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Ten Commandments radio program delivered
in the early 90's.
16 Minutes
Capital Punishment
To listen click on the picture--> OPENING MUSIC: Let Freedom Ring.
ANNOUNCER: Welcome to the Bible Law Course Program. This is a series
of broadcasts about the Ten Commandants, not as a means to salvation, but as a
code of conduct for Christians. In these programs we will show that all our
nations problems can be solved with the application of God given law.
SPEAKER: Hello, in this broadcast about The Ten Commandments I will talk
about Capital Punishment and Baal Worship. Let's begin in the New Testament with
the words of the Apostle Paul. In Romans 13 verses 8 to we find these words,
listen
ANNOUNCER: (8) Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth
another hath fulfilled the law.
(9) For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery,
Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly
comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
(10) Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of
the law.
SPEAKER: These are the words of the Apostle Paul as he quoted six of The
Ten
Commandments. Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul told us that, loving one another
had to do with keeping these commandments, including the law, thou shalt not
kill. It is unfortunate that the translators used the word kill rather than
murder. The commandment is better translated`, Thou shalt not murder.
At one time here in America, Capital punishment for murder and other heinous
crimes, that was the law of the land. But more and more, we are hearing a cry
against Capital punishment. Some liberals decry it as archaic, barbaric, cruel
and unusual, even inhuman. They say that Capital punishment is not a deterrent
to future lawbreakers.
They say that taking a life can not bring back a life.
They even quote the
Bible saying, "Thou shalt not kill." Just two inches from the words,
Thou shalt not kill. In the very next column, in Exodus 21:12, it says this,
"He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death."
Just two inches away. It is amazing how people can see one verse, and be totally
blind to the other verse right beside it.
Another commandment is, Thou shalt not steal. Kidnapping is the theft of a
person. Here is what God says about kidnapping. This is his judgment for
kidnapping. It is Exodus 21:16, listen;
ANNOUNCER: He that smiteth a man so that he die, he shall surely be put to death. And
he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, .... he shall surely be put to death.
SPEAKER: How do you 'stealeth a man and selleth him'? Well, in modern English
that means, to kidnap and to hold for ransom. The Law of God, as found in the
Old Testament of the Bible. It calls for Capital punishment for Capital crimes.
Now the question is, should we New Testament Christians, living here in
modern day America, be for, or be against Capital punishment? The answer will be
a surprise. And the answer has to do with the question, What is Baal worship?
More after this message.
ANNOUNCER: When you add up the total debt of the American people, federal,
state, local, business and personal, our people owe more than the value of the
whole North American Continent. How has this situation come upon us? Is there a
practical way out of this mess? Well, the answer is Yes, and it's in the Bible.
But your Bible is forbidden in the public schools and it has
been chased out of government. While man's complicated solutions have only made
the situation worse, your Bible offers practical solutions to our national
problems. Call now, toll free at 1 800 (deleted).
SPEAKER: Should Christians be for or against Capital Punishment? This may
surprise you, but I am opposed to the death penalty. That's right. And that is
probably not what you expected to hear. Especially, after I just quoted the
Bible, wherein it called for Capital punishment for murder and kidnapping.
So, I have some explaining to do, don't I? And while my reasons are Biblical,
the reasons are not at all what you would expect to hear, even from modern day
opponents to Capital punishment. The first the question is, who determines what
is and what is not a crime punishable by death? Who is to say? Is it government?
Is it Congress? The courts? The various legislatures? Or is it a result of the
democratic process? Do we vote on it? As our government becomes less and less
Christian. And as atheists, humanists and liberals have more and more to say
about our laws. And non-Christians do have a lot to say about writing our laws.
My friends, not only does the government make laws. Not only does government
determine what is, and what is not a crime. It is the government that has the power
to punish people for breaking its laws. Here in modern America, it is the state
legislature, the congress, and the courts that determine what is, and what is
not, a death penalty crime. It is government that determines who lives and who
dies. And under present circumstances anything can become a crime.
Let's learn from the past. In England, as late as George the
third, there were
about 200 offences punishable by death. Cutting down a tree. Harboring an
offender against the revenue act. Steeling in a dwelling house in the amount of
40 shillings or stealing in a shop to the amount of five shillings.
Counterfeiting a stamp that was used in the sale of perfume. All these were
death penalty offences.
When it is left up to the governments of man to make the laws, the statutes
and the judgments, anything can become a Capital crime. In the recent conflict
with Iraq, Sadam Husain is reported to have executed people for wearing a 't'
shirt. A shirt bearing a message critical about him or his government. Anything
that a government doesn't like, that can become a Capital crime.
In a democracy, unpopular points of view can become crimes. More and more we
are hearing the buzz words, thought crimes. What you think, can now become a
crime. A thought crime. We have the buzz words, hate crimes. How you feel can
become a crime. A hate crime. We Christians need to remember that, at the time
of the Roman Empire, Christianity was a thought crime, a Capital crime. People
who made a decision for Christ, rather that a decision for Caesar, well, they
executed in the Coliseums.
And don't for one minute think that that is beyond the possibility even here
in America. My Christian friends, think of the wicked men in your Bible. Balaak
the king of Moab, he tried to get rid of all Israel. And, how about Hayman, in
the book of Esther? Hayman was a man high in government. He desired to use
government power to execute all of God's people. How about the Herod's of
history?
King Herod was the head of the government that killed all the little
children, in an attempt to kill Jesus Christ. Herod was the governor. The
governor who had John the Baptist jailed and then executed. And you Christians,
don't think for a moment that we don't have our own Balaam's, Haaman's, and
Herods today. We have them today. Different names. Different titles, but the
same old human nature. Listen to this Bible verse. A verse that is as true today
as it was in times past. Here are a few words from Psalms 37;
ANNOUNCER: The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeks to slay him.
SPEAKER: "The wicked watch the righteous, and seeketh to slay him." Do you remember
Daniel under King Darious's rule. Somebody was watching Daniel. And they caught
him committing a crime. His crime. His crime was praying. And King Darious tried
to execute Daniel by throwing him into a fiery furnace.
Let me ask you, do you think that the Israelite parents under Pharaohs rule,
were they for or against Capital punishment? How about Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, under King Nebuchednezar's rule? And in the New Testament. How about
John the Baptist under King Herod's rule? John the Baptist was executed for
calling Herod a sinner. And Stephen, under the rule of the Pharisees of
Jerusalem. Would Stephen be for against Capital punishment? Stephen's was
executed by men in government. His capital crime was preaching a sermon.
I can assure you, that these men of God were opposed to
Capital punishment
under the laws of the governments of man of their day. Under man's law, God's
people become criminals. Today's criminals are the protestors at abortion
clinics. There is an old saying, perhaps you have heard it. it is, "No man's
life, liberty or property is safe, as long as the legislature is in session."
You see the issue is, not, for or against Capital punishment. The issue is
not the question, does Capital punishment prevent future crimes? The issue is,
who determines what is, and what is not a Capital crime. God or Man?
Righteous people are protected under God's Law. Under God's law, every man's
life, liberty and property is safe. But under man's law, no man's life, liberty
or property is safe. Under man's law, the king of England executed tax
protestors. Under man's law, Rome executed Christians. Under man's law, Jesus
Christ was executed. In conclusion, am I for or against Capital punishment? "No,"
If man's law rules. And "Yes," If God's law rules.
Now I will show how man's law is wrong, even when it is right. Under the
present system it is many years between the arrest and the penalty. Especially
in the case of a Capital crime such as murder. The penalty is not executed
speedily. The Bible has something to say about this. And here it is. It's Ecc
8:11;
ANNOUNCER: Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore
the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
SPEAKER: "Because the sentence against evil is not executed speedily, men decide
to do evil." Under our present system of criminal justice, the men on death row,
sometimes die of old age before all their appeals are heard in the courts. And
even if a person is sentenced to death, he can postpone his execution for years.
Are these sentences executed quickly? Certainly not. And what is the outcome
according to Ecc 8:11, listen again.
ANNOUNCER: Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore
the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
SPEAKER: Now, you think on this. Does our present system, even with
Capital
punishment? With all the appeals, with all the stays of execution? And all the
governors pardons? Does it deter future crime, or does it encourage it?
You can almost hear the thinking in the heart of a young man, as he
contemplates a crime. He says to himself, well if I do this, first they have to
catch me. They probably won't, but if they do catch me. I might escape, or get off
on a plea bargain, or get off on a technicality. I might even be found, not
guilty. And if the police beat me up, I might be able to sue them for millions.
Even if I am caught, and even if I do go to prison, well that's not all that
bad. It's three round meals, a bed, as much TV as I want. And I don't even
have to work for a living. And what's the chance anyway that a Judge or Jury
would actually convict me of my crime.
And even if they do, I am sure that there would be some tender hearted humane
group taking up my cause, and asking for leniency, or clemency on my part. And
even if the judge won't hear of it. I have the appellate court to rely upon. And
even if it is not turned over, how many years on death row will it be before
they actually carry it out.
Maybe the governor will commute the sentence. Anyway, by then I will be an
old man, and I won't care anyway. Many young criminals conclude that the odds
are in their favor, and they are right. Consequently, on this point, the
anti-death penalty people are right. But only because we do not do it God's way.
Capital punishment under our present system. It is not a deterrent to future
crime.
Now, if God's word is true, and we know that it is true, the
present system with its never ending delays, with ten to twenty years between arrest,
conviction and execution, it actually encourages criminal behavior. Your Bible
calls for prompt, public punishment for crime. And your Bible gives the reason.
And that reason is to prevent future crimes. To prevent the young
person from even thinking about a crime. As a national law, that would of
itself, prevent crime in the first place.
These Bible verses are instructions, not to individuals, not to churches, but
instruction to men in government, instruction to the courts, instruction to the
nations judicial system concerning crime and punishment. Does swift punishment,
public punishment, does it deter crime? Your Bible says so. God says so. Listen to
these words from Deuteronomy 13: verses 10 and 11 concerning a duly convicted
criminal, listen;
ANNOUNCER: And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; . . . (11) And all Israel
shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among
you.
SPEAKER: Yes, so people shall hear, and so that they shall fear, and shall do no
more any such wickedness. Today, when Capital punishment is applied, the
punishment is not soon after the trial, but it is years, sometimes decades after
the crime. When man does the right thing, the wrong way, he gets the wrong
results. Man's way of Capital punishment does not prevent other crimes.
But properly applied, Capital punishment does prevent crime, God says so, but
only when God's Law is applied, not man's way, but God's way. After a fair
trial, and if found guilty, punishment that is speedy, and public. As an example
to others. So that people will hear, so that people will fear, so that people
shall do no more any such wickedness, no more crime.
ANNOUNCER: This broadcast was prepared and sponsored by …
END MUSIC: Lift Up The Name Of Jesus.
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To listen to the Capital Punishment program click on
the picture. The
original program
has been edited
to remove ads,
old phone numbers announcements, etc..
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 Children’s
Past Lives and Capital Punishment
Below you will find page 341-342 of CHILDREN'S PAST LIVES - How Past Life
Memories Affect Your Child by Carol Bowman
Sometimes a child’s understanding of the patterns of life can go
beyond that of most adults, including their parents. When this happens, all we
can do is open to the lessons and be grateful for the wisdom this child brings
to us so freely. Lisa continues:
Courtney is now six. Most of her past life recollections have
slowed down, but not completely. She said something a few months ago that I
found really interesting.
We were in the kitchen, and she was breezing through in a
sequined tutu. Courtney is a very dramatic, creative person, so she just came
fluttering through the kitchen. The TV was on showing a news story of some kind.
I wasn’t paying attention, but Courtney asked me why that lady on TV was crying.
Well, I tuned in mentally for the first time and realized they were talking
about how this woman’s son was going to be executed for a crime he had
committed. I tried to explain this to Courtney in a nice way without going into
detail about what rape means.
Courtney said, “Well, Mom, she just doesn’t understand. That’s
why she’s sad.”
I said, “Courtney, what do you mean she doesn’t under stand?”
“Well,” she replied, “she just doesn’t understand that when
someone has messed up their lives as badly as this man has, that it’s really not
a punishment to die. Because when be dies, he gets to start over again and be a
baby in a new family without any bad things that he’s done following him. And
that’s really a lot better for him because he won’t waste his energy, and he’ll
be able to learn what be needs to learn a lot easier if he starts over. And she
just doesn’t understand this, Momma, because if she did, she wouldn’t be sad.”
With that, Courtney flitted out of the room.
I get goose bumps when I talk about this. It took me about three
hours to really contemplate what she had said. To me, that is a deep integration
of her beliefs, especially for someone who is six years old. Believe me, it did
not come from us. We attend a Presbyterian church and I consider us open-minded,
but this does not come from religious dogma she has picked up. She never beard
this kind of reasoning before. It was all her own.
I feel a great responsibility toward Courtney to nurture
whatever this is in her. I feel that I have a child who is a more advanced soul
than I am. At the moment I felt like I was the child and I bad asked a childish
question. Without being sassy or rude, she succinctly put me in my place.
A page earlier: 340-341
“A Deep Integration of Beliefs”
Mary Fleming’s children described their spiritual
memories with childlike images of the places and events they remembered. Some
children are born not only with these memories but also with a gift for
comprehending and articulating sophisticated spiritual concepts. Lisa’s daughter
Courtney is one of these children:
One day my son, Joey, was looking at a baby picture of his older
sister Aubrey. He asked where he had been when the picture had been taken.
Aubrey replied, “You were in baby heaven waiting to be born, Joey.”
Courtney got very indignant at this and said,
“That’s not how it works! That is just not how it works!”
She then clarified this by telling us: “You go to
heaven, then you have a little time to rest, kind of like a vacation, but then
you have to get to work. You have to start thinking about what you have to learn
in your next life. You have to start picking out your next family, one that will
help you learn whatever it is you need to learn next. Heaven isn’t just a place
you go to hang around forever. It’s not just a place to relax and kick back. You
have work to do there.”
Courtney was very serious about this, very. She was
four and a half at the time. This was not a childlike concept of heaven. This is
a place where things must be accomplished.
I decided to confront her a little bit, so I said,
“Courtney, if you have been in heaven, do you remember it?”
She said, “Yah.”
“Well, then,” I said, “you must have seen God."
She nodded and told me that she had. I thought to
my self, I’m going to pin her down now. I said, “I really don’t remember God.
Could you please tell me what he looked like?”
Well, I was expecting the Hollywood version — a
bright light or some warm feeling. She looked at me with eyes that went straight
through me and said, “Don’t you know, I only saw God with my soul.”
I should have known I wasn’t going to pin her into
a corner.
Comment: The early Christian Church believed in
reincarnation. The Bible teaches reincarnation. Check it out for yourself by
clicking here.
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