Does god kill in the new testament
A great question!
In the New Testament, God is often depicted as a God of love, mercy, and justice. However, there are instances where God is described as taking human life or causing harm. Here are some examples:
- The Flood: In Genesis 6-9, God sends a flood to destroy the wickedness of humanity, killing every living thing on earth except for Noah and his family.
- Sodom and Gomorrah: In Genesis 18-19, God destroys the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone, killing all the inhabitants, due to their wickedness and sin.
- The plagues of Egypt: In Exodus 7-12, God sends plagues upon Egypt to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. These plagues include the death of Egyptian firstborn sons (Exodus 12:29-30) and the destruction of the Egyptian army in the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-31).
- The destruction of Jericho: In Joshua 6, God commands the Israelites to destroy the city of Jericho, killing all its inhabitants, as a demonstration of His power and authority.
- The death of Ananias and Sapphira: In Acts 5:1-11, God strikes down Ananias and Sapphira, a couple who lied to the apostles about their generosity, as a warning to the early Christian community.
In each of these instances, God's actions are motivated by His desire to:
- Punish sin and wickedness
- Protect His people and His covenant
- Demonstrate His power and authority
- Fulfill His prophetic promises
It's important to note that these events are not necessarily examples of God's "killing" in the classical sense, but rather His sovereign actions to bring about justice, redemption, and salvation.
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is often depicted as the embodiment of God's love and mercy, and His teachings emphasize the importance of loving one's neighbors and enemies. While there are still instances of judgment and punishment in the New Testament, they are often tempered with mercy and forgiveness.
Ultimately, the question of whether God "kills" in the New Testament is complex and open to interpretation. However, it's clear that God's actions are always motivated by His love and desire to bring about redemption and salvation for humanity.