The First Death Penalty
Gen 2:17
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
(The first death penalty was spoken by God.)
Man Is Responsible
(Man is made responsible to protect the sanctity of human life by orderly rule over the individual man, even to capital punishment.)
Gen 9:5-6
5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.
6 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Rom 13:1-7
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.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
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:
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.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Thou Shalt Not Kill
Exod 20:13
13 Thou shalt not kill.
(The Hebrew language employs several words to express the meaning of “to kill,” the verb used here is a special word which can only mean murder and always indicates intentional slaying.)
Exod 21:12
12 He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
Exod 21:15-17
15 And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
17 And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
Whosoever Hateth His Brother
I Jn 3:15
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
(Note that the first death penalty was in effect when only two people were on the earth as living souls. The second death penalty came into effect when there were only eight people on earth.)
(THIS LAW HAS NEVER BEEN REPUDIATED NOW OR IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.)