[Mitchell]  Here is a reply to your questions.  I hope they help.

[BoyntonStu] A few questions for Believers.   Please give your answer
and the
reference in scripture that supports it.

[BoyntonStu] 1>In a Christian Nation should Capital Punishment be the
Law?

[Mitchell] It should be first noted that there are no "Christian"
nations.  There are nations were the majority are "Christians",
however.

Christians were admonished by Jesus Christ to be separate from the
world.  Christ Jesus stated in John 15:19: "If you were part of the
world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are
no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this
account the world hates you."  Also, John 17:14:  " I have given
your word to them, but the world has hated them, because they are no
part of the world, just as I am no part of the world."  And the
disciple James tells the Christian congregation:  "Adulteresses, do
you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God?
Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting
himself an enemy of God."

As for capital punishment that would really be up to the person
himself.  We must remember that under the law covenant capital
punishment was a widely held practice.  It was, in fact, sanctioned by
God.  Genesis. 9:5-6 illustrates this wonderfully:  "And, besides
that, your blood of your souls shall I ask back. From the hand of every
living creature shall I ask it back; and from the hand of man, from the
hand of each one who is his brother, shall I ask back the soul of man.
Anyone shedding man's blood, by man will his own blood be shed, for
in God's image he made man."  Also in Numbers 15:30 it talks about
a person speaking "abusively of Jehovah" being "cut off from
among the people."  There are, in fact, many examples of God himself
exercising capital punishment (2 Peter 2:5-6; Ex. 32:27-28).  Those are
just two examples but really the Israelites campaign against the pagan
nations I the Land of Promise was in fact, capital punishment
authorized by God.  It could also be meted out by humans under the law
covenant (Ex. 21:29; Lev. 18:6-30; 20:10-23).  A future act of capital
punishment will be unleashed on human kind at the Great War of God the
Almighty (Jer. 25:32-33; Isa. 66:16).

The Apostle Paul tells us in Rom. 13:1, 3-4 that the nations of the
earth derive their authority of govern from Jehovah God.  They are
"God's minister to you for your good. But if you are doing what is
bad, be in fear: for it is not without purpose that it bears the sword;
for it is God's minister, an avenger to express wrath upon the one
practicing what is bad" (v. 4).  If those nations decide that capital
punishment should be practiced we cannot really say otherwise.  Why?
Well, capital punishment isn't really against Gods law.  It was
practiced for centuries before Christ came to the earth and God will
soon practice it once again.  Since human law, in this instance, does
not conflict with God's law fighting against it would be taking a
stand against Gods arrangement.  However, to agree with it or not is
really up to you.  It is more or less a conscience matter.

[BoyntonStu] 2> What day of the week should the Sabbath be celebrated?

[Mitchell] It shouldn't be celebrated...unless you are Jewish.  When
Christ died he fulfilled the Law, including the Sabbath celebration
(Matt. 5:17; Rom. 8:3-8).  But, traditionally, the Jewish faith
celebrates the Sabbath on Saturday.

[BoyntonStu] 3> Must Christians follow the Ten Commandments as written
in the Jewish Bible (Exodus)?

[Mitchell] The Ten Commandments are certainly good guidelines.  They
are perfect law given to imperfect man.  The purpose of the Law was
show man to be a sinner (Rom. 3:19-20; 4:15; 5:12-14; Acts. 13:39; Gal.
3:11).  However, when Jesus came to the earth and died for us he
abolished the Law.  No longer are we judged according to a strict law
that can only point out our faults.  Now we are judged on the merit of
our faith and acts (Gal. 2:16).  Christ Jesus fulfilled the Law (Matt.
5:17) and instituted a new Law covenant.  The whole law, according to
Christ could be fulfilled by two of the ten commandments.  Love God
with your whole heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself
(Matt. 22:35-40).  Christ told us that the whole Law hangs on those two
commandments.  He gave Christians a new commandment to love one another
as he loved us (John 13:31-35).

So must we follow the Ten Commandments?  Yes!  Those are perfect Law
that should guide are daily lives.  Are we going to be judged by those
Ten Commandments?  No.  We are no longer judged by Law but by faith and
our heart condition.

[BoyntonStu] 4> Please state the Commandment word referring to the
taking of human life.  Is it "Do Not Murder" or is it "Do Not
Kill"?

[Mitchell] It depends on the translation, really.  Both are right.
However, this hardly has to do with capital punishment.  This
commandment is to not commit murder.  Do not knowingly and willfully go
out and put someone to death just because.  Was there ever a right
reason to put someone to death?  Yes.  We have already covered that
point however.

[BoyntonStu] 5> Although each of the following church groups consider
themselves 'Christian', which of them would you consider
'Christian'?

[Mitchell] I'm going to be biased on my opinion on this.  I am one of
Jehovah's Witnesses and one of the key tenants of my faith is the
belief that we are the followers of true Christianity.  While others
may call themselves "Christian" they believe in false teachings,
corrupt teachings.  Now, I know I probably opened a whole can of worms
with that statement so please, if you guys are going to debate this
matter, be tactful about it.
I hope I answered your questions.

Peace.
Mitchell
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