There are many truths in the Old Testament that are still true for the New Testament. Unless of course you want to deny Messianic prophecies, and Typifications of Christ in the Old Testament. Also, there are moral laws in the Old Testament that have carried over into the New Covenant. Moral laws like, "Do not murder, do not steal, do not commit adultery, etc. So just because a truth exists in the Old, does not mean that it cannot exist in the New Covenant. For after all, is God not the same God in both the Old and the New Covenants?
But not all truths from the Old Covenant applies today. We do not sacrifice animals anymore under the New Covenant. The New Testament is clear that there is a change in regards to a person in desiring to carry out justice by their own hand. Jesus says,
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." (Matthew 5:38-39).
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:43-45).
As for Romans 13:
Well, in light of Jesus's commands on non-violence when you read Romans 13, it is obvious what a believer's position should be. The believer is not a part of the "higher powers of authority" in the topic of conversation in Romans 13. To assume that a believer is a part of the "higher powers of authority" destroys what Romans 13 is saying because the reader (Who is a believer) is supposed to respect these "higher powers of authority" by not doing evil so as to be punished by them. Nothing is said about how the believer can join them. Huge assumptions are made that one can do so based on Romans 13. But we know from Jesus's commands in Matthew 5 and elsewhere and from the words of His followers that non-violence is what Jesus desires of His people under the New Covenant.
New Testament Scripture That Supports Pacifism:
John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Matthew 26:52-53
52 Then Jesus told him, "Put your sword back in its place because all who take up a sword will perish by a sword.
53 Or do you think that I cannot call on My Father, and He will provide Me at once with more than 12 legions of angels?
Matthew 5:44-45
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Luke 6:27-29
27 But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also;
Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Matthew 5:39 But I say to you, Do not make use of force against an evil man; but to him who gives you ablow on the right side of your face let the left be turned. -Bible in Basic English
Luke 12:22 And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat, nor about your body, what you shall put on.
Matthew 7:12 In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.
1 Peter 3:8-9
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind.
9 Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing.
Romans 12:17-21
17 Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone. - AMP
18 and do your best to live at peace with everyone. - CEV
19 Christian brothers, never pay back someone for the bad he has done to you. Let the anger of God take care of the other person. - NLV for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. - KJV
1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.
1 Peter 2:21-23
21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 He committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips.
23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he trusted to him who judges justly.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
2 Corinthians 10:4 We do not use those things to fight with that the world uses. We use the things God gives to fight with and they have power. Those things God gives to fight with destroy the strong-places of the devil.
Luke 3:14 Do violence to no man,
John 8:7 But when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Matthew 10:28-31
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s will.
30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.
James 3:18 The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.
Romans 10:15. How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore . . . having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 4:1-3
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord
Romans 16:20 The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren ... be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus
Galatians 1:13 - For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it.
2 Timothy 3:12 - Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution
1 Peter 4:12-16
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy
are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or
as a thief, or
as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
16 Yet if
any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
1 Peter 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind...
Matthew 5:10 - Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
1 Corinthians 13:3 - and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.
Philippians 1:21 - For to me to live
is Christ, and to die
is gain.
Revelation 13:10 - He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
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