Bill of Rights

Did you know that our Constitution is nothing more than an expression of a government run according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ? For example, every right in the Constitution has a matching Bible verse or verses as its origin. In order to add some efficacy to this section we will begin with a portion from an article from David S. Rudstein, A Brief History of the Fifth Amendment Guarantee Against Double Jeopardy, 14 Wm. & Mary Bill Rts. J. 193 (2005), http://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmborj/vol14/iss1/

We will not go into such detail on the other portion of the Bill of Rights as this is to be a booklet and not a treatise on the matter. We also will not address all the rights in the Bill of Rights.
The fifth amendment states that “Nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.” Its states in Nahum 1:9, “What do you contrive against the Lord? He will make an utter end. Affliction shall not rise up the second time.”
WILLIAM & MARY BILL OF RIGHTS JOURNAL…….
“The canon law's prohibition against double jeopardy emanated from an interpretation given by Saint Jerome in A.D. 391 of Nahum 1:9, a verse in the Old Testament. The Douay version of the Bible translates this verse as: "there shall not rise a double affliction; the King James Bible declares: "affliction shall not rise up the second time."  Saint Jerome read the verse to mean "that God does not punish twice for the same act." It was reasoned that if this were so before God, it should be the same on earth.
Some legal scholars have persuasively argued that Saint Jerome erred in his interpretation of this verse. The entire verse in Nahum in the Douay version of the Bible provides: "What do ye devise against the Lord? He will make an utter end: there shall not rise a double affliction"; the King James Bible states: "What do ye imagine against the LORD? He will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time." When read in context, this verse appears to mean that God does not punish the same act twice because there is no need to do so - the first punishment will make "an utter end" of God's enemies. "The better interpretation of this passage, then, is that God does not judge twice because it is unnecessary." Nevertheless, Saint Jerome's interpretation of the verse entered church canons as early as 847, subsequently to be stated as, "Not even God judges twice for the same act." Despite the seemingly absolute nature of the canon law's prohibition against double jeopardy, "criminal defendants were not in the end given the blanket sort of protection the words suggest." On the other hand, "the reality of the basic principle within the canon law always remained real enough.”

IV. The fourth amendment states “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated.” It states in Deuteronomy 24:10 and 11 “When thou does lend thy brother anything thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge. Thou shalt stand abroad and the man to whom thou does lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee.” The scripture is clear that a person’s home is not to be trespassed by anyone including the government. The scripture also says in I Kings 4:25, “As every man dwelling safely under his own vine and under his own fig tree.” In 1763 Sir William Pitt Earl of Chatham wrote what might be considered a summation of both Deuteronomy 24:10 and 11 and the third and fourth amendment. The poorest man may in his cottage bid defiance to all the forces of the crown or any government. It may be frail, its roof may shake, the wind may blow through it, the storm may enter, the rain may enter, but the King of England cannot enter and his force dare not cross the threshold of the ruin tenement.
V. The fifth amendment - It says “no person shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself nor deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.” It states in Mark 15:3-5 “The chief priest accused him of many things so again Pilate asked him, Are you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of? But Jesus still made no reply and Pilate was amazed.” Jesus did not respond to his accusers. He knew he was innocent. This is where our right to remain silent comes from. It is the burden of the state to prove our guilt. Not that we must prove our innocence. The majority of the countries in the world still require you to prove your innocence once you are accused.
VIII. The right of a trial by jury and a right to bail noted in our sixth amendment is established in Numbers 35:12. It states “They will be places of refuge from the avenger so that anyone accused of murder may not die before they shall stand trial before the assembly.”
X. In the eighth amendment it states “no excessive fines shall be imposed nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” Let the punishment fit the crime is the principle that the Bible lays out. Specifically Deuteronomy 19: 20-21 And those who remain shall hear and fear, and hereafter they shall not again commit such evil among you. 21 Your eye shall not pity: life shall be for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”

XI. In Article 1 section 8 of the constitution it states that “Congress shall have the power to establish uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies.” In Deuteronomy 15:1-2 it says "At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts. And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the LORD's release."

I. Freedom of Religion - In the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States it states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.... or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Christianity is one of the few religious faiths that do not force you to believe its faith. The scripture states in Matthew 10:14, “And whosoever shall not receive you nor hear your words when you depart of that house or city shake off the dust of your feet.” No person is required to believe the Christian faith. Our founding fathers used this verse and others to establish freedom of religion in this country.
II. Congress shall make no law respecting the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a re-dress of grievances. In ancient times and at the time of the American Revolution it was not permitted for a citizen or a group of citizens to approach the king or the government. The story of Esther is a perfect example. In Esther 4:7 it states “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s province do know that whosoever whether man or woman shall come into the king into the inner court who is not called there is one law of his to put him to death. Except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter that he may live...” Esther took her life in her hands when she approached the king to petition for her people. We have an absolute right under our Constitution to petition our government and to peaceably assemble.
III. The second amendment that a well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall  not be infringed. In Luke 11:21 it says “When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace.” It is well established throughout the scripture that freedoms are given by God and the right of being armed to protect yourself is justified in the scripture.

“God can limit Government; man cannot.”

The Bill of Rights and the Holy Scripture

The vast majority of the framers of the Constitution were ministers of the Gospel or bible teachers and the others were either practicing Christians or possessed a working knowledge of the Holy Scripture. It should come as no surprise that in the process of laying the foundation for our country, they would reach into their biblical knowledge to establish the basic set of rights for all Americans. The majority of the Amendments in the Bill of Rights are grounded in Holy Scripture and are designed to limit government. Every personal right established in the Constitution comes from the Scripture. That is why the Declaration of Independence says we are endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights. The universal truths contained in the scripture were well known an included in the minds of the founding fathers. As an example of how our constitution was derived from specific scriptural verses we have compiled the first ten amendments below with the accompanying scriptural verses. Citizens should keep in mind as the power of the government grows then these universal truths which protect the citizen expressed in the Bill of Rights is diminished.

1st Amendment:

It is Christ that makes us free to speak.

Freedom of Speech

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32)

Freedom of Religion

Holy Scripture: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1)

You are not required to be a believer, you are free to choose.
Holy Scripture: And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. (Matthew 10:14)

Freedom of Assembly and Right to Petition Government

You have the right to petition without fear.
Holy Scripture: And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, "What is thy petition? And it shall be granted thee. And what is thy request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed." If you know the story of Ester, this is very clear.

Esther 4:11
All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

2nd Amendment:

Holy Scripture: When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace. (Luke 11:21)

3rd Amendment:

This Amendment was in response to British troops staying in American homes against the citizens will. You have the right to not allow people into your home.
Holy Scripture: When thou dost lend thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge. Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee. (Deuteronomy 24:10-11)

4th Amendment:

Holy Scripture: When thou dost lend thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge. Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee. (Deuteronomy 24:10-11)

Holy Scripture: One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. (Deuteronomy 19:15)

1 Kings 4:25 as “every man [dwelling safely] under his [own] vine and under his [own] fig tree.”

In 1763, Sir William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, wrote what might be considered a summation of both Deuteronomy 24:10-11 and the Third and Fourth Amendments:

The poorest man may in his cottage bid defiance to all the forces of the Crown [or any government]. It may be frail – its roof may shake – the wind may blow through it – the storm may enter – the rain may enter – but the King of England cannot enter! – all his force dare not cross the threshold of the ruined tenement.3

5th Amendment:

No Self Incrimination

Holy Scripture: The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, “Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of." But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. (Mark 15:3-5)

Double Jeopardy

GOD will not punish you twice.
Holy Scripture: 9What do ye contrive against the LORD? He will make an utter end; affliction shall not rise up the second time. (Nahum 1:9)

6th Amendment:

A Confession Alone is not Enough for a Conviction

1. Innocent until proven guilty

2. Right to be free until trial

3. Right to a trial by jury

Holy Scripture: They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that anyone accused of murder may not die before they stand trial before the assembly. (Numbers 35:12)

7th Amendment:

Holy Scripture: And I charged your judges at that time, saying, `Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother and the stranger who is with him. (Deuteronomy 1:16)

8th Amendment:

The Bible established that a man is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law as noted below in Numbers 34:11 and 12. Being innocent the scripture directs that the accused be free until he is tried as noted in those scriptures. Therefore bail is a method of allowing the accused to be free until he is tried.
"Let the punishment fit the crime" is the principle that the severity of penalty for a misdeed or wrongdoing should be reasonable and proportionate to the severity of the infraction. The concept is common to most cultures throughout the world. Its presence in the ancient Jewish culture is shown by its inclusion in the law of Moses, specifically in Deuteronomy 19:17-21.
Holy Scripture: 11then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the slayer may flee thither who killeth any person unawares.
12And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer die not until he stand before the congregation in judgment. (Numbers 35:11-12)
Holy Scripture: 17then both the men involved in the controversy shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who shall be in those days;
18and the judges shall make diligent inquisition. And behold, if the witness be a false witness and hath testified falsely against his brother,
19then shall ye do unto him as he had thought to have done unto his brother; so shalt thou put the evil away from among you. 20And those who remain shall hear and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you. 21And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. (Deuteronomy 19:17-21)

9th Amendment:

10th Amendment:

This Amendment was established to give each state their sovereignty from the Federal government to make decisions to better their own state. This Amendment allows the states to have power over their own circumstances.

The Scripture identifies the existence of sovereign nations in Deuteronomy 15:5-6
Holy Scripture: 5only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy GOD to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day. 6For the LORD thy GOD blesseth thee as He promised thee; and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.
Holy Scripture: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from GOD, and those that exist have been instituted by GOD.(Romans 13:1)

Conclusion

14

Rights

CHAPTER 14|Document 49

Thomas Jefferson to James Madison

Your thoughts on the subject of the Declaration of rights in the letter of Oct. 17. I have weighed with great satisfaction. Some of them had not occurred to me before, but were acknoleged just in the moment they were presented to my mind. In the arguments in favor of a declaration of rights, you omit one which has great weight with me, the legal check which it puts into the hands of the judiciary. This is a body, which if rendered independent, and kept strictly to their own department merits great confidence for their learning and integrity. In fact what degree of confidence would be too much for a body composed of such men as Wythe, Blair, and Pendleton? On characters like these the "civium ardor prava jubentium" would make no impression. I am happy to find that on the whole you are a friend to this amendment. The Declaration of rights is like all other human blessings alloyed with some inconveniences, and not accomplishing fully it's object. But the good in this instance vastly overweighs the evil. I cannot refrain from making short answers to the objections which your letter states to have been raised. 1. That the rights in question are reserved by the manner in which the federal powers are granted. Answer. A constitutive act may certainly be so formed as to need no declaration of rights. The act itself has the force of a declaration as far as it goes: and if it goes to all material points nothing more is wanting. In the draught of a constitution which I had once a thought of proposing in Virginia, and printed afterwards, I endeavored to reach all the great objects of public liberty, and did not mean to add a declaration of rights. Probably the object was imperfectly executed: but the deficiencies would have been supplied by others in the course of discussion. But in a constitutive act which leaves some precious articles unnoticed, and raises implications against others, a declaration of rights becomes necessary by way of supplement. This is the case of our new federal constitution. This instrument forms us into one state as to certain objects, and gives us a legislative and executive body for these objects. It should therefore guard us against their abuses of power within the feild submitted to them. 2. A positive declaration of some essential rights could not be obtained in the requisite latitude. Answer. Half a loaf is better than no bread. If we cannot secure all our rights, let us secure what we can. 3. The limited powers of the federal government and jealousy of the subordinate governments afford a security which exists in no other instance. Answer. The first member of this seems resolvable into the 1st. objection before stated. The jealousy of the subordinate governments is a precious reliance. But observe that those governments are only agents. They must have principles furnished them whereon to found their opposition. The declaration of rights will be the text whereby they will try all the acts of the federal government. In this view it is necessary to the federal government also: as by the same text they may try the opposition of the subordinate governments. 4. Experience proves the inefficacy of a bill of rights. True. But tho it is not absolutely efficacious under all circumstances, it is of great potency always, and rarely inefficacious. A brace the more will often keep up the building which would have fallen with that brace the less. There is a remarkeable difference between the characters of the Inconveniencies which attend a Declaration of rights, and those which attend the want of it. The inconveniences of the Declaration are that it may cramp government in it's useful exertions. But the evil of this is shortlived, moderate, and reparable. The inconveniencies of the want of a Declaration are permanent, afflicting and irreparable: they are in constant progression from bad to worse. The executive in our governments is not the sole, it is scarcely the principal object of my jealousy. The tyranny of the legislatures is the most formidable dread at present, and will be for long years. That of the executive will come in it's turn, but it will be at a remote period. I know there are some among us who would now establish a monarchy. But they are inconsiderable in number and weight of character. The rising race are all republicans. We were educated in royalism: no wonder if some of us retain that idolatry still. Our young people are educated in republicanism. An apostacy from that to royalism is unprecedented and impossible. I am much pleased with the prospect that a declaration of rights will be added: and hope it will be done in that way which will not endanger the whole frame of the government, or any essential part of it.

The Founders' Constitution
Volume 1, Chapter 14, Document 49
http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/v1ch14s49.html
The University of Chicago Press

The Papers of Thomas Jefferson. Edited by Julian P. Boyd et al. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1950--.

© 1987 by The University of Chicago
All rights reserved. Published 2000
http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/