DOES THE BIBLE ENDORSE SLAVERY?



Are we to literally interpret the bible as condoning and supporting slavery (Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:22, 4:1;1 Timothy 6:1-2; 1 Peter 2:18). Although today, you can't find any Christian who believes the ancient apostles or even Christ did, because of a grave misunderstanding on the part of the ministers, many Christian churches in the 17 and 18 century firmly believed and taught that is was God's will that some of their fellowman was held and sold into servitude. It is true that people read the bible and look for validation of their philosophy and theology. In other words, they tell the bible what it is suppose to say rather than letting the scriptures speak to them.

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, and singleness of heart, as unto Christ;

Ephesians 6:5-6
Not with eyeservice (sic), as menpleasers (sic); but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart
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Colossians 3:22
Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice (sic), as menpleasers (sic); but in singleness of heart, fearing God.
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Colossians 4:1
Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
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1 Timothy 6:1-2
Let as many as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and is doctrine be not blasphemed.

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

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1 Peter 2:18
Servants. be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also the froward (sic).
Christians and Muslims believe that Christ came to share with the people, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not the Pauline Gospel. Paul, who wasn't even an ordained apostle, rightly wrote kind letters to the new members of Christ's Church exhorting them to stay firm in the faith and not be given to fertility worship or idolatry. However, Paul's rather innocuous exhortations have been mistranslated, misinterpreted and misconstrued. As a consequence, Christendom has elevated the recently converted, very devote and ordained merely to preach (see article entitled Was Paul Really an Apostle?), Saul of Tarsus, to the same level of Jesus Christ, that of making and pronouncing doctrine!

Christ's ministry was to bring peace and hope to mankind, not to overturn the apple cart. Christ's mission was to first instill love in the hearts and minds of the people and through love, the people would themselves bring about a new world order void of slavery in which everyone's human rights were protected.

But before Christ could influence man to respect the individual rights of his fellowman, Christ taught a form of passive resistance and change through love and being cooperative No! Slavery is anathema to the teachings of God, but if it occurs which it has and will, change the system by changing people's heart. Christ's mission was to instill love for each other in the hearts of man and through love, change the world, not by war, coercion, force or intimidation.
 
 

David R.W. Wadsworth
Servant of the Most High God

El Santuario Escondido
10387 Tioga Lake Drive
Escondido, CA 92029-5405

(760) 743-5293

drww@themillennialdispensation.org




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