SHOULD CHRISTIANS ARM THEMSELVES?
By: Justin Frazier
PREFACE
Questions can be provoking at times, causing a deep introspection or research in order to find peace about an issue. In this particular case, we take a look at the subject of Christians and weapons.
- Is it a sin for a Christian to carry a weapon?
- Would a Christian carrying a weapon keep them from Heaven?
- Does the Bible say anywhere that Christians are allowed to carry weapons to protect themselves?
- Would it show a lack of faith or trust in God to protect His people if they arm themselves?
- Would carrying or using a weapon prohibit the Christian from walking in the fullness of the Spirit?
These are all simple, but good questions that should be able to be answered sincerely.
INTRODUCTION
The Bible implies that the object of life is to know God our Creator and enjoy Him forever. In the process of getting to know Him, we have to find out what He’s doing and get in on it. The 2-part requirement of us is summed up in one word, love, which fulfills all the law and the prophets! We are to love and seek Him with our whole heart, mind and soul. This means that we are to seek understanding of Him and His ways, studying to show ourselves approved unto Him. He said that the Holy Spirit would lead and guide us into all truth, so we have to be diligent to pray and learn to wait on Him for guidance and understanding. The second part of the requirement of love is toward our neighbor, loving them as we love ourselves. The word neighbor does not just imply someone living next to us or a person of like culture and ethnicity. It goes deeper into the heart and spirit of understanding, implying that it is anyone, regardless of race, religion, gender, culture or ethnicity. To understand love, we’d have to read the passages that give us its meaning (1 Corinthians 13). Basically, we cannot know or understand love if we do not know God because God is the essence of love (1 John 4:7-8).
TRAINED BEHAVIOR
As we progress from childhood, we acquire opinions and teachings from our parents, friends, teachers and others, which shape the way we think and act. The culture or society we are raised in will generally determine what we believe and how we speak. We will generally believe that these opinions and set of values are just and right. But when we begin to draw closer to God, He will show us what is of His Spirit and what is man-made custom or tradition. It is then up to us to respond and change or reject it and continue on with the cycle. Many people will become convicted over an issue and will no longer continue in it if they feel they are to stop. This doesn’t always mean that their conviction should be pushed off on everyone they meet. It may just be an idol in their life that God is trying to free them from. For example, if I love Jewelry and wear a ring on every finger, a couple of bracelets, necklaces, earrings and a shiny watch and I feel that it has consumed me and I am dishonoring God, I am then convicted over that issue. I then take it all off and refuse to wear any jewelry. This does not mean that I should begin to preach and teach on the sin of wearing jewelry and command that everyone abstain from wearing jewelry! If anything, the lesson is that we should constantly examine ourselves to see if we have set up any idols in our lives that are excessive or dishonoring to God that may cause us to be a bad example to those that are perishing without Him.
If it is solely a conviction for the individual and not a ‘tenet’ of the faith then we are free from being bound up by that persons’ conviction! However, we should always show humility and step back to examine our own hearts on the matter, and if it is truly a word from God, we would do well to heed.
For many years I held the belief that I had the God-given right to protect myself and my family or other innocents by any means necessary. I even bought a gun and got my concealed handgun license (CHL) when we started having home invasions in our neighborhood and I started a crime watch program, urging others to purchase a gun. I felt that if anyone were to come into my home where my 2 & 4 year old children were, then they would leave in a body bag! It was only normal to want to protect my innocent babies to the point of shooting a would-be burglar, kidnapper, rapist or murderer! After all, they intruded into my private residence where children were under my care and I was their protector under Heaven.
The Bible speaks of harsh persecution, oppression and death that will come upon Christians at the Time of the End. They indicate that the governments of the world will become increasingly intolerant of Christians and set out to crush any dissension or known conservative groups. It tells of a one world government that will possess the ability to impose some mark (mark of the beast) and that those who refuse it will not be able to buy or sell. It hints of a resistance coming and more bloodshed because of the millions of believers who will suspect any mark of identification or ‘barcoding’ to be that of the mark of the beast spoken of in Revelation.
I still felt that I would defend myself and my family to the end when it all started to go down and so I sided with the
Some questions I had: Are Christians allowed to defend themselves? If yes, were they allowed to use lethal force? If the ruling government decided to disarm its citizens, would Christians be allowed to forcefully resist either physically or with a weapon?
In my search to see what others were saying, I was stunned by some of the writings and absolute obvious distortions of Scriptural meanings by Christian Pastors, Preachers and well known Evangelists on this very subject. I didn’t need spiritual discernment to know that they were blatantly altering what the Bible actually said because I only had to read that chapter to see exactly what was being said! Here's an example of what you'll read:
“It’s important to note first of all that the right of self-defense is rooted in the teaching of Jesus himself. He once told his disciples that he would be “numbered with the transgressors,” and that as a result their own lives could be endangered because of their association with him. He therefore counseled them, “Let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one” (Luke 22:36). You can’t get more legitimacy than that. A legal principle rooted in the teaching of Christ is pretty tough to beat.” Bryan Fischer, Director of Issues Analysis for the American Family Association,”When America HAD to Pack Heat to Church”
Others say that we have a moral obligation to protect the lives of our family members or innocent people by any means necessary!
First, we have to understand that the US Constitution is NOT God’s Constitution! It may seem like it mirrors some biblical aspects and the men that wrote it may have been Christian, but it is NOT the Word of God by any stretch of the imagination. Not all of the framers were Christian!
Second, we have to understand that not everyone who professes to be a Christian is one. They show no proof by their lifestyle and bear no fruit of love. Yes, even famous televangelists can be false prophets and false teachers!
Third, just because they are on TV doesn’t mean they know what they’re talking about or that they are rightly dividing the Word of Truth or speaking on God’s behalf! We are always to test the spirits and check out what is being proclaimed in order to see if it lines up with God’s Word.
Fourth, we need Scriptural proof based on the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament writers. When someone is quick to point out their opinion based on their thoughts or feelings on a matter, I say 'show me chapter and verse!'
Fourth, we need Scriptural proof based on the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament writers. When someone is quick to point out their opinion based on their thoughts or feelings on a matter, I say 'show me chapter and verse!'
That being said, let’s see what the Bible has to say.
LOVE VS. HATE
Was the original purpose for the use of the sword only to be for a set time? Does He condone or authorize it under the New Covenant?
We first have to understand that we are under a separate covenant based on the prophecy in Jeremiah. The apostle Paul speaks of it in 2 Corinthians 3:6:
‘…who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.’
Here we can clearly see a hint of death vs. life, which is a theme that runs throughout the Scriptures. In all cases, we are to choose life, be it by our thoughts, our words or our actions. Man is quick to point to written rules, but can fail to understand the spirit of the rule. Jesus tried to teach us to live and operate by the spirit.
SWORD OF FULFILLMENT
Let’s examine the New Testament Scriptures and see what the prevailing thought is regarding self-defense or the use of weaponry.
Luke 22:38 is a common verse used to say that Jesus condones the possession of weapons, as we saw previously from the quote by the Director of AFA, but let’s look at it in context starting in verse 35:
35 And He said to them, “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.” 36 And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, ‘And He was numbered with transgressors’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.” 38 They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”
We have to keep reading down to verse 49 to see what Jesus said when one of these swords was actually used during His arrest a couple of hours later:
49 When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.
John’s gospel records it like this in chapter 18:11:
11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”
Matthew’s rendition is found in chapter 26:52:
Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword will die by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?”
Mark’s gospel does not record Jesus saying anything to Peter, but it’s clear by these accounts that Jesus told Peter to stop and put away His sword because He could call on more than 12 legions of angels, but He must drink the cup and fulfill what is written and those that take up the sword will die by the sword! Then Jesus healed the servant that just had his ear chopped off. Is it safe to say that Jesus prefers to have peace and heal, rather than fight back and defend Himself? The servant that came to arrest Him would be viewed as an enemy by all normal standards, but you can bet that Jesus changed his life in that moment!
1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Roman Christians who lived in
8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
There’s our requirement again: love! We have to understand that early Christians lived under Roman rule, which was tyrannical and oppressive. They whipped people, beheaded them and crucified them, eventually graduating to burning them at the stake! So it’s safe to say that this wasn’t a very just government like those that set up the U.S.
If God calls someone to join the military or a branch of the police force, then that is between them and God. They become an arm of the government and are responsible to God for the way they conduct themselves during the course of duty. Romans clearly states that they are the bearer of the sword for protection against lawlessness.
No Scripture says that Christians are allowed to take up arms against a tyrannical or oppressive government. Instead, Paul uses the constant sight of the Roman soldiers in that day and their military attire to make spiritual comparisons suitable for the Christian. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 gives us initial insight:
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
There are two realms in operation: the natural realm, which is made up of the things that are seen; and the spiritual realm, which are the things invisible to the human eye. Paul is saying that once we are born again and while we are living in this body, we have to realize that we do not fight as the world fights, with fists or weapons made by human hands (swords, guns, etc.)! We are spiritual beings that are now a new creature and we have spiritual weapons, namely our prayers and praise. With our tongue we bind and loose! With the words of our mouth, we speak life or death over any situation. With the words we have the power to call things into existence or to shut down the assignments of the enemy.
Now let’s look a little further into what Paul says about our fight and our weapons, which is found in Ephesians 6:10-18 and is very clear:
10 ‘Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints…’
Our fight is not in the natural realm against other humans! Our fight is in the spiritual realm against the enemy of our soul! The armor we put on is: TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE (studying and taking the gospel to others), FAITH, SALVATION, and THE WORD OF GOD! There you have it, our sword is the Word of God, the Bible! Paul then goes on to command that we pray and petition at all times in the Spirit!
I don’t know about you, but when I have prayed for an extended period of time in the Spirit, I saw things differently and had supernatural peace. I did not worry about anything, though things were falling apart all around me! Though the economy was suffering great calamity and friends and relatives or well known people were dropping dead like flies! Though my personal financial situation was gloomy and we didn’t know where our next meal would come from! If someone would threaten me with death or torture, I would still have peace that though they could kill my body, they did not have the power to cast my soul into hell!
TURN THE OTHER CHEEK
An often quoted Scripture is that of turning the other cheek, but let’s read and really absorb what Jesus is saying in Matthew 5:
The Sermon on the Mount; The Beatitudes
1When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.
1When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.
2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
Personal Relationships
21“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. 23“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. 25“Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26“Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.
21“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. 23“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. 25“Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26“Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.
27“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; 28but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29“If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30“If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.
38“You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ 39“But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40“If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41“Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42“Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ 44“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47“If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
The Beatitudes, enough said! We are commanded to go beyond the letter of the law regarding our actions and be held to the higher standard of the Spirit in our thoughts! Then we get to verse 39 that tells us NOT to resist an evil person. We are to give, give, give and give! We are to love and pray for our enemies and persecutors.
But, but, but, we are Americans! We are a proud people and no one will trample on our rights or freedoms! Really? Well, if you are a Christian, then you are loyal to your King first and foremost. Yes, you can live on the borderline and be safe from hell or you can go deep into God and be free! On the borderline you may have a good life and friends, be extremely patriotic to your country, have many worldly opinions and operate in the soulish, fleshly realm, but you will not experience the power of God, the miracles of God, or the supernatural peace and freedom of your soul!
I’m not seeing in that passage that if we are approached by an evil person who threatens us, we are to pull out our Glock 9mm and blow his head off or at the least, threaten him back! If anything, He told us to gouge out our own eye or chop off our own hand if they were to keep us from eternity with Him! This is how serious He is about how we are to conduct ourselves in this life because eternity awaits us and it will either be glorious Heaven or torturous hell!
WHAT KINGDOM DO YOU SERVE?
The Bible is clear that there is a battle waging between two spiritual kingdoms and the fight is for the souls of humanity. We are not called to build our kingdom or the kingdoms of this world, which rise and fall. So which kingdom will we be of?
Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." (John 18:36)
He says we are take up our cross and follow Him, to be willing to die! (Luke 9:23-24)
Are we not all called to walk in power, to heal the sick, cast out devils and raise the dead? (Mark 16:15-18) & (Matthew 10:7-8)
WHAT POWER DO YOU TRUST?
As the questions posed by my friends about my trusting in weapons was directly at odds with my trusting in God, I had to truly seek answers and this Scripture popped right out at me one day and I knew exactly what it was saying! In Luke 11:21-23 Jesus says:
“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own mansion, his property is safe. 22 But a stronger man than he may attack him and defeat him. Then the stronger man will take away all the weapons in which the strong man trusted and will divide the loot. 23 Whoever isn’t with me is against me. Whoever doesn’t gather with me, scatters.”
Did you catch it? The strong man, though armed to the teeth, was overcome by a stronger man that took away the weapons in which he trusted! If we trust in our own strength or our own man-made weapons of destruction, then we have missed it. They will not ultimately protect us, plain and simple!
We have NO power to overcome! We have NO power to put the enemy to flight by our spoken word! We have NO power to tear down strongholds and assignments of the enemy because we are too busy living our lives that we have forgotten the God of power! We have broken fellowship with Him and don’t even have the faith to blow the fuzz off a peanut!
THE POWER OF GODLY LIVING
James chapter 3 speaks clearly about the power of our tongue and the things it is capable of doing! Proverbs 18:21 gets straight to the point:
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Peter also speaks about the tongue and he defines godly living in 1 Peter 3:8-17! We are called to speak and recognize the power we have with our spoken word. The words out of our mouth can give an evil man a heart attack or cause their eyes to go blind. See the book of Acts for examples of this happening.
No one can harm us if we are followers of what is good. If God allows the enemy to sift us like wheat and to bring calamity into our lives as was the case with Job, then we have to say ‘though He slay me, yet will I trust Him!’ Isaiah 54:16-17 put it all in perspective:
16 I’ve created blacksmiths to fan the coals into flames and to produce useful weapons. I’ve also created destroyers to bring destruction.
17 No weapon that has been made to be used against you will succeed. You will have an answer for anyone who accuses you. This is the inheritance of the Lord’s servants. Their victory comes from me,” declares the Lord.
17 No weapon that has been made to be used against you will succeed. You will have an answer for anyone who accuses you. This is the inheritance of the Lord’s servants. Their victory comes from me,” declares the Lord.
Only God has the power of eternity and though man may try to destroy us or take our life, if it is not our time, then we will remain alive. Now weapon can take us out! We will have an answer for our accuser by speaking!
THE SUFFERING OF GODLY LIVING
The book of Hebrews chapter 11 gives an account of many who are in the hall of faith and the things suffered by those whom the world was not worthy.
It is clear to me that these individuals did not love this world or their lives unto death, but they looked for a city whose builder and maker was God. After Jesus came, it wasn’t going to magically get easier, in fact, He told them to expect trials and persecutions and be ready! (Mark 13:9-13)
We read numerous stories of the disciples and early Christians suffering persecution and being beaten, tortured, imprisoned, stoned, and even killed, but they never once fought back or defended themselves! Instead they counted it all joy to suffer for the sake of Christ, that is to be a Christian, to live for Him and to be His examples. 1 Peter 4 gives a detailed account of how we should live and operate! We are called to be examples of the love of Christ and speak as if we were doing so on God's behalf.
NO MORE WEAPONS OR WAR
There is coming a time in which there will be no more war or fighting among nations as spoken of in Isaiah 2:4:
"And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."
The 1000 year reign is symbolic of the 7th day of rest or Sabbath day that occurred at Creation when God created for 6 days then rested on the 7th. Mankind has been creating for 6000 years according to the Bible and the seventh thousand years will be a time of peace and rest for the earth before satan is loosed again for a short time then completely destroyed.
We look for this time and expect it to occur within the next several years because of the rapid rate at which biblical prophecies are being fulfilled and the social and political climate is setting up for an all out battle as nations turn increasingly hostile towards Israel and Christians. It’s only a matter of time before a nuclear war breaks out as described in Zechariah 14, so we must live godly lives, trusting only in Him and redeeming the time because the days are evil. We need to make the most of our life and present Jesus to a lost and dying world that is clueless to the fact of eternity and the damnation of their souls without Him.
There is no need for us to defend ourselves or fight back because He is our advocate and if He cares for the birds and insects, He will surely stand for us when evil is staring us right in the face!
ANSWERING QUESTIONS
- Would it show a lack of faith or trust in God to protect His people if they arm themselves?
Based on what we've read, it's the author's belief that under the New Covenant, we are held to a higher standard of the Spirit. God requires us to trust Him completely and many just don't do it. It's much easier for us to have a weapon for protection to defend ourselves. As a society, we don't see the power of God in our midst and people do not see miracles because we do not truly live like the disciples or early Christians lived.
- Does the Bible say anywhere that Christians are allowed to carry weapons to protect themselves?
Under the Old Testament era, there are many Scriptural examples of people being told by God to use the sword, but when Jesus came, He preached a totally different message. His sermon on the mount set the precedent and it is clear that we should not resist an evil person, but turn the other cheek. After Jesus ascended, His followers eventually were given the name Christian. No book in the New Testament says Christians are ok to do it.
- Is it a sin for a Christian to carry a weapon?
It does not appear to be a sin or a sin that would lead to death. Revelation 13:9 says that those who kill with the sword MUST be killed with the sword.
- Would a Christian carrying a weapon keep them from Heaven?
The Bible does not indicate this anywhere.
- Would carrying or using a weapon prohibit the Christian from walking in the fullness of the Spirit?
Short answer, yes! There are many things that Christians can do/have (ie. be pride, drinking, smoking) that will not keep them from Heaven, but it will definitely keep them from being used mightily of the Spirit because of their refusal to empty themselves of fleshly lusts and the trappings of this world.
UPDATE #1
- What about David and Goliath or Samuel? What about fighting to take the promised land?
Under the New Covenant, Jesus taught that the ancients said or did things a certain way, but He was going to show us the way of the Spirit (Matthew 5) and after He came, there was no longer a need for us to fight or defend ourselves because we would all be empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life totally dependent on Him. Isaiah 10:20:
20 Now in that day the remnant of Israel, and those of the house of Jacob who have escaped, will never again rely on the one who struck them, but will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.- Revelation 13:7-10
7 It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.
This speaks of the time of tribulation that takes place right before Jesus returns. The antichrist has risen to global prominence and he makes war on the saints. Jesus says 'If anyone has an ear, let him hear.' A very important first statement! He then says that if anyone (means anyone) kills with the sword, they MUST be killed by the sword. Here is the perseverance AND faith of the saints. We are to remain steadfastly trusting in Him.
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