Hi SOA,
Only spotted this as I was catching up on old threads this AM.
Originally posted by StarOfAfrica2
Ask Seagoon for specifics, he'd probably know. But I belive its in the NT book of John where there is a section which speaks about arming yourself for self defense against thieves on the road. That would be a sword and not a gun. But, different times, different weapons, same problems.
The verse I think you are probably referring to is in Luke 22, which is by an odd providence also the chapter I'm currently preaching through in Luke.
"And He said to them, "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?" So they said, "Nothing." Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one." [/b] (Luke 22:35-36)
In context, however, this verse has less to do with self-defense than with a warning that hard times are about to come upon the church. The first time, Jesus sent the Apostles out to preach in His name, He sent them out without purse, or knapsack, or even a change of clothing. This first time, they were "in training" and as far as their spiritual development was concerned, they were not yet ready for the hardship they lay ahead of them (remember that 11 of the 12 apostles were eventually put to death for their faith in Jesus) so they went out under divine protection and had their needs fully met along the way - they "lacked for nothing."
Now Jesus is going up to Jerusalem to suffer, die, and rise again, and the time of their spiritual infancy and training is coming to an end. The time is coming when - like troops who are progressively trained and hardened for battle by facing increasing challenges with fewer and fewer resources - they will be sent out as sheep amongst the wolves to preach, and will have to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves."
He is saying once again, the kingdom is not coming in terms of the political reign of a restored Israel under a new David as you are hoping, rather the kingdom will come as you carry my message to the four corners of the earth, and my dominion will be extended as heart by heart, men are captivated by the gospel and reconciled to God. But... it ain't gonna be easy.
Commentator J.C. Ryle sums it up well:
"It is safest to take these remarkable words in a proverbial sense. They apply to the whole period of time between our Lord's first and second advents. Until our Lord comes again, believers are to make a diligent use of all the faculties which God has implanted in them. They are not to expect miracles to be worked, in order to save them trouble. They are not to expect bread to fall into their mouths, if they will not work for it. They are not to expect difficulties to be surmounted, and enemies to be overcome, if they will not wrestle, and struggle and take pains. They are to remember that it is "the hand of the diligent which makes rich." (Prov. 10:4.)
We shall do well to lay to heart our Lord's words in this place, and to act habitually on the principle which they contain. Let us labor, and toil, and give, and speak, and act, and write for Christ, as if all depended on our exertions. And yet let us never forget that success depends entirely on God's blessing! To expect success by our own "purse" and "sword" is pride and self-righteousness. But to expect success without the "purse and sword" is presumption and fanaticism."But as a secondary and minor application, may a Christian arm himself for the journey (if it is within the laws of the land) in order to defend himself from thieves and brigands? I would say that this and other verses indicate that this is certainly allowable. Even in the upper room on that final night, at least two of the disciples were armed, so Christ had not forbidden them to carry swords to defend themselves from robbers.
- SEAGOON
