Corporal Punishment, Capital Punishment, and Celestial Punishment

Tsar Ivan IV "The Terrible"

There is a notion in the Church that we are not to punish people severely. The words of the Word of God are used to make this claim, "But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." (Matthew 5:39). The concept of an "eye for an eye" died when Christ spoke these words to His disciples. But do they mean what is inferred in our times? Turn the other cheek literally made it impossible to be slapped again in 30 A.D. because of way Jews slapped using the back of their hand, and it seems the "do not resist an evil person," more accurately could be understood as do not seek to defraud them in court, or persecute them back with bitterness in your heart. No Christian is going to claim Christ was against the Law, for Jesus said, "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose," (Matthew 5:17, NLT) and "And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him." (Matthew 12:27, KJV).

We certainly as Christians are not above law or at enmity with the law. For the Apostles said, "Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you," (Hebrews 13;17), "Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor (kings)," (1 Peter 2:17), and "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." (Romans 13:1). Clearly we are to comply with the offices and ordiances of the realm in which we live. We are commanded by Christ's disciples to obey those in authority over us, unless they should command us to betray our faith, then we have the right to rebell, "Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than human beings!" (Acts 45:29) and "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18). Daniel faced the same ordeal in the Lion's Dead, but the point was that the Prophet Daniel, His friends, and The Apostles obeyed the authorities and rulers until it violated their faith, then they risked their lives and would not submit, this being the only just cause to do so before God.

As Christians we are compelled to obey the laws of our countires long as they do not violate, infringe, and undermine our Christian beleifs, faith, and lifestyle. This means we must must obey the laws and goverances of our land, and know what they are. We want to shine as ambassadors and reconcilers of God (2 Corinthians 5:18, 2 Corinthians 5:20). But how are we to respond to laws that use Capital and Corporal punishment? Captial punishment is the death penalty for capital offenses against the law like murder, rape, and genocide. Today, very few states in The United States of America use Capital Punishment, for many decry it as inhumane, and would rather have tax payers pay to let murderers and rapists live. The arugment is well fought, on one side therse is claim, why should we keep alive and fund people who have done worst deeds against humanity? Would you have Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and most immoral of men live at expense of people they murdered?The counter claim is also strong, "Paul was once Saul, a murderer of Christians, and he became a great Messanger of Christianity, had Paul been held to standard of Capital Punishment, we would not have most of New Testament." (evidence see Acts 8:1, and Acts 22:4). But what of Corporal Punishment? Corpotal Punishment is to slap, cane, beat, smite, brand with hot banding iron, flog (with whip), and even mulitate a part of person as punishment. King Solomon said, "Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them." (Proverbs 13:24, also see Proverbs 22:15 and Proverbs 23:13-14). This is form of Corporal Punishment, but honestly real Corporal Punishment was more severe, and left terrible wounds on a person's body, spanking as Solomon encourages is discipline (which is not do be done in excess, anger, or harshly see Ephensians 6:4). The Apostle Paul suffered Corporal Punishment, "Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea," (2 Corinthians 11:25) and Tertullian records that Paul suffered Capital punishment as Roman Citizen and was beheaded.


Most courts in West and abroad do not enforce Corporal Punishment due to Geneva Convention and  the Laws of Human Rights. However, many countries still unofficially observe Corporal Punishment to make citizens understand the gravity of their disobedience, insolence, wicked deeds, and sins. As for Capital Punishment, the Old Testament had many laws that proclaimed death to those caught in sin, "she shall be brought to the door of her father's house and there the men of her town shall stone her to death. She has done an outrageous thing in Israel by being promiscuous while still in her father's house. You must purge the evil from among you."(Deuteronomy 22:21). But has not sin be forgiven and the judgement lessened? Are not we now pardoned from what once was put to death by stones? Yes indeed, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9). However, those who would presume on this forgiveness and live wild unholy lives and not seek a relationship with their Savior, there is a worse judgement, for while we now escape being put to death over sins of person, we may be put to Second Death, "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." (Revelation 21:8). We actually have more reason to keep God's commands, for now what is at stake is not our life on burning stake of this world, but our eternal life before burning stake in the Lake of Fire! Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands." (John 14:15). These commands were to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, Love your neighbor as yourself," (Luke 10:27) and "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34). If these commands be our endeavor, to know and love our God and each other, we have no fear, and John 3:16 is our banner, but if we believe that because our Lord is away, and we think we can abuse other believers and drink unto drunkenness (Matthew 24:49) and even let our lamps go out (Matthew 25:8) then we shall suffer the wrath of Returning Bridegroom who is Christ Jesus!

Capital Punishment should not be what we fear, for Christ says, "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." (Luke 12:4-5). If the authorities execute us for their evil purpose, it is small mercy to send us speedily to the arms of our Savior (Phillippians 1:21-25. Those who fear death fear God and the Second Death, they know they are not following His commands as aforementioned, and they stand in judgement already (John 3:18). The proportion to which you fear dying and leaving this world is in direct standing to how guilty you are; it means either you have false guilt from the enemy or you have thought like those who knew Christ delayed and did as you wished, even blaspheming God and beating your brothers in Christ. The Law of God condemns those without pure hearts. If you Sin and recognize it, and repent, you are forgiven, but if you say that it is not sin and you believe you can go on in this manner with impunity, even spitting in Immanuel's face, then you have become impotent and are in insurrection to Him that first saved you which bears the penalty of being caste out of his presence and hell fire (see the fate of the lukewarm and those who fall away: Hebrews 6:3-6, 2 Peter 2:20-21, Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 25:1-12, Revelation 3:16).

Punishment exists because justice demands it. On this earth men and women who violate the law must be held accountable to the law. The same applies to celestial laws of Christ which if followed will make you good citizen of this earth sparing you judgement unless the authorities be corrupt, and will ensure salvation and clemency in the next life before Throne of God's judgement (Romans 14:10, Revelation 20:11-13, Matthew 25:31-32). Make no mistake we will all go before God's throne of judgment, "You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat." (Romans 14:10). If we revere the Judgement to Come, and obey God's laws, we end up obeying the laws of men (unless they again are corrupted like in case of Nebucanzzer and Firey Furnace).

The Rule is Love God first, and obey Him above all authorities, and secondly love people including rulers, and obey them. If the second command comes in conflict with first, you are to obey the first, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 23:36-40). The commands and laws of God we obey from place of love, because He loved us and we love Him; not out of fear alone. I do not want to leave the impression that we should become Pharisees who had not heart and love for God, just legalism and austerity. However, we must love the Lord Jesus Christ, believe in Him, and follow Him, then we have nothing to fear; but those who do not are condemned already (John 3:18). Therefore, choose to serve Trinity of Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit while you live, so that you may be found in His company and not among company of the condemned.