The Names Christians Wear

The Hated Institution of Slavery To appreciate today’s “name” we must first explore the injustice of human slavery. Interesting that Jesus and the apostles would use this hated institution to illustrate Christianity.

Many get the idea that the Bible actually condones slavery. It is true that the Bible discusses slavery. It is true that the Bible regulates slavery. It is also true that the Bible nowhere expressly FORBIDS slavery. Which led many in the 19 th Century to conclude that slavery was actually supported and expected by God.

"[Slavery] was established by decree of Almighty God...it is sanctioned in the Bible, in both Testaments, from Genesis to Revelation...it has existed in all ages, has been found among the people of the highest civilization, and in nations of the highest proficiency in the arts." Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America.

"There is not one verse in the Bible inhibiting slavery, but many regulating it. It is not then, we conclude, immoral.” Alexander Campbell

What we must NOT do is soften the language of the Bible to try and ignore its treatment of slavery. Many translations use the word SERVANT rather than SLAVE to try and soften the subject. But known history of the times and the context of the Bible passages insists upon an understanding of actual slavery – men buying, selling and owning one another.

Yet we cannot say the Bible CONDONES slavery. Luke 4:18 – “… He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed.” A slave as the result of war.

1 Timothy 1:9-10 – “ We also know that law is made …for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers….” Compound word for “man” and “foot” – i.e. “Men who put other men under their feet” – oppressors.

New Testament Slavery Vocabulary DOULOS – A common slave. Matthew 18:23 – “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants…. Philemon 16 – Onesimus is called DOULOS. It is clear that he is a slave to Philemon and Paul would have him freed.

PAIDOS Luke 7:8 – “…I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” Matthew 12:18 – “Here is my servant whom I have chosen….” A boy, child, girl, servant, slave. Indication of one who is subservient.

OIKETAI Luke 16:13 -- "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." A domestic house servant.

HUPERETES 1 Corinthians 4:1 -- So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. A compound word from UNDER and ROWER

We are servants (slaves) to God Luke 17:10 – “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.' “ Luke 12:35-38 – “…It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve….”

1 Corinthians 3:5 -- What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 1 Peter 2:16 -- Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

We are slaves to one another Mark 9:35 -- Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.“ Mark 10:43 -- Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant….

Philippians 2: Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Galatians 5:13 -- You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.