Pacifism self defense christianity

Biblical Nonresistance & Rebuke of Pacifism

Click here for part 1 Jesus Didn’t Correct Moses – Biblical Non-Resistance & Rebuke of Pacifism – 12-16-2017.mp3

Also, a full length book on this subject that is HIGHLY recommended. Click here to read it

Pacifism is a belief that ALL war & violence is wrong. We are not teaching here that all wars and violence is right. There is the world’s way and the right way (the bible way). We are NOT promoting you should become a violent, macho person… We are not for that either. Pacifists however can be bullies without using ONE FIST. Ghandi was a pacifist, an antichrist wicked man. Johnny Rotten, one of the most wicked rock stars, claims to be a pacifist. This does not make you a Christian. Biblical pacifism is not non-resistance. Pacifism is an attack on God ordained law enforcement and if you believe in it, you are heading to an eternal hellfire!

Mat 5:38  Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

“It seems that the Jews had made this law (the execution of which belonged to the civil magistrate) a ground for authorizing private resentments, and all the excesses committed by a vindictive spirit. Revenge was often carried to the utmost extremity, and more evil returned than what had been received. This is often the case among those who are called Christians.”

Mat 5:39  But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

“Resist not evil – Or, the evil person. So, I am fully persuaded, τω πονηρω ought to be translated. Our Lord’s meaning is, “Do not repel one outrage by another.” He that does so makes himself precisely what the other is, a wicked person. Turn to him the other also – That is, rather than avenge thyself, be ready to suffer patiently a repetition of the same injury. But these exhortations belong to those principally who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Let such leave the judgment of their cause to Him for whose sake they suffer. The Jews always thought that every outrage should be resented; and thus the spirit of hatred and strife was fostered.” [Adam Clarke]

Pacifism would not even be following what Jesus is teaching. You can’t avenge yourself ANY WAY, even on the internet for example, if you go against someone. You must NEVER take revenge on someone, even subtly.

A slap on the cheek is an “insult”… not a vicious attack. It’s not talking about someone trying to injure you in a grave, physical way. Willing to suffer in order to not transgress is good, but, if you’re in great bodily harm, you are absolutely in your biblical bounds to defend yourself , your loved ones, etc with force.

1Th 5:15 “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”

Look at how Jesus responded when He was actually smote by another’s hand.

Joh 18:19  The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
Joh 18:20  Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
Joh 18:21  Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
Joh 18:22  And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
Joh 18:23  Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

Paul’s rebuke to the High Priest would have been just directed at most anyone else. Paul honestly didn’t know this man was the High Priest and would have only been milder because he was a ruler of his people. Paul’s zeal was for the honor of God’s law- it was not to avenge himself. Same with Jesus’ rebuke above when He was smitten.

Act 23:1  And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
Act 23:2  And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
Act 23:3  Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
Act 23:4  And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?
Act 23:5  Then said Paul, I wist not(Paul did not know, maybe from bad eyesight, etc), brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

It’s our duty as long as we are working within God’s boundaries. If a homicidal maniac is on a rampage and you are able to use force to stop him, and don’t, you are guilty!  If someone is on trial for killing your loved one, you can’t go into the court and shoot him/her dead… If you walk into a public shower room, for example, and you see a man molesting a boy and yell, yet the perpetrator still doesn’t stop, YOU MUST TAKE PHYSICAL ACTION to help the little child! You will be in grave sin if you don’t stop the rape/attack. Don’t try to use the “I will call the police”. It would take them minutes to get there, at least! That evil must be stopped immediately and you must take action or you are just as guilty. Please, don’t go into the ditch on either side of the road here.

1Pe 3:8  Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
1Pe 3:9  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
1Pe 3:10  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
1Pe 3:11  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
1Pe 3:12  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
1Pe 3:13  And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
1Pe 3:14  But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

Jesus spoke in agreements with the law and the prophets.

As Noah stepped off the ark, Jesus laid down the law about the death penalty. God says the death penalty is just and commanded. It’s God’s judgement. Jesus was the WORD made flesh, this has not changed! You must support the death penalty for duly convicted(convicted by due process of the law) persons, if you are Christian…

Gen 9:6  “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.”

Anyone’s faith that contradicts the faith of Abraham is in grave error.

Isa 51:1  Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.
Isa 51:2  Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.

They are criminals going way beyond:

Gen 14:1  And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;
Gen 14:2  That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.
Gen 14:3  All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
Gen 14:4  Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
Gen 14:5  And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
Gen 14:6  And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness.
Gen 14:7  And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.

Abraham was NOT a pacifist! He trained 318 MEN to use weapons so they could rescue Lot and the others. They slaughtered the transgressors, biblically!

Gen 14:8  And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;
Gen 14:9  With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.
Gen 14:10  And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.
Gen 14:11  And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.
Gen 14:12  And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
Gen 14:13  And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
Gen 14:14  And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
Gen 14:15  And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
Gen 14:16  And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

GOD APPROVED OF THE SLAUGHTER & GOD NEVER CHANGES: There was nobody in a better position to go help the oppressed and God honored / blessed it, (defending the weak & needy). You see in the previous chapter that Lot’s herdsmen had an issue with Abraham’s herdsmen yet Abraham still helped.  In defending the needy from the oppressor, you would even smite your own biological family to defend the poor.

Gen 14:17  And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale.
Gen 14:18  And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
Gen 14:19  And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
Gen 14:20  And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

So the basic teaching below is there is not guilt or punishment from a night burglar when you take action which results in a death. It’s much harder to discern one’s intention in the nighttime. If in the day, maybe the local homeless guy is trying to break in to get food, then you can deal with it differently and go to the judge to take care of it. At night, there may be a much more nefarious reason for one breaking in. The neighbors would not likely to hear your screams at all or too late. You have every biblical right to defend yourself, your life from attack. It also is for the safety of society as a whole.

Exo 22:2  If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him(not murder).  (ref Gen 9:6)
Exo 22:3  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.

WWJD?

Mat 24:43  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Mat 24:44  Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Mar 3:23  And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
Mar 3:24  And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
Mar 3:25  And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
Mar 3:26  And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
Mar 3:27  No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

What is self-defense and what is overreaction? What is commanded by the Law of God does not change. Here you will clearly see a woman’s responsibility to resist and CRY OUT. What is she crying out for? HELP! Here we see the responsibility of the bystanders to take action and help her. If they don’t , they are guilty too!

Deu 22:23  If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;
Deu 22:24  Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour’s wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.
Deu 22:25  But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die:
Deu 22:26  But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter:
Deu 22:27  For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her.

The moral law is so very clear and never changes. Judges being appointed and executing just vengeance upon criminals is of God.

Deu 19:15  One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
Deu 19:16  If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;
Deu 19:17  Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;
Deu 19:18  And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;
Deu 19:19  Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.
Deu 19:20  And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.
Deu 19:21  And thine eye shall not pity(the guilty); but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

The Supreme Court of the nation which eventually was held at Jerusalem, the place God ultimately chose as Israel’s Capital City.

Deu 17:8  If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose;
Deu 17:9  And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and enquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment:
Deu 17:10  And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the LORD shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee:
Deu 17:11  According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left.
Deu 17:12  And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.
Deu 17:13  And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.

This is JUST JUDGEMENT. A commandment from the LORD. God gave a place to carry out just punishment. Here we see a beating that is righteously deserved. This was to be carried out by the judges- not for individuals to take vengeance on their own personal enemies as they saw fit- it was such abuse of the law that Jesus was rebuking and correcting in Matthew 5:38-39- He didn’t correct the law itself as many teach He did.

Deu 25:1  If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.
Deu 25:2  And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number.
Deu 25:3  Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.
Deu 25:4  Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.

God’s law values a poor person as he does a rich. God is not a respecter of persons. It’s mandatory to report a crime. It’s loving our neighbor to report crime.

1st Cor Ch 6 is for civil CHURCH matters and they should be taken care of in the local church. Obviously if it’s a major crime (criminal), they church must comply with the government authorities. Romans 13 must be heeded..

1Co 6:1  Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
1Co 6:2  Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1Co 6:3  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
1Co 6:4  If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
1Co 6:5  I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
1Co 6:6  But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
1Co 6:7  Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
1Co 6:8  Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
1Co 6:9  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1Co 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Submission to the Authorities
Rom 13:1  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.
Rom 13:2  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Rom 13:3  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 good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Rom 13:4  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Rom 13:5  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Rom 13:6  For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Rom 13:7  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

We should expect to see Christians serving in Government (the State) as God’s ministers as we see in the 7 verses above. The wicked David Bercot is a LIAR (a false teacher).

Acts 10 Cornelius comes to Christ carrying the sword as part as as a Roman Centurion.

Acts 13 Sergius Paulus remained the Governor after conversion.

Act 13:4  So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
Act 13:5  And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
Act 13:6  And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
Act 13:7  Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
Act 13:8  But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
Act 13:9  Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
Act 13:10  And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
Act 13:11  And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
Act 13:12  Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

Acts 16:27 the Philippian Jailer carried a sword after conversion.  He was baptized into Jesus and remained a JAILER carrying a sword.

Act 16:27  And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
Act 16:28  But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
Act 16:29  Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
Act 16:30  And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Act 16:31  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Act 16:32  And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
Act 16:33  And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 
Act 16:34  And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Act 16:35  And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.
Act 16:36  And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.

Pacifism: “the belief that any violence, including war, is unjustifiable under any circumstances, and that all disputes should be settled by peaceful means.”
1)  It promotes idolatry.  The false “hippie Jesus” which many believe in is intrinsically linked to the lie that Jesus was a pacifist.
2)  The idea that Jesus taught pacifism would actually make Jesus a hypocrite and a sinner- He used force in driving men and animals out of the temple (2:14-17).  I actually know someone who claims to be a born-again, Bible-believing Christian who yet insists that Jesus sinned in cleansing the temple.  Evil and out of his mind for sure, but an actual example of a consistent pacifist.
3)  Pacifism attacks God-ordained law enforcement as incompatible with Jesus’ kingdom.  This is ultimately an attack on God’s authority (Romans 13:1-7).
4) Pacifism justifies wicked criminals (Proverbs 17:15).  The consistent pacifist must say their apprehension and sentence should not have happened, and would not have happened, had those who brought them to justice been faithful Christians.
5)  Pacifism also endangers the innocent.  Would you want the only one person in a position to help you if you were violently attacked to be a pacifist who didn’t believe it was morally right to harm your attacker or use force him against him in any way?
6)  Pacifism implicitly teaches the anti-christ view of mankind that man is basically good and that peace CAN ALWAYS be attained through things like conversation and mutual understanding.  The judgment the Scriptures give of sinners is denied.  No wonder pacifism also is common among foolish Liberals who are Universalists and/or New-Agers that affirm the inherent goodness of the human race in contrast to God’s declaration in the Scriptures.
7)  Pacifism vilifies God’s own judgments that He gave through Moses as He gave laws dealing with promoting and maintaining a pure, just, and orderly society- including the basic principle that the death penalty was to be administered BY MAN to murderers (Genesis 9:6).
8)  Pacifism separates and distinguishes Jesus from the God of the Old Testament; if Jesus taught pacifism as the pacifist alleges, then who gave the law through Moses?  If the pacifist is right and also stays consistent, it could not have been Jesus.  (And that would mean most of the Bible should not be heeded!)
9)  And if the consistent pacifist is right in that, Jesus was then a false prophet whom the Jews were right to seek to stone as leading them away from the law of God (Isaiah 8:20).  Jesus would also then be an inconsistent hypocrite since He also taught the people to keep the law and the prophets (Matthew 7:12, Matthew 23:1-3, etc).
10)  And if Pacifism is true, then the Apostles were either hypocrites or terribly confused since they baptized soldiers and jailers who bore the sword in serving the State (Acts 10 and 16); as well as made use of the armed protection of the Roman army (Acts 23).  And if the Apostles were hypocrites or terribly confused, then the New Testament also which the Apostles wrote IS TOTALLY UNRELIABLE and not the Word of God (including the gospels- the Apostles wrote those too).  (And there’s the rest of the Bible made of none effect!)
When you consider pacifist doctrine, think of the old serpent saying “Yea, hath God said?”- because that question is logically implied in pacifist doctrine.

Click here for part 2 Jesus Didn’t Correct Moses – Biblical Non-Resistance & Rebuke of Pacifism Part 2 – 12-23-2017.mp3

Personal vengeance was rebuked from the beginning! We need to understand how “loving your enemies” has been the same from the beginning according to the Bible.  The moral law stands in the OT & the NT!

REMEMBER:

Mat 5:17  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Mat 5:18  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Mat 7:12  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Mat 5:40  And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. (Jesus is saying if the Judge sentences you, you pay the fine/damage & MORE! Example: a car accident where you think it was not enough to cover the damage, pay more!)
Mat 5:41  And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. (Show them you are a servant of the Most High. Don’t just do the minimum. Do it unto the Lord and do a good job.)1Ti 6:1 “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.”)
Mat 5:42  Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. (Those that need help, even if they are your enemy and you are in a position to help, HELP!). This does not mean you should sell everything and give, but what can you offer without neglecting your daily food needs, your families necessities, etc).

Mat 5:43  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Mat 5:45  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mat 5:46  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? (PUBLICANS: sinners/tax collectors for example were considered a lower class of men morally)
Mat 5:47  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Mat 5:48  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Perfection = keeping and teaching the lay of the prophets, the moral law).

The love Jesus preached in the NT was the same from THE BEGINNING!

1Jn 3:11  For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 
1Jn 3:12  Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
1Jn 3:13  Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

1Jn 2:7  Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. (The new commandment is clearly stated that it’s not a new standard of righteousness introduced).
1Jn 2:8  Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. (Now that you have seen a flesh-n-bloof example of what God’s law is…then… it’s not a new moral commandment, just that the world has never seen it as a man). Joh 1:17 “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (Jesus exemplified what it was to walk in the truth according to the law from the beginning).

2Jn 1:4  I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
2Jn 1:5  And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 
2Jn 1:6  And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
2Jn 1:7  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2Jn 1:8  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
2Jn 1:9  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

Heb 10:11  And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
Heb 10:12  But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Heb 10:13  From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
Heb 10:14  For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Heb 10:15  Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
Heb 10:16  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Heb 10:17  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

The definition OF love is FULFILLING the LAW…

Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

RIGHT AFTER the law of the death penalty, this is stated:

Gen 9:6  Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Gen 9:7  And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.
Gen 9:8  And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,
Gen 9:9  And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;
Gen 9:10  And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.
Gen 9:11  And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
Gen 9:12  And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:
Gen 9:13  I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
Gen 9:14  And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
Gen 9:15  And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.
Gen 9:16  And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.
Gen 9:17  And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.

Remember, God commanded the death penalty by LAWFUL means. Jesus taught AGAINST the Scribes & Pharisees when giving the Sermon on The Mount, He was NOT teaching against the Law and the Prophets. The love of your enemies was FROM THE BEGINNING. 

Lev 19:17  Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. 
Lev 19:18  Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself(LOVE YOUR ENEMIES): I am the LORD.

Moses sister & brother speak against him, Moses still asked for forgiveness for them:

Num 12:1  And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.
Num 12:2  And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.
Num 12:3  (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
Num 12:4  And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.
Num 12:5  And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.
Num 12:6  And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
Num 12:7  My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
Num 12:8  With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
Num 12:9  And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.
Num 12:10  And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.
Num 12:11  And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.
Num 12:12  Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother’s womb.
Num 12:13  And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.
Num 12:14  And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.
Num 12:15  And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.
Num 12:16  And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran.

Exo 23:4  If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.
Exo 23:5  If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.

Deuteronomy given right before Moses died (the 2nd giving of the law). When you see someone that needs help or property that is lost and you have a chance to get it back to them no matter who they are, you are commanded to do it. The OT taught the love of your enemy. The Pharisees corrupted this and THAT is what Jesus was correcting to get back to the original LAW (by saying things like the gentile is your enemy and you don’t have to love him)

Deu 22:1  Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother.
Deu 22:2  And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again. 
Deu 22:3  In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother’s, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself.
Deu 22:4  Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.

Deu 16:18  Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.
Deu 16:19  Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
Deu 16:20  That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Exo 23:9  Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Lev 19:33  And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.
Lev 19:34  But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Lev 19:35  Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.

Deu 10:17  For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
Deu 10:18  He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.
Deu 10:19  Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Deu 10:20  Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.

Jesus used this example in the Good Samaritan parable. Notice Jesus is teaching what the the LAW taught, below… If this Samaritan showed up a little earlier and saw this man being beat, he would have used force to help the Samaritan.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Luk 10:25  And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
Luk 10:26  He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 
Luk 10:27  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Luk 10:28  And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
Luk 10:29  But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
Luk 10:30  And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
Luk 10:31  And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
Luk 10:32  And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
Luk 10:33  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
Luk 10:34  And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Luk 10:35  And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Luk 10:36  Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
Luk 10:37  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Job understood the difference between Judicial responsibility and personal vengeance:

Job 29:25  I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.

Watch how Job Judged righteously as a judge:

Job 29:5  When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me;
Job 29:6  When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;
Job 29:7  When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street!
Job 29:8  The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up.
Job 29:9  The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.
Job 29:10  The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.
Job 29:11  When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me:
Job 29:12  Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.
Job 29:13  The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.
Job 29:14  I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.
Job 29:15  I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.
Job 29:16  I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.
Job 29:17  And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth. (Was Job a pacifist, NO WAY)!

Job 31:29  If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:
Job 31:30  Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.
Job 31:31  If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.
Job 31:32  The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller. (*He helped street people! He did not wish evil upon them but he sentenced criminals as a judge. There is a huge difference between personal and God ordained vengeance.)
Job 31:33  If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom:
Job 31:34  Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?
Job 31:35  Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.
Job 31:36  Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me.
Job 31:37  I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.
Job 31:38  If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain;
Job 31:39  If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life:
Job 31:40  Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.

Now David did not kill Saul as he knew Saul could not kill him at the moment and David understood he could not take his own vengeance upon him.  Plus, Saul was the Lord’s anointed King of God’s people which meant that David needed to be even more careful with him.

1Sa 24:1  And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.
1Sa 24:2  Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
1Sa 24:3  And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
1Sa 24:4  And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily.
1Sa 24:5  And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
1Sa 24:6  And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.
1Sa 24:7  So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
1Sa 24:8  David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.
1Sa 24:9  And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
1Sa 24:10  Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD’S anointed.
1Sa 24:11  Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.
1Sa 24:12  The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
1Sa 24:13  As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
1Sa 24:14  After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
1Sa 24:15  The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.

Regarding the prayers in Psalms for God to GOD to take vengeance on enemies. If someone today is blaspheming God and leading many astray, won’t receive correction, causing great shame upon Christ, etc? Is it appropriate to pray for their destruction? Yes, there is a time but be VERY CAREFUL and only do this with much prayer. It MUST be done with a righteous appeal. (See 2 Peter 2:1-3)

An example is Paul here in the NT asking GOD to reward the evil according to their works:

2Ti 4:14  Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
2Ti 4:15  Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

Another example in the OT:

Psa 35:11  False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.
Psa 35:12  They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.
Psa 35:13  But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
Psa 35:14  I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.
Psa 35:15  But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:
Psa 35:16  With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
Psa 35:17  Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.
Psa 35:18  I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
Psa 35:19  Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
Psa 35:20  For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.
Psa 35:21  Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.
Psa 35:22  This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.
Psa 35:23  Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.
Psa 35:24  Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.
Psa 35:25  Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
Psa 35:26  Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.
Psa 35:27  Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
Psa 35:28  And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.

Forgiveness is ultimately committing the one who wrongs us to God. You can’t use forgiveness to not excommunicate a sinner from church exactly the same way you can’t use forgiveness to not a stop a rape, murder, or stop someone from doing great bodily harm!! Forgiveness = release. We shouldn’t be naive and compromise TRUTH for reconciliation!

We should never hold wrath however:

1Ti 2:8  I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

You see this all over the bible. If you are in the position to help someone that is being attacked and not use the force necessary to stop the attack, you are putting your very soul in danger of hellfire.  Judicial judgement and duty is commanded.

Pro 24:11  If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
Pro 24:12  If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

Pro 20:26  A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

Personal vengeance is forbidden(same eternal principals in the OT & in the NT:

Pro 20:22  Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

Pro 24:28  Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
Pro 24:29  Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

Pro 25:21  If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
Pro 25:22  For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

Rom 12:17  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Rom 12:19  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Rom 12:20  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. (From Proverbs above)!
Rom 12:21  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Rom 13:1  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.
Rom 13:2  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Rom 13:3  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 good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Rom 13:4  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. (See Romans 12:19 above). 

We are told to look to the Prophets.. They were not pacifists! Not being a pacifist does not mean you will never be afflicted or even martyred; but again, they were not pacifists. “There is a time for…”

Jas 5:10  Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
Jas 5:11  Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Do you not seek medicine when sick? Yet you say you “lose you life”…. Please wake up! Taking up our cross means we do whatever is necessary to obey HIM. Dying physically would be the EASY way to lose your life, instead of staying in the fight here on earth! Jesus himself was not a pacifist! He drove the people out by FORCE IN EXERCISING HIS DUTY IN THE PLACE HE WAS  RESPONSIBLE TO UPHOLD THE PURITY OF!! Are we not to walk as HE walked?

1Jn 2:6  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 

Joh 2:13  And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, 
Joh 2:14  And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 
Joh 2:15  And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; 
Joh 2:16  And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.
Joh 2:17  And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. 

Jesus commanded adulterers to be stoned. Jesus exposed UNRIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENT with the woman caught in adultery. They were partial, unrighteous witnesses and did not go through the proper channels to cast judgement!

Joh 8:1  Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
Joh 8:2  And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
Joh 8:3  And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
Joh 8:4  They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
Joh 8:5  Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
Joh 8:6  This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
Joh 8:7  So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Joh 8:8  And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
Joh 8:9  And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
Joh 8:10  When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
Joh 8:11  She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Jesus confirms the death penalty:

Mar 7:9  And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Mar 7:10  For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:

The most misused scripture the pacificists use. They, up until Jesus death, they were under supernatural protection. Now that Jesus was going to Heaven, the swords were for AFTER He left! He did not ask them to carry so they would be “numbered with transgressors”. Jesus was numbered with the 2 thieves (transgressors) on the CROSS.

Luk 22:35  And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
Luk 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.
Luk 22:37  For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
Luk 22:38  And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

Joh 18:11  Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? (Not use it at the moment as my time has come)…

These people were the government(authorities) and they were greatly unnumbered anyway. The pacifist does not take account that those who take up the sword rashly and against governmental authorities and are more than likely to die. However, those who use the sword only for defense of self and defense of others in a judicious, responsible manner are not likely to perish with the sword.

Mat 26:50  And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
Mat 26:51  And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.
Mat 26:52  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.
Mat 26:53  Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Mat 26:54  But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

Pacifists make Jesus out to be an effeminate, long haired “hippy jesus” with milky white skin, skinny as can be. Heinous!

This is when Jesus returns and is not to be used to justify pacifism! 

Mic 4:3  And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Mic 4:4  But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.

This is not the condition of the world today:

Mat 24:6  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

If Jesus was a pacifist God, there would be NO reason to seek peace with him.

Luk 19:27  But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

Rev 19:11  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Rev 19:12  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
Rev 19:13  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Rev 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Rev 19:15  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Rev 19:16  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Dealing with self-defense when preaching the gospel:

Love does not provoke and we should be praying. Whatever happens we should be blameless, however, we certainly can defend ourselves, biblically. If we are in serious danger, it should only be to get out of harm’s way and no more.  Diffuse the situation with whatever means necessary and no more. Even martial-arts (a worldly practice that is spiritually wicked) will tell you not to use any more force than necessary. MACHO PRIDE IS HATEFUL! We must “honor” all men. Many say nasty things and provoke people to wrath. IF they try to use “self defense” in this instance they are just like a heathen. Sinners preaching to sinners! If we are by ourselves and have to use deadly force to stop deadly force, then it’s biblical to do so. You may choose to die if you wish also, both options are righteous. IF however someone else is in danger, you are COMMANDED to help them. Please study and pray on these things so you are equipped and prepared for these situations. 

Jesus instructed us to flee if we are persecuted beyond the point where it would be unreasonable and foolish to stay any longer; and this includes even situations where Government authorities are involved in the persecution.

Act 14:1  And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
Act 14:2  But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
Act 14:3  Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Act 14:4  But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
Act 14:5  And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,
Act 14:6  They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
Act 14:7  And there they preached the gospel.

Mat 10:16  Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Mat 10:17  But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
Mat 10:18  And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
Mat 10:19  But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
Mat 10:20  For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. Mat 10:21  And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Mat 10:23  But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. 

Act 17:1  Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
Act 17:2  And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
Act 17:3  Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
Act 17:4  And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
Act 17:5  But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
Act 17:6  And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
Act 17:7  Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
Act 17:8  And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
Act 17:9  And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

Paul and Silas in Berea
Act 17:10  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Act 17:12  Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Act 17:13  But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.
Act 17:14  And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.
Act 17:15  And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

Paul used the protection of the Roman army(armed) to protect him using their God ordained authority in Acts 23

THE LAW OF THE LORD IS PERFECT

Psa 19:7  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Psa 19:8  The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psa 19:9  The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Psa 19:10  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.