sin to refuse to comply with God's law, His will. Executing capital punishment in accordance with the Law of Moses is God's will. Jesus commanded it. It is His will.

As a Church, not executing capital punishment in accordance with the Laws of Moses, is not a sin or violation of God's will. The responsibility rests with the government to execute capital punishment in accordance with the laws of the land. "For he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil."

Again, why have you substituted capital punishment for killing? Killing was what we were talking about.
And that is the question! Your previous definition of which you seem to be waffling on. What is murder? Wait, wait, don't tell me. Murder is what a murderer is guilty of?

Seeing you have swapped capital punishment for killing, what about those times you are fond of listing where God commanded Moses or through Moses to slay utterly men, women, children, and even the livestock! Were all of those guilty of "offenses" "worthy" of capital punishment?

But the question was: if it wasn't for our nation's laws, we should put to death others for capital punishment?

And when churches are not authorized to keep the Sabbath and required to keep Sunday, we are under obligation to comply with the laws of the land? Even if it's against God's laws and His will. Hmmm...

But you just said it was. You are saying it is God's will not to follow God's will. Would it be a sin to follow God's will instead of the state's? Hmmm...


Because you reject a God of love, a God not above His own laws, you are having to come up with all kinds of contortions and distortions. One thing leads to another, and now, think what an onlooker would think of your last few statements!

I thought that because I was under the impression that you don't believe God commanded murder.

In one thread, MM asked, "Did Jesus command Moses to kill criminals and combatants?" You responded, "Do you know of someone who was saying He didn't?" (See post #161551.)

You don't know anyone who says God didn't command killing. But you don't make a distinction between killing and murder? If so, that means you believe God commanded murder. That's noteworthy.

That is at least as unpalatable as the idea that we disobey God's commands in order to obey man's commands.

Kland, the fact you are unwilling to confess Jesus commanded killing criminals and combatants leaves you in the unenviable position of an unbeliever. Your arguments against the Law of Moses are equivalent to blasphemy.

Killing, murder, what's the difference? Do you really think it's not murder to go into a country and slaughter, men, women, and children? How is that not murder?

But the question is, why did God command that. APL and Tom have answered that question many times. But when people do not know the difference between right and wrong, and the explanation is based upon people knowing the difference between right and wrong, then those people cannot understand what is being said. It's because since they see no difference, that God can do wrong, there need be no explanation as to why He told others to do wrong.

MM,

In my mind I am defending God as a God of love, a God of free choice, a God of restoring and not destroying, not forcing people to love Him, but allowing them of their own free choice choose life or death, and that death, not something that He directly and intentionally "punishes" them with, but as a natural result of their choice.

What about you? In your mind are you defending God as a god of force, a god of coercion, a Killer God? Why? Why do you need a God who is a premeditating, cold-blooded, killer?

Why did God command what? Murder? Please specify so we are clear.

Jesus commanded capital punishment. He commanded combat. You have not confessed these truths. You are denying the Word of God.

What was the difference in Paul's understanding of the OT before his conversion and after? Before his conversion, he was willing to kill for his religion, Judaism. After his conversion, he would never kill. Before his conversion, he followed tradition. After it he followed Jesus Christ.