5.1 Honor your parents

God’s people must hold their parents in high regard and not allow any evil thought or practice to affect this most basic social relationship.

5.2 Honor God’s Prophet and His prophets

Hear and obey those who speak God’s Word in the tradition of Moses, the prophets, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the apostles.

Deuteronomy 25.1-3

“If there is a dispute between men and they come into court and the judges decide between them, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty, ...

5.5 Honor others

We are to show respect to the elderly, the poor, and all other people, because they are the image-bearers of God.

You shall not murder

God has made men in His image, and He alone is the Lord of life. We may not unlawfully deprive men of the gift of life; rather, we must do everything in our power to protect and preserve the lives and wellbeing of others.

6.2 Pay life for life

Retributive justice, including the death penalty, is required to restore righteousness and peace to the community and to quell inclinations to take revenge.

Numbers 35.16-21

“But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death. And if he struck him down with a stone tool that could cause death, and he died, he is a murderer.

Exodus 21.22-25

“When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman’s husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine.

Leviticus 24.17-23

“Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death. Whoever takes an animal’s life shall make it good, life for life.

6.3 Protect the lives of others

Human life is valuable because it bears the image of God. We must guard against any eruption of affection or error of judgment that might bring unjust harm to others or jeopardize their lives.

Numbers 35:22-29

“But if he pushed him suddenly without enmity, or hurled anything on him without lying in wait or used a stone that could cause death, and without seeing him dropped it on him, so that he died, though he was not his enemy and did not seek his harm, then the congregation shall judge between the manslayer and the avenger of blood, in accordance with these rules.

“When a man strikes his slave, male or female, with a rod and the slave dies under his hand, he shall be avenged.