Subject: You shall not Murder, then told too?? |
Bible Note: A New Testament example was requested, and one was provided. Although I can not find *another* explicit reference, the points I would make are these: 1) I Tim 5:8 admonishes us to provide for those of our own house. I take provision to mean not only food, clothing, and shelter, but also protection from those who would do harm, whether man or beast. 2) Why would we assume that the admonition to carry the sword would end at the resurrection? Things such as the sacrifice of animals (that had been replaced by Jesus' ultimate sacrifice) are obvious as to why they are no longer done, but self-defense is not just a statute under the law. It is the preservation of human life, which God established from the creation, pre-dating Mosaic law. 3) An absence of a discussion about something in a post-law era does not negate its value within this age of Grace. Consider the error of the Church of Christ in prohibiting musical instruments just because they aren't mentioned in the New Testament. |