Fight in the bible new testament
While the New Testament does not condone violence or fighting as a means of resolving conflicts, there are a few instances where physical self-defense or fighting is mentioned. Here are some examples:
- Jesus' defense of himself against the temple authorities (John 2:13-22, 7:45-53, 8:59-60, 10:31-39, 11:47-54): Jesus did not engage in physical violence, but he did defend himself against those who were trying to arrest or kill him. He used his words and actions to assert his authority and to protect himself.
- The apostles' defense of themselves against the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:17-42, 7:54-60, 12:1-19): The apostles, including Peter and John, were arrested and beaten by the Sanhedrin for preaching about Jesus. They did not resist physically, but they did defend themselves verbally and spiritually.
- Paul's defense of himself against the Jews (Acts 22:1-21, 23:1-35, 24:1-27): Paul, who was a Jewish Christian, was arrested and put on trial by the Jews for preaching about Jesus. He defended himself against their accusations, using his knowledge of Jewish law and scripture to argue his case.
- The defense of the church against persecution (Acts 8:1, 11:19, 12:1-2, 14:5-7, 16:19-24, 17:5-9, 18:12-17, 20:3-4, 21:27-36, 22:22-29, 24:1-27): The early Christian church faced persecution from both Jewish and Roman authorities. While the apostles and other Christians did not engage in physical violence, they did defend themselves and the church against unjust treatment.
It's worth noting that the New Testament emphasizes the importance of non-violent conflict resolution and the use of spiritual weapons, such as prayer, fasting, and the power of the Holy Spirit, to overcome evil. For example:
- Jesus taught his disciples to "turn the other cheek" and to "love their enemies" (Matthew 5:38-42, Luke 6:27-36).
- The apostle Paul wrote that Christians should "not fight against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).
- The book of Hebrews encourages Christians to "persevere in prayer" and to "resist the devil" through faith (Hebrews 4:12-13, 10:32-39).
Overall, while the New Testament does not rule out physical self-defense or fighting in all circumstances, it emphasizes the importance of non-violent conflict resolution and the use of spiritual weapons to overcome evil.