What is taught about murder?
Introduction. It is important that we understand that "murder" and "killing" are not necessarily the same. This is seen in the language of old, "Thou shalt not kill" (Ex. 20: 13). Those, though, who illegally took human life were required to be "put to death" (Ex. 21: 12). Hence, there is a difference between murder and capital punishment as a result of due process of law.
Murder viewed under the three dispensations. Murder has always been wrong. Cain murdered Abel and thus became the first murderer (Gen. 4: 3-10). Under Patriarchy, we read, "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man" (Gen. 9: 6). Taking the life of an animal compared to man's life is different because man is in the image of God (Gen. 1: 26). As seen, the Ten Commandment Law also condemned murder (Ex. 20: 13). This last dispensation, the age of the gospel, also forbids the unlawful taking of human life and calls for the death penalty for murderers (Rom. 13: 9, cp. vs. 3-9).
The murderous spirit. The teaching of the New Testament addresses more than the overt act of murder. "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him" (1 John 3: 15). Jesus taught against the common cause of murder, hate. Hear him: "But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you" (Matt. 5: 44). If Jesus' teaching were universally obeyed, there would be no murder, covertly or overtly.
Murder is one of the worst acts a human can commit against another human being. One reason being there is no possible reparation. The Bible elevates and sanctifies human life, while humanism and organic evolution make man only another animal.
Murder viewed under the three dispensations. Murder has always been wrong. Cain murdered Abel and thus became the first murderer (Gen. 4: 3-10). Under Patriarchy, we read, "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man" (Gen. 9: 6). Taking the life of an animal compared to man's life is different because man is in the image of God (Gen. 1: 26). As seen, the Ten Commandment Law also condemned murder (Ex. 20: 13). This last dispensation, the age of the gospel, also forbids the unlawful taking of human life and calls for the death penalty for murderers (Rom. 13: 9, cp. vs. 3-9).
The murderous spirit. The teaching of the New Testament addresses more than the overt act of murder. "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him" (1 John 3: 15). Jesus taught against the common cause of murder, hate. Hear him: "But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you" (Matt. 5: 44). If Jesus' teaching were universally obeyed, there would be no murder, covertly or overtly.
Murder is one of the worst acts a human can commit against another human being. One reason being there is no possible reparation. The Bible elevates and sanctifies human life, while humanism and organic evolution make man only another animal.