As a juror, how should a Christian consider “capital” punishment?
The basic idea behind capital punishment is that it is the government that is imposing the punishment on individuals in society that have failed to respect the laws of our society. However, the term “capital punishment” has come to refer to a sentence and ultimate execution of death to the guilty individual. Does a Christian have the authority to sentence someone to death? Before we further answer this question, let’s look at it from a different perspective. Does the government have the authority from God to sentence someone to death? The answer to that question is a most definite, “Yes.” In Romans 13:1-4 we read, “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. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 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
