Whether you consider the rule of law, property rights, the rights of all individual citizens, education, charity and charitable institutions, education and the abolition of slavery—all these marvelous benefits to mankind are based on the Holy Scriptures.

Consider the equal status of the citizenry and the abolition of slavery as beginning points. The Bible teaches the fundamental ideal that all are equal before God. The apostle Peter said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation, whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him" (Acts 10:34-35, emphasis added throughout).

The apostle Paul adds: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Jesus Christ" (Galatians 3:28; compare Colossians 3:10-11). God Himself rescued a large group of slaves from ancient Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:15).

Slavery has been deeply entrenched in the culture of mankind for several thousand years. Yet a number of Jesus Christ's true teachings were advanced because of the influence of the Bible—resulting in many positive developments in society. Indeed, when efforts were begun to abolish slavery in the Western world, convictions based on the Christian Bible came to the forefront.

"Christians were the first group in history to start an antislavery movement . . . William Wilberforce spearheaded a campaign that began with almost no support and was driven entirely by his Christian convictions . . . Eventually Wilberforce triumphed, and in 1833 slavery was outlawed in Britain" (Dinesh D'Souza, What's So Great About Christianity? 2007, p. 71). The American Civil War was fought largely over slavery, and the slaves were freed after this conflict ended.

Consider also the rule of law and property rights. The Ten Commandments, which constitute the basic law from God for all mankind and provide the bedrock for a proper human legal system, fully support property rights. The Eighth and Tenth Commandments against stealing and covetousness directly address the right to own property (Exodus 20:15, 17; Deuteronomy 5:19, 21).

Hospitals and the nursing profession are other examples of how the Bible has benefited mankind. The pagan world had little sympathy for those who were sick. Alleviating their suffering was not a priority. But Jesus was moved with compassion for the sick and healed many who were ill (Matthew 9:35; 14:14). He taught His disciples to follow His example (Luke 9:1-2). Even today, true ministers of God anoint the sick (James 5:14-15).

"Charity hospitals for the poor and indigent public did not exist until Christianity introduced them" (Alvin Schmidt, How Christianity Changed the World, 2004, p. 155). As time went by, hospitals were established in greater numbers with the influence of Christianity based on premier biblical commandments like "love your neighbor as yourself" and the Golden Rule (Matthew 22:39-40; 7:12; Luke 6:31). The entire Bible is built on the foundation of these major sayings alongside the command to love God with all one's being.

Christian charity remains a basic teaching of the Bible that has benefited humanity. The apostle Paul wrote, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10).

Education is another bulwark of biblical benefits. Jesus Himself was a great teacher (John 1:38)—and He taught His disciples to teach others what He had taught them (Matthew 28:18-20). One approach of Christianity that was revolutionary at the time was that it offered teaching to both men and women in the same setting. All were expected to learn the principles of the Christian faith. Aquila and Priscilla taught the preacher Apollos "the way of God more accurately" (Acts 18:26).

As time went by, the positive effects of Christianity continued to exert influence in the educational realm of society. Many of the great early universities in Britain and America were established with the express purpose of training men for the clergy or educating young people in the ways of the Bible.

All the inhabitants of the Western world, whether Christian or not, have benefited immensely from the teachings of Scripture. Where would we be without the Bible? GN