Page Suggestions: Bible Facts
What does the BIBLE say about Military and War
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Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above... John 19:11
Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power [at all] against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.John 19 verse 11
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 he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of him 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; he is the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. Romans 13:1-5 (RSV)(verse 1) Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
(verse 2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
(verse 3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
(verse 4) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil.
(verse 5) Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.Romans 13 (KJV) verses 1-5
From these verses we see that governments can elect to bear the sword (go to war) to deal with evil men. Although the act of war is a harsh form of punishment upon evil invaders, the alternative is far worse -- the destruction of innocent people by [wicked] evil aggressors.
No Soldier who is a Christian desires to kill another; however, the Lord Himself, did not chastise a Centurion Soldier in the Bible in the matter of his occupation. On the contrary, the Lord commended this man for his understanding of authority and his great faith when he called upon the Lord to heal his servant. Our military men need our prayers and the protection of the Lord as they go to battle. This should be the work of the church -- prayer for our men's protection and prayer for our president and heads of state. Our critical words will not change things, but prayer will. We must pray that the war would end quickly so we can return to peace, and especially prayer for our enemies, that they might be saved. We can pray that good will come out of what Satan means for evil.
And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
For I am a man under authority, having Soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Matthew 8:5-10
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 1 Timothy 2:1-6
What is the Bible Definition of Murder
God knew when He created men with free wills that not all would follow and obey Him. However, He also knew that many would want to love and serve Him. In giving men free will, He also had to establish laws for men to live by. When we look at the Ten Commandments listed in Exodus 20:1-17, we can see that these laws were given for the good of mankind. One of these laws is in verse 13: "Thou shalt not kill." You may wonder if God said "do not kill," why He would then decree that governments could send men to war to kill other men. The reason is that the Hebrew meaning of the word translated as "kill" actually means "murder" or "to slay someone in a violent manner unjustly." So, in the Ten Commandments God is saying, "Thou shalt not murder." Unjust premeditated killing with the wrong motives of hatred, vengeance, greed, jealousy, etc. is murder. Killing in self defense to protect oneself is not murder nor is executing condemned killers. The very founders of this nation were known to carry a Bible in one hand and a musket in the other in order to defend the freedom they sought here. The freedom to worship God was one of those freedoms they fought for and died for.
What does the Bible say about Military Code and Conduct
In the Old Testament there were certain guidelines about military conduct that would be beneficial to our armed forces if they fully heeded its advice. In fact, many of the regulations used in the US armed forces came directly from the pages of the Bible. The instructions given in regard to the battles of Israel are examples of things our military could employ with great benefits. The Israelites of old had much experience in battle, as throughout their existence, there were but brief intervals when they were not either engaged in war or in danger of it. Listed below are some of the rules given to them regarding military conduct and instruction:
1. Age and Qualifications: First they were to take a census of the families indicating that there would be some discernment used in the selection of the males as they were numbered. The enlisting was spread across all the tribes (which today could be across all states.) They were drafted, so that all would share in the burden of war. They had to be males at least 20 years of age and up and all must be physically fit. In fact, those who were mentally and emotionally weak or cowardly were not to be enlisted. They selected men of valor, as they wanted a group of men to be examples to the others and they wanted all to have a sense of national patriotism.
Take a census of all the males of the congregation of the Israelites by families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, head by head. From twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go forth to war you and Aaron shall number, company by company. And with you there shall be a man (to assist you) from each tribe, each being the head of his father's house. Numbers 1:2-4 (AMP)(verse 2) Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of [their] names, every male by their polls;
(verse 3) From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies.
(verse 4) And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.Numbers 1 (KJV) verses 2-4
And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart. Deuteronomy 20:8
2. Training and Pay: All of Israel were liable to be called into active service to play the part assigned to them in furthering God's righteous cause. They were trained and paid for their duties and their needs of maintenance were met. Good officers and captains were chosen to lead the Soldiers.
Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield. He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver. 2 Chronicles 25:5-6
And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people. Deuteronomy 20:9