Gun Control in the Bible

Gun Control and the Bible

Gun Control and the Bible

There are many political and religious leaders who would have us believe that to be a Christian requires one to be a pacifist. In fact, many of those who cry out for more gun control do so under a cloak of religion. But does the Bible address the issues of gun control and self defense? Now in Bible times of course guns did not exist but the most powerful personal weapon was the sword. In 1 Samuel 13:19-20 we have an important reference to government sanctioned "sword control:"

Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, "Lest the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears." But every one of the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, or his sickle

Here we see in the Bible that foreign oppressors wanted to deprive the people of God of their basic right to self defense. The purpose of this "sword control" was not to prevent crime, but to insure that the Israelites could not resist their tyranny. Yet they resisted anyway and the Lord was on their side. The story goes on to say:
So the LORD saved Israel that day.. (1 Samuel 14:23)

And so it is today with those who want our guns. They care nothing about crime or saving lives. Disarming a population is merely the first step toward tyranny. Hitler, Stalin and Mao Tse Tung all disarmed their people before enslaving them. Our founding fathers foresaw this evil tendency and made their beliefs clear:

"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed, as they are in almost every country in Europe."
(Noah Webster: 1787, Pamphlets on the Constitution)

George Washington in his address to the first session of congress said:

"Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence ... from the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurrences and tendencies prove that to ensure peace security and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable ... the very atmosphere of firearms anywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good. When firearms go, all goes, we need them every hour."

Jesus taught the same thing about weapons in Luke 22:35-36.

And He said to them, When I sent you without purse and wallet and sandals, did you lack anything? And they said, Nothing. And He said to them, But now, he who has a purse, let him take it, and likewise his wallet. And he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.

It is our God given right to protect our families and defend ourselves against tyranny. It is not only our right, it is our duty.

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.
(1 Timothy 5:8).

Providing for your family involves much more than money. It includes all of their basic needs. Not only should we be sure they have plenty to eat, but we must provide for their safety and security. It is not the government's duty it is our duty as individuals! But some may ask doesn't the Bible say "thou shalt not kill" in the Ten Commandments? Of course it does! But to kill in the Ten Commandments refers to murder- not self defense or military action. When Jesus quoted the Commandments he explained this:
..Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, (Matthew 19:18).
In the Book of Exodus 22:2 only two chapters from where we find the Ten Commandments, we read

If a thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, no blood shall be shed for him.

The Bible makes it clear that if we kill an intruder to our home, we are not guilty of any crime. Those who would make guns the enemy just don't get it. If all guns were destroyed tomorrow, there would still be murder and robbery. The problem in this world is not guns. The problem is sinners. As long as there are sinners, there will be crime. But the fact is we are all sinners. The Bible says:

As it is written: There is none righteous, no not one; there is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God. They are all gone out of the way, they have together become unprofitable, there is none that does good, no, not one... For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:10, 23)

Why are we sinners? because we have all broken God's commandments. have you ever told a lie or used the name of God or Jesus Christ improperly? Then you are guilty of breaking the Ten Commandments as surely as a murderer. The Bible says:

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. (James 2:10)

We are all guilty and deserve to go to Hell

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)

It would be a terrible thing to live a long life in freedom and security and then die and go to hell. But don't despair, there is hope.

But God shows his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Jesus Christ took the full punishment for our sins and now offers us His righteousness.

For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, ... how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1 Corinthians 15: 1-4)

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe the gospel. (Mark 1:15)

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31)

[Lev 26:7] And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.

[Lev 26:8] And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight:
and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.

Bible Verses about Gun Control - Old Testament - New Testament

The following Bible verses found in the Old Testament and New Testament
teach us about gun control and weapon regulation.

"If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him," we are told in Exodus 22:2. The next verse says, "If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft."

In other words, it was perfectly OK to kill a thief breaking into your house. That's the ultimate expression of self-defense. It doesn't matter whether the thief is threatening your life or not. You have the right to protect your home, your family and your property, the Bible says.

The Israelites were expected to have their own personal weapons. Every man would be summoned to arms when the nation confronted an enemy. They didn't send in the Marines. The people defended themselves.

In 1 Samuel 25:13, we read: "And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff."

Every man had a sword and every man picked it up when it was required.

Judges 5:8 reminds us of what happens to a foolish nation that chooses to
disarm: "They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or
spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?"

The answer to the rhetorical question is clear: No. The people had rebelled
against God and put away their weapons of self-defense.

"Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight," David writes in Psalms 144:1.

Clearly, this is not a pacifist God we serve. It's God who teaches our hands to war and our fingers to fight. Over and over again throughout the Old Testament, His people are commanded to fight with the best weapons available to them at that time.

And what were those weapons? Swords.

Gun Control Bible Quotes

More Biblical quotes from the Bible concerting gun and weapon control.

They didn't have firearms, but they had sidearms. In fact, in the New Testament, Jesus commanded His disciples to buy them and strap them on. Don't believe me? Check it out.

Luke 22:36: "Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."

I know. I know. You biblically literate skeptics are going to cite Matthew 26:52-54 - how Jesus responded when Peter used his sword to cut off the ear of a servant of the high priest: "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? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?"

Read those verses in context and they support my position. Jesus told Peter he would be committing suicide to choose a fight in this situation as well as undermining God's plan to allow Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection.

Jesus told Peter to put his sword in its place; at his side. He didn't say throw it away. After all, He had just ordered the disciples to arm themselves. The reason for the arms was obviously to protect the lives of the disciples, not the life of the Son of God. What Jesus was saying was: "Peter, this is not the right time for a fight."

In the context of America's current battle; as we make plans to rebuild after the devastation of Sept. 11 and defend ourselves at the same time; we should recall Nehemiah, who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem.

"They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon," we're told in Nehemiah 4:17-18. "For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded."

[Lev 26:36] And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.

[Lev 26:37] And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies.

Nehemiah 4:17-18
Who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.

Luke 22:36
He said to them, "But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.

1 Samuel 25:13
And David said to his men, "Every man strap on his sword!" And every man of them strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword. And about four hundred men went up after David,
while two hundred remained with the baggage.

[Ezek 9:2] And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand;

[Job 19:29] Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.

[Job 20:24.7] He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through.

[Luke 11:21] When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:

[Luke 11:22] But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

[Mat 10:34] Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

[Luke 22:36] Then said He unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

[Luke 22:38] And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

[Luke 22:49] When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

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