Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the GOD'S WORD TRANSLATION ( GW ); being entitled: PRAY THE SCRIPTURES BIBLE. Exodus 21:20, 21 read as follows:
"20 'Whenever an owner hits his male or female slave with a stick so that the slave dies from the beating, the owner must be punished. 21 But if the slave gets up in a day or two, the owner must not be punished. The slave is his property.'"
Under the law of Moses, a slaveholder was allowed to beat his slave, but he was to be punished if his slave died from the beating. Moreover, the slave was the slaveholder's property. How does this observation apply to us, as Christians ( see Acts 11:26, for example )?
To begin with, the work relationship is described in terms of masters and slaves ( see Colossians 3:22-4:1, for example ). Our boss is the master, and we are the slaves. We obey our earthly masters "with proper respect" ( see Ephesians 6:5 ), and we do not "argue with them" ( see Titus 2:9 ), for example.
Furthermore, 1 Peter 2:18-20 read as follows: "18 Slaves, place yourselves under the authority of your owners and show them complete respect. Obey not only those owners who are good and kind, but also those who are unfair. 19 God is pleased if a person is aware of him while enduring the pains of unjust suffering. 20 What credit do you deserve if you endure a beating for doing something wrong? But if you endure suffering for doing something good, God is pleased with you." The heavenly Father ( see Matthew 5:9, 16; 6:9, 14, for example ) is pleased with us if we endure suffering, in the master-slave relationship, for doing good. We must always strive to please Him ( see John 8:28, 29 and 1 Corinthians 11:1, for example ).
Finally, the heavenly Father has commanded ( see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, 151, Ecclesiastes 12:13, John 17:1, 3, 17, and 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, for example ) that masters are to treat their slaves with respect, and are not to threaten them ( see Ephesians 6:9, for example ). As Christians, we are Christ's slaves ( see 1 Corinthians 7:18-24 ( especially verse 22, for example ), for example ): we are His property ( see Leviticus 25:35-55 ( especially verses 44 and 45, for example ) and Romans 10:1-4 ( especially verse 4, for example ); 15:1-4 ( especially verse 4, for example ), for example ). We become His slaves when we are baptized, by immersion in water, in His name, for the remission of our past sins ( see Acts 2:38; 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39 ( KJV, for example ), for example ); 20:25-31 ( especially verse 28, for example ), Romans 3:22-26 ( especially verse 25, for example ); 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ), 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 ( especially verse 20, for example ), and Colossians 1:19-23 ( especially verse 20, for example ), for example ). Jesus does not treat us harshly ( see Matthew 11:25-30 ( especially verse 30, for example ), for example ). Please read the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Luke 8:19-21 ( especially verse 21, for example ); 11:27-32 ( especially verse 28, for example ), and Revelation 1:3, for example ).
If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:
<rewillis1_1@juno.com>
<Russell E. Willis>.
NOTE: If there were to be a complete condemnation of the concept of slavery here in America, then everyone would need to stay home and stop going to work ( bartending, gambling, and prostitution, for example, are not examples of honorable work - see Proverbs 20:1, 1 Timothy 6:9, 10, Hebrews 13:4, and 1 Peter 4:1-6 ( especially verse 3, for example ), for example ), for example: America would become one big welfare state. Clearly, the concept of slavery is taught in the Holy Bible ( as demonstrated above ). Additionally, there is no such thing as a denominational slave of Christ ( see Ephesians 4:5, for example ).
