Yes, capital punishment remains valid because it was instituted by God after the flood and has never been revoked.
God instituted capital punishment in Genesis 9:6 because man is made in His image, making human life sacred. Les Feldick teaches that before the flood there was no government or deterrent, so violence filled the earth. After the flood, God gave human government the authority under God to execute murderers, and this responsibility remains in effect today.
Genesis 9:6 — This verse directly commands that whoever sheds man's blood shall have his blood shed by man, grounding capital punishment in man's creation in God's image.
In Genesis 9, God establishes a covenant with Noah after the flood and gives new instructions for human life. Genesis 9:5-6 declares that God will require the life of any man or beast that takes human life: "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." This is the foundational biblical basis for capital punishment.
Les teaches that before the flood there was no written law, no civil government, and no capital punishment, so violence filled the earth (Gen. 6). After the flood, God changed the conditions: He gave man permission to eat meat, and He instituted human government with the authority to execute murderers. In Genesis 9:5-6, God gave man responsibility to maintain law and order by making murder punishable by death under governmental authority. The reason is that man was made in God's image, placing him head and shoulders above all other creatures, so human life must not be taken lightly.
Les explains that for approximately the first 1,600 years from Adam to the flood, there was no written law, no formal system of worship, and no capital punishment or imprisonment to deter crime. Man only had conscience. This lack of deterrent led to the violence that filled the earth in Genesis 6. After the flood, God instituted human government and capital punishment to control wrongdoing.
According to Les, the Bible shows that man is head and shoulders above everything else in creation because he is made in the image of God. Genesis 9:6 gives this as the reason for capital punishment. Because human life bears God's image, when someone deliberately murders another person, the murderer's own life must be required by fellow human beings.
Les emphasizes that capital punishment marks the beginning of human government. God gave man authority under God to deal with murderers. This was a progression from the pre-flood civilization where there was no law and no government. God never leaves the human race without a knowledge of His will; He gave these instructions to be passed on to coming generations.
Les notes that the God of the Old Testament is the same God we deal with today and has not changed. While believers are under grace rather than law, the things God hated back in Genesis He still hates today. The principle of capital punishment established in Genesis 9 has never been withdrawn.
The Value of Life in the Blood
Les explains that Genesis 9:5-6 shows human life is precious because man is made in God's image, placing man above all other creatures, and therefore the murderer's blood must be shed.
Government Responsibility
Les acknowledges concerns about executing innocent people, but stresses that those who are unquestionably guilty of murder must be dealt with by government.
No Written Law Before the Flood
Les explains that before the flood there was no written law and no system of capital punishment, only conscience, which is why law and protections had to come later.
Why the Blood? The Bible's Answer to Forgiveness & Faith
The Bible is still the Bible, it�s still the Word of God, it hasn�t changed, and it says, Hebrews 9, verse 22, �And almost all things are by the law purged with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission.� You cannot bypass the blood. You know I guess in my classes over the years I�ve always taught that there are two absolutes, at least a minimum.
Government Instituted After the Flood
Les teaches that after the flood, because pre-flood violence had no deterrent, God instituted human government and capital punishment as man's responsibility for law and order.
Man's Authority to Execute Murderers
Les explains Genesis 9:6 as giving governmental authority the right to put a murderer to death, progressing from the pre-flood era of no law.
God Has Not Changed
Les reminds that the same God who established these principles in the Old Testament is the same God today, and what He hated then He still hates now.
What the Veil on Moses' Face Really Meant (Most Miss This)
All it could do was condemn the individual, and if he's condemned, then death was the only alternative. Now if that was going to be done away in verse 7, and we now have instead the whole concept of grace taking its place, now verse 9. For if the ministration of condemnation, this law that we just saw, that is a condemnation to death, if it was glorious, much more, far more than the law could ever…
Genesis 9:5: 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.
God declares that He personally holds both beasts and men accountable for taking human life.
Genesis 9:6: Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
This is the direct command that murder must be punished by the execution of the murderer, grounded in man being made in God's image.
In the evidence provided, Les emphasizes that God has not changed and that the principles from Genesis still stand, but he also notes Romans 13 is where Paul lays out the role of government. The New Testament does not revoke the Genesis 9 mandate.
Les explains that because man is made in God's image, human life is so valuable that murder must be punished by death. Capital punishment is not cruelty; it is a deterrent and a way to protect the sanctity of life.
Les stresses that we are not under law but under grace, yet the God of the Old Testament is the same God today and He has not changed. The Genesis 9 mandate for human government stands.
Watch the Teaching: Why God Established Capital Punishment | Genesis 9 Explained