Genesis 9:6 says, "Whoever sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man." Two things should be noted: the command was given immediately following the wickedness, violence and corruption that had resulted in the flood (Gen 6:5,11). In other words, God gave man the responsibility to prevent wickedness on that scale from ever happening again. Secondly, the reason that God declared that human life is precious is that we are made in His image. Thus, the death penalty for the punishment for murder is not just for Noah's time, but for all generations to come (Gen 9:12). Exodus 21:12-14 says, "He that smites a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death...if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die."
Numbers 35:33 says, "...blood defiles the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it." God's justice is seen in His requirement that more than one witness must give testimony of guilt before the person is sentenced to death (Numbers 35:30). A person could not be executed on the basis of rumors, hearsay, conflicting testimonies or even his own unsupported confession. The justice of God is also evident in that He decreed that anyone who accidently killed another should not be executed. But he should flee to a city set apart for a city of refuge, where his case could be tried, and if found not guilty, then could live there for rest of his life or until the High Priest died; the equivalent of going into exile (Numbers 35:9-15).
Capital punishment remains in force even in the New Testament. The biggest proof that the God of the Bible is for the death penalty is that He put His own Son to death for crimes of His people. When Jesus said to turn the other cheek in the Sermon on the Mount he was not talking about the civil aspect of government. It means for you to endure the insults of your personal enemies. He is not talking in context of war or self-defense in life and death circumstances.
Jesus upheld the death penalty for delinquent youths in Mark 7:6:13. He even condemned the Pharisees for laying aside that law! We read in Romans 13 that God has ordained the civil government to use the sword (death penalty) against evildoers. Of course only God defines what evil behavior is. The Apostle Paul makes it clear that he believes in the death penalty when is says, "I stand at Caesar's judgment seat... if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die...(Acts 25:10,11)."
Summary:
1) the person who willfully takes another's life must pay for that act by forfeiting his own
2) the death penalty is not to be exercised by an individual (except in self-defense) or group but by the civil government, after a properly constituted trial
3) this must be done (a) because God requires it and (b) to uphold the high value God has placed on human life
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