After following Jesus for three years, Peter was still carrying a sword the night Jesus was arrested. You would think Peter would not still be “packing heat” after three years if the Lord had an objection to it.
Yeah, and a lot of people forget about that incident in the Temple with the whip. Some people love to pick and chose scripture.
Good point.
What's more Jesus (in Luke 22:36, if anyone has not yet read it), COMMANDS his followers to buy swords, even selling their outer garment to get the funds necessary to make the purchase.
Later Jesus rebukes Peter for drawing his sword (and cutting off Malchus' ear). Jesus told him to put it away. If Jesus needed protection, He didn't need to carry a sword personally or rely upon His followers, He could ask His Father to send a Legion or two Angels. But that was not His plan. It was necessary for the "Son of Man" to be crucified and be the atonement for sin. The swords were for those who would remain and to fullfil a prophesy, that Jesus would be numbered with transgressors. Were early Christians breaking the law being armed? Was there a black market in swords?
And in Luke 11:21, Christ (right after teaching his disciple's the Lord's Prayer) says, "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed."
The mealy-mouthed pseudo-Christians have to edit great chunks out of the Bible to get where they want to go.