There really is no reason for Christians to be confused on this issue. The Bible is absolutely clear on the matter both to the letter and in spirit.
We are all of us, every man, woman and child on this earth, made in the image of God, and we are all descended from Noah and his wife.
When Noah left the ark and sacrificed to God, God blessed him and gave him and his sons the following clear instruction. This was not an instrucion just to the Jews but to the people of the whole human race all of whom are descended from Noah.
This is what God said (I’m quoting from the Authorized or King James Version.)
“And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.
“Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
“And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply, bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.”
What could be clearer than that?
And if we wish to see the working out of this, we have only to read through the Old Testament and see God’s repeated admonitions against the shedding of innocent blood and the fact that such bloodshed must, and will, be paid for.
The Mosaic law exemplifies the same point and it is most illuminating to study Numbers Chapter Thirty-Five and related references on this point.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
