A Prologue of My Blog

Capital Punishment is Retribution for Murder

In America, we execute individuals for crimes, with murder being the primary offense that results in capital punishment. However, the current president frequently uses the term 'treason,' despite facing accusations of espionage himself. Those cases have since faded from public view, leaving us uncertain about the truth of the allegations.

• Espionage.

• Large-scale drug trafficking (Drug Kingpin Act).

• Attempted murder to obstruct a drug investigation.

• Terrorist acts resulting in death.

• Killing or kidnapping specific federal officials (e.g., the President, Congressmen).

• Aircraft piracy resulting in death

I’ve written about this subject in detail, but I want to present a chopped-down version using scripture, logic, and a little common sense. For example, if I am going to use the words of a man to justify the killing of a prisoner, I want to know everything he says. It’s easy to manipulate the context of a single scripture. Whenever I am led to a verse in the Bible, I read the chapter before and after it; sometimes I’ll read the entire book to gain a better understanding.

My job as a teacher is to give my students food that’s easy to digest and understand. I’m a simple man who speaks in simple terms. I lack education, excellent speech, and a strong vocabulary. I use K.I.S.S.—keep it simple, stupid— a term I learned in the Marines. This approach has worked for me, so I teach it.

I used the word 'prisoner' because that's what they are. I also used the word "retribution" intentionally, but I need to be cautious in 2026 when discussing that term. It represents retribution only for the victim's family and friends if they choose to pursue it. I understand that it’s not true justice, as victims have no voice in the process. Families who do not seek retribution for a loved one's murder tend to be ignored.

Retribution:

• the act of punishing or taking vengeance for wrongdoing, sin, or injury
•  punishment or vengeance

Revenge:

• a desire for vengeance or retribution motivated by revenge
• an act or instance of retaliating in order to get even

Capital punishment IS retribution, vengeance, or revenge. They’re the same.

Thine Universal Church defines the Divine Law of God as the Ten Commandments, the Gospel of Christ, and the Golden Rule. Each of the three is joined together as one law. The words of men are NOT included in the law of God for good reason.

The Word of God is eternal and everlasting in any age or generation.

Matthew 24:35

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

Under the Old Covenant, the laws referred to were Jewish law, also known as Mosaic law, intended for the Jews to follow, distinguishing them from the Gentiles as God's chosen people. The original law, the Ten Commandments, serves as the foundation for both Jewish and Christian law.

Hebrews 8:7 - For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 

Let’s begin. Cain was the first murderer who was pardoned by God. Old Testament death penalty proponents ignore this act of mercy by God. They choose instead to use Genesis 9:6 as justification to kill a murderer.

Genesis 9:6 - Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed.

To me, this sounds like ‘if you live by the sword, you die by the sword.’ In the NKJV Bible, it doesn't even use the word 'murder.' Shedding a man’s blood is vague and leads me to believe I read it as it was meant to be read. I want to point out another murderer who was pardoned and forgiven by God, King David.

Old Testament law is harsh. Read for yourself what sins lead to death. 

Let me be clear: these are Old Testament Jewish laws under the Old Covenant. 

New Covenant law is Christian law. Christians do not practice Jewish law; that’s why we don’t have to be circumcised and have two sacraments.

Matthew 5:17 

Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

The law being referenced here is exclusively the Ten Commandments, not any other Jewish laws. People who state that Jesus is referring to Jewish laws are either misleading you or ignorant of scripture. In Matthew 19, Jesus Christ clearly specifies that He is addressing the Ten Commandments.

Matthew 19:17-19

So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?”

Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 

I’ve established that Christians are under the New Covenant and the Gospel of Christ and that the law, brought forward by Christ, is the Ten Commandments.

I need to know what Jesus said about Capital punishment. But take note, any sin or crime that isn’t spoken by Christ does NOT mean we look elsewhere for answers. Everything we need is contained in the Gospel. I have stated that Capital punishment is a form of retribution and vengeance for murder, which is also called ‘eye for an eye’ justice. What did Christ say about this form of justice?

Here are three excellent examples that together show us exactly who to believe.

Matthew 5:38

You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

Jesus does away with this form of justice, replacing it with mercy, love, and grace.

John 8:7

So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

We have the well-known parable about the woman who committed adultery and was about to be stoned to death by others, who Jesus knew were sinners. How would you feel if you were condemned by another person who sins, a hypocrite?

Luke 23:34 - Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

Do I really need to explain the lesson learned here? In the Gospel, Jesus Christ forgave all those who murdered and killed an innocent man—Himself.

I only use the Word of God as the law. Christians who support capital punishment use the words of Paul the Apostle in Romans 13:4 as the New Covenant justification for killing a murderer. They deceptively use this single scripture.

Romans 13:4

For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

In my previous discourses, I’ve pointed out that the sword can also represent a verbal decree, proclamation, or sentence issued by a king or judge. But let’s take a closer look at what Paul said. He indicates that a minister is for 'good', which points to a righteous judge or king. Wrath, by definition, means extreme anger, not execution. Paul is urging the people to obey the law of the land, serving as a warning not to practice evil; this does NOT imply that Paul is endorsing the execution of murderers. I mentioned earlier that when we reference a person's words, we must consider all of them to prevent misinterpretation and confusion.

What other insights did Paul offer regarding retribution and vengeance?

Romans 12:17-21

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.  Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

These are also the words of Paul. In fact, if you didn’t know they were from Romans, you might think they were spoken by Jesus. Paul echoes the words of Christ, effectively abolishing the old law too. I began by urging you to use common sense and logic when reading scripture. I’m not asking you to interpret anything. Paul also offers guidance on how we should treat prisoners, our enemies, whom we care for. When you treat your enemy better than they would treat you, you embody the Way of Christ. It astounds the wicked when you show them kindness and treat them fairly; they perceive this behavior as a weakness. I view it as the power of God’s grace and mercy by faith and the blood of Christ.

Any Christian who seeks to condemn a sinner to death is, in essence, a killer. I purposely used the word ‘killer’ to separate it from murder. Christians who are willing to kill another sinner are the same type of people who were cheering on the crucifixion of Christ. They’re not the ones who actually pull the switch, lever, or trigger; they’re the ones in the mob, condemning a sinner to death in their hearts, seeking vengeance and retribution. The same type of people who spat on, beat, and threw things at Christ as He was carrying the cross, they wanted Him dead too; everyone was a sinner themselves. They were hypocrites, condemning an innocent man to death. Christians show mercy and forgive as we were forgiven.

This is another significant indication that Christians who support capital punishment are either corrupt or unaware of the contents of scripture. When we kill a murderer before they have time to complete their natural life, we rob them of a chance at salvation; they’re prisoners who can’t harm anyone. EVERY sinner should have the same chance to seek salvation in Christ regardless of what they’ve done. Plus, there is NO SUCH THING AS SENDING PEOPLE TO GOD! That’s a lie. Every Christian who has actually read the Bible knows that the wicked dead sleep until the second judgment, the final one. Killing someone before they die naturally actually shortens their sentence on earth. Their punishment by God will happen regardless of what we do! Why does anyone want to shorten the sentence of a murderer on earth? It doesn’t make sense to me, and it shouldn’t make sense to any Christian who knows God. Christians should not endorse any law of the land that opposes the Divine law of God.

Capital Punishment is retribution and vengeance for murder, not Christian justice.

It’s a grave sin, especially when an innocent person is executed by mistake!