The New Testament makes a clear distinction regarding use of force. In the Garden of Gethsemane near midnight, Jesus told Peter to put away his sword, since living "by the sword" (that is, using it offensively) is wrong. But when He commissioned the apostles to go out into the world to preach - and he knew they would come under attack for doing so - Jesus instructed them to obtain a sword (even if they had to sell clothing in order to obtain one) for appropriate defensive use.
The New Testament makes a clear distinction regarding use of force. In the Garden of Gethsemane near midnight, Jesus told Peter to put away his sword, since living "by the sword" (that is, using it offensively) is wrong. But when He commissioned the apostles to go out into the world to preach - and he knew they would come under attack for doing so - Jesus instructed them to obtain a sword (even if they had to sell clothing in order to obtain one) for appropriate defensive use.
I was just reading this over the last few days.