In this episode we will begin looking at the New Testament and what it has to say about slavery. We will start with Jesus and then quickly look at the book of Acts.

I believe the best summary for the New Testament concerning slavery is found in Galatians chapter 3 verse 28: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Equality is the focus for human relationships. This equality is punctuated by love for one another, which is where we begin as we look at Jesus.

There are three scenes in the Gospels that I believe state emphatically the position God has toward slavery. The first is found in Matthew chapter 22 verses 34 through 40. 

But maybe the slave isn’t your “neighbor” that is meant in Leviticus? This question leads us to the second scene that we find in Luke chapter 10 verses 25 through 37. 

There is one more scene in which Jesus is answering questions from His disciples about the end of everything. Matthew chapter 25 verses 31 through 46 is usually titled, “The Judgment of the Sheep and the Goats.” 

Jesus tells a parable beginning with chapter 19 verse 30 and ending in chapter 20 verse 16 in which He explains the phrase, "The last shall be first and the first last."

Acts chapters 4 and 6 show us examples of the early church putting in place systems to prevent slavery among its members.