Paul said before Festus in Acts 25:11, “For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.” While Paul had not committed any crime that warranted capital punishment, he maintained that if he had committed such a crime he would not try to get out of it, but would receive death as a just punishment.

Obviously, there are many crimes a man may commit that do not deserve his death, but the Bible does teach the fact that some crimes do warrant the death penalty. Under the law of Moses, God instructed for various punishments to fit various crimes. Some crimes necessitated a fine (Exodus 21:19), other crimes caused those who perpetrated them to be “worthy to be beaten” (Deuteronomy 25:2); however, there were certain crimes that were so serious that those responsible for such acts were considered “worthy of death” (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:6; 21:22).

We are no longer under the Old Testament, and there are many differences between governments today and the theocracy that once was in place in Israel. However, the New Testament does speak of those who are “worthy of death” (Acts 25:11; Romans 1:32); moreover, it prescribes government “a revenger to execute wrath” upon the evildoer, that “beareth not the sword in vain” (Romans 13:4). What would “the sword” mean here but the carrying out of capital punishment?

The three purposes of punishment in general are restraint (to keep others from doing this crime), reformation (to cause people to do better and not continue committing the crime), and retribution (because the perpetrator deserves punishment). While the Bible certainly teaches restraint and reformation, the most fundamental of these three purposes is retribution. Yes, it is important to deter others from committing crimes; yes, it is important to try to reform individuals to do better. However, what we often miss in today’s society is the principle of retribution: that punishment is deserved.

Even though he was uninspired, the penitent thief on the cross even recognized this fundamental Bible truth:
“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.” Luke 23:39-41

This malefactor did not try to blame someone else for his crime. He did not act like a victim. While in the midst of suffering the pain of crucifixion, he recognized that this was being done “justly” to him and the other malefactor for both were receiving the “due reward” for their deeds.

-Mark Day

Jesus said in John 7:17, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” The first “will” in this verse conveys the idea of desire; thus, Jesus is affirming if a man desires or wills to do God’s will, then he will know what God’s will is.

There are many today who say that the Bible cannot be understood. They point to the great variety of conflicting ideas people have about certain Bible subjects in order to try to prove their point. Though many very educated people differ in their views of certain scriptures, Jesus’ words still ring true. A person who has a desire and determination to do what is right will be able to know what is right. The problem of conflict is not with the Bible, but with the hearts of those who interpret the Bible.

In Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the sower, He describes the good ground in Luke 8:15: “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Jesus points out those who hear God’s word and keep it have honest and good hearts. Honesty is essential for arriving at the true meaning of God’s word. Sadly, it is sometimes the case that people dismiss the Bible as confusing because they do not want to do what it says. They are looking in the Bible for something that will justify how they live rather than looking for how they should live. Their motives are not pure and honest; therefore they do not properly interpret God’s word. If a man studies the Scriptures with any other motive than to know God and to be able to carry out His will, then there is no telling how many absurd conclusions he may dream up in order to satisfy himself.

You can understand the Bible. Paul expected those in Ephesus to whom he wrote to be able to understand, “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Ephesians 3:3-4). Jesus expected men in the first century to understand what Daniel had to say concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)” (Matthew 24:15). God expects us to read and understand His will, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).

–Mark Day