What about Gun Control?

Who said this?

“This year will go down in history. For the first time, a civilized nation has full gun registration. Our streets will be safer, our police more efficient, and the world will follow our lead into the future.”
This quote is attributed to Adolf Hitler in 1935 – Adolf Hitler never said it.

For more information about it take a look at:
http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcbogus.html

But this does bring up an important issue. Guns. Weapons in general.

Our US Constitution protects our right as a citizen to keep and bear arms.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.billofrights.html

What does the Bible say about gun ownership? What about the use of deadly force for the protection of life and property? How is shooting someone exercising love, “turn the other cheek,” or “do good to your enemies”?

There were many times when God told the people of Israel to go to war. Some people may say, “But that was in the Old Testament. What about the New Testament?”

We are warned by Paul: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

Notice how this passage speaks of having non-carnal weapons. Does this then exclude the use of carnal weapons? No. This passage ends with the command “and being ready to punish all disobedience.” We use spiritual weapons of prayer and God’s Word to do our warfare on spiritual ground but not exclusively.

Jesus understood this concept when He told the disciples: “Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. … So they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is enough." Luke 22:36-38

Jesus knew He would soon die on the cross and His disciples were going to be without his physical presence. When Jesus was preparing to leave He told the disciples, “he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.”

In the beginning of their ministry, the disciples were instructed to not carry a money bag and they did not have any savings account. After following Jesus for three years the disciples would not have many garments. Since they were traveling all the time they had no place to store their clothing. They would only have the clothes on their back and one extra change of clothes. Their extra clothing was probably the most valuable thing they owned. Jesus told them if they did not have a sword they were to sell their garment and buy a sword. Jesus did not instruct them to give the money to the poor or use the money to by something for someone. This proves Jesus placed a very high value on the disciples carrying a sword.

It also shows something else. Jesus permitted the disciples to carry weapons while they were traveling with Him. Notice what the disciples said in reply: “So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.”” Two of the disciples did not need to go get a sword because they already had one.
Here is Jesus, King of Kings, Creator of the Universe, and he is allowing his disciples to carry a weapon. What would happen if pastors encouraged the deacons to carry weapons? I can just imagine the gossip.

Jesus knew there were spiritual weapons and their power. He also knew there was a need for physical weapons too. The sword was the most powerful weapon used by the citizens of that day and Jesus supported carrying one. The principle is found as an illustration in Luke 11:21 where it says: “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace.” and in Mark 3:27.

Jesus was not against the use of weapons for personal defense. We have spiritual weapons we are commanded to employ, but physical weapons are necessary at times too. Jesus said we can move mountains by prayer and faith in Matthew 21:21. We can also move mountains by tools and strength.

Consider this:
David didn’t only use faith to defeat Goliath. God used David’s weapon and skill to bring victory.

Gideon at times used a sword to kill and at another time used a pitcher with a lamp inside.

For the rest of the New Testament there are no recorded incidents with the disciples and swords.

"Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" Matthew 26:52-53

What Jesus did not say to never carry one. Jesus said to put the sword up into it’s place, not throw it away.

A faithful, loving, caring, biblical, Christian will support the right to carry a weapon.

Most of all the biblical Christian will live biblically.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12