Does Jesus advocate no bloodshed? No armed struggle? No war?

Does Jesus advocate a Bible with just His records or just the 4 Gospel books?

What kind of lives did Jesus tell the soldiers (professional killers and warriors) to lead?

8:5 耶穌進了迦百農, 有一個百夫長進前來, 求祂說,

And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

8:6 主阿, 我的僕人害癱瘓病, 躺在家裡, 甚是疼苦.

And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

8:7 耶穌說, 我去醫治他.

And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

8:8 百夫長回答說, 主阿, 你到我舍下, 我不敢當. 只要你說一句話, 我的僕人就必好了.

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

8:13 耶穌對百夫長說, 你回去罷. 照你的信心, 給你成全了. 那時, 他的僕人就好了.

And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

D.Lim: Is it not interesting? Pacifists (ie: Mennonites) so much like to emphasis Pacifism and bring it out in the forefront of conversation and condemnation, and consideration of cooperation, by referring to the words and behaviour of Jesus; and yet the real Jesus in the first record, first instance, mentioned nothing about Pacifism, condemnation, indifference, resistance, separationism, judgement or punishment. He just wanted to help, to cure, and listen to the centurion, a leader of professional warriors.

Some might dream up the idea that the centurion is ashame of his profession and tell Jesus he is not worthy to have Him come under his roof. Should one not think that this centurion went to talk to Jesus face to face without any need of separation or distancing himself; how little did he express shame of his profession, and how little his profession relates to his house?

Note that Christ voiced no reluctance or resistance. He did to the centurion and servant as beseeched.

D.Lim: Jesus voiced no condemnation. The soldiers were instilled faith in His Sonship. The Gospel is not cutoff to warriors and killers.

Much less do Pacifists do, by separating and distancing themselves with chosen targets of pro-war denominations and Christians.

And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

7:3 百夫長風聞耶穌的事, 就託猶太人的幾個長老, 去求耶穌來救他的僕人.

And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.

D.Lim: This centurion, again, showed humbleness. He did not go by himself as he is a gentile, and he revered the Lord Jesus.

7:4 他們到了耶穌那裡, 就切切的求他說, 你給他行這事, 是他所配得的.

And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:

D.Lim: The Jews did not consider career in war and killing has anything to do with approaching Christ and beseeching Him for favor. Nothing to do with Pacifism.

7:5 因為他愛我們的百姓, 給我們建造會堂.

For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

D.Lim: A warrior can love! A Pacifist can hate, can refuse fellowship, refuse help.

A synagogue was built to these who could be Christians(believers of Christ). This is not mentioned as church or church building.

7:6 耶穌就和他們同去. 離那家不遠, 百夫長託幾個朋友去見耶穌, 對他說, 主阿, 不要勞動. 因你到我舍下, 我不敢當.

D.Lim: Jesus was willing to go. Nothing to do with bloodshed. No need to change career.

In fact, Jesus never ask soldiers to have career change.

So much for record in the 4 Gospel books. Too little are they? Enough for the illustration?

Enough to show the redundancy of Pacifism?

And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

D.Lim: A professional soldier can know God.

15:44 彼拉多詫異耶穌已經死了. 便叫百夫長來, 問他耶穌死了久不久.

And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

15:45 既從百夫長得知實情, 就把耶穌的屍首賜給約瑟.

D.Lim: It was chieves of soldiers who stopped the beating in the first place.

And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

22:26 百夫長聽見這話, 就去見千夫長, 告訴他說, 你要作甚麼. 這人是羅馬人.

D.Lim: The soldiers could judge and punish; they are the law-keepers.

Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.

23:23 千夫長便叫了兩個百夫長來, 說, 預備步兵二百, 馬兵七十, 長槍手二百, 今夜亥初往該撒利亞去.

And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;

23:24 也要預備牲口叫保羅騎上, 護送到巡撫腓力斯那裡去.

And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.

27:9 走的日子多了, 已經過了禁食的節期, 行船又危險, 保羅就勸眾人說,

Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

27:10 眾位, 我看這次行船, 不但貨物和船要受傷損, 大遭破壞, 連我們的性命也難保

And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

27:11 但百夫長信從掌船的和船主, 不信從保羅所說的.

D.Lim: No message of condemnation from Paul. No judgement on career.

D.Lim: The professional soldier was the life-saver.

D.Lim: The centurion was the judge and commander. The soldier was the protector, custodian, and caretaker of Paul.

D.Lim: The first professional soldier and his household to hear the Gospel and be baptised. No career change necessary. No Pacifism even after coming to Christ.

D.Lim: This centurion is regarded as a just man. A professional soldier being a just man who fears God and of good report.

And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.

D.Lim: The centurion is both prisoners keeper and sailor.

27:31 保羅對百夫長和兵丁說, 這些人若不等在船上, 你們必不能得救.

D.Lim: Paul never condemned any soldier. Career change is never preached.

\o/ \o/ \o/

stratiotes

Matt 8 v9:

8:9 因為我在人的權下, 也有兵在我以下. 對這個說, 去, 他就去. 對那個說, 來, 他就來. 對我的僕人說, 你作這事, 他就去作.

For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

8:10 耶穌聽見就希奇, 對跟從祂的人說, 我實在告訴你們, 這麼大的信心, 就是在以色列中, 我也沒有遇見過.

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

D.Lim: A soldier can have greater faith than other citizens.

Matt 27 v27:

27:27 巡撫的兵就把耶穌帶進衙門, 叫全營的兵都聚集在他那裡.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.

27:28 他們給祂脫了衣服, 穿上一件朱紅色袍子.

And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

D.Lim: No resistance from Jesus.

Matt 28 v12:

28:12 祭司長和長老聚集商議, 就拿許多銀錢給兵丁說,

And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

D.Lim: Some soldiers were taking bribes, as John the Baptist realised.

Mark 15 v16:

15:16 兵丁把耶穌帶進衙門院裡. 叫齊了全營的兵.

And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.

Luke 23 v36:

23:36 兵丁也戲弄他, 上前拿醋送給他喝,

And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

John 19 v2, 23, 24, 32, 34:

D.Lim: In this mocking atmosphere God brought one centurion to realise the Sonship of Jesus. In the midst of violence God is there to save.

Acts 10 7:

10:7 向他說話的天使去後, 哥尼流叫了兩個家人, 和常伺候他的一個虔誠兵來.

And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

D.Lim: An angel came to Cornelius, but did not require a career change.

The devout soldier is still a soldier.

Acts 12 v4, 6, 18:

12:4 希律拿了彼得收在監裡, 交付四班兵丁看守, 每班四個人, 意思要在逾越節後, 把他提出來, 當著百姓 (.辦他.)

And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

12:5 於是彼得被囚在監裡. 教會卻為他切切的禱告神.

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

D.Lim: The church did not seek a change of career for warriors.

12:6 希律將要提他出來的前一夜, 彼得被兩條鐵鍊鎖著, 睡在兩個兵丁當中. 看守的人也在門外看守.

And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

12:18 到了天亮, 兵丁擾亂得很, 不知道彼得往那裡去了.

Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

Acts 21 v32, 35:

21:32 千夫長立時帶著兵丁, 和幾個百夫長, 跑下去到他們那裡. 他們見了千夫長和兵丁, 就止住不打保羅.

Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

21:33 於是千夫長上前拿住他, 吩咐用兩條鐵鍊捆鎖. 又問他是甚麼人, 作的是甚麼事.

Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

21:35 到了台階, 眾人擠得兄猛, 兵丁只得將保羅抬起來.

And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.

D.Lim: The soldiers acted as peace keepers.

Do Pacifists act violently?

Acts 23 v23, 31:

23:23 千夫長便叫了兩個百夫長來, 說, 預備步兵二百, 馬兵七十, 長槍手二百, 今夜亥初往該撒利亞去.

And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;

23:24 也要預備牲口叫保羅騎上, 護送到巡撫腓力斯那裡去.

And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.

23:31 於是兵丁照所吩咐他們的, 將保羅夜裡帶到安提帕底.

Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.

D.Lim: Soldiers act as bodyguards and escorts.

Acts 27 v31, 32, 42:

27:31 保羅對百夫長和兵丁說, 這些人若不等在船上, 你們必不能得救.

Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

27:32 於是兵丁砍斷小船的繩子, 由他飄去.

Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

D.Lim: Paul was trying to save soldiers.

27:42 兵丁的意思, 要把囚犯殺了, 恐怕有洑水脫逃的.

And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

D.Lim: The soldiers had the right to kill.

Acts 28 v16:

28:16 進了羅馬城, ((有古卷在此有百夫長把眾囚犯交給御營的統領惟有)) 保羅 蒙准, 和一個看守他的兵, 另住在一處.

And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

2Tim 2 v3:

2:3 你要和 (.我.) 同受苦難, 好像基督耶穌的精兵.

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

D.Lim: Christians are to be good soldiers of Jesus Christ. Not sitting pretty. No sitting duck.

Snatch people out of hell (a violent action).

strateuomai

Luke 3 v14:

3:14 又有兵丁問他說, 我們當作甚麼呢. 約翰說, 不要以強暴待人, 也不要訛詐人, 自己有錢糧就當知足.

And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

D.Lim: John taught that there need to be no career change. Soldiers can be just in action.

Being just does not mean abstaining from war.

In the contrary, non-soldiers often bully people and do violence in the cloaks of different careers/professions.

Soldiers can still execute people/prisoners. The right to take life is there. Very different to the teaching and belief of Pacifists.

Strateuma

Acts 23 v10:

23:10 那時大起爭吵, 千夫長恐怕保羅被他們扯碎了, 就吩咐兵丁下去, 把他從眾人當中搶出來, 帶進營樓去.

And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

D.Lim: The soldiers were life-savers and protectors. The crowd is more violent and evil.

Stratologeo

2Tim 2 v4:

2:4 凡在軍中當兵的, 不將世物纏身, 好叫那招他當兵的人喜悅.

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

D.Lim: No condemnation about the profession. We are to learn from its discipline.

God chose the redeemed to be soldiers, taking violent action.

God never command career change for professional warriors(not terrorists).

God never condemn soldiers.

God is willing to redeem soldiers and deliver them while they remain in their profession.

Soldiers and prisonkeepers may believe God and be baptised.