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The Acts of the Apostles
Some masters, more humane than others, were more indulgent
toward their servants; but the vast majority of the wealthy and noble,
given up without restraint to the indulgence of lust, passion, and ap-
petite, made their slaves the wretched victims of caprice and tyranny.
The tendency of the whole system was hopelessly degrading.
It was not the apostle’s work to overturn arbitrarily or suddenly the
established order of society. To attempt this would be to prevent the
success of the gospel. But he taught principles which struck at the very
foundation of slavery and which, if carried into effect, would surely
undermine the whole system. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is
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liberty,” he declared.
2 Corinthians 3:17
. When converted, the slave
became a member of the body of Christ, and as such was to be loved
and treated as a brother, a fellow heir with his master to the blessings
of God and the privileges of the gospel. On the other hand, servants
were to perform their duties, “not with eyeservice, as men pleasers;
but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.”
Ephesians 6:6
.
Christianity makes a strong bond of union between master and
slave, king and subject, the gospel minister and the degraded sinner
who has found in Christ cleansing from sin. They have been washed
in the same blood, quickened by the same Spirit; and they are made
one in Christ Jesus.
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