Today’s Reading | Acts 25
Thoughts on Capital Punishment
Is it ever right to take a life under certain circumstances? What about capital punishment? Is there a crime that would warrant the death penalty? This is a debate that has gone on for years, and one that Paul gives us some insight into in today’s reading. Did you notice it? Paul makes a comment in verse eleven that helps us understand his views on the issue of capital punishment. We know from reading the Old Testament that there were crimes that were punishable by death. Read through the Old Testament and you will discover them. We however, we are not under Old Testament law. Does that mean that capital punishment should no longer be enforced? Paul was accused of a crime that was punishable by death under the law of that day. He did not argue against the death penalty but, submitted himself to it in verse eleven. He said that if he had done something which deserved death, he would not fight the penalty. He, a New Testament saint, seemed to support the death penalty. We can assume by this that, if he felt it were wrong in all cases, he would have said so. This is an example of how Scripture addresses all issues that are relevant today.
Today’s Questions
Say What?
Observation: What do I see?
So What?
Interpretation: What does it mean?
Now What?
Application: How does it apply to me?
Then What?
Implementation: What do I do?