The Biblical Case for Being a Christian AND a Warrior

In his Bible study article, Can You Be a Christian and a Warrior at the Same Time?, Keith Graves of
Christian Warrior Training, makes the biblical case why followers of Jesus can serve in a profession that may require force, such as police officers and church security volunteers.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Interview with Keith Graves of Christian Warrior Training ]

He says, “The New Testament does not avoid men who carried weapons or operated under authority. It speaks directly to them, and it does so without treating their profession as automatically sinful.”

[ Read the SemperVerus article, The Biblical Case Why Every Church Needs Armed Security ]

Excerpts from the article are below:

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Always Carry. Always Alert. ]

The Roman Centurion

Matthew 8:5–13
“In Matthew 8, a Roman centurion came to Jesus asking for help for his servant. A centurion was a career military officer. He commanded troops. He enforced Roman order….Christ publicly commended the faith of a military officer. There is no instruction for him to resign his post. No rebuke for his profession….”

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Church Security Demands a Higher Standard Than Mere Every Day Carry ]

Cornelius

Acts 10
“Cornelius is described first as a Roman officer and immediately as devout and God-fearing. The text does not suggest those identities are in conflict….When Peter came to his home and preached Christ, Cornelius believed. The Holy Spirit fell on him and those with him. There is no command for him to leave the military….”

[ Read the SemperVerus article, A Prayer for Church Security Team Members ]

Protective Authority Under God

Romans 13:1–7
“Paul is describing governing authority as something that exists under God’s sovereignty to restrain evil and maintain order. He is not claiming that every authority acts righteously. Scripture records many abuses of power. What he does say is that the function of restraining wrongdoing is not inherently opposed to God’s will….”

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Enroll in the Sheepdog Church Security Academy Safety Member Certification Program ]

Keith Graves says, “A Christian warrior does not act out of personal vengeance. He does not treat force casually. He recognizes that he stands under authority before he ever exercises it….Fishermen, tax collectors, government officials, and soldiers are all called the same way. Repent. Believe. Follow Christ….If your service is lawful and carried out with integrity, Scripture does not treat it as disqualifying….[T]he New Testament records soldiers who believed, were filled with the Spirit, and were not instructed to resign their roles….You can be a warrior and a Christian at the same time.”

Read the entire article here.

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— Get the SemperVerus booklet, The Case for Biblical Self-Defense —

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